Reddit for SaaS Ideas: How Founders Find Their First Product

47% of SaaS products fail within the first year—not because of bad execution, but because they solve problems nobody has.

The antidote? Start with validated demand instead of hunches. Reddit gives you direct access to 500M+ users openly discussing their frustrations, pain points, and unmet needs across 100K+ niche communities. It's the largest focus group in the world, running 24/7, completely free.

In this guide, I'll show you exactly how successful founders use Reddit to discover profitable SaaS ideas, including the frameworks, subreddits, and search strategies that uncover high-value opportunities before your competitors do. You'll learn how to identify problems worth solving, validate willingness to pay, and build products with customers waiting on day one.

What Makes Reddit Perfect for SaaS Idea Discovery

Reddit is the anti-survey. Instead of asking people hypothetical questions they'll lie about, you observe authentic conversations where people reveal their real struggles unprompted. When someone posts "I've wasted 15 hours this month trying to [task]," that's a validated pain point—not a polite survey response.

Why Reddit beats other research methods:

• Unfiltered honesty — Reddit users complain freely without social desirability bias. No one is trying to impress a researcher.
• Context-rich discussions — Entire threads reveal not just the problem, but why existing solutions fail, what workarounds people use, and how much they're willing to pay.
• Niche communities — Hyper-specific subreddits (r/freelance, r/shopify, r/SaaS) let you target exact ICPs instead of broad demographics.
• Free and immediate — No recruitment costs, no delays, no NDAs. Start researching in the next 5 minutes.
• Behavioral signals — Upvotes and comment counts quantify pain intensity. 500 upvotes on a complaint = widespread problem.

For SaaS specifically, Reddit communities like r/SaaS (500K members), r/Entrepreneur (3.5M), and r/startups (1.5M) are filled with founders actively sharing what tools they wish existed.

How Successful Founders Use Reddit to Find SaaS Ideas

Method 1: Mine Pain Point Threads

The most straightforward approach: find threads where people describe frustrating tasks, then build tools that automate them.

What to search for:

• "I hate [task]"
• "Why is [thing] so difficult?"
• "There must be a better way to [task]"
• "Does anyone have a solution for [problem]?"
• "I'm sick of [manual process]"

Example from r/freelance: Post: "Invoicing clients is such a nightmare. I spend 2 hours every week chasing payments, manually tracking who paid what, and reconciling PayPal/Stripe/bank transactions. There's got to be a better way."

SaaS opportunity: Invoice automation and payment reconciliation tool for freelancers.

Validation indicators:

• Thread has 200+ upvotes → widespread pain
• 50+ comments with others saying "me too" → big enough market
• People mention existing tools but complain about complexity → differentiation opportunity

Pro tip: Look for pain points that repeat across multiple threads over 60-90 days. One-off complaints might be edge cases; recurring patterns signal systemic problems worth solving.

Method 2: Analyze "What Tool Do You Use For..." Threads

These threads reveal tool categories with unsatisfied users—prime territory for disruption.

Search query examples:

• "What tool do you use for [category]?"
• "Best [tool type] for [use case]?"
• "Alternatives to [expensive incumbent]?"

Example from r/marketing: Post: "What tool do you use for content analytics? Google Analytics doesn't show which specific headlines drive conversions, and I can't justify $500/mo for enterprise tools."

SaaS opportunity: Affordable content analytics focused on headline performance.

What to look for in comments:

• "I use [Tool X] but it's too expensive"
• "I cobble together [3 tools] which is a pain"
• "Nothing quite fits my needs so I use spreadsheets"
• "I wish [Tool Y] had [specific feature]"

Red flags:

• Everyone loves existing solutions → saturated market
• The thread only gets 5 upvotes → niche too small
• Recommendations are all free tools users are happy with → low willingness to pay

Method 3: Track Competitor Complaints

Find threads discussing existing tools, then identify gaps in their offerings.

Search queries:

• "[Competitor name] review reddit"
• "Why I hate [competitor]"
• "Problems with [competitor]"
• "[Competitor] vs [alternative]"

Example from r/SaaS: Post: "Why did GummySearch shut down? It was the only Reddit research tool that actually worked. Now I'm back to manually reading threads for 10 hours a week."

SaaS opportunity: This validated demand for a GummySearch replacement before we built Harkn.

What to extract from competitor threads:

• Features users loved (must-have for your version)
• Features users hated (opportunities to differentiate)
• Pricing complaints (informs your pricing strategy)
• Customer support issues (easy win if you excel here)
• Missing integrations (instant differentiation)

Method 4: Identify Workflow Workarounds

When people describe convoluted multi-step processes or manual workarounds, that's a SaaS opportunity screaming to be built.

What to look for:

• "My current workflow is: [7 manual steps]"
• "I use [Tool A] to export, then [Tool B] to transform, then [Tool C] to import"
• "I have a VA spend 5 hours/week doing [task]"
• "I built a janky script that breaks every month"

Example from r/ecommerce: Post: "Here's my inventory workflow: Export from Shopify to CSV, manually clean data in Excel, import to Google Sheets, use Zapier to sync to Airtable, then manually check for discrepancies. Takes 3 hours every Monday."

SaaS opportunity: Shopify inventory sync tool with automatic reconciliation.

Why this works: If someone invested time building a workaround or hiring help, they're demonstrating willingness to pay for a proper solution. The workaround cost (time + tools + labor) sets your pricing ceiling.

Method 5: Monitor "I Built This" Posts for Validation

Founders often share side projects in communities like r/SideProject, r/Entrepreneur, or r/SaaS. Analyze which get traction.

What to track:

• Upvote count (100+ = strong interest)
• Comment sentiment ("I'd use this" vs "meh")
• Requests for early access or pricing
• Similar ideas mentioned ("I tried building this too!")

Example from r/SideProject: Post: "I built a tool that auto-generates social media posts from blog content using AI. Here's a demo."

Responses:

• 300 upvotes
• 40 comments, 30 of which say "I need this"
• 15 people ask "when can I sign up?"

SaaS opportunity: Validated demand for AI-powered content repurposing.

Bonus: Reach out to the builder. If they're not commercializing it (many side projects stay free), you might partner or acquire the idea.

Method 6: Study "Niche Within Niche" Communities

The most lucrative SaaS ideas often hide in micro-niches. Instead of building "CRM for everyone," build "CRM for podiatry clinics."

How to find micro-niches:

1. Browse Reddit's directory of subreddits by category
2. Look for communities with 10K-100K members (big enough to sustain SaaS, small enough to lack custom tools)
3. Analyze top posts for recurring operational problems

Examples:

• r/realestateinvesting (800K members) → property management tools for small landlords
• r/freelanceWriters (120K members) → client CRM + invoice tracking for writers
• r/dropship (200K members) → product research and supplier validation tools
• r/podcasting (300K members) → editing workflow automation

Why this works: Niche SaaS has less competition, higher willingness to pay (fewer alternatives), and easier marketing (smaller, tighter communities).

Best Subreddits for Finding SaaS Ideas

Broad Startup & Business Communities

r/SaaS (500K members)

• Founders discussing what tools they use and wish existed
• Weekly "share your startup" threads
• Search for "struggling with" or "hate using"

r/Entrepreneur (3.5M members)

• Wide range of business owners and solo founders
• Daily threads on tool recommendations and pain points
• Search for "automate [task]" or "tools for [problem]"

r/startups (1.5M members)

• Early-stage founders validating ideas
• "What are you working on" monthly threads
• Discussions of expensive enterprise tools they can't afford

r/SideProject (250K members)

• Indie hackers sharing micro-SaaS builds
• High engagement, fast feedback
• Trends emerge here before mainstream adoption

Role-Specific Communities

r/ProductManagement (200K members)

• PMs discussing roadmap, customer research, and analytics tools
• Pain points: user research, prioritization, stakeholder communication

r/marketing (1.2M members)

• Marketers frustrated with attribution, reporting, and campaign management
• Constant tool comparison threads

r/sales (150K members)

• Sales reps complaining about CRMs, lead gen, and reporting
• Look for "manual processes" and "data entry" complaints

r/freelance (200K members)

• Solo operators needing simple, affordable tools
• Common pain points: invoicing, time tracking, client communication

Niche Verticals

r/shopify (200K members) → e-commerce SaaS opportunities r/realestateinvesting (800K members) → property tech r/fitness (10M members) → coaching and tracking apps r/teachers (500K members) → edtech for lesson planning, grading r/webdev (2M members) → developer tools, deployment, monitoring

Proven Search Strategies for SaaS Idea Discovery

1. Power Searches with Reddit's Native Search

Use advanced operators:

subreddit:SaaS "I wish there was"
subreddit:Entrepreneur "does anyone know of a tool"
subreddit:freelance "hate using" OR "frustrated with"
subreddit:marketing "looking for" AND "software"

Sort by: Top (past year) to find highest-signal threads

2. Google Site Search for Better Results

Reddit's search is notoriously bad. Use Google instead:

site:reddit.com/r/SaaS "I need a tool"
site:reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur "alternative to" [competitor]
site:reddit.com "why is [task] so hard"

3. Set Up Keyword Alerts

Use F5Bot (free) or Harkn ($19/mo) to get alerts when specific phrases appear:

Alert keywords:

• "I wish there was a [your category]"
• "Is there a tool that [your use case]"
• "Why doesn't [competitor] have [feature]"
• "[Your niche] software recommendations"

This gives you real-time idea flow and early customer leads.

4. Analyze Top Posts Over Time

Instead of one-time searches, track subreddits over 90 days:

• What pain points appear in 5+ top posts?
• Which tool categories get mentioned most?
• What complaints recur despite existing solutions?

Tracking template (Google Sheets):

Date	Subreddit	Pain Point	Upvotes	Comments	Existing Tools Mentioned	Gaps

How to Validate SaaS Ideas Found on Reddit

Finding an idea is step one. Validation is step two.

Quick Validation Checklist

1. Frequency test

• Is this pain mentioned in 10+ threads across multiple subreddits in 90 days?
• If no → might be a one-off problem

2. Intensity test

• Do threads get 100+ upvotes and 50+ comments?
• If no → pain might not be acute enough

3. Willingness-to-pay test

• Do people mention paying for (unsatisfactory) alternatives?
• Do they describe expensive workarounds (VAs, consultants, manual labor)?
• If no → might be a "nice to have" they won't pay for

4. Competition test

• What existing tools do people mention?
• What do they complain those tools don't do?
• Can you differentiate on features, pricing, or simplicity?
• If saturated with loved solutions → hard to break in

5. Landing page test

• Build a simple page describing your solution
• Share in relevant subreddit threads (following rules)
• Track signups: 50+ emails in 7 days = strong signal

6. Beta offer test

• Offer free beta access in exchange for feedback
• If 20+ people sign up without seeing a product → validated demand

Real Examples: SaaS Ideas Discovered on Reddit

Example 1: Harkn (Reddit Research Tool)

Discovery: Saw 30+ posts in r/SaaS and r/Entrepreneur over 3 months asking for "GummySearch alternatives" and "ways to find customer pain points faster."

Validation:

• Built landing page, got 34 email signups in 7 days
• Offered beta access, 78 people signed up
• 5 people asked about pricing before we even had it

Result: Validated demand before writing production code. Launched with waitlist of paying customers.

Example 2: Invoice Tool for Freelancers

Discovery: Thread in r/freelance: "Spent 2 hours today chasing down payments. Why is invoicing so painful?"

Comments revealed:

• FreshBooks is "overkill" for solo freelancers
• QuickBooks is "confusing"
• Wave is free but doesn't track payment status well

Opportunity: Simple invoice + payment tracking for solo freelancers at $9/mo (below FreshBooks at $17/mo).

Example 3: Shopify Analytics for Small Stores

Discovery: Multiple r/shopify threads: "Google Analytics doesn't show which products customers almost bought" and "I need better cart abandonment insights."

Validation:

• Existing tools (like Glew) cost $79+/mo
• Small stores (< $10K/mo revenue) can't justify that
• 15+ store owners said "I'd pay $19/mo for this"

Opportunity: Shopify-specific analytics focused on cart behavior at affordable pricing.

Common Mistakes When Hunting SaaS Ideas on Reddit

1. ❌ Falling in love with niche problems ✅ A problem mentioned once in a small subreddit ≠ viable SaaS. Validate across multiple communities and check market size.

2. ❌ Ignoring competitive alternatives ✅ If 10 tools already solve the problem and users love them, you need a strong differentiation angle (pricing, simplicity, niche focus).

3. ❌ Mistaking "cool idea" for "painful problem" ✅ "That's neat" ≠ "I'd pay for this." Look for evidence of pain: time wasted, money spent on workarounds, hiring help.

4. ❌ Only researching on Reddit ✅ Reddit finds the problem. Validate willingness to pay elsewhere: landing pages, competitor reviews on G2/Capterra, direct outreach to 10 potential customers.

5. ❌ Building before validating pricing ✅ Test pricing tolerance early. Share a pricing page mockup. If people balk at $19/mo, your entire business model changes.

6. ❌ Chasing trends instead of evergreen problems ✅ "Best AI tool for [new thing]" might be trendy today, dead in 6 months. Focus on timeless pain points (invoicing, time tracking, client communication).

Tools to Accelerate Reddit SaaS Idea Research

Free:

• Reddit Search + Google — Manual but effective
• F5Bot — Keyword alerts for specific phrases
• Subreddit Stats — Community size and activity metrics

Paid:

• Harkn ($19/mo) — AI-powered pain point extraction from subreddits, ranked by severity
• Syften ($29/mo) — Reddit mention tracking across keywords
• GummySearch (shut down) — was the original Reddit research tool

Tracking:

• Google Sheets — Track pain points, frequency, validation scores
• Notion — Organize threads, quotes, and ideas in a database

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to find a viable SaaS idea on Reddit?

Finding a promising SaaS idea can take 1-2 weeks of active research (10-15 hours analyzing subreddits, threads, and patterns). However, thorough validation requires 60-90 days of tracking to confirm the pain point is consistent, not a one-time trend. Many founders discover multiple viable ideas quickly but spend time validating which has the strongest demand signals and best market fit.

What if my SaaS idea already exists?

Competition validates that a market exists and people pay for solutions. Analyze competitor complaints on Reddit to find differentiation opportunities: simpler UX, lower pricing, missing features, better support, or niche specialization. Many successful SaaS products are "better versions" of incumbents, not brand-new categories.

Should I participate in Reddit discussions or just lurk?

Both. Lurk to observe authentic, unbiased conversations. Participate to build karma, establish credibility, and test concepts—but disclose you're researching. Reddit communities ban stealth marketers. Contribute value first (answer questions, share insights), then you've earned the right to ask for feedback on ideas.

Can I find B2B SaaS ideas on Reddit?

Yes. Subreddits like r/sales, r/marketing, r/ProductManagement, r/sysadmin, and r/datascience are filled with professionals discussing operational pain points. B2B validation requires verifying budget authority (lurkers may not be decision-makers), but the problems discussed are real and often high-value.

How do I know if a niche is too small for SaaS?

Rule of thumb: You need 10,000+ potential customers to sustain a viable SaaS (assuming 1-5% conversion rate and $20-50/mo pricing). Check subreddit size, related communities, and industry size. A 5K-member subreddit might represent a 50K-person industry if only 10% are on Reddit. Use LinkedIn, industry reports, and Google Trends to confirm total addressable market.

What's the difference between a feature and a product?

A feature solves one small pain point (e.g., "auto-save drafts"). A product solves a complete workflow (e.g., "content creation, collaboration, and publishing"). On Reddit, look for multi-step workflows people describe, not one-off annoyances. If the pain point requires 5+ manual steps to work around, it's product-worthy. If it's a minor inconvenience, it's a feature for an existing tool.

Start Finding Your SaaS Idea on Reddit This Week

Reddit gives you unprecedented access to real problems discussed by real users in real-time—no surveys, no guesswork, no NDAs.

Your action plan:

1. Choose 5-10 target subreddits where your ICP hangs out
2. Search for pain point keywords ("I hate," "I wish," "struggling with")
3. Analyze 20+ threads to identify recurring patterns
4. Validate demand with upvotes, comment intensity, and workaround mentions
5. Test your concept with a landing page or beta offer

Ready to automate the research? Try Harkn free for 7 days and get AI-powered pain point extraction across unlimited subreddits, ranked by severity and frequency.

Related reading:

• Market Validation: Using Reddit to Test Demand Before Building
• Customer Pain Points: How to Find Them on Reddit
• Product Research on Reddit: Find What Customers Actually Want
• Reddit Audience Research: Complete Guide for SaaS Founders

---

About the Author:

Joe is the founder of Harkn — a solo-built Reddit intelligence tool born from decades of marketing work and a deep frustration with research tools designed by committee. Learn more at harkn.dev.