CSAT vs MAU

CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Score) and MAU (Monthly Active Users) both come up in business conversations and get confused. Here's the plain-English difference, side by side, so you can use each one with confidence.

The key difference: CSAT refers to customer satisfaction score, while MAU refers to monthly active users — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.

CSAT — Customer Satisfaction Score

A survey metric asking customers to rate their satisfaction, typically 1-5 or 1-7. CSAT measures one specific interaction.

Full CSAT definition →

MAU — Monthly Active Users

The number of unique users who engage with a product in a month. Standard scale metric across consumer products.

Full MAU definition →

When to use CSAT

Reach for "CSAT" when the conversation is specifically about customer satisfaction score. A survey metric asking customers to rate their satisfaction, typically 1-5 or 1-7. CSAT measures one specific interaction.

When to use MAU

Reach for "MAU" when the conversation is specifically about monthly active users. The number of unique users who engage with a product in a month. Standard scale metric across consumer products.

FAQs

What is the difference between CSAT and MAU?

CSAT stands for Customer Satisfaction Score — A survey metric asking customers to rate their satisfaction, typically 1-5 or 1-7. CSAT measures one specific interaction. MAU stands for Monthly Active Users — The number of unique users who engage with a product in a month. Standard scale metric across consumer products.

Are CSAT and MAU the same thing?

No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. CSAT = Customer Satisfaction Score. MAU = Monthly Active Users.

When should I use CSAT vs MAU?

Use CSAT when you're specifically referring to customer satisfaction score. Use MAU when the topic is monthly active users.