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8 Types of Software to Build in the AI Era (Before Traditional SaaS Dies)

Outlier score5.9×Overperformer

50,988 views vs a median of 8,696 across the channel's last 15 long-form uploads · as of Nov 2

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Product designer and advisor Chris explains why traditional feature-heavy SaaS tools are facing obsolescence as AI coding agents make software creation trivial. He outlines the shift toward defensible moats rooted in taste, proprietary data, expertise, and distribution, presenting eight high-leverage software archetypes suited for the agentic era. The video concludes with an actionable decision matrix to help builders select the model aligned with their unique assets and skill set.

Read the teardown

How it earns the click and holds attention, second by second.

12chapters13on-screen captures2people2named frameworks14claims and stats22references in all
Source: Stop building SaaS. Build one of these 8 instead. · Build Great Products
Find in this video

Search what was said and shown

One search covers the transcript, on-screen text, claims and references. Every result jumps to its moment.

    The explainer

    What the video says, with a link to every moment

    A 2-minute read, 33 min less than watching. Each underlined phrase opens the video at that second.

    Traditional SaaS products built around feature lists and static dashboards are rapidly losing their defensibility. As Chris explains0:26, software creation has become so cheap that any generic web application can be cloned over a weekend using tools like Claude Code and Codex. This technological disruption eliminates code alone as a competitive moat. Moving forward, durable advantages belong to creators who possess domain expertise, refined taste, proprietary data, and owned distribution channels, as outlined in his three fundamental shifts2:54.

    slide
    We'll cover1. Why traditional SaaS will die2. What replaces it3. How to start building today
    ▶ 0:27
    On screen at 0:27

    The first two opportunities transform existing workflows. Software-enabled services8:14 replace traditional service firms by coupling a tiny human team with automated internal AI systems, enabling two people to deliver the output of a twenty-person agency at higher margins. Meanwhile, vertical agent harnesses10:45 wrap foundation models in niche-specific constraints, rules, memory, and specialized tools. Instead of building general-purpose wrappers, harness builders capture vertical markets like legal (Harvey) or tabletop roleplaying games (Lorewell), allowing their products to naturally improve as underlying foundation models advance.

    slide
    04 Type 1 - Software-enabled servicesTYPE 1 OF 8Software-enabled servicesDon't sell accountants software. Be the firm that's 10x faster.HeroBefore20-person firmAfter2 people + AISame client outcomeWhy nowClients want the job done. AI lets 2 people deliver what took 20.Real exampleAI-native firms like Crosby (contracts) and Pilot (bookkeeping).Your proofProduct Studio, run on ProductOS.Who builds itAnyone who has run or worked in a service business.How it earnsRetainers, per-project or per-outcome pricing.The trapQuietly turning back into an agency with headcount.This weekTake one deliverable by hand. Build the system that does 80%.On cameraSame outcome, a fraction of the people.Where it sits on the map
    ▶ 8:09
    On screen at 8:09

    The next category targets machine operators and workflow integrations. Headless AI software14:05 strips away the graphical user interface entirely, serving agents directly through command-line interfaces (CLIs), APIs, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. For human-agent hybrid workflows, agent-native systems16:40 package domain methodology into installable agent plugins paired with lightweight monitoring dashboards. This structure allows users to stay inside their primary LLM interfaces while tracking progress visually.

    slide
    06 Type 3 - Headless AI softwareTYPE 3 OF 8Headless AI softwareYour next million users won't have eyes.HeroAgent -> CLI / API / MCP -> Tool -> ResultSaaS UIThe docs and output are the UIWhy nowAgents are becoming software's heaviest users. They need tools, not UI.Real exampleFirecrawl and Exa (web data), Browserbase, Resend.Your proofEyedropper, a CLI that checks builds against DESIGN.md.Who builds itBuilders with a data source or one hard, narrow skill.How it earnsUsage-based pricing, credits, or an open-source core.The trapBuilding what model labs will bundle free next quarter.This weekFind a task Claude does badly. Wrap the fix as a one-command CLI.On cameraNo screen. The docs are the UI.Where it sits on the map
    ▶ 14:04
    On screen at 14:04

    Consumer and community builders can leverage taste-led niche products19:55, which rely on obsessive craftsmanship for small, loyal audiences rather than mass-market appeal. Similarly, ambient consumer agents22:45 embed directly into existing communication channels like WhatsApp or iMessage to handle real-world group logistics without requiring dedicated app installations.

    slide
    08 Type 5 - Taste-led niche productsTYPE 5 OF 8Taste-led niche productsEveryone has the same tools. Nobody has your obsession.HeroEveryoneYour community1,000 true fansWhy nowWhen anyone can build, caring more than anyone else is the scarce thing.Real exampleLetterboxd, built by and for film obsessives.Your proofThe coaster app, born at Six Flags Magic Mountain.Who builds itAnyone with a passion and a community to build for.How it earnsLow-cost subscription, purchases, sponsors, affiliates.The trapBuilding for everyone. Build for the 1,000 who'll tell friends.This weekList 3 things you'd talk about for hours. Pick one you're part of.On cameraBuild for the inner circle.Where it sits on the map
    ▶ 19:51
    On screen at 19:51

    Finally, defensibility can be established through data and open distribution. Proprietary data products25:05 capture out-of-distribution information that foundation models lack, while the open-source-core model27:15 offers core code for free on GitHub to drive organic acquisition while monetizing hosted cloud deployments and enterprise support. Builders can utilize Chris's decision matrix29:38 and his free Product OS framework33:08 to determine which model matches their background, audience, and technical capabilities.

    slide
    10 Type 7 - Proprietary data productsTYPE 7 OF 8Proprietary data productsAnyone can copy your app. Nobody can copy your data.HeroPeople use the app -> Unique data -> More people join -> Better product -> People use the appUnique data -> Agents pay to query itWhy nowModels and code are commodities. Fresh niche data is scarce.Real exampleStrava heatmaps, Waze traffic, Glassdoor salaries.Your proofNone yet. Idea: ride logs from the coaster app.Who builds itBuilders in a community whose data nobody captures.How it earnsFree app. Paid insights, reports or API access.The trapCollecting without consent, or a dataset nobody needs.This weekName a question your niche can't answer. Collect that data.On cameraThe data is the product.Where it sits on the map
    ▶ 25:09
    On screen at 25:09
    Highlights
    1. 0:26Why traditional SaaS is dying
    2. 2:54Three simultaneous industry shifts
    3. 8:14Type 1: Software-enabled services
    4. 10:45Type 2: Vertical agent harnesses
    5. 27:15Type 8: Open-source-core products
    6. 29:38How to pick your software model
    Chapters across the 34:59 runtime
    How it's told

    A whiteboard canvas walkthrough of AI software models

    Format: Explainer. The presenter navigates an interactive whiteboard canvas to explain why generic SaaS is failing and details eight viable software models for the AI era. He concludes with a decision framework helping builders select the right model based on their skills and assets.

    Story arc

    1. 0:00The ProblemWhy traditional SaaS and generic CRM/dashboards are obsolete in 2026.
    2. 1:06The New LandscapeIntroduction to the 8 viable AI-native software types and the three underlying industry shifts.
    3. 8:09Breakdown of Types 1 to 4Detailed exploration of software-enabled services, vertical agent harnesses, headless AI software, and agent-native systems.
    4. 19:51Breakdown of Types 5 to 8Detailed exploration of taste-led niche products, ambient consumer agents, proprietary data products, and open-source-core products.
    5. 29:40Decision MatrixFramework table mapping each software type against builder assets, monetization methods, and technical lift.
    6. 33:58Summary and OutroClosing recap emphasizing that generic software is dead, with an invitation to join the community.

    Setups and payoffs

    1. 1:08Setup Mentions the 8 software types that have the biggest opportunity
      ↳
      8:09Payoff Begins systematic in-depth walkthrough of all 8 types one by one.
    2. 2:59Setup Notes that the defensive moat has moved to expertise, taste, data, and distribution
      ↳
      29:40Payoff Uses these exact elements as criteria in the 'How to pick yours' decision matrix.
    3. 12:31Setup Teases his D&D harness project Lorewell
      ↳
      33:28Payoff Plugs upcoming build video walking through how Lorewell was created.

    Devices

    • Digital Canvas WalkthroughNavigating across visual cards on an interactive whiteboard while highlighting points with an on-screen pen2:3814:48
    • Personal Case StudiesGrounding abstract concepts with real projects he built, including Lorewell and a Six Flags coaster tracker app12:2821:24

    From the video's own structure, matched to the transcript and on-screen text.

    Teardown

    A bold contrarian warning coupled with a highly structured, visual 8-part framework worked by replacing generic SaaS advice with concrete, modern AI business models.

    A real overperformer: 5.9× its typical views (50,988 vs a median of 8,696 across the channel's last 15 long-form uploads, as of Nov 2) · Long-form explainer · 11 days old

    The promise

    Eight lucrative, modern product alternatives to traditional SaaS that make real money.

    Packaging

    How it looks in the feed

    Show the feed as
    34:59

    Stop building SaaS. Build one of these 8 instead.

    Build Great Products50K views · 1w agoGet my free AI playbooks → https://skool.com/claudebuilders/about Build and launch your AI business in 90 days →…

    Views and age as of the teardown, Nov 2, 2026. Other videos are blanked out.

    • 5/5Thumbnail imageThe lighting and composition create a clean, high-contrast focal point. Blurring the slide contents directly sparks curiosity about the hidden frameworks.Close-up face of creator on the left looking at camera, white arrow pointing to three stacked blurred strategy slides.
    • 4/5Thumbnail text“The money is here”Short four-word hook that appeals directly to financial desire. It adds an outcome angle without repeating the title.Large white sans-serif text reading 'The money is here' anchored at the bottom.
    • 5/5TitleOpens with a punchy contrarian command that interrupts conventional tech founder advice. Follows up with a specific number of alternatives.'Stop building SaaS. Build one of these 8 instead.'
    • 5/5Title + thumbnailThe title issues a warning and counts the options, while the thumbnail points directly to where the profit lives. Together they make clicking irresistible.Title says stop building SaaS for 8 alternatives, thumbnail points an arrow at blurred frameworks claiming the money is there.

    Curiosity gap: What are the 8 specific non-SaaS software models that actually make money right now?

    The three hooks

    The title, the thumbnail text and the first words spoken each make a promise, and each does a different job.

    • Title“Stop building SaaS. Build one of these 8 instead.”Contrarian takeLoss aversionNoveltyOutcomeIt makes the viewer want to avoid building an obsolete product and see the 8 better alternatives.
    • Thumbnail text“The money is here”Insider secretCuriosityOutcomeIt makes the viewer want to find out which exact business models are currently profitable.
    • First words spoken“If you're still building the same SaaS dashboards and CRM tools in 2024, then I'm sorry to tell you, but your product might not make it.”Contrarian takeLoss aversionUrgencyCuriosityIt makes software creators fear wasting months of time building outdated SaaS tools that are doomed to fail.
    • PairingDifferent jobsThe title commands a behavioral shift and sets an 8-item list, while the thumbnail promises the location of the revenue.
    • StakesFitsFor software developers and tech founders, dedicating months of effort to unsellable SaaS models represents a genuine financial and career risk.
    • UrgencyRealRapid advancements in AI coding tools have immediately commoditized traditional software interfaces, making standard SaaS products unviable right now.

    The first 20 seconds

    TimeWhat you seeWhat you hearWhat it does
    0:00Speaker sits in front of a warm-lit brick wall and addresses camera directly.If you're still building...Identifies the core audience of software builders immediately.
    0:01Speaker gestures with both hands as he speaks....the same SaaS dashboards...Names specific project types common among developers.
    0:02Speaker moves hands forward to emphasize points....and CRM tools...Expands on typical software categories being challenged.
    0:03Speaker opens palms outward toward the lens....in 2024...Grounds the warning in current industry context.
    0:04Speaker tilts head and softens tone slightly....then I'm sorry to tell you...Builds anticipation for bad news.
    0:05Speaker holds gaze steady into the camera....but your product...Directly links the risk to the viewer's own business.
    0:06Speaker lowers hands slightly to deliver conclusion....might not make it.Delivers the stakes and creates negative emotional tension.
    0:07Brief pause while speaker prepares next sentence.[brief breath]Lets the warning settle before pivoting.
    0:08Speaker resumes hand gestures.And there's a reason that these types of softwares...Opens an informational loop explaining why SaaS is changing.
    0:09Speaker keeps hands moving rhythmically....are no longer viable businesses...Reiterates the core contrarian premise.
    0:10Speaker maintains direct eye contact....businesses...Reinforces the business viability problem.
    0:11Speaker pulls hands inward....and I'm gonna get into that in a little bit...Defers the explanation to retain viewer curiosity.
    0:12Speaker looks forward earnestly....more in a second.Promises quick resolution.
    0:13Speaker takes a quick breath to reset.[pause]Signals a turn from the problem to the solution.
    0:14Speaker raises hands again for emphasis.But what I wanna show you in this video...Previews the agenda of the video.
    0:15Speaker spreads hands wide....is the eight types of software...Confirms the title's core deliverable.
    0:16Speaker motions inward....that you should be building...Pivots from warning to actionable opportunity.
    0:17Speaker emphasizes the technological shift....in this AI era...Frames the opportunity around the current wave of AI.
    0:18Speaker resets posture to start listing items....that...Sets up the transition into point number one.
    0:19Speaker raises hands to begin item one....The eight...Signals the immediate start of the list.
    0:20Speaker looks focused on camera....eight...Launches into the content without further preamble.
    Click confirmation
    The speaker confirms the title within the first second by calling out traditional SaaS dashboards and warns they will fail, then reiterates the 8 alternatives by 00:15.
    Time to the point
    0:15
    Hook
    contrarian take, stakes, bold claim
    Reason to stay
    The viewer needs to discover which 8 software categories actually work in the AI era so they avoid wasting time building doomed SaaS products.
    Missing on purpose
    No greeting, no channel branding, no logo animation, and no call to like or subscribe before delivering value.
    Pace and texture
    Static medium shot with zero b-roll or graphic overlays; pacing relies entirely on confident vocal cadence and continuous hand gestures.

    Story map

    List/countdown. Software founders face obsolescence because AI makes generic tools easy to clone, so they must adopt one of eight defensible product archetypes to stay profitable.

    TimeSectionNew tensionStakesTurnLoops
    0:00 –2:48The Hook and ThesisIs standard SaaS really dead, and what should developers build instead?RiseAnyone can build software today, but very few people build something defensible or great.Opens: What are the eight viable software archetypes for the AI era?Closes: None
    2:48 –8:10Why Generic SaaS Fails: 3 Macro ShiftsWhy did traditional software businesses suddenly lose their economic moats?RiseBecause code is now a commodity, value moves to expertise, taste, proprietary data, and distribution.Opens: How does a founder operationalize these new moats?Closes: Why traditional SaaS dashboards are dying.
    8:10 –10:45Type 1: Software-Enabled ServicesCan lean teams replace full-scale service agencies using internal AI software?HoldInstead of selling software tools to service firms, builders become the ultra-efficient firm themselves.Opens: What software models can you sell directly as standalone products?Closes: Software Type 1 fully explained.
    10:45 –14:05Type 2: Vertical Agent HarnessesHow do you stop foundation models from eating your product?RiseGeneral models provide the engine, but the proprietary harness surrounding the model captures the niche value.Opens: What does a harness look like outside of high-end B2B?Closes: Software Type 2 fully explained.
    14:05 –16:40Type 3: Headless AI SoftwareWhy build software that has no graphic interface at all?HoldAgents are becoming software's heaviest users, so command lines and APIs replace traditional screens.Opens: How do human users fit into agent workflows if there is no UI?Closes: Software Type 3 fully explained.
    16:40 –19:55Type 4: Agent-Native SystemsHow can consultants and coaches package their proprietary process into an AI tool?HoldKeep execution inside chat agents where users already live, but provide an ambient dashboard for visibility.Opens: What if you don't have consulting frameworks to productize?Closes: Software Type 4 fully explained.
    19:55 –22:45Type 5: Taste-Led Niche ProductsCan an app survive with only a small base of a thousand passionate users?HoldObsessive craft and domain care create a moat that mass-market competitors will never replicate.Opens: How do you reach massive scale if you target consumer markets?Closes: Software Type 5 fully explained.
    22:45 –25:05Type 6: Ambient Consumer AgentsWhy have consumer AI apps struggled to retain ordinary users?HoldConsumer agents succeed only when embedded directly inside existing group chats without requiring an app download.Opens: What prevents bigger tech companies from copying this?Closes: Software Type 6 fully explained.
    25:05 –27:15Type 7: Proprietary Data ProductsHow can an independent developer protect software against effortless cloning?RiseAnyone can clone code, but nobody can duplicate out-of-distribution proprietary data.Opens: What if your code is completely open to the public?Closes: Software Type 7 fully explained.
    27:15 –29:38Type 8: Open-Source-Core ProductsHow do you make real money when your core software is distributed for free?HoldThe open-source repository serves as zero-cost distribution, while revenue comes from hosting, support, and enterprise tooling.Opens: Which of these eight archetypes matches my personal background?Closes: Software Type 8 fully explained.
    29:38 –32:55Decision Matrix: How to Pick YoursWhich specific archetype fits the viewer's current skills and resources?RiseBuilders don't need all skills; each model maps directly to specific unfair advantages like existing clients, data, or passion.Opens: Where can the viewer download this complete operating system?Closes: How to choose between the eight software models.
    32:55 –34:59Summary and Call to ActionWhere does the viewer get the exact build templates and community support?FallSag: no turnOpens: NoneCloses: Delivery of ProductOS framework and community resources.

    Payoff: delivered fully at 8:10. After setting up the macroeconomic shift away from generic software, the creator methodically presents all eight promised business models and concludes with a decision matrix. Ending: A concise philosophical recap that software is not dead but generic software is, followed by links to free frameworks and an invitation to join the Skool community.

    Leaks

    Where a viewer might leave. Guesses from watching, not retention data.

    • 2:48 The video delays the 8-item list promised in the title to deliver a 5-minute theoretical lecture on macroeconomic software shifts.
    • 17:15 The presenter pauses the educational breakdown to explain his proprietary ProductOS software framework, which feels self-promotional.
    • 33:41 Once the decision matrix completes at 32:55, the narrative resolves and viewers seeking pure advice drop off before the channel outro.

    Steal this

    1. Structured Cardboard Navigation: Lay out core lessons on an infinite whiteboard canvas so viewers always know where they are in the lesson. Visually boxing points into structured cards keeps a long 35-minute video organized and easy to track. 1:06
    2. Standardized Comparison Matrix: Group long-form recommendations into an actionable summary table at the end of the video. Giving viewers a single slide to screenshot creates closure and provides high practical utility. 29:40
    3. Personal Build Anchoring: Balance abstract business theories by showing niche side projects you built yourself. Pointing to specific working apps like Lorewell and a roller coaster tracker grounds high-level concepts in real reality. 12:31

    Skip this

    • Relying on a static medium shot with zero dedicated b-roll across a 35-minute video. This works here because the presenter has established design credibility and a polished slide canvas, but beginners risk audience fatigue without visual scene changes.

    Open questions

    • What percentage of viewers paused or screenshotted the decision matrix slide at 29:40?
    • Did viewer retention dip during the conceptual shift explanation between 02:48 and 08:10 before the first product type was shown?

    Teardown by Avail.video from the thumbnail, the title, the first 20 seconds and the report's notes on the whole video.

    On screen

    Everything the video showed you

    Slides, frameworks, quotes and formulas, captured verbatim with the moment they appeared. Tap any card to jump there.

    Reference shelf

    People, ideas and things mentioned

    Said means mentioned aloud; Shown means it appeared on screen.

    People2

    • ChrisDesigner, startup advisor, and host of Build Great Products.0:46Said + shown
    • Greg IsenbergStartup commentator and community entrepreneur.10:58Said

    Ideas & frameworks2

    • Model Context ProtocolAn open standard (MCP) enabling AI agents to connect securely to external tools and data sources.7:11Said15:22Said16:01Said + shown
    • ProductOSA structured system and agent plugin framework created by Chris for building software products.8:39Said17:17Said + shown33:13Said

    Organizations5

    • CrosbyAn AI-native accounting and financial firm leveraging automated workflows.8:41Said + shown
    • PilotA bookkeeping and financial service company utilizing software and automation.8:43Said + shown
    • SupabaseAn open-source Firebase alternative providing hosted Postgres databases and backend services.29:00Said + shown29:02Said + shown
    • PostHogAn open-source product analytics suite offering paid cloud hosting and enterprise tooling.29:01Said + shown29:03Said + shown
    • Cal.comAn open-source scheduling infrastructure platform with a commercial cloud offering.29:02Said + shown29:03Said + shown

    Things on screen13

    • Claude CodeAn AI coding agent tool by Anthropic used for automated code generation.1:53Said1:54Said12:25Said31:10Said
    • CodexOpenAI's AI coding system that translates natural language instructions into code.1:54Said1:55Said12:26Said
    • HarveyA domain-specific generative AI platform and harness engineered for legal work.11:51Said + shown11:58Said + shown
    • AbridgeA clinical AI platform built to document medical conversations and clinical notes.11:53Said + shown12:00Said + shown
    • EvenUpAn AI legal platform designed to draft personal injury demand letters.11:54Said + shown12:01Said + shown
    • LorewellAn AI agent harness tailored for Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop game masters.12:32Said + shown33:28Said33:31Said
    • EyedropperA CLI tool built by Chris that synchronizes a project's design system into local code.14:40Said + shown
    • FirecrawlA web data scraping tool engineered for AI agents.15:19Said + shown
    • ExaAn AI web search API tool referenced as a headless data provider.15:19Said + shown
    • BrowserbaseA headless browser infrastructure platform built for AI automation.15:19Said + shown
    • RewindA personalized AI recording and memory tool.15:19Said + shown
    • PostizAn open-source AI social media scheduling application accessible via CLI or agent.15:17Said + shown15:18Said + shown
    • LetterboxdA social film discovery and review platform tailored for movie enthusiasts.20:15Said + shown
    Video description

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    By the numbers

    What YouTube shows about this video and its channel

    As of Nov 2, 2026. YouTube's public numbers first, then Avail.video's own arithmetic on them.

    The video

    Views
    51K
    Likes
    867
    Comments
    41
    Published
    Oct 21, 2026
    Length
    34:59
    Category
    Science & Technology
    YouTube's topics
    Technology
    Captions
    No
    HD
    Yes
    Language
    British English
    Paid promotion
    None declared
    Made for kids
    No
    License
    Standard YouTube

    Creator's tags

    • AI business ideas
    • AI business
    • AI startup ideas
    • Vibe coding
    • Claude Code
    • Codex
    • Start a business with AI
    • Solo AI business
    • Software moats
    • Build an app with AI
    • What to build with AI
    • AI project ideas
    • How to start a business with Claude
    • How to start a business with Claude Code
    • How to start a business with AI

    The channel

    Build Great Products@buildgreatproducts
    Subscribers
    65K
    Videos
    457
    Total views
    4.7M
    Channel age
    2 years (since Sep 2024)
    Country
    United Kingdom
    Uploads
    about every 4 days
    Across the last 15 long-form uploads
    Before this video
    6 days after the previous long-form upload

    Calculated by Avail.video from YouTube's public numbers

    Outlier score
    5.9× · Overperformer
    Views against the median of the channel's last 15 long-form uploads
    Views per subscriber
    0.78
    Likes vs the channel's usual
    1.8× the channel's usual
    1.7% of views vs a usual 0.92%
    Comments vs the channel's usual
    0.9× the channel's usual
    0.080% of views vs a usual 0.091%
    Rank among recent uploads
    #1 of 16
    By views: this video and the channel's last 15 long-form uploads
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    • Turn the main ideas into a checklist I can use this week.
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    Watched by Avail.video · 2026-11-02