How to Identify The Best SaaS Companies to Work for

Are you a job seeker eyeing opportunities in the booming Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) sector? I understand the excitement – and the challenges – of finding the best SaaS companies to work for. With countless SaaS firms rising across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and beyond, how do you identify the employers that truly stand out for their culture and career growth? In this guide, I’ll share a roadmap to help you pinpoint top SaaS employers across all functions (from engineering to sales and marketing). We’ll explore key factors like company culture, growth opportunities, benefits, remote work policies, and more, so you can pursue your next role with confidence.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the tech scene, the goal is to find a company where you’ll thrive – not just today, but for years to come. Let’s dive into what makes a SaaS company a great place to work and how to discover these opportunities. But first, here’s a quick TL;DR summary of the key points.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

Prioritize company culture: Look for SaaS firms with supportive, innovative cultures and happy employees (high ratings on Glassdoor or Comparably). These workplaces will keep you motivated and engaged.
Seek growth opportunities: The best SaaS companies invest in employee development. From mentorship programs to clear promotion paths, they help you boost your career over the long term.
Evaluate benefits & perks: Top employers offer competitive salaries, great benefits (healthcare, retirement plans), equity or stock options, and perks that support work-life balance (wellness programs, generous PTO, etc.).
Look for remote-work flexibility: Many leading SaaS companies embrace remote or hybrid work. If work-from-home options matter to you, target firms known for flexible policies and distributed teams.
Check employee reviews: Use sites like Glassdoor and Comparably to gauge employee satisfaction. Consistently positive reviews and “best workplace” awards are strong signs of a great employer.
Consider stability and funding: A company’s stability is key. Well-established SaaS leaders or startups with solid funding and growth trends offer more job security and resources for employees.
Research leadership and values: Great leadership trickles down. Companies led by visionary, ethical leaders (with high CEO approval) often foster better workplaces and align with your values.
Note industry reputation: SaaS firms known for quality products and innovation (e.g. recognized on industry “top company” lists) tend to attract top talent and maintain strong workplace standards – a win-win for your resume and daily work life.
Use specialist job boards: When job hunting, leverage specialized resources like The SaaS Jobs Board to find curated SaaS job openings. Niche boards save you time by filtering for relevant roles and companies, unlike general job sites.

Company Culture: Find a Supportive, Innovative Environment

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” as the saying goes. In the context of SaaS companies, a strong company culture can make all the difference in your day-to-day happiness. Top SaaS employers cultivate inclusive, supportive environments where employees feel valued. How can you spot a great culture? Look for clues like core values the company publishes, employee testimonials, and third-party recognitions. For instance, HubSpot – a well-known SaaS CRM platform – famously publishes a Culture Code and has ranked #1 on Comparably’s large companies list for company culture. In practice, that means employees at HubSpot report high satisfaction and a sense of mission in their work.

Another example: Atlassian, an enterprise SaaS company (makers of Jira, Confluence, etc.), was named among the World’s Best Workplaces in 2023 and consistently wins “best workplace” awards in multiple countries. In fact, 81% of Atlassian employees say it’s a great place to work, compared to 57% at a typical company. This kind of statistic – often available through Great Place to Work or Comparably – indicates a healthy culture. When evaluating a SaaS employer’s culture, consider:

Does the company emphasize values like collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being?
Are there any awards or rankings for company culture or workplace quality (e.g. “Best Places to Work” lists)?
What do current and former employees say about teamwork, work-life balance, and morale?

A great culture will ensure you feel supported as you tackle exciting challenges in your role. It fosters teamwork, open communication, and often some fun traditions that make work more than just work. Since SaaS companies operate in fast-paced markets, a positive culture also helps teams weather rapid growth or change without burning out.

Growth Opportunities and Learning

When it comes to your career, growth opportunities are gold. The best SaaS companies to work for will not only give you a job – they’ll offer a career path. In practical terms, this means:

Career advancement: There are clear pathways for promotion or taking on greater responsibility over time. Many top firms prefer to promote from within.
Continuous learning: They invest in employee development through training programs, mentorship, conference stipends, or tuition reimbursement. You’ll be encouraged to upskill and stay on top of new tech or industry trends.
Cross-functional exposure: SaaS companies often encourage employees to collaborate across departments (think engineers working with product managers or sales teams). This can broaden your skill set and understanding of the business.

Why is growth so important? In the dynamic SaaS world, new tools and strategies emerge constantly. An employer that supports your growth helps you remain competitive and engaged. For example, some SaaS employers have formal mentorship programs or “lunch and learn” sessions to share knowledge. Others, like large companies such as Salesforce, have internal training academies (Salesforce’s Trailhead program) to help employees and customers alike learn new skills. Smaller companies might provide a stipend for online courses or encourage rotation between teams.

When researching a SaaS company, look for signs of this growth-friendly mindset. Check if they mention professional development or growth opportunities in their job descriptions or careers page. You can also ask about training and advancement in interviews. A company that invests in your future is one where you can comfortably commit your next few years (or more) and build a solid career foundation.

Benefits and Perks That Matter

Let’s face it: benefits and perks can greatly influence how satisfied you feel at a job. Competitive compensation is crucial, but it’s not the only thing. The best SaaS companies offer well-rounded benefits packages that take care of employees’ needs. Here are key benefits and perks to look for:

Healthcare and wellness: Employers should provide good health insurance (medical, dental, vision) in countries like the US, or top-up plans in places with public healthcare. Many also offer wellness programs, mental health support, or gym reimbursements, recognizing the importance of employee health.
Retirement plans and equity: Look for 401(k) matching (in the US) or pension contributions elsewhere. Importantly, many SaaS firms (especially startups and growth-stage companies) offer stock options or equity grants. This can be a big perk – if the company grows or goes public, your shares’ value grows too, giving you a direct stake in the success you’re helping to create.
Paid time off and flexibility: Top companies ensure you have ample vacation days and encourage you to use them. Some even offer unlimited PTO (with the expectation you take a reasonable amount). Generous parental leave and family-related leave policies are also a mark of a progressive employer.
Unique perks: This is where some tech companies get creative – think free meals, on-site childcare, education stipends, or home office allowances for remote workers. For example, Google (which provides many SaaS services via Google Cloud) has famously lavish perks and was recognized with Comparably’s 2023 award for Best Company Perks & Benefits. While not every company will be Google, even smaller SaaS firms often provide perks like weekly team lunches (virtual or in-person), annual retreats, or budget for books and courses.

Remember that benefits reflect how much a company values its employees’ overall well-being. A SaaS company that is doing well financially and cares about retention will usually offer above-average benefits. On the other hand, any company that seems to skimp on basics (or doesn’t clearly communicate its benefits) might not be ideal. When evaluating job offers, compare the benefits in detail – sometimes a slightly lower salary at a company with stellar benefits (and stock options) can be more rewarding in the long run.

Remote Work Flexibility

In today’s world, remote work flexibility has become a huge factor for many job seekers. The good news is that the SaaS industry was an early adopter of remote-friendly work styles. If you prefer working from home (or anywhere), plenty of top SaaS companies offer flexible arrangements:

Fully remote companies: Some SaaS companies have no central office at all – they’ve embraced fully distributed teams. Zapier is a great example, having been 100% remote since its founding in 2011. Employees at Zapier are located all over the world and the company has honed its remote culture and communication practices over the years.
Hybrid models: Many established companies offer a mix – you might have the option to work from home a few days a week or choose whether to be remote or in-office. For instance, Atlassian rolled out a “Team Anywhere” policy allowing employees to live and work from anywhere with a compatible time zone, reflecting a strong commitment to remote flexibility. Other firms might not be “remote-first” but still allow employees to negotiate partial or full remote schedules.
Remote work perks: Companies that are remote-friendly often provide support for your home office setup (stipends for equipment, good IT support) and encourage virtual team bonding activities to keep the culture strong across distances.

If flexibility is high on your priority list, target SaaS employers known for embracing distributed work. This not only means you can work from a location that suits you, but also that the company likely has a results-oriented culture (they trust employees to get work done without strict onsite supervision). Check job postings or company career pages for mentions of remote work or distributed teams. You can also find lists of remote-friendly companies on tech community sites. Keep in mind that even in companies that haven’t declared fully remote policies, certain roles (especially in sales, customer support, or engineering) might be open to remote candidates – it never hurts to ask.

Employee Reviews and Reputation

One of the best ways to peek inside a company’s work environment is through employee reviews and overall employer reputation. Websites like Glassdoor, Comparably, and Great Place to Work provide invaluable insights from the people who actually work there. When evaluating SaaS companies, make sure to:

Read reviews for consistent pros and cons. No workplace is perfect, but if you see patterns (e.g. “leadership truly listens” or “high stress during end of quarter”), take note. Are the issues mentioned deal-breakers for you, or do the positives outweigh them?
Check the ratings. A company with a Glassdoor rating of, say, 4.5/5 is generally doing something right by its employees. Also look at specific ratings for categories like Culture, Work-Life Balance, Career Opportunities, and Management.
See if the company has made it onto any “Best Places to Work” lists or won awards based on employee feedback. For example, HubSpot employees’ feedback has landed the company on multiple top workplace lists (Comparably, Glassdoor, etc.), and as mentioned earlier, Atlassian and others have Great Place to Work certifications. Such accolades are a green flag.

Beyond numbers, pay attention to what employees praise. Do they talk about great teamwork? Autonomy? Work-life balance? Those are exactly the conditions you likely want in your next role. Conversely, if many reviews cite lack of growth or long hours as a problem, that company might not align with your priorities.

Also consider the company’s reputation in the industry (which we’ll dive into more shortly). Often, companies that treat their customers well and have a respected brand also tend to treat their employees well – it’s not a guarantee, but it correlates. If you see a SaaS company consistently recommended by people in your professional network, that’s a good sign too. Don’t be afraid to reach out to current employees via LinkedIn for an informational chat; many will candidly share their experience.

Funding and Business Stability

SaaS is a fast-growing field with startups emerging constantly, but not all will stand the test of time. When considering where to work, it’s wise to gauge a company’s financial stability and growth trajectory. Here’s how:

Company stage: Is it a bootstrapped startup, a VC-funded scale-up, or a publicly traded industry leader? There’s no “wrong” answer, but know the trade-offs. Early-stage startups can offer big learning opportunities and equity upside, but they also carry higher risk (the company could pivot or struggle). Large public SaaS companies (like Salesforce, Adobe, or Shopify) offer stability, established processes, and typically more resources for employees, though maybe less of the startup thrill.
Funding and runway: If it’s a private company, check resources like Crunchbase or news releases to see if they have strong funding. For example, a SaaS startup that recently raised a significant Series B or C round from reputable investors likely has a good runway (enough capital to sustain operations for a couple of years and invest in growth). On the flip side, be cautious if you discover a company hasn’t raised money in a long time and isn’t yet profitable – ensure they have a plan for stability.
Growth metrics: If information is available, consider the company’s customer base and revenue growth. Many top SaaS companies boast double-digit (or more) percentage growth annually. Consistent growth often means more opportunities for you (new teams forming, promotions, raises) and less worry about job cuts. Public companies will have financial reports; private ones might share some figures on their website or during interviews.
Layoff history: Sadly, even big names have layoffs during tough times. If a company had a recent round of layoffs or cost-cutting, try to find out why. One layoff doesn’t make it a bad place to work (sometimes it’s due to broader economic shifts), but frequent layoffs or very deep cuts could signal trouble. In contrast, a company that managed to avoid layoffs during industry downturns might indicate prudent management.

A strong indicator of stability is how a company is recognized in terms of business ethics and leadership vision. For example, Salesforce (a SaaS pioneer) has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies multiple times – which reflects not just values but also a sustainable way of doing business. Stable companies tend to think long-term, balancing growth with responsible management. Joining such a company can provide peace of mind that your job won’t vanish overnight and that the organization will continue to invest in its people.

Leadership and Company Values

Leadership quality might be harder to quantify, but it heavily influences a company’s work environment. A visionary, compassionate leadership team will inspire employees and steer the company to success, whereas poor leadership can turn even a cool product into a miserable workplace. When evaluating SaaS employers, consider the following about leadership:

Founders and executives’ reputation: Do a bit of homework on the CEO and co-founders. Have they successfully led companies before? Are they known for a particular leadership style or values? For instance, many employees praise Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella for transforming the company’s culture in recent years – showing how a leader can make a big difference. In the SaaS realm, leaders like Marc Benioff of Salesforce are known for advocating philanthropy and equality (Salesforce’s 1-1-1 model for giving back), which can make employees feel proud of their company’s mission.
Mission and values: The best SaaS companies have clear missions and values that leadership actually follows. If a company preaches “customer success” or “innovation” as a value, do you see that in how leadership communicates and sets goals? Shared values between you and your employer create a strong alignment – you’ll feel like you’re part of something meaningful. Look at the company’s mission statement and recent blog posts or press releases to gauge how leadership talks about employees and customers.
Transparency and communication: Great leaders tend to be transparent with their team. During your interview process or any research webinars/panels, note if leaders openly discuss company challenges and achievements. Modern SaaS companies often hold regular all-hands meetings or publish internal newsletters to keep everyone in the loop.
Approachability: In many top companies, even high-level execs remain approachable. Maybe they host “ask me anything” sessions or have lunch with new hires. This approachability can signal a healthy, ego-free culture.

Ultimately, strong leadership will foster the other factors we’ve discussed – they’ll champion great culture, ensure people have growth opportunities, and steer a stable course. For example, companies that win “Best CEO” or “Best Leadership” awards on Comparably (such as those earned by companies like RingCentral and others) likely have leadership teams that employees trust and admire. Aligning yourself with a well-led organization means you’re more likely to have mentorship from the top and clear vision guiding your work.

Industry Reputation and Impact

The last key factor is the SaaS company’s reputation in the industry and the impact of its products. Why does this matter for you as an employee? A few reasons:

If the company is a leader in its market (for example, a top-rated CRM provider or the go-to platform in cybersecurity SaaS), it often indicates a certain level of maturity and success. Working for a market leader or a well-respected innovator means you’ll likely have access to better resources, a robust customer base, and the chance to work on products that truly shape the industry.
Being at a reputable company can boost your own professional brand. It’s an asset on your resume to say “I worked at [Industry-leading SaaS Company],” and it often means you collaborated with other top professionals, learned best practices, and tackled challenges at scale. This experience is invaluable for your future career growth.
Companies with strong reputations usually maintain higher standards internally. They know their brand is important, so they invest in talent and avoid practices that would tarnish their name. For instance, a SaaS company consistently featured on the Forbes Cloud 100 list of top cloud companies or recognized at industry conferences is likely doing a lot of things right.
Impact matters too – consider the mission. Are they solving interesting, meaningful problems? It can be highly motivating to work for a SaaS firm whose product you believe in (be it improving business efficiency, enabling education, supporting healthcare, etc.). Mission-driven companies often create a strong sense of purpose among employees. As an example, some SaaS companies focus on social good or environmental sustainability alongside profit, which can be a draw if those issues resonate with you.

To assess this factor, research how the company is talked about in the media and by customers. Is it generally positive? A company with a loyal customer base and good press likely translates to a more positive vibe internally. You might even try the product (if possible) to see what all the fuss is about – being a user can give you a unique perspective and maybe even extra enthusiasm as an employee.

Examples of Top SaaS Companies to Work For

Now that we’ve covered what to look for, let’s highlight some real-world examples. There are many excellent SaaS employers, but here are a few companies (big and small) that exemplify the qualities of a great place to work:

Salesforce: A global SaaS giant in CRM, Salesforce is known for its forward-thinking culture and strong values. Employees often cite the “Ohana” (family) culture of trust and teamwork. The company offers extensive benefits, including generous parental leave and wellness programs, and it has a track record of promoting from within. Stability is high (Salesforce is a Fortune 500 firm), and leadership under CEO Marc Benioff is lauded for its philanthropic 1-1-1 model and commitment to ethics.
HubSpot: A mid-sized SaaS company providing marketing and sales software, HubSpot has earned a stellar reputation for culture. It’s frequently ranked as a best place to work due to its emphasis on humility, empathy, and adaptability. HubSpot provides clear career paths and lots of learning (they even offer a “HubSpot Fellowship” rotation for new grads). Benefits include unlimited vacation and remote options. The company’s growth and employee happiness are evident in its consistently high Comparably and Glassdoor ratings.
Atlassian: Originally from Australia and now worldwide, Atlassian (maker of collaboration tools like Jira) combines the excitement of a growing tech firm with a people-first approach. They have embraced remote work via their Team Anywhere policy, allowing staff across the globe. Atlassian’s leadership is transparent, and the company has won numerous “Best Workplace” awards. Employees enjoy benefits like equity grants, professional development allowances, and an open culture where everyone’s ideas are heard.
Workday: Workday, a leader in cloud HR and finance software, is often praised for its employee-centric approach. It has a strong record of internal promotions and offers programs for continuous learning. Workday’s benefits are top-tier (including employee stock purchase plans and good healthcare coverage), and it fosters a respectful, inclusive environment. The company is stable and growing, and it’s known for high customer satisfaction which reflects a positive internal ethos.
Zapier: A smaller, fully remote SaaS company, Zapier is proof that you don’t need to be a tech giant to be one of the best places to work. With employees scattered globally, Zapier focuses heavily on building a strong remote culture – think virtual donut chats, annual retreats, and a culture of trust. They offer unlimited vacation, competitive pay, and even cover costs for co-working spaces if you need one. Zapier’s leadership (including CEO Wade Foster) is outspoken about work-life balance and has shared their remote work best practices publicly. It’s a great example of a niche SaaS firm where you can have big impact and flexibility.
Canva: Canva is a high-growth SaaS offering graphic design tools, founded in Australia. It’s frequently highlighted as a top employer thanks to its vibrant culture that celebrates creativity and diversity. Canva provides excellent perks – from chef-catered meals in some offices to wellness benefits – and embraces hybrid work options. They place huge emphasis on their values like “Be a good human” and have a mission to empower the world to design. The company’s massive global user base and continued expansion mean solid stability and lots of opportunity for employees to grow with the business.

(Note: There are many other fantastic SaaS companies out there – this list is just a sampling. Depending on your location and field, you might also look at firms like Adobe (renowned for employee longevity and benefits), Shopify (a Canadian e-commerce SaaS with innovative remote-first approaches), ServiceNow (enterprise IT SaaS with rapid growth), Gusto (HR SaaS known for a people-first culture), and more. The key is to match what you value with what the company offers.)

Using a Specialist SaaS Job Board to Streamline Your Search

Searching for jobs can be a daunting task, but using the right tools will make it easier. One strong recommendation I have for SaaS job seekers is to use a specialist job board focused on SaaS roles, rather than relying solely on general job sites. A prime example is The SaaS Jobs Board, which is tailored specifically to jobs at SaaS companies. Here’s why a niche board like this can be a game-changer for your job hunt:

All jobs are relevant: On a specialized board, every listing is from a SaaS company. You won’t have to wade through postings that don’t fit what you want. As The SaaS Jobs Board itself puts it, they’ve “done the hard work for you” in filtering SaaS roles, so you can focus on quality opportunities.
Find companies you hadn’t considered: Niche boards often feature roles from both well-known SaaS leaders and emerging startups that might not appear on bigger sites. This exposes you to a wider range of potential employers (many of which could be hidden gems). The SaaS Jobs Board, for instance, lets you browse by company and see profiles of SaaS startups with info on their mission, size, and open positions.
Better targeting and filters: You can typically filter jobs by specific categories that matter in SaaS. The SaaS Jobs Board allows filtering by function (e.g. Sales, Engineering, Customer Success) and even an “only remote jobs” toggle. This beats generic keyword searches on big platforms, which might miss some roles or include false matches.
Curated and up-to-date: Smaller, focused boards are often curated by industry insiders. They may remove stale listings quickly and ensure the postings are from legitimate companies. You might also find that the job descriptions are more detailed and geared toward an audience that understands SaaS, since employers know they’re speaking to a targeted talent pool.
Community and resources: Along with job listings, niche sites sometimes offer career resources specific to the industry. For example, you might find blog articles (like this one!), salary guides for SaaS roles, or email newsletters with the latest openings. The SaaS Jobs Board invites users to subscribe for daily or weekly updates on new SaaS jobs, ensuring you don’t miss out on fresh opportunities.

In contrast, general job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.) have thousands of jobs across every industry. While they are still useful (especially for networking on LinkedIn), you’ll spend more time filtering and might deal with a lot of competition from applicants who aren’t specifically versed in SaaS. On a niche board, both you and the employers are there for the same reason – to find a great match in the SaaS world. It increases the signal-to-noise ratio for your search.

So, as you hunt for that dream role at a top SaaS company, save yourself some time and leverage a specialized site like The SaaS Jobs Board. It’s like having a cheat sheet for finding companies that already meet the “SaaS” criterion, and from there you can apply your knowledge of the key factors (culture, growth, etc.) to narrow down the perfect job.

Wrapping Up

Finding the best SaaS companies to work for is a personal journey – what’s “best” for someone else might not be the best for you. However, by focusing on the core factors we discussed (a thriving culture, growth opportunities, solid benefits, flexibility, positive reviews, stability, strong leadership, and a good reputation), you’ll be equipped to evaluate any company that comes your way. Remember that top SaaS employers exist across all sizes and regions, from Silicon Valley heavyweights to innovative startups in cities around the world. The common thread is that they value their people and create an environment where you can do your best work.

I can assure you that taking the time to research and choose the right company pays off immensely. You’ll wake up excited to contribute, you’ll learn new things, and you’ll advance confidently toward your career goals. Use the tools at your disposal – employee reviews, industry awards, and specialist job boards like The SaaS Jobs Board – to uncover those standout opportunities. And don’t hesitate to network with folks in the industry; often a quick chat with an insider can give you a feel for a company’s true nature.

In the fast-moving SaaS industry, great companies are always on the lookout for great talent. By targeting employers that check all the boxes for you, you’re not just landing a job – you’re investing in a fulfilling career. Here’s to finding a SaaS company that will be your platform for success. Happy job hunting, and best of luck in your SaaS career adventure!