PLG metrics hub: activation, trial conversion, stickiness, and adoption

A practical hub for product-led growth metrics: activation rate, trial-to-paid, DAU/MAU and WAU/MAU stickiness, feature adoption, and PQL-to-paid conversion.

Updated 2026-01-28

Try it in a calculator

How to use this hub

Use the Related calculators sidebar to open each tool. Start by defining a non-vanity activation event, then connect activation -> trial conversion -> retention and stickiness so improvements translate into revenue.

A simple PLG measurement stack

  • Activation: do users reach value quickly after signup-
  • Conversion: do activated users convert to paid (and how fast)-
  • Stickiness: do users come back at the cadence your product needs-
  • Adoption: are users using the features that drive value and retention-
  • Retention: do cohorts survive beyond the early lifecycle drop-off-

Tools in this cluster

ToolBest forKey input
Activation rateEarly lifecycle healthActivated users + signups
Trial-to-paidMonetization bridge from trialPaid conversions + trials
DAU/MAUDaily stickinessDAU + MAU
WAU/MAUWeekly stickinessWAU + MAU
Feature adoptionValue-driving usageFeature users + active users
PQL-to-paidProduct signals -> revenuePQLs + paid from PQL cohort

Common mistakes

  • Changing event definitions and breaking trends (keep stable, version if needed).
  • Mixing self-serve and sales-assisted paths (track separately).
  • Optimizing conversion with dark patterns that harm retention (watch churn/GRR/NRR).

More in saas metrics

Required pipeline: how much pipeline (and how many deals) you need
PQL to paid: how to define PQLs and track conversion to revenue