MoM vs YoY
MoM (Month over Month) and YoY (Year over Year) 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: MoM refers to month over month, while YoY refers to year over year — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.
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.
YoY — Year over Year
A comparison of a metric in one period vs the same period one year ago. YoY strips out seasonality.
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.
When to use YoY
Reach for "YoY" when the conversation is specifically about year over year. A comparison of a metric in one period vs the same period one year ago. YoY strips out seasonality.
FAQs
What is the difference between MoM and YoY?
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. YoY stands for Year over Year — A comparison of a metric in one period vs the same period one year ago. YoY strips out seasonality.
Are MoM and YoY the same thing?
No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. MoM = Month over Month. YoY = Year over Year.
When should I use MoM vs YoY?
Use MoM when you're specifically referring to month over month. Use YoY when the topic is year over year.