SaaS Metrics

Definition

The set of key performance indicators specifically designed to measure the health, growth, and unit economics of Software-as-a-Service businesses. Core SaaS metrics include annual recurring revenue (ARR), monthly recurring revenue (MRR), customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), churn rate, net revenue retention (NRR), and the Rule of 40. These metrics are essential for SaaS company valuations.

Related Terms

S-Curve Analysis SaaS (Software as a Service) SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) Sanctions Compliance Scalability

Related FAQ

What is SaaS honesty about churn and retention?

SaaS founders often hide churn with misleading cohort definitions or optimistic assumptions. Honest churn: measured consistently, includes all customer segments, and accounts for seasonality.

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How do intangible assets interact with valuation multiples?

Companies with strong intangible assets (brands, IP, data moats) command higher valuation multiples—e.g., 8-10x revenue versus 2-3x for commodity businesses.

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What is expansion MRR and contraction MRR?

Expansion MRR is new revenue from existing customers (upsells, cross-sells, seat expansion). Contraction MRR is lost revenue from downgrades, seat reductions, or feature cancellations.

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