Freelance MRR Ladder Calculator

Retainer MRR Ladder

Stop chasing one-off gigs. Build a ladder of recurring revenue to financial freedom.

How This Tool Works

The Retainer MRR Ladder is a strategic planning tool for freelancers who want to escape the "feast or famine" cycle. By shifting your business model from one-off projects to Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), you gain financial predictability and peace of mind.

This tool lets you set a monthly income goal and breaks it down into three tiers of service: Basic (low-priced, high-volume), Pro (mid-priced, the "bread and butter"), and Premium (high-ticket, low-volume). It calculates exactly how many clients you need in each tier to hit your target.

How to Use the MRR Ladder

  • Monthly Revenue Goal: Enter the target amount you need to pay yourself and cover business costs.
  • Tier Pricing: Define your three service levels. For example, a "Basic" maintenance plan might be $500, while a "Premium" strategy lead might be $5,000.
  • Analyze the Paths: Look at the client counts. Is it more realistic for you to manage 20 small clients or 2 large ones?

Example Calculation

If your goal is $10,000/mo and your Pro tier is $2,500/mo:

  • Path to Freedom: You only need 4 "Pro" clients to reach your goal.
  • Comparison: To hit the same goal with a $500 Basic plan, you would need 20 clients.
  • Strategy: It is usually easier to provide high value to 4 people than basic support to 20.

Why This Tool Is Accurate

We use a model focused on capacity planning:

  • The Power of Tiers: By visualizing the paths separately, you can decide which business model fits your lifestyle (high volume vs. high touch).
  • Dynamic Goal Feedback: The tool updates the logic based on your custom goal, showing you the exact "Client Count" required for each path without rounding errors.
  • Mix & Match Logic: While the calculator shows solo paths, it encourages you to think about a "Mix" (e.g., 1 Premium + 2 Pro) to hit your target safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is MRR different from project revenue?

Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) is predictable income you get every month. Project revenue is one-off "feast-or-famine" income. A project freelancer must constantly hunt for new work, while an MRR freelancer builds a baseline.

What are common freelance retainer services?

Popular retainers include Monthly SEO management, Social Media management, Website Maintenance, Fractional CMO/CTO services, and Content Writing packages.

Is it better to have 10 small clients or 2 big ones?

Two big clients are more efficient for deep work, but carry "concentration risk" (if one cancels, you lose 50% of income). A mix of 4-6 mid-tier clients is usually the safest sweet spot for freelancers.
Limitations & Disclaimer: This tool calculates the mathematical requirements for your goal. It does not account for churn (clients leaving) or the time capacity required to service each tier. Always ensure you have the bandwidth to deliver what you sell.