What is Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)?

Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) is a key metric used by subscription-based businesses to measure the predictable and consistent revenue generated from ongoing subscriptions or recurring charges on a monthly basis. MRR is particularly important for Software as a Service (SaaS) companies, membership-based businesses, and any other enterprises that operate on a subscription model.

MRR provides a more stable and predictable revenue stream compared to one-time purchases, allowing businesses to better forecast their financial performance and plan for growth. It encompasses all the recurring revenue generated from subscriptions, including different pricing tiers, add-ons, upgrades, and downgrades.

MRR can be calculated in a few different ways, depending on the specific components of your subscription model. Here are a couple of common methods:

Flat MRR Method: This method considers the fixed monthly subscription fees without factoring in upsells, downsells, or changes in pricing. The formula is:

MRR = Sum of all Monthly Subscription Fees

Adjusted MRR Method: This method takes into account any changes in subscription value due to upgrades, downgrades, or churn (cancellations). The formula is:

MRR = (Sum of all Monthly Subscription Fees) + (Sum of all Changes in MRR)

Changes in MRR could include upgrades (increasing MRR), downgrades (decreasing MRR), and churn (reducing MRR due to cancellations).

MRR is a critical metric for subscription-based businesses for several reasons:

Predictable Revenue: MRR provides insight into the consistent revenue that a business can expect to receive on a monthly basis, which helps with financial planning and forecasting.

Growth Tracking: Monitoring changes in MRR over time can indicate whether a business is growing, stagnating, or declining. Positive changes suggest growth, while negative changes might signal issues with retention.

Churn Analysis: By tracking MRR churn (revenue lost due to customer cancellations), businesses can identify areas for improvement in customer retention and engagement.

Pricing Strategy: MRR analysis can help businesses evaluate the success of different pricing tiers and adjust them based on their impact on overall MRR.

Investor and Stakeholder Communication: MRR is a valuable metric when communicating with investors, stakeholders, and potential investors about the company’s financial performance and growth potential.

Overall, MRR provides a clear snapshot of a subscription-based business’s health and trajectory, making it an essential metric for decision-making and strategic planning.