Business Valuation

SaaS Valuation Calculator

Get an indicative valuation range for a SaaS business based on ARR, growth rate, EBITDA margin, and churn. Understand what drives multiples in the current market.

Business Inputs

$

Enter the trailing 12-month ARR growth rate.

Enter as a percentage. Negative values are accepted for pre-profitability businesses.

Logo churn or revenue churn. Lower is better.

Indicative Valuation Range

Conservative
$0
0x ARR
Base Case
$0
0x ARR
Optimistic
$0
0x ARR
Valuation Drivers
Growth Score--
Profitability--
Retention--
Revenue Quality--
Rule of 40--
Valuation Range Visualisation
Directional only. This tool provides an indicative range based on simplified inputs. Actual transaction values depend on buyer type, market conditions, due diligence findings, deal structure, and negotiation. This does not constitute a formal valuation or financial advice.

What Drives SaaS Valuation Multiples

SaaS businesses are typically valued as a multiple of ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) or, for profitable businesses, as a multiple of EBITDA. The multiple applied depends on a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors.

The Rule of 40

The Rule of 40 is a widely used benchmark in SaaS: the sum of your ARR growth rate and EBITDA margin should exceed 40% for a business to be considered healthy. A business growing at 60% with a -10% EBITDA margin scores 50 and is considered strong. A business growing at 10% with a 20% margin also scores 30, which is below the threshold.

Rule of 40 = ARR Growth Rate (%) + EBITDA Margin (%)

Scores above 40 generally support premium multiples. Scores below 20 compress multiples significantly regardless of other factors.

Key Multiple Drivers

FactorMultiple ImpactWhat Buyers Look For
ARR Growth RateHigh impact30%+ YoY growth commands premium multiples
Net Revenue RetentionHigh impactNRR above 110% is a strong positive signal
Gross MarginHigh impact70%+ gross margin is standard for software
Churn RateHigh impactLogo churn below 5% annually is considered low
EBITDA MarginMedium-highProfitability increasingly valued post-2022
ARR ScaleMediumLarger ARR base typically commands higher multiples
Revenue QualityMediumEnterprise contracts, multi-year deals, high NRR
Market PositionMediumDefensible niche, switching costs, brand
Customer ConcentrationRisk factorNo single customer above 10 to 15% of ARR

Current Market Context (2025 to 2026)

SaaS multiples compressed significantly from their 2021 peaks. The median public SaaS company traded at 5 to 8x ARR in 2025, down from 15 to 20x in 2021. Private market multiples have followed a similar trajectory, with high-quality businesses at scale commanding 6 to 10x ARR and smaller or slower-growing businesses trading at 2 to 5x.

Profitability has become a more significant factor since 2022. Buyers now apply greater scrutiny to burn rate and path to profitability, particularly for pre-profitability businesses.

Example scenario: A SaaS business with $2M ARR, 40% YoY growth, 15% EBITDA margin, and 8% annual churn. Rule of 40 score = 55. Revenue quality is strong. In the current market, this profile would likely support a base case valuation of approximately 5 to 7x ARR, or $10M to $14M. A premium buyer or strategic acquirer might pay 8 to 10x for the right fit.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) is the annualised value of all active subscription contracts. It is calculated by multiplying monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by 12, or by summing the annualised value of all active annual contracts. ARR excludes one-time fees, professional services, and non-recurring revenue.
The Rule of 40 is a benchmark for SaaS business health: the sum of ARR growth rate and EBITDA margin should exceed 40%. It balances growth and profitability. A business can score above 40 by being high-growth with negative margins, or by being slower-growing but highly profitable. Scores above 40 generally support premium multiples in M&A transactions.
In 2025 to 2026, private SaaS multiples have ranged broadly from 2x to 12x ARR depending on growth, profitability, scale, and quality. High-growth businesses (50%+ YoY) with strong retention and profitability at scale command the highest multiples. Smaller, slower-growing, or higher-churn businesses trade at the lower end. Strategic acquirers may pay above market for the right fit.
No. This tool provides a directional indicative range based on simplified inputs and general market benchmarks. It is not a formal valuation and should not be used as the basis for a transaction. Formal valuations require detailed financial analysis, due diligence, market comparables, and professional judgment. For a formal valuation, engage a qualified M&A adviser.
Churn is one of the most significant valuation drivers in SaaS. High churn signals weak product-market fit, poor customer success, or a competitive market. Buyers apply meaningful multiple discounts for businesses with annual logo churn above 10 to 15%. Conversely, businesses with net revenue retention above 110% (meaning existing customers expand faster than they churn) command premium multiples.

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Acquiry. (2026). SaaS valuation calculator. Acquiry Knowledge Hub. https://www.acquiry.com/knowledge/saas-valuation-calculator/

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