# SaaS to GaaS: How to Move From Seat Licences to Outcome Pricing URL: https://zunkireelabs.com/blog/saas-to-gaas-how-to-move-from-seat-licences-to-outcome-pricing/ Published: 2026-10-12 Summary: Considering a move from SaaS to GaaS? When agentic as a service makes sense, how per-seat and per-outcome pricing compare, and a step-by-step way to test the switch. **In short:** Moving from SaaS to GaaS (Agentic as a Service) means paying for finished tasks done by AI agents instead of paying per user for software your team operates. It is not an all-or-nothing switch. Most teams should test it on one repeatable workflow first and compare the total cost and quality against the SaaS tool they use today. This is Zunkiree Labs' view of the model, not a study. ## Key Takeaways - SaaS charges per seat whether the tool is used or not. GaaS charges per outcome, such as a processed document. - GaaS suits high-volume, repeatable work. It suits low-volume or highly judgment-based work less well. - Compare the full cost: licences, the staff time spent operating the tool, and the cost of checking the agent's output. - Run both side by side on one workflow before you cancel anything. - Check what counts as one outcome in the contract and what happens when a result needs redoing. ## What Is Actually Changing? With SaaS, you buy access to a tool and your people do the work in it. With GaaS, you buy the work itself: an agent plans and carries out a task and hands back the result. The [GaaS vs SaaS comparison](/resources/what-is-gaas/) sets the two side by side. ## When Does the Switch Make Sense? - The task is repeated many times a week and follows a recognisable pattern. - Staff spend more time operating the tool than deciding things. - Seats are under-used, so you pay for access nobody needs every day. - The result can be checked quickly against a source or a rule. It makes less sense when the work is rare, creative or relationship-driven, or when one mistake is very costly. ## How Do the Costs Compare? Do not compare the price list alone. Add up, for each option: 1. **Licence or outcome fees** for a typical month. 2. **Staff time** spent operating the tool or reviewing the output. 3. **Rework** when a result is wrong. 4. **Setup and integration** with your own systems. A per-outcome price that looks high can still win if it removes hours of operating time. A per-seat price that looks low can still lose if seats sit unused. ## A Safe Way to Move 1. **Pick one workflow** that is repeatable and checkable, such as processing incoming documents or sorting support tickets. 2. **Write down today's baseline:** volume, hours, error rate and monthly cost. 3. **Run the agent alongside the existing tool** for a few weeks. 4. **Measure the same four numbers** and compare. 5. **Keep a human approval step** on anything risky or customer-facing. 6. **Decide on the contract terms:** the definition of an outcome, the redo policy and how you export your data. 7. **Scale slowly,** one workflow at a time. ## What Should You Watch Out For? - **Vague outcome definitions.** If "one outcome" is not precisely defined, the bill is unpredictable. - **Hidden review cost.** If your team has to recheck everything, savings shrink. - **Data access.** Agents need access to your systems. Limit it to what the task needs. - **Dependence on one provider.** Keep your process documented so you can switch. ## The Takeaway SaaS to GaaS is best treated as a series of small, measured tests, not a migration project. Start with one repeatable workflow, measure the full cost, and let the numbers decide. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the difference between SaaS and GaaS? SaaS gives you software your team operates, usually priced per user. GaaS gives you AI agents that carry out tasks for you, usually priced per outcome delivered. ### How do I move from SaaS to GaaS? Pick one repeatable workflow, record today's cost and error rate, run an agent alongside your current tool, compare results and scale only if the numbers hold up. ### Is GaaS cheaper than SaaS? It depends on volume and how much staff time the tool takes. Compare licence or outcome fees, operating time, rework and setup, not only the price list. ### Should I cancel my SaaS tools if I try GaaS? Not at first. Run both in parallel on one workflow and cancel only after the results are clear. ### What should a GaaS contract define? What counts as one outcome, what happens when a result must be redone, what data the agent can access and how you can export your data if you leave. ## Related Insights - [Understanding the Key Differences Between GaaS and SaaS](/blog/understanding-the-key-differences-between-gaas-and-saas/) - [The Key Stages of the SaaS Development Life Cycle](/blog/understanding-the-saas-software-development-lifecycle-a-comprehensive-guide/)