As research needs evolved and tech shifted to SaaS, many teams responded by layering on new tools — one for scripting, another for audience access, a third for analysis, and yet another for dashboarding. The intentions were good. The result? A bloated tech stack that’s eating into budgets and slowing teams down.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Tool creep has become one of the most common pain points we hear from research professionals. At a time when speed matters more than ever, and budgets are under scrutiny, there’s never been a better moment to reassess what’s in your stack — and what you could do without.
The SaaS Stack Is Getting Out of Hand
Researchers are under pressure. Deadlines are tighter, expectations are rising, and everyone’s being asked to do more with less. Meanwhile, the average number of SaaS tools used by businesses continues to rise.
SMEs now use an average of 42 SaaS applications, up from just 16 in 2017. That’s a 160% increase, and every tool brings its own subscription cost, login pain, and learning curve.
Zooming out, global SaaS spend is forecast to hit $247.2 billion in 2024. So if your software bill feels like it’s ballooning, that’s probably because it is.
In the good times, a sprawling stack might have flown under the radar. But in today’s climate, where value and efficiency rule, too many tools are a liability.
More Tools ≠ More Value
It’s easy to assume that more platforms mean more capability. But in practice, excess tools often lead to:
- Workflow friction — switching between platforms slows momentum
- Data silos — fragmenting insight across tools creates blind spots
- Wasted spend — overlapping subscriptions that don’t get used
- Team fatigue — context switching kills productivity
The truth? Most teams don’t need more tools. They need the right ones.
What Do You Really Need?
Now’s the time to take stock. Audit your stack. Ask yourself:
Which tools are truly essential to delivering insight?
Where do overlaps exist?
Are you paying for features you rarely use?
When Is ‘Good’ Enough?
Perfectionism is baked into the research mindset — and with good reason. But not every project demands gold-standard methodology or fully bespoke analysis. Sometimes, what you need is:
- Good-quality data
- A fast response
- A solid answer before the next board meeting
Your tech stack should flex to match the brief. That might mean one toolkit for annual, strategy-shaping projects and another for quick-turn studies that inform campaign or communications decisions.
Hidden Overlaps = Hidden Costs
In our conversations with research teams, we often find they’re using separate platforms for:
- Survey scripting
- Panel access
- Analysis
- Dashboarding
That means multiple logins, multiple subscriptions, and way too much time spent stitching together what should be seamless.
Add in the admin of sourcing sample from multiple panels and you’ve got a setup that’s costing more than it should. Both in money and momentum.
Finding the Fit (Not the Flash)
You don’t need a Rolls-Royce to pop to the corner shop. And you don’t need an enterprise-grade tech stack to run a simple survey.
The key? Match the complexity of the tool to the project’s needs. Many software platforms come bundled with ‘premium’ capabilities that sound impressive, but often go unused, or only matter once a year.
Before you renew that license, ask yourself:
- Do we use all these features?
- Is there a simpler tool that could do 80% of this for less?
- Are we paying full-time for something we only need occasionally?
Check out our side-by-side comparison of Glow vs other survey tools
One Platform. Multiple Jobs. Lower cost.
If you’re using separate platforms for scripting, panel access, and analysis, chances are you’re overspending.
Glow streamlines all three. Built for researchers who need to move fast without compromising quality, Glow offers:
- Quick survey scripting and fieldwork — live in hours, not days
- Integrated audience access — DIY or tap into 50+ global panels via managed service
- Live dashboards and real-time analysis — no waiting, no exporting, no delays
All in one platform. One login. One invoice.
But don’t take our word for it. Joel Vermaas, founder of Vibrant Insights & The Research Department, says;
Vibrant Insights & The Research Department
Trim the Stack. Keep the Value.
When the pressure’s on, you don’t need tech bloat. You need tools that are fit for purpose, flexible, and built to get the job done.
Ready to see if Glow can help streamline your stack, cut costs, and give you time back?
Reduce the bloat.
Book a 20-minute intro chat with our team and see how Glow could help you run faster, leaner, and smarter. Because in today’s market, agility isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s non-negotiable.
Written by:
Troy Kohut
Global Client Services Director, Glow.
Troy is Glow’s Global Client Services Director, working closely with leading agencies, brands and advisory firms across the globe. With over 20 years in the insights industry, he’s passionate about helping research teams deliver better outcomes, with fewer moving parts.