Blog
September 10, 2024
Yuliya Datsyuk
July 25, 2025

💰 EBITDA vs Net Income: Never Get Them Mixed Up Again

When running a startup or small business, understanding your finances isn't important – it's necessary. But when it comes to metrics like EBITDA and net income, things can get confusing.

At first glance, they look pretty much the same, but knowing the difference can make or break your decision-making process.

In this article, we'll demystify the difference between EBITDA vs net income and show simple formulas to calculate them. Keep reading to learn more.

What is EBITDA?

To explain EBITDA, we should briefly describe the main difference between net income vs. EBITDA.

It’s all about the costs they consider. Net income (the “bottom line”) is what’s left when you subtract all expenses like taxes, interest expense and the wear and tear on assets from the company’s total revenue.

On the other hand, EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) ignores these costs and only measures the profitability of the business's regular operations.

It's similar to EBIT, which excludes interest and taxes.

Therefore, EBITDA measures a company's profitability—a higher EBITDA usually means the company is more profitable.

How to calculate EBITDA

EBITDA calculation is fairly straightforward. The formula for calculating EBITDA reads:

In this formula, the operating income refers to earnings or net income, interest and tax expenses. We’ll discuss each part of EBITDA further in the following sections.

Interest, taxes and non-core business operations demystified

Interest and taxes are expenses that aren't directly related to a company's core business. When you add these costs to net income (or earnings), you get EBIT. To calculate EBITDA, you also add depreciation and amortization, but more on that in a second.

A business pays interest on money it has borrowed. Common sources of interest costs include:

  • bonds
  • loans
  • convertible debt
  • mortgages
  • lines of credit
  • Taxes are payments that businesses make to the government. These include:

  • income taxes (corporation taxes)
  • sales tax (also known as VAT, value-added tax)
  • property taxes
  • employment taxes
  • state, federal and local income taxes
  • Income tax is usually one of a company's primary tax expenses. When calculating EBITDA, all these non-operating expenses are added back to earnings.

    What are depreciation and amortization?

    Depreciation and amortization are ways to account for the loss of value in assets over time.

    Depreciation is the decrease in the value of a physical asset. A simple example is when a car loses value as it gets older.

    Amortization, on the other hand, is about gradually writing off the cost of intangible assets, like a customer list that becomes less useful over time.

    In short, depreciation is the loss of value in physical items, while amortization is spreading out the cost of non-physical things.

    What is adjusted EBITDA?

    Adjusted EBITDA is a way to measure a company's financial performance by removing one-time, unusual or non-recurring items from EBITDA.

    The purpose of adjusted EBITDA is an accurate, consistent number that isn't affected by unusual events or special items. Financial professionals like analysts and investment bankers often use this figure to assess a company's value.

    The specific adjustments vary depending on the industry and company. They can include special donations, legal expenses, non-cash expenses and others.

    What’s the use of EBITDA?

    EBITDA is used in industries like SaaS and other fast-growing sectors to show how much money a company can make from its core activities, without getting mixed up with extra costs like interest and taxes.

    This valuation helps investors see the company's earnings potential and its core operations performance.

    It focuses on the company's ability to make money by ignoring costs like depreciation and amortization expenses, which aren't directly related to day-to-day business activities.

    It’s also easy to calculate by adding back interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to net income, which makes it a quick and straightforward tool for financial analysis.

    Additionally, EBITDA is commonly used to evaluate a company’s value through financial ratios that compare EBITDA with the company’s overall worth.

    To learn more about business valuation, check out what investors really want from early-stage startup finances.

    What is net income?

    Net income, also known as net profit or just earnings, is what’s left after all expenses have been deducted from a company's revenue. It represents the company's profit.

    Net income is the “bottom line” because it's the final figure on the income statement. This number is also the first item on a cash flow statement. You can find net income on your financial statements.

    How to calculate net income?

    Same as EBITDA, net income also has a simple formula:

    Net income can be either positive or negative. If your company's revenue is higher than its expenses, you have a positive net income. If your expenses exceed your revenue, you end up with a negative net income (or a net loss).

    You can calculate your company’s net income for any period, like annually, quarterly or monthly, depending on what works best for your startup financial model.

    How do you make sense of net income, net profit, operating income…?

    If you're a new business owner, these similar-looking terms are probably causing you headaches. Here are some tips to help you distinguish between them:

  • Net profit: Net income and net profit mean the same thing, so you can use either term to describe the final amount of money a company makes after all expenses.
  • Gross income: Gross income is the money your business makes after subtracting the cost of producing or buying the products you sell from your total revenue. Net income is what’s left after taking out all other expenses, like salaries and rent, from the gross income.
  • Operating income: Operating income is the money you make from your business activities after subtracting the costs of running the business. Net income is what’s left after subtracting other expenses from operating income, like interest and taxes.
  • Operating profit: Operating profit and operating income mean the same thing – they show the profit from your company's core business operations. Net income is the total profit after subtracting all costs from your sales revenue.
  • Operating revenue: Operating revenue is the total money your business earns from its main activities before subtracting expenses.
  • What’s the use of net income?

    Net income is useful across all businesses. It shows the company’s total profit after all expenses, including interest and taxes, have been subtracted.

    This figure clearly shows a company’s profitability after all deducted expenses. Think of it as the final score showing whether the company is making money or losing it.

    Net income also meets accounting rules and is needed for official financial reports. For investors, it’s a simple way to see how profitable the company is and how likely it is to pay dividends.

    Which is a better KPI to measure business performance?

    Choosing between net income vs EBITDA for measuring business financial performance depends on what you want to look at:

  • EBITDA is great for understanding a company's performance in its core business activities, ignoring other financial factors.
  • Net income, on the other hand, gives you the complete picture of profitability by accounting for all expenses, including interest, taxes and depreciation. It shows the final profit or loss.
  • Finally, you can use the “EBITDA vs net income” metrics to benchmark your company against other companies in your industry. If most companies have a similar ratio between the two and your company deviates significantly from it, it could mean you should adjust your business model or financial strategy.
  • So, EBITDA is best for assessing operational performance and making comparisons, while net income provides a complete view of a company’s financial health. 

    However, to fully understand a company’s financial performance, it’s best to look at both financial metrics. Of course, they’re not the only ones you should track as there are many other indicators of your company’s performance.

    Check out this article to learn more about other key SaaS metrics you should track.

    EBITDA vs net income: Key differences comparison table

    EBITDANet incomeDefinitionEBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. It measures a business’ profitability from its regular operations without considering expenses.Net income is the totalt after deducting all expenses from a company's revenue. It’s the company's total profit.
    UseIt helps you see how well a company is performing in its core operations. It’s used to evaluate a company’s value through financial ratios. It’s helpful for industries like SaaS and other fast-growing sectors.Net income is the totalt after deducting all expenses from a company's revenue. It’s the company's total profit.FormulaEBITDA = Operating income + Depreciation expenses + Amortization expensesNet income = Revenue - COGS - Expenses

    How can Fuelfinance help you?

    Fuelfinance dashboard with key metrics and KPIs

    At Fuelfinance, we believe that you don't have to be a financial expert to assess your business's financial health or read your company's financial statements.

    With good financial planning software tools and some support, every startup founder or small business owner can manage their company's finances.

    That's why we've developed a small business financial management software designed specifically for startups. It comes with unlimited support from our financial experts, who act as your outsourced CFO.

    Here are its key features:

  • Financial planning and analysis: Our financial modeling software provides accurate financial forecasting for startups, including both conservative and optimistic scenarios, to help you prepare for different possibilities. It also simplifies financial analysis, statements and reports. Plus, you can always reach out to our financial analysts for help.
  • All-in-one dashboard: Our dashboard allows you to track all the important metrics in one place and see your company's performance in real time as it automatically gets updated. We also suggest key performance indicators (KPIs) specifically for your business, based on your SaaS financial model.
  • Advanced automation: With Fuelfinance, you no longer need to update spreadsheets manually. Our platform automates routine tasks, keeping your data up-to-date so you can make informed decisions without the hassle of constant updates.
  • Expert support: You'll receive ongoing support from our financial experts, who act as your fractional CFO and are willing to solve any doubts you might have. This expert advice is available to all our paid customers at no extra cost, sparing you money on outsourced financial services.
  • Integrations: Fuelfinance integrates with popular financial tools like QuickBooks, Stripe, Gusto and many others.
  • If you're an early-stage startup that hasn't secured funding yet, we've got you covered, too.

    Let us introduce Bootstrap, a free tool designed to simplify small business financial planning and help you create impressive reports for investors.

    Here's what you can do with Bootstrap:

  • Generate essential small business financial statements, such as profit and loss, cash flow statements and balance sheets.
  • Use a dashboard to track key metrics for your business.
  • Access tons of helpful videos to learn how to do a financial analysis and manage your business finances.
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  • Ready for financial peace of mind?

    Deciding whether or not to start a business has its challenges, and at Fuelfinance, we get that. That’s why we’ve created an easy-to-use financial software for small companies and startup founders. Even if you’re not a finance expert, our solution makes managing your finances simple.

    Fuelfinance isn’t just about keeping your books in order – it’s also your go-to tool for calculating important metrics like net income and EBITDA. These calculations help you understand your business’s profitability and performance. Additionally, our tool helps with revenue recognition and figuring out how long your funds will last.

    Plus, with Fuelfinance, you’ll have ongoing support from our team of experts to answer all your financial questions and needs.

    Ready to see how Fuelfinance can make managing your finances easier?

    Book a demo today and let us show you how our tool can simplify your financial journey.

    FAQs

    Is EBITDA the same as net income?

    No, EBITDA is the money a company makes before subtracting interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses. Because these costs are not included, EBITDA is usually higher than net income.

    Is EBITDA just gross income?

    No. Gross profit is what’s left after subtracting the costs of making products or providing services. EBITDA, on the other hand, shows how much a company earns before accounting for interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

    What is the difference between net profit and EBIT?

    Net profit is the final amount of money a company makes after subtracting all expenses, including taxes and interest. EBIT, on the other hand, looks at earnings from core operations before these additional costs are taken out, so it focuses more on how well the business is performing without considering taxes and interest.

    Should EBITDA be higher than revenue?

    No. EBITDA should never be higher than a company's total revenue because it’s calculated after subtracting some operating expenses from the revenue. It's usually lower, but in some cases, they can be equal.

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