Which of the following best describes SaaS in the cloud service model?

SaaS, or Software as a Service, refers to software applications that are delivered over the Internet. This model allows users to access and use applications without needing to install and run them on their individual devices. SaaS applications are typically hosted in the cloud by the service provider, which means that users can access these applications from anywhere with an internet connection, using a web browser or dedicated application interface.

This cloud service model streamlines software management, as updates, maintenance, and infrastructure are handled by the service provider instead of the user. Users benefit from this model through reduced costs, as they often pay a subscription fee rather than making significant upfront investments in software licenses or hardware.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of SaaS. Software hosted on users’ devices refers to traditional software installation rather than a cloud-delivered service. Services that provide infrastructure for platforms relate more closely to IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). Virtual machines accessed through local servers pertain more to IaaS or DaaS (Desktop as a Service), where the focus is on the infrastructure level rather than software applications offered directly to users.