Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Every SaaS Company Should Track
In the fast-paced world of Software as a Service (SaaS), data-driven decision-making is essential. Whether you’re an early-stage startup or a growing SaaS enterprise, understanding and monitoring the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can make the difference between success and stagnation. These metrics help evaluate financial health, customer satisfaction, product performance, and long-term scalability.
Below are the most important SaaS KPIs every company should track: SaaS company KPIs
1. Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)What it measures: The total predictable revenue generated each month from subscriptions.
Why it matters: MRR provides a clear view of revenue stability and growth trends. Monitoring MRR helps identify whether your customer base and sales strategy are expanding effectively.
Formula:
MRR = (Number of paying customers) × (Average revenue per account)
2. Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR)What it measures: The yearly equivalent of MRR.
Why it matters: ARR gives investors and executives a long-term view of financial performance and growth projections. It’s especially useful for forecasting and planning.
What it measures: The total cost of acquiring a new customer, including marketing, sales, and advertising expenses.
Why it matters: CAC determines the efficiency of your customer acquisition strategy. Lowering CAC while maintaining quality leads indicates sustainable growth.
Formula:
CAC = (Total Sales & Marketing Costs) ÷ (Number of New Customers Acquired)
4. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV or LTV)What it measures: The total revenue a company expects to earn from a customer over the entire relationship.
Why it matters: CLV helps assess how much you can spend on acquiring and retaining customers. Ideally, your CLV should be at least 3x your CAC.
Formula:
CLV = (Average Revenue per Account × Gross Margin %) ÷ Customer Churn Rate
5. Churn RateWhat it measures: The percentage of customers or revenue lost during a specific period.
Why it matters: High churn means poor retention and product dissatisfaction. Tracking churn helps identify retention problems early.
Formula:
Customer Churn Rate = (Customers Lost ÷ Total Customers at Start of Period) × 100
6. Net Revenue Retention (NRR)What it measures: The percentage of recurring revenue retained from existing customers, including upgrades and downgrades.
Why it matters: NRR above 100% indicates strong product-market fit and effective customer success strategies.
Formula:
NRR = (Starting MRR + Expansion – Contraction – Churn) ÷ Starting MRR × 100
7. Gross MarginWhat it measures: The percentage of revenue left after subtracting the cost of delivering the service (e.g., hosting, support).
Why it matters: High gross margins (typically 70–90% for SaaS) are vital for reinvesting in growth and innovation.
What it measures: The number of users engaging with your product daily (DAU) or monthly (MAU).
Why it matters: Engagement metrics reflect customer satisfaction and product stickiness. A healthy DAU/MAU ratio above 20% shows good user retention.
What it measures: The percentage of leads that convert into paying customers.
Why it matters: A strong conversion rate means your marketing and sales processes are aligned and effective.
What it measures: Burn rate tracks how fast you’re spending cash; runway estimates how long your cash will last.
Why it matters: These are crucial for SaaS startups managing funding and operational efficiency.
Formula:
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