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Companies with NPS above 50 grow 2.5x faster than competitors

Understanding
NPS & CSAT

Learn the difference between Net Promoter Score and Customer Satisfaction surveys, when to use each, and how they help you build a better product.

THE BASICS

NPS vs CSAT: What's the Difference?

Both are essential customer feedback surveys, but the Net Promoter System and customer satisfaction surveys answer different questions and serve different purposes.

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Net Promoter Score (NPS)

The Net Promoter System measures customer loyalty and likelihood to recommend

The NPS Questionnaire:

"On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend [product] to a friend or colleague?"

The Net Promoter Score Formula:

9-10Promoters (loyal enthusiasts)
7-8Passives (satisfied but unenthusiastic)
0-6Detractors (unhappy customers)

Calculation for NPS = % Promoters - % Detractors

Net Promoter Score ranges from -100 to +100

Best For:

  • Measuring overall brand loyalty
  • Tracking long-term satisfaction trends
  • Benchmarking against competitors
  • Predicting growth and referrals

Customer Satisfaction (CSAT)

Customer satisfaction survey measures happiness with a specific interaction or feature

The Customer Experience Survey Questions:

"How satisfied were you with [specific experience]?"

Usually rated 1-5 (Very Unsatisfied to Very Satisfied)

How It's Calculated:

4-5Satisfied customers
1-3Unsatisfied customers

CSAT = (# Satisfied / Total Responses) × 100%

Score ranges from 0% to 100%

Best For:

  • Measuring satisfaction with specific features
  • Evaluating support interactions
  • Testing new features or changes
  • Getting immediate, actionable feedback

When Should You Use Each Feedback Survey?

📊 Use Net Promoter Score Surveys When...

  • You want to measure overall relationship with your brand
  • You're tracking quarterly or annual performance
  • You want to benchmark against industry standards
  • You need a single metric for executive reporting

Use Customer Satisfaction Surveys When...

  • You want feedback on a specific touchpoint or feature
  • You need immediate, actionable insights
  • You're testing a new feature or product change
  • You want to measure support quality

Pro Tip: Use both feedback surveys! NPS score surveys for big-picture health, CSAT for specific improvements.

What's a "Good" Score?

Net Promoter Score Benchmarks

Excellent70+

World-class, loyal customer base

Good50-70

Strong performance, room to improve

Average30-50

Industry average, needs attention

Poor<30

Critical issues, immediate action needed

Customer Satisfaction Survey Benchmarks

Excellent85%+

Outstanding customer satisfaction

Good75-85%

Above average performance

Average65-75%

Meets expectations, can improve

Poor<65%

Significant problems to address

Note: Benchmarks vary by industry. SaaS companies typically score higher than traditional industries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Asking at the Wrong Time

Don't send your NPS questionnaire on day 1. Wait until customers have experienced value (typically 30-90 days).

Survey Fatigue

Don't bombard users with feedback surveys. Limit Net Promoter surveys to quarterly, customer satisfaction survey templates to specific touchpoints only.

Ignoring the Follow-Up

Always ask "Why?" after the score. The qualitative feedback is often more valuable than the Net Provider Score number.

Not Taking Action

Collecting scores without acting on customer feedback surveys is worse than not asking at all. Always close the loop.

Your NPS & CSAT Journey

Ready to Start Measuring NPS & CSAT?

Launch Net Promoter Score surveys and customer satisfaction surveys at the perfect moments in your customer journey with Mapster's feedback platform.

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