Not every business needs to be the next Uber or Airbnb. Sometimes, the best opportunities lie in solving real problems for real businesses — the kind that quietly print money while you sip margaritas on a beach.

Today, I’m Sharing under-the-radar SaaS ideas I scraped from Reddit threads. These aren’t sexy, VC-bait unicorns. They’re practical, revenue-generating solutions that could hand you the freedom you’ve been craving.

1. ERP Software for Small Manufacturers

Imagine running a small factory that makes dietary supplements. You’ve got ingredients coming in, products going out, and a mountain of paperwork in between.

Right now, you’re using QuickBooks for accounting, spreadsheets for inventory, and a bunch of random apps to keep things moving. It’s a mess.

What’s missing? A simple, affordable ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system designed for small manufacturers.

This software would track everything from raw materials to finished products, automate workflows (like turning a client’s change request into a task for the production team), and sync with tools like Shopify for orders.

Why is this a golden opportunity? Small manufacturers need this kind of software to stay compliant with regulations and scale their operations.

They’re willing to pay $10,000–40,000 a year for a solution that saves them time and headaches. Plus, most existing ERPs are either too expensive or too complex for their needs.

How to Start:

• Talk to small manufacturers (supplements, cosmetics, pet food). Ask them about their biggest pain points.
• Build a basic version that handles inventory tracking and workflow automation.
• Charge a premium — this is mission-critical software for them.

2. Media Asset Management for Solo Creators

Picture this: You’re a YouTuber filming a video about the best hiking gear. You shoot hours of footage across multiple locations.

Later, you need the clip of the tent setup in the rain. But your files are scattered across hard drives with names like “Clip_0234.MOV.” You waste hours searching — or worse, you reshoot the scene.

What’s needed? A simple, budget-friendly tool to organize and search video clips. Think of it as Google Photos for video pros. The software would let creators tag clips (e.g., “tent,” “rain,” “mountains”), search by keyword, and store everything offline (because creators often film in places with no Wi-Fi).

Why does this work? Solo creators lose money every time they reshoot footage or waste hours searching for clips. They’re willing to pay $20–50 a month for a tool that saves them time and frustration.

How to Start:

• Post on subreddits like r/YouTubers or r/VideoEditing to see if others share this pain.
• Build a basic version with tagging and search features.
• Offer a free trial to get creators hooked.

3. Ticketing System Translator for IT Teams

IT agencies (called MSPs) support multiple clients, each using a different ticketing system like ServiceNow, Zendesk, or Freshservice.

The problem? These systems don’t talk to each other, so the MSP’s inbox gets flooded with emails in wildly different formats. Sorting through this chaos takes hours every day.

What’s the solution? A universal inbox that parses emails from different ticketing systems and turns them into standardized tickets. It would automatically assign tickets, kill auto-reply loops, and sync with tools like Slack for alerts.

Why is this a winner? IT agencies bill $100+ an hour but waste time on admin work. They’ll happily pay $200–$500 a month for a tool that saves them 10+ hours a week.

How to Start:

• Cold-email IT agencies and ask about their biggest ticketing headaches.
• Build a simple version that integrates with one or two ticketing systems.
• Charge a monthly subscription — this is a no-brainer for busy IT teams.

4. Museum Catalog Software for Small Historical Societies

Small museums and historical societies often rely on spreadsheets or outdated software to catalog their artifacts. The problem? These tools are clunky, expensive, and don’t work on mobile devices. Volunteers end up manually entering data on shared computers, which is slow and error-prone.

What’s needed? A mobile-friendly catalog app that lets volunteers scan artifacts with their phones, add photos and descriptions, and sync everything to the cloud. It should be affordable (under $100/month) and easy to use, even for non-tech-savvy volunteers.

Why does this work? There are thousands of small museums and historical societies in the U.S. alone, and many are stuck using outdated tools. They’re willing to pay for a solution that makes their lives easier.

How to Start:

• Partner with a local historical society to test the app.
• Start with basic features like barcode scanning and cloud sync.
• Offer tiered pricing to fit different budgets.

5. Client Portals for High-End Retailers

High-end retailers selling custom furniture or luxury goods often struggle to keep clients updated on their orders. Emails get lost, contracts are buried in Dropbox, and clients end up frustrated.

What’s the solution? A white-label client portal where customers can log in, track their orders, approve designs, and sign contracts — all in one place. It would sync with tools like Shopify for orders and QuickBooks for invoicing.

Why is this a great idea? Luxury retailers charge thousands (or tens of thousands) for their products. They’re willing to pay $300–500 a month for a tool that improves the customer experience and saves them time.

How to Start:

• Talk to high-end retailers about their current process.
• Build a basic portal with order tracking and e-signatures.
• Charge a premium — this is a must-have for luxury brands.

6. Inventory Software for Custom Apparel Brands

Small apparel brands that sell custom T-shirts, hats, and hoodies often struggle with inventory management. They need to track blank items (like plain white shirts), work-in-progress items (like shirts being dyed or embroidered), and one-off designs sold at events.

What’s needed? A simple inventory tool that integrates with Shopify, tracks every stage of production, and generates barcodes for one-off items. It should be affordable (under $100/month) and easy to use.

Why does this work? Small apparel brands are growing fast, but they don’t have the budget for complex inventory systems. They’ll pay for a tool that saves them time and prevents costly mistakes.

How to Start:

• Talk to custom apparel brands about their inventory challenges.
• Build a basic version with Shopify integration and barcode scanning.
• Offer a free trial to get them hooked.

Final Thought

The key to building a successful SaaS business is solving real problems for real people. You don’t need a billion-dollar idea — just a niche with a pain point and a willingness to pay.

So, pick one of these ideas, talk to 10 potential customers, and start building. Who knows? Your “boring” software might just buy your freedom.