SaaS Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): A Comprehensive Guide

By The HowTheyGotUsers Team·Updated July 2026

SaaS metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) are crucial for measuring the success of a SaaS business, including customer acquisition cost, customer lifetime value, and retention rate, which can be tracked using tools like Google Sheets or Excel.

Key takeaways

  • SaaS metrics and KPIs are essential for measuring business success
  • Customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, and retention rate are key metrics to track
  • Tools like Google Sheets or Excel can be used to track and analyze SaaS KPIs

How does 23 Most Important SaaS KPIs & Metrics work?

The 23 most important SaaS KPIs and metrics are used to measure the success of a SaaS business, including customer acquisition cost, customer lifetime value, and retention rate. These metrics can be tracked using tools like Google Sheets or Excel, as seen in the example provided by Corporate Finance Institute (CFI). For instance, CFI's Google Sheets template can be used to track and analyze SaaS KPIs, such as monthly recurring revenue (MRR) and average revenue per user (ARPU).

• Customer acquisition cost (CAC) is the cost of acquiring a new customer

• Customer lifetime value (LTV) is the total value of a customer over their lifetime

• Retention rate is the percentage of customers retained over a given period

How does customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) work?

Customer acquisition cost (CAC) is the cost of acquiring a new customer, including marketing and sales expenses. According to Jeff Schmidt, CAC can be calculated by dividing the total cost of acquisition by the number of new customers acquired. For example, if the total cost of acquisition is $1,000 and 10 new customers are acquired, the CAC would be $100 per customer. This metric is important for SaaS businesses, as it helps them understand the cost of acquiring new customers and make informed decisions about their marketing and sales strategies.

• CAC includes marketing and sales expenses

• CAC can be calculated by dividing total cost by number of new customers

• CAC is important for understanding the cost of acquiring new customers

How does customer Lifetime Value (LTV) work?

Customer lifetime value (LTV) is the total value of a customer over their lifetime, including revenue and retention. According to HubSpot CRM, LTV can be calculated by multiplying the average revenue per user (ARPU) by the customer lifetime. For example, if the ARPU is $100 and the customer lifetime is 2 years, the LTV would be $200. This metric is important for SaaS businesses, as it helps them understand the total value of their customers and make informed decisions about their marketing and sales strategies.

• LTV includes revenue and retention

• LTV can be calculated by multiplying ARPU by customer lifetime

• LTV is important for understanding the total value of customers

How does monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) work?

Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) is the revenue generated by a SaaS business each month, including revenue from subscriptions and other recurring sources. According to Databox, MRR can be calculated by multiplying the number of customers by the average revenue per user (ARPU). For example, if there are 100 customers and the ARPU is $100, the MRR would be $10,000. This metric is important for SaaS businesses, as it helps them understand their revenue streams and make informed decisions about their pricing and packaging strategies.

• MRR includes revenue from subscriptions and other recurring sources

• MRR can be calculated by multiplying number of customers by ARPU

• MRR is important for understanding revenue streams

How does net Promoter Score (NPS) work?

Net promoter score (NPS) is a measure of customer satisfaction, including the likelihood of customers to recommend a product or service to others. According to Genie, NPS can be calculated by subtracting the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters. For example, if 60% of customers are promoters and 20% are detractors, the NPS would be 40. This metric is important for SaaS businesses, as it helps them understand customer satisfaction and make informed decisions about their product and service offerings.

• NPS measures customer satisfaction

• NPS can be calculated by subtracting detractors from promoters

• NPS is important for understanding customer satisfaction

How does 1. The Total Number Of Subscribers work?

The total number of subscribers is the number of customers who have subscribed to a SaaS product or service. According to Make, this metric can be tracked using tools like Google Analytics 4 or HubSpot Marketing. For example, if a SaaS business has 100 subscribers, this metric would be 100. This metric is important for SaaS businesses, as it helps them understand their customer base and make informed decisions about their marketing and sales strategies.

• Total number of subscribers is the number of customers who have subscribed

• This metric can be tracked using tools like Google Analytics 4 or HubSpot Marketing

• Total number of subscribers is important for understanding customer base

How does 10. Retention Rate work?

Retention rate is the percentage of customers retained over a given period, including the number of customers who continue to subscribe to a SaaS product or service. According to Facebook Ads, retention rate can be calculated by dividing the number of customers retained by the total number of customers. For example, if 80% of customers are retained, the retention rate would be 80%. This metric is important for SaaS businesses, as it helps them understand customer loyalty and make informed decisions about their marketing and sales strategies.

• Retention rate is the percentage of customers retained

• Retention rate can be calculated by dividing customers retained by total customers

• Retention rate is important for understanding customer loyalty

How does 11. Avg. Revenue Per Unit (ARPU) work?

Average revenue per user (ARPU) is the average revenue generated per customer, including revenue from subscriptions and other sources. According to LinkedIn Ads, ARPU can be calculated by dividing the total revenue by the number of customers. For example, if the total revenue is $10,000 and there are 100 customers, the ARPU would be $100. This metric is important for SaaS businesses, as it helps them understand revenue streams and make informed decisions about their pricing and packaging strategies.

• ARPU is the average revenue generated per customer

• ARPU can be calculated by dividing total revenue by number of customers

• ARPU is important for understanding revenue streams

Frequently asked

What is the difference between CAC and LTV?
CAC is the cost of acquiring a new customer, while LTV is the total value of a customer over their lifetime
How do I calculate MRR?
MRR can be calculated by multiplying the number of customers by the average revenue per user (ARPU)
What is the importance of NPS?
NPS is a measure of customer satisfaction and loyalty, and is important for understanding customer satisfaction and making informed decisions about product and service offerings

Sources & proof

  1. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  2. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  3. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  4. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  5. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  6. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  7. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  8. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com

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