Unused SaaS applications

Almost a fifth of all SaaS tools go unused.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, SaaS application usage increased from 78% to 81%, reflecting a growing emphasis on maximizing value from existing software investments, amid rising costs and mounting pressure to do more with less.

Despite this growth, almost one-fifth (19%) of all SaaS tools remain entirely unused, effectively becoming shelfware. With the average company now using 135 applications, this represents a significant amount of wastage – contributing to the millions of dollars lost each year by many organizations.

Some of the most common reasons why SaaS tools go unused include:

• Maverick spending: Employees purchase tools outside centralized procurement processes.
• Lack of integration: Tools fail to connect with existing workflows or systems.
• Limited adoption: Teams do not fully adopt the software.
• Falling off the radar: Purchased tools are forgotten or deprioritized over time.