Zero to SaaS
Review

The Blueprint to Build Your First SaaS Business Without Coding

Easy
  • Last updated 03/06/2025
by Mike Strives

What you'll learn ? Overview

We discovered Zero to SaaS positions itself as a complete blueprint for building software businesses without traditional coding skills. The course, created by Mike Strives (founder of Upvoty, which he sold for over $1 million in 2023), targets complete beginners who want to enter the lucrative SaaS market.

The program consists of 7+ hours of video content spread across 8 core modules, teaching students to use no-code tools like Softr, Glide, and Airtable. What caught our attention was the practical focus, Mike doesn't just theorize about building SaaS products, he walks students through his exact process.

The curriculum covers everything from finding profitable ideas to launching on Product Hunt and acquiring first customers. Students get access to a private community of 500+ founders, which many cite as one of the most valuable aspects of the program.

We noticed the course emphasizes bootstrapped approaches, meaning you'll learn to build without external funding. This aligns with Mike's own journey, he built Upvoty to over $1 million in Annual Recurring Revenue before selling it. The course includes practical bonuses like SaaS boilerplates and pre-launch checklists, designed to accelerate implementation.

However, we found it's explicitly a "zero to one" course, focusing on getting your first SaaS off the ground rather than scaling to millions. If you're already running a successful SaaS, this might feel too basic. The no-code approach also has limitations, while perfect for MVPs and early-stage products, you might need traditional development as you scale.

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Is this course for you?

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Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Aspiring entrepreneurs without technical skills, Marketers wanting to build products, Developers seeking business knowledge, Anyone interested in bootstrapped SaaS approaches

Instructor

Mike Strives

Serial SaaS Founder and Entrepreneur Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Mike Strives is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in building and scaling SaaS products. As the founder of Upvoty, a user feedback tool for product management, and Zero to SaaS, a community and newsletter for B2B software founders, Mike has demonstrated his expertise in the SaaS industry. His journey includes scaling multiple SaaS businesses to seven figures, with one reaching over $1,000,000 in revenue by 2017 and another achieving $50,000 MRR in 2024. Mike's mission is to share his knowledge and help aspiring entrepreneurs succeed in the SaaS space.
Mike's entrepreneurial journey began in 2010 when he started building SaaS products and internet businesses. He successfully scaled his first SaaS venture to over $1,000,000 in revenue by 2017. Following this success, Mike founded Upvoty, which has grown to serve over 800 B2B customers and generates more than $43,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR). His experience also includes exiting a business for over $1,000,000. Throughout his career, Mike has focused on bootstrapping and organic growth, preferring to maintain control and flexibility in his ventures.
  • Scaled first SaaS business to over $1,000,000 in revenue by 2017
  • Founded Upvoty, reaching $43,000+ MRR and serving 800+ B2B customers
  • Exited a business for over $1,000,000
  • Created Zero to SaaS, the #1 SaaS community & Newsletter for B2B software founders
  • Developed a successful SaaS Masterclass course
  • Built and scaled multiple seven-figure SaaS businesses as a solopreneur
  • - Featured on the SaaS Pirates podcast show as host and interviewer of successful SaaS founders
    - Participated in an interview with Peter from UserActive.io, discussing bootstrapping a SaaS to $1MM ARR
    - Regularly shares insights and experiences through weekly vlogs on YouTube
    Mike is a prolific content creator in the SaaS and entrepreneurship space. He frequently shares insights, tips, and experiences across various platforms. His content strategy includes daily posts on Twitter, weekly vlogs on YouTube, and regular updates on Instagram and TikTok. Mike's content primarily focuses on SaaS business strategies, product management, and entrepreneurial advice, drawing from his personal experiences in building and scaling SaaS companies.

    Course Details

    • ⏱ Duration30
    • πŸ“Ά DifficultyEasy
    • βŒ› Access Lifetime
    • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

    🧠 Prerequisites

    No coding experience or technical background required


    πŸ’» Requirements

    Computer with internet access, web browser


    πŸ’Έ Hidden Costs

    Subscriptions for Softr ($24+/month), Glide ($25+/month), Airtable ($20+/month), Zapier ($19.99+/month), plus domain and hosting fees


    πŸ™‹β€β™‚οΈ Support Options

    Private community access with 500+ founders, no mention of direct instructor support or live Q&A sessions

    Course content

    • Module 1: Introduction & Mindset - Why SaaS, No-Code approach, Success mindset, Course overview
    • Module 2: Idea Generation & Validation - Finding profitable ideas, SaaS database walkthrough, Market validation, Niching strategies
    • Module 3: Branding & Positioning - Naming your SaaS, Domain registration, Logo creation, Defining your USP
    • Module 4: Building Your MVP - No-code tool selection, Softr setup, Glide implementation, Stripe payments, Zapier automations
    • Module 5: Pre-Launch Preparation - Landing page creation, Waitlist building, Pricing strategies, Legal requirements
    • Module 6: Launch Strategies - Product Hunt preparation, BetaList submission, Cold outreach tactics, First user acquisition
    • Module 7: Growth & Marketing - SaaS marketing basics, SEO fundamentals, Content marketing, Social media growth, Paid ads intro
    • Module 8: Scaling & Next Steps - Customer support setup, Feedback implementation, Operational scaling, Long-term planning

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    Feedbacks

    Overall sentiment

    Generally positive reception among beginners, though independent reviews remain limited. Students appreciate Mike's proven track record but wish for more transparent success metrics from course graduates.

    Praised points

    • Instructor credibility - Mike's $1M exit with Upvoty provides real-world validation
    • No-code approach - Makes SaaS accessible to non-technical founders
    • Community value - Access to 500+ founders creates ongoing support network

    Criticisms

    • Limited independent reviews - Most testimonials come from course website
    • Hidden tool costs - No-code platforms require ongoing subscriptions not included in course price
    • Basic content for experienced founders - Explicitly targets beginners, may disappoint advanced users

    Testimonials

    "Honestly, this is by far the best course out there and I really enjoy the community as well." - Matthi, Countdown AI

    "This course was really all I needed to get started in SaaS." - Robin, DeltaJabbly

    "As a developer, I struggle getting my product out, this helped me a lot!" - Rui, Trek

    "I think the value of the course comes from Mike's personal experience as a SaaS builder." - Product Hunt reviewer

    "I bought his course a while ago, it's pretty good for beginners looking to build their first SaaS with no-code. For the price, I think it's decent value." - Reddit user

    Social insights

    Reddit discussions in r/SaaS generally view Mike as legitimate, citing his YouTube content quality and verifiable exit. One user noted: "He seems legit, his no code saas company got acquired. His YouTube channel is pretty good too." However, broader community discussions remain sparse.

    Marketing Analysis

    Claim Verification

    Mike's claim of building and selling Upvoty for $1M+ is verifiable through SureSwift Capital acquisition records. His promise to teach "proven blueprint" aligns with his documented success, though individual results will vary significantly.

    Price History

    Marketed at $149 with "$697" crossed out, suggesting false scarcity. No evidence of the course ever selling at $697.

    Upsell Practices

    No aggressive upsells identified on the main sales page. The course includes multiple bonuses upfront.

    Student Success

    Testimonials mention students like Sanjeev (Mailscraper.io) and ThΓ©o (SupportHost) launching products, but financial success metrics remain unverified. Mike's own Upvoty success serves as the primary proof of concept.

    Platform & Delivery

    Learning Platform

    Hosted on Teachable, a reliable and widely-used LMS platform

    Content Accessibility

    Lifetime access with free updates included, video streaming available, downloadability not specified

    Mobile Compatibility

    Teachable offers mobile-responsive design for content viewing, though building activities best suited for desktop

    Technical Requirements

    Standard broadband internet, modern web browser, no specialized software needed beyond web-based no-code tools

    Red flags check

    😬

    Complaints

    No significant complaints surfaced during our research, though the limited review pool makes this assessment incomplete

    😬

    Refund policy issues

    The course website doesn't outline any refund policy, which raises concerns for potential buyers seeking purchase protection

    😬

    Marketing practices

    The website displays "$697" crossed out with "Today Only $149" pricing, creating artificial urgency when $149 appears to be the standard price

    😬

    Community feedback

    Limited public feedback about the community quality, though included access suggests active engagement

    Is this course legit?

    Value For Money

    At $149, Zero to SaaS delivers reasonable value for beginners entering the SaaS space. The combination of Mike's proven track record, comprehensive curriculum, and community access justifies the mid-ticket price point, especially compared to coding bootcamps or MBA programs covering similar entrepreneurial topics.

    Conclusion

    After thorough analysis, we found Zero to SaaS to be a legitimate course that delivers on its core promise, teaching beginners how to build SaaS products without coding. Mike Strives brings genuine credibility, having built and sold Upvoty for over $1 million, which separates him from many "guru" instructors who only sell courses.

    The course excels in its practical, no-code approach, making SaaS development accessible to non-technical founders. With 7+ hours of content covering everything from idea validation to Product Hunt launches, it provides a comprehensive roadmap for first-time SaaS builders.

    However, several factors prevent a higher legitimacy score. The absence of a refund policy raises red flags, especially at this price point. We also noticed limited independent reviews and a lack of transparent student success metrics beyond curated testimonials.

    The hidden costs of no-code tools (potentially $100+/month) aren't adequately emphasized, which could surprise budget-conscious students. Additionally, the false scarcity marketing ("Today Only $149") feels unnecessary given the course's genuine value.

    For aspiring SaaS founders without coding skills, this course offers a solid starting point at a fair price. Just remember that building a successful SaaS requires far more than completing any course, it demands persistence, market timing, and often a bit of luck. If you're committed to the journey and understand these limitations, Zero to SaaS can provide valuable guidance for your first steps.

    FAQs about this course

    Zero to SaaS is an online course teaching you how to build and launch software businesses without coding, using no-code tools like Softr and Glide.

    The course costs $149 as a one-time payment, which includes lifetime access to all materials and future updates.

    Unfortunately, the course website doesn't mention any refund policy, which we consider a significant oversight for a course at this price point.

    Mike founded Upvoty, a customer feedback SaaS that he sold for over $1 million to SureSwift Capital in 2023. He has 15+ years of entrepreneurship experience.

    No, the course is specifically designed for complete beginners without any coding experience. You'll use visual no-code tools throughout.

    Beyond the course fee, you'll need subscriptions for no-code tools like Softr ($24+/month) and Glide ($25+/month), plus domain registration and potential marketing costs.

    With 7+ hours of video content and hands-on implementation, most students complete the material in 4-6 weeks working 5-10 hours weekly.

    Students consistently praise the 500+ member community as one of the most valuable aspects, providing ongoing support and networking opportunities.

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    Zero to SaaS Review
    $ 149
    Total score: 7,4/10 ⭐
    • Duration30
    • DifficultyEasy
    • Release Date01/2023
    • Format Self-Paced
    • AccessLifetime
    • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
    • Payment Options One-Time
    • LanguageEnglish
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    Zero to SaaS Review