Quick Answer (TL;DR)
The PLG Flywheel and AARRR (Pirate Metrics) are the two most actionable growth frameworks for product teams. Start with AARRR to diagnose where growth is breaking, then use the PLG Flywheel to design the engine.
Why This List Matters
Product-led growth has become the default model for SaaS. When the product is the primary driver of acquisition, activation, and expansion, PMs become growth leaders by default. These 8 frameworks give you structured approaches to building and optimizing PLG engines.
1. PLG Flywheel
Best for: Designing a self-reinforcing growth engine where product usage drives more growth
The PLG Flywheel connects activation, engagement, and expansion into a loop where each stage feeds the next. Satisfied users invite others, who activate and begin the cycle again. Read the PLG Flywheel framework. Track flywheel metrics like Viral Coefficient and Referral Rate.
2. AARRR (Pirate Metrics)
Best for: Diagnosing which stage of the growth funnel needs the most attention
Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Revenue, Referral. The pirate metrics framework maps the entire user lifecycle into five measurable stages. Find the biggest drop-off and fix it. Read the Pirate Metrics guide.
3. North Star Metric Framework
Best for: Aligning the entire team around a single metric that represents product value
The North Star Metric captures the core value your product delivers. Everything else (features, experiments, OKRs) should ladder up to it. Use the North Star Finder to identify yours.
4. Hook Model
Best for: Building habit-forming product experiences that drive daily engagement
Nir Eyal's Hook Model (Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, Investment) explains how products become habits. Apply it to increase engagement and DAU/MAU stickiness. Track results with Core Action Frequency.
5. Viral Loop Framework
Best for: Designing viral mechanics that turn users into acquisition channels
Viral loops embed sharing into the product experience. Each new user creates value that attracts more users. Measure with Viral Coefficient (K-factor) and Referral Conversion Rate. A K-factor above 1.0 means organic growth compounds.
6. Expansion Revenue Model
Best for: Growing revenue from existing customers through upsells and cross-sells
In PLG, expansion revenue often exceeds new revenue. This framework focuses on identifying expansion triggers, pricing tiers, and upgrade paths. Track with Expansion MRR and Net Revenue Retention.
7. Activation Framework
Best for: Optimizing the path from signup to first value moment
Activation is where most growth funnels break. This framework maps the critical path from signup to the "aha moment" and eliminates friction at each step. Read the Activation Rate guide and track Time to Value.
8. HEART Framework
Best for: Measuring user experience quality across five dimensions
Google's HEART framework (Happiness, Engagement, Adoption, Retention, Task Success) provides a structured way to measure UX. It connects product quality to growth outcomes. Read the HEART Framework guide.
How We Ranked These
Frameworks are ranked by growth impact (how directly they improve product-led metrics), PM relevance (whether PMs can implement them without a dedicated growth team), and measurability (whether results are clearly trackable). The PLG Flywheel and AARRR rank highest because they cover the full growth picture.