8 SaaS Using Elixir and Phoenix in Production
7 min read
23 Oct 2024 (created at 16 Sep 2022)
The Elixir programming language has gained popularity recently due to its simplicity and efficiency. As a result, many SaaS companies are now using Elixir & Phoenix as the base of their technology stack.
SaaS in the short description...
SaaS (Software as a Service) is a subscription software that allows users to access and use the software from a central location. It is a software model that delivers software over the internet instead of the traditional on-premise model.
Read more: What is Software as a Service? Guide for Beginners
...and what is Elixir?
The Elixir is a functional language, concurrent, general-purpose programming language that runs on the Erlang virtual machine.
SaaS based on Elixir using the Phoenix modern framework provides a perfect connection between the Elixir code and the operating system, making Elixir more reliable and easier to implement.
There are many Elixir-based SaaS companies, but here are some of the most interesting ones.
Slab
Slab is a software as a service (SaaS) product for tool integration and management of team and company processes. It's a best-in-class product that isn't trying to replace the rest of your stack but integrates it into one place to manage.
Slab is based on Elixir functional programming language that runs on the Erlang virtual machine. Elixir has been designed for distributed systems and is well suited for building scalable and maintainable applications.
Slab is a perfect example of how Elixir can be used to build a high-performance SaaS application.
Thanks to its efficient use of resources and ability to handle large amounts of data, Slab can offer its users a superior experience.
Podopi
Podopi is a full-service podcasting company that can turn your written content into professionally crafted audio and video podcasts. Using the Elixir programming language, Podopi harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to create genuinely unique finished products.
Once synchronized with your website, Podopi will automatically grab your blog posts and publish them onto popular platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Whether you're looking to start a podcast from scratch or simply want to give your existing content a boost, Podopi is an excellent solution which uses Elixir & Phoenix framework in their tech stack.
Slack
Slack is a workplace communication tool that utilizes the Elixir programming language to build its media server for p2p and group calls. Slack provides its users with many features and additions, making it one of the most popular tools for team communication.
One of the most impressive aspects of Slack is its use of Elixir to build a media server. This gives Slack an advantage over other communication tools that do not utilize Elixir. In addition, the use of Elixir allows Slack to provide a more efficient and scalable service than its competitors. As a result, Slack can offer its users a better experience than other SaaS providers.
Moz PRO
As a leading SaaS SEO, Moz PRO looked for alternatives to MySQL databases to improve performance and speed. After switching to Elixir, they created a distributed data indexing system using an average of 63 times less disk space than the corresponding MySQL rankings. In addition, the transition to Elixir resulted in a change in response speed from 800ms to 50ms and achieved a 30x faster build.
"Our ultimate solution uses Elixir to process rankings information from cold storage in S3 and load it into memory — not entirely dissimilar to the CSV solution. But with Elixir, we're able to index the data upfront, resulting in a ready-to-query data structure."
source: Unlocking New Features in Moz Pro with a Database-Free Architecture
As a result, their Elixir-based SaaS provides better performance and scalability than existing solutions. In addition, it is more reliable and easier to maintain. That's why Moz Pro is one of the market's largest and most famous Elixir-based SaaS.
Frame.io
Frame.io is a video review and collaboration SaaS platform designed to unify media assets and creative conversations in a user-friendly environment. It was developed by filmmakers, VFX artists, and post-production executives. Together, Adobe and Frame.io support nearly 1 million media professionals at enterprises including Netflix, Buzzfeed, Turner, Nasa & Vice Media.
Frame.io platform was built using the Elixir programming language and the Phoenix web development framework. As a result, Frame.io is one of the first significant applications built using Elixir and Phoenix, providing a high performance and scalability level. In addition, using Elixir enables Frame.io to take advantage of real-time messaging and chat capabilities.
Frame.io provides a powerful and user-friendly solution for managing video assets and collaborating on projects, and Elixir is a big part of it.
InvoiceOcean
InvoiceOcean is Elixir and Phoenix framework based SaaS aimed at entrepreneurs designed with simplicity and convenience - from issuing and sorting invoices to accepting payments. The application can offer a wide range of essential features for running a business, including invoicing, payments, and customer management.
InvoiceOcean stores data in the cloud, which allows you to access your data 24/7 from anywhere in the world. InvoiceOcean is an indispensable tool for any business owner, and it provides a simple way to manage all of your business' finances in one place.
Papercups
Papercups is a SaaS company offering a live chat widget written in Elixir. The Papercups team saw an opportunity to improve customer satisfaction by providing a way for businesses to chat with their customers. Chatting allows for a more personal interaction that can help to build trust and rapport. In addition, it can also help to answer customer questions and address concerns more quickly, leading to improved conversions.
The software of this web application is built on top of an Elixir/Phoenix API backed by a PostgreSQL database. Currently, all of the frontend code is made with React/TypeScript.
Papercups constantly strive to improve the customer experience, and the widget team is always working on new features and integrations.
If you're looking for a live chat widget written in Elixir, Papercups is the way to go!
OpenShip
OpenShip SaaS is a cloud-based software application that helps businesses manage and monitor sales performances from different channels. It is written in Elixir and runs on the Phoenix framework.
The software makes it easy to connect store systems such as Shopify or WooCommerce store inventory and product catalogues from multiple channels such as Amazon and eBay. This feature makes it easy to keep track of your sales, identify selling patterns and adjust pricing strategies.
OpenShip also allows you to manage orders, shipping and customers.
Why Elixir and Phoenix are good solutions for SaaS apps?
SaaS applications are all about handling a lot of connections at the same time. As a founder, you want your application to be able to take thousands or even millions of users without breaking a sweat. This is where Elixir and Phoenix come in.
Elixir is a language that was designed for concurrency from the ground up. This means that you can efficiently run multiple processes at the same time on the same machine. And if you need to scale up, you can just add more machines, and Elixir will automatically distribute the load across all of them.
Phoenix is the most loved web framework that runs on top of Elixir. It was designed specifically for building scalable web applications.
If you want your SaaS application to grow with the market demand, have smooth scaling and work on many devices at the same time, you should consider Elixir & Phoenix in your next project.
FAQ
Why is Elixir popular for SaaS applications?
Elixir offers simplicity, efficiency, and reliability, making it suitable for SaaS applications that require scalable, maintainable, and high-performance solutions.
What benefits does Phoenix provide for SaaS development?
Phoenix, running on Elixir, offers advantages like handling multiple connections simultaneously and smooth scaling, making it ideal for building scalable web applications.
Can you give examples of SaaS products using Elixir and Phoenix?
Some examples include Slab for team and company process management, Podopi for podcasting services, Slack for team communication, Moz PRO for SEO, Frame.io for video collaboration, InvoiceOcean for invoicing and payments, Papercups for customer live chat, and OpenShip for sales management.
How does Elixir benefit SaaS companies like Slab and Podopi?
Elixir's efficient resource use and scalability enhance user experience and allow for unique product features, supporting companies in offering superior SaaS products.
Why did Moz PRO switch to Elixir, and what were the benefits?
Moz PRO switched to Elixir to improve their data indexing system, resulting in faster response times, less disk space usage, and overall better performance.
How does Elixir enhance the functionalities of communication tools like Slack?
Elixir's concurrency capabilities allow Slack to build an efficient media server, providing users with a more scalable and reliable communication platform.
What makes Elixir and Phoenix a good choice for new SaaS projects?
Their ability to handle numerous connections simultaneously and efficiently distribute loads makes Elixir and Phoenix suitable for SaaS applications aiming for growth and scalability.
