SaaS Mode V1 vs V2: What Changed, What Broke, and How to Actually Make It Work

If you’ve been running your agency on HighLevel’s SaaS Mode, you’ve probably felt that mix of excitement and confusion that comes with every big update.

Because on paper, SaaS Mode V2 is awesome. 

More features. Better automation. Cleaner systems. 

But if you’ve tried to switch over, you’ve probably also hit that dreaded moment where you go, “Wait… why isn’t this part working?” 😅

Let’s unpack what’s actually different between V1 and V2, where most people get stuck, and how to get your SaaS setup running smoothly without wanting to throw your laptop across the room.

What’s New in SaaS Mode V2

V2 is HighLevel’s answer to scale. It’s built for agencies that are ready to automate, bundle, and sell their services like a true SaaS company, not just a service provider.

Here’s what I love about it 👇
✅ Easier user management (way less chaos jumping between sub-accounts)
✅ More scalable pricing options
✅ Streamlined provisioning for client accounts
✅ Room to integrate with advanced billing tools and APIs

In short: V2 is the “big kid” version of SaaS Mode, made for agencies that are ready to go beyond client retainers and start building recurring revenue like a software company.

But (and you knew this was coming)… it’s not all plug-and-play yet.

The Setup Fee Confusion

One of the biggest pain points right now? Setup fees.

If you’ve been using SaaS Mode V1, you know how easy it is to charge a one-time setup fee. It’s basically built right into the product flow.

In V2 though… it’s a little trickier. The system can handle it, but not natively (yet).

You’ll need to create a workaround, usually through Stripe or a custom payment link, and then tie that to your onboarding automation.

It’s not hard once you know how, but if you skip this step, you’ll end up onboarding new clients without ever collecting that crucial upfront fee, and that’s money left on the table. 💸

So before you roll out a new pricing model or clone your SaaS funnel, double-check which version you’re using and confirm your payment setup is actually connected to it.

How to Tell If You’re on V1 or V2

If you’re not sure which SaaS Mode you’re on (you’re not alone), here’s the quick check:

  1. Go to your Agency View inside HighLevel.
  2. Open SaaS Configurator.
  3. If you see more granular pricing controls, different plan tiers, and a “marketplace” feel, you’re on V2.
  4. If your layout feels simpler and setup fees are easily visible, that’s V1.

Once you know which version you’re using, you can plan your workflows accordingly, instead of trying to mash V1 logic into a V2 environment.

ro Tip: Don’t Be a Beta Tester Alone

V2 is evolving fast. That’s both exciting and risky.

If you’re an agency that relies on SaaS revenue (and let’s be real, that’s the dream), you can’t afford downtime or “surprise” bugs mid-launch.

Here’s what I recommend:
✅ Keep close tabs on HighLevel’s changelog and community updates.
✅ Document every tweak you make, you’ll thank yourself later.
✅ Lean on partners who live and breathe this stuff (like HL Pro Tools).

Because while V2 is powerful, it’s still being fine-tuned, and you don’t want your business to be the guinea pig that discovers a missing feature the hard way.

Key Takeaway

SaaS Mode V2 isn’t just an update, it’s a shift in how agencies grow.

It’s taking us from done-for-you marketing services to true software-based scalability.

So yes, there are some bumps (especially around payments and setup fees), but once you lock in your systems, V2 opens the door to bigger margins, recurring income, and automated fulfillment at scale.

And that’s the kind of freedom most agency owners dream about.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s New in SaaS Mode V2?

V2 is HighLevel’s answer to scale. It’s built for agencies that are ready to automate, bundle, and sell their services like a true SaaS company, not just a service provider. Here’s what I love about it 👇✅ Easier user management (way less chaos jumping between sub-accounts)✅ More scalable pricing options✅ Streamlined provisioning for client accounts✅ Room to integrate with advanced billing tools and APIs In short: V2 is the “big kid” version of SaaS Mode, made for agencies that are ready to go beyond client retainers and start building recurring revenue like a software company. But (and you knew this was coming)… it’s not all plug-and-play yet.

What should I know about the Setup Fee Confusion?

One of the biggest pain points right now? Setup fees. If you’ve been using SaaS Mode V1, you know how easy it is to charge a one-time setup fee. It’s basically built right into the product flow. In V2 though… it’s a little trickier. The system can handle it, but not natively (yet). You’ll need to create a workaround, usually through Stripe or a custom payment link, and then tie that to your onboarding automation. It’s not hard once you know how, but if you skip this step, you’ll end up onboarding new clients without ever collecting that crucial upfront fee, and that’s money left on the table. 💸 So before you roll out a new pricing model or clone your SaaS funnel, double-check which version you’re using and confirm your payment setup is actually connected to it.

How to Tell If You’re on V1 or V2?

If you’re not sure which SaaS Mode you’re on (you’re not alone), here’s the quick check: Go to your Agency View inside HighLevel. Open SaaS Configurator. If you see more granular pricing controls, different plan tiers, and a “marketplace” feel, you’re on V2. If your layout feels simpler and setup fees are easily visible, that’s V1. Once you know which version you’re using, you can plan your workflows accordingly, instead of trying to mash V1 logic into a V2 environment.

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