Annual Recurring Revenue

Annual recurring revenue (ARR) measures predictable, recurring revenue from subscription-based models. Product managers use ARR to evaluate pricing, retention rates, forecast revenue growth, and inform product decisions.

What is Annual Recurring Revenue?

Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) is a metric used by businesses to measure the amount of revenue they can expect to receive from their customers on an annual basis. ARR is calculated by multiplying the monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by 12, which gives the total revenue that a business can expect to receive from its customers in a year.

Why is ARR important?

ARR is an important metric for businesses because it provides a clear picture of their revenue stream. By calculating ARR, businesses can determine the amount of revenue they can expect to receive in the future, which can help them make important decisions about their business strategy.

ARR is particularly important for businesses that rely on subscription-based revenue models, such as software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies. These businesses need to have a clear understanding of their revenue stream in order to make decisions about product development, marketing, and sales.

How is ARR calculated?

ARR is calculated by multiplying the monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by 12. MRR is the amount of revenue that a business can expect to receive from its customers on a monthly basis. To calculate MRR, businesses need to take into account the number of customers they have, the price of their product or service, and any discounts or promotions that they offer.

For example, if a SaaS company has 1,000 customers who pay $50 per month for their product, their MRR would be $50,000. To calculate their ARR, they would multiply their MRR by 12, which would give them an ARR of $600,000.

What are the benefits of using ARR?

There are several benefits to using ARR as a metric for businesses:

  • Provides a clear picture of a business's revenue stream
  • Helps businesses make important decisions about product development, marketing, and sales
  • Allows businesses to forecast their revenue for the future
  • Enables businesses to track their growth over time

Overall, ARR is an important metric for businesses that rely on subscription-based revenue models. By calculating their ARR, businesses can gain a clear understanding of their revenue stream, which can help them make important decisions about their business strategy.