We just launched, so we’re still in the "discovery" phase regarding our user base but you’re right that many pro services want zero overhead, which is why a paid hosted version is on our roadmap to capture that majority.
We are starting with the self-hosted/open-source angle for two reasons:
Privacy & Control: For agencies handled sensitive data who aren't ready for a full SaaS commitment.
The "Tech-Forward" Freelancer: People doing smaller contracts who want a professional portal without another recurring subscription.
We plan to work on getting merged into Unraid to lower the barrier for those smaller self-hosters so it feels less like "ops" and more like a one-click install
We're seeing a similar split in our market. The accountants and law firms we talk to won't touch self-hosted — they want zero ops and just need it to work. But agencies and consultants who handle sensitive client data (immigration, financial advisory) often ask about data residency and control first.
Your two-track approach (self-hosted free, hosted paid) actually complements what we're doing well. If someone needs full infrastructure control, Atrium is the right fit. If they want managed SaaS with eIDAS compliance baked in, Gatherly covers that. Might even make sense to cross-refer users who land in the wrong bucket.
Good luck with the launch — the market is definitely big enough for both approaches.
We're building Gatherly (gatherly.io) for a similar audience but with a SaaS approach focused on professional services (accounting firms, law firms, consultants). The key difference is we've baked in eIDAS-qualified e-signatures and automated document collection workflows — so clients can sign agreements and upload requested documents through a single branded portal, no account required.
The self-hosted angle is interesting for developers, but most of the professional services firms we talk to want zero ops overhead. Would be curious if you've seen demand from non-technical users.