What is a good SaaS retention rate?

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) businesses are popular for their subscription-based revenue model. These businesses rely heavily on customer retention as their revenue depends on the continued subscription of customers. A good SaaS retention rate varies depending on the industry, product, and customer segment. However, a retention rate above 90% is considered excellent, while anything below 70% needs immediate attention.

A high retention rate is an essential factor for a SaaS company’s success as it indicates customer satisfaction and loyalty. A retention rate reflects the number of customers who remain subscribed to a service over a given period. SaaS companies strive to achieve a high retention rate because it costs less to retain existing customers than to acquire new ones. High retention rates indicate that a company’s products and services meet their customers’ needs, leading to customer loyalty and increased revenue over time.

SaaS businesses typically measure retention rates using two metrics: the customer churn rate and the net retention rate. The customer churn rate measures the percentage of customers who canceled their subscriptions over a given period. In contrast, the net retention rate measures the percentage of revenue generated from existing customers over a given period, excluding any revenue from new customers or upgrades.

A good customer churn rate varies based on the industry, but the general rule of thumb is to keep it below 5%. If a company’s churn rate is higher than 5%, it could be due to various factors, including poor customer experience, inadequate product offering, or a lack of value proposition. Companies with high churn rates need to address the underlying issues quickly to prevent further loss of customers.

The net retention rate is another essential metric for SaaS companies. It measures the percentage of revenue generated from existing customers over a given period, excluding any revenue from new customers or upgrades. A good net retention rate is usually above 100%, indicating that existing customers are spending more money on the service over time.

SaaS companies can improve their retention rates by offering excellent customer service, engaging their customers, providing regular product updates, and addressing any issues promptly. Companies can also conduct customer surveys to gather feedback and improve their products and services.

Useful Links:

1. An Expert Guide to SaaS B2B Customer Retention
2. What is a good retention rate in SaaS