MAU vs MoM
MAU (Monthly Active Users) and MoM (Month over Month) 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: MAU refers to monthly active users, while MoM refers to month over month — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.
MAU — Monthly Active Users
The number of unique users who engage with a product in a month. Standard scale metric across consumer products.
MoM — Month over Month
A comparison of a metric in one month vs the prior month. The most common growth metric for early-stage startups.
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.
When to use MoM
Reach for "MoM" when the conversation is specifically about month over month. A comparison of a metric in one month vs the prior month. The most common growth metric for early-stage startups.
FAQs
What is the difference between MAU and MoM?
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. MoM stands for Month over Month — A comparison of a metric in one month vs the prior month. The most common growth metric for early-stage startups.
Are MAU and MoM the same thing?
No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. MAU = Monthly Active Users. MoM = Month over Month.
When should I use MAU vs MoM?
Use MAU when you're specifically referring to monthly active users. Use MoM when the topic is month over month.