Unused SaaS applications

What percentage of SaaS tools are unused or underutilized?

Measuring software "waste" is the most direct way to identify hidden capital within a business. Vertice’s Q1 2026 data reveals a staggering reality: 66% of all SaaS licenses are either entirely untouched or surplus to actual requirements. As organizations face mounting pressure to optimize costs – while also funding high-cost AI infrastructure – this "silent leakage" has become the primary target for CFOs and procurement leaders looking to reclaim budget without increasing total spend.

The breakdown of software waste: 15% vs 51%

The 2026 data breaks software inefficiency into two distinct categories: "shelfware" and "underutilized applications."

• 15% unused applications ("shelfware"): These are platforms with zero activity, representing pure waste – software that was purchased, integrated and then forgotten. These instances of shelfware – also referred to as zombie apps – often persist because of auto-renewals and a lack of centralized visibility, creating significant security risks alongside financial loss.‍
• 51% underutilized applications: This represents the largest drain on the SaaS budget. Vertice defines underutilization as any subscription where less than 50% of the purchased capacity is used. This means that for over half of all business software, a majority of the licenses or credits are currently being wasted, with these contracts substantially overprovisioned.

Data source: These insights are derived from over $30bn of global processed spend managed by Vertice in 2026.