Most SaaS Should Become an MCP Server, Argues Developer in Viral Post
jonathan_wilke · x · 2026-11-15
Developer nicbstme argues that most SaaS should become MCP servers instead of building their own AI chat interfaces.
Core argument:
- Many AI startups build their own chat UIs, agents, and workflows — essentially reselling tokens from big labs at low to negative gross margins, getting the economics of AI software backwards
- Instead, SaaS companies should expose their proprietary data and business logic as tools that any AI client can call
Example — an HR product as an MCP server could expose tools to:
- Benchmark salaries against proprietary market data
- Run compensation reviews and calculate pay equity
- Model salary increases against a department's budget
- Recommend promotions based on company policies
- Update employee compensation directly in the HRIS
The shift moves the entry point from a proprietary UI to the user's AI assistant, with companies monetizing unique data and services rather than reselling model capability.
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