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July 31st, 2024

Show HN: Non SaaS – Directory of Non SaaS Apps

A new directory showcases non-SaaS software solutions for developers and businesses, offering alternatives to subscription services. It includes various categories and allows user submissions, promoting cost control and diverse options.

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Show HN: Non SaaS – Directory of Non SaaS Apps

A new directory has been created to showcase non-SaaS software solutions, aimed at developers and businesses seeking alternatives to subscription-based services. The initiative, led by Raj, is inspired by industry figures like Jason Fried and Chamath Palihapitiya, and addresses concerns over rising SaaS pricing. The curated list includes a variety of software options, both free and paid, allowing users to have more control over their expenses by opting for one-time payments instead of ongoing subscriptions. The directory covers numerous categories, including analytics, automation, communication, and more, catering to diverse needs. Users can also submit their own software for inclusion in the list by reaching out via Twitter. While the initiative promotes non-SaaS solutions, it acknowledges that some applications are best suited as SaaS, emphasizing a balanced approach to software selection. The platform aims to empower users by providing them with choices that can potentially reduce their software costs and enhance their control over their tools.

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AI: What people are saying
The comments on the article about the new directory for non-SaaS software solutions reveal a mix of opinions and concerns from users.
  • Some users appreciate the concept of one-time software payments, expressing relief at alternatives to ongoing subscriptions.
  • Criticism arises regarding the inclusion of certain services that still operate on a subscription model, questioning the directory's definition of non-SaaS.
  • Concerns about the website's usability, particularly on mobile devices, are raised by several commenters.
  • There are discussions about the effort required for self-hosting solutions, with suggestions for an "effort index" to evaluate complexity.
  • Some commenters emphasize the need for fair pricing based on development effort and ongoing maintenance.
Link Icon 15 comments
By @alberth - 6 months
> Inspired by … @Chamath (8090ish)

8090ish is a fake site.

https://www.8090ish.com/

  Why did you make this fake site?
  I like the concept. I don't have any strong mutual connections to Chamath, I made this on the off chance that I can get his attention to learn more about his plan. If you're reading this Chamath, let's chat! I'll happily hand this site over, and I'm happy to work with your team to build the real one.
By @aitchnyu - 6 months
Do any self hosting sites include an "effort index"? For example, if its a binary which needs Sqlite/MySql and Nginx, it gets a perfect score; if it needs 5 docker containers...
By @Andugal - 6 months
Great marketing strategy since the creator of this website is also the creator of several of these "non-SaaS".
By @udev4096 - 6 months
Why are you using such a bloated website builder for a quite simple task of listing apps?
By @quaintdev - 6 months
We as Software developers need to be honest with ourselves and really think about pricing. The product should be priced as per the effort and time it took to develop. If application needs maintenance then charge it separately.

But the customer should not have to pay for your SaaS because you don't want to work 9 to 5.

By @da_rob - 6 months
Went through the list, all listed services are SaaS apps. :(

Granted, most of them are self-hosted (not all!), but this list needs to be called norecurringfee.com ….

By @localfirst - 6 months
What a refreshing thing it is to pay for software once and never pay again!

Already I can see several SaaS subscriptions that can be replaced here.

By @ofey404 - 6 months
The pages have good TDK metadata for SEO. Well designed with a low-code tool.
By @Crazyontap - 6 months
The concept is good but the site design is just awful. The page is non responsive. Can't search and the scroll is very slow. Not sure why a such a simple page is designed to take up so much CPU.
By @JensRantil - 6 months
Works badly on mobile.
By @lolinder - 6 months
First entry I see: Pabbly Connect [0], a subscription web service that normally runs $20 a month and currently has a lifetime subscription offer advertised. Everything is hosted in the cloud, you sign in to access the product, they're SOC2 compliant, etc.

This website has a very different definition of SaaS than I do, and it sounds like it rhymes with "subscription".

A few more examples to make sure it wasn't a one-off:

* Foxly, a URL shortener with a subscription or lifetime deal [1].

* CountVisits, web analytics. This one doesn't offer a subscription, but it's still all hosted on their servers and therefore has usage limits (which you can pay to upgrade) [2]

[0] https://www.pabbly.com/connect/

[1] https://foxlyme.com/pricing/

[2] https://countvisits.com/