PYMNTS: 40% of Enterprise SaaS Contracts Now Include Outcome-Based Pricing Elements — Up from 15% Two Years Ago
PYMNTS·medium signal
PYMNTS reports 40% of enterprise SaaS contracts now include outcome-based pricing elements — charging per automated resolution, completed task, or business outcome — up from 15% two years ago. Emerging models include usage tiers scaled to automation volume, credit-based systems for AI capacity allocation, and transaction-based pricing per generated asset or compliance review. The structural tension: AI inference costs create margin pressure while usage-based revenue introduces volatility that erodes the predictable recurring revenue model SaaS valuation premiums depend on.