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Freshworks Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 1 lowered, 6 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 16% to $228.6 million: Revenue was $228.6 million, against $196.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. The prior release gave a first-quarter estimate of $222.0 - $225.0 million. Source
  • Non-GAAP operating margin fell to 17.9%: Non-GAAP income from operations was $41.0 million, against $46.4 million a year earlier, and the margin was 23.6% in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Customers above $100,000 ARR up 29%: Customers contributing more than $100,000 in ARR reached 1,646, up 29% year over year and 26% at constant currency. Source
  • Two largest deals in company history: The company landed the two largest deals in its history, including its first deal with more than $1 million in ARR. Source
  • EX platform demand drove traction: Management attributed market traction to demand for the EX platform, with accelerating EX ARR and growing AI Copilot revenue. Source
  • Sales and marketing rose to 42.2% of revenue: Non-GAAP sales and marketing expense was $96.4 million, or 42.2% of revenue, against $72.9 million, or 37.2%, a year earlier. Source
  • Operating cash flow was $62.4 million: Net cash from operating activities was $62.4 million, a 27.3% margin, against $58.0 million and 29.5%. Adjusted free cash flow was $55.8 million, a 24.4% margin, against $55.4 million and 28.2%. Source

“Freshworks began Q1 with strong momentum, building on our 2025 successes”

Dennis Woodside, CEO & President of Freshworks

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFull year 2026$958.0 - $964.0 millionRaised from $952.0 - $960.0 million
Revenue growth SourceFull year 202614% - 15%Raised from 13.5% - 14.5%
Revenue SourceSecond quarter 2026$232.0 - $235.0 millionNew
Revenue growth SourceSecond quarter 202613% - 15%New
Non-GAAP income from operations SourceSecond quarter 2026$41.0 - $43.0 millionNew
Non-GAAP income from operations SourceFull year 2026$207.0 - $215.0 millionRaised from $181.0 - $189.0 million
Non-GAAP net income per share SourceSecond quarter 2026$0.13New
Non-GAAP net income per share SourceFull year 2026$0.61 - $0.63Raised from $0.55 - $0.57
Weighted-average shares outstanding SourceSecond quarter 2026280 millionNew
Weighted-average shares outstanding SourceFull year 2026281 millionLowered from 291.5 million
Non-GAAP tax rate SourceFull year 202624%New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 revenue estimate raised to $958.0 - $964.0 million from $952.0 - $960.0 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year non-GAAP income from operations estimate raised to $207.0 - $215.0 million from $181.0 - $189.0 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year non-GAAP net income per share estimate raised to $0.61 - $0.63 from $0.55 - $0.57. Source
  • New guidance: Second-quarter 2026 estimates added; the prior release gave first-quarter and full-year estimates. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year weighted-average share assumption lowered to 281 million from 291.5 million. Source
  • New: FireHydrant results are included in 2026 financial figures; the prior release had announced the acquisition. Source
  • New: Global sales organization unified and Ian Tickle appointed Chief Revenue Officer. Source
  • New: Kuntal Vahalia joined as Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances. Source
  • New: Non-GAAP tax provision now uses a long-term projected rate from 2026; prior periods excluded the income tax effect of adjustments. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 16% to $228.6 million: Revenue was $228.6 million, against $196.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. The prior release gave a first-quarter estimate of $222.0 - $225.0 million. Source
  • GAAP operating loss narrowed: GAAP loss from operations was $(8.1) million, against $(10.4) million a year earlier. GAAP diluted net loss per share was $(0.02), against $0.00 a year earlier. Source
  • Non-GAAP operating margin fell to 17.9%: Non-GAAP income from operations was $41.0 million, against $46.4 million a year earlier, and the margin was 23.6% in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Non-GAAP net income and EPS declined: Non-GAAP net income was $32.2 million, against $55.9 million. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share was $0.11, against $0.18 a year earlier. Source
  • Income tax adjustments were negative: Income tax adjustments in the non-GAAP net income reconciliation were $(12.0) million, against $0.4 million a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted share count declined: GAAP diluted weighted-average shares were 283.3 million, against 301.3 million a year earlier. Source

Customers and retention

  • Customers above $100,000 ARR up 29%: Customers contributing more than $100,000 in ARR reached 1,646, up 29% year over year and 26% at constant currency. Source
  • Customers above $5,000 and $50,000 grew: Customers above $5,000 in ARR reached 25,088, up 8%, against 24,762 at the end of 2025. Customers above $50,000 in ARR numbered 3,938, up 22%. Source
  • Net dollar retention at 106%: Net dollar retention was 106%, against 108% in the fourth quarter of 2025. At constant currency it was 105%, against 104% in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Two largest deals in company history: The company landed the two largest deals in its history, including its first deal with more than $1 million in ARR. Source

“Freshworks is focused on delivering long-term value to shareholders and customers through sustainable growth and increased profitability.”

Dennis Woodside, CEO & President of Freshworks

Products and new customers

  • EX platform demand drove traction: Management attributed market traction to demand for the EX platform, with accelerating EX ARR and growing AI Copilot revenue. Source
  • Device42 folded into Freshservice: Device42 infrastructure discovery and mapping capabilities were integrated into Freshservice, giving teams one AI-powered platform for assets, services and operations. Source
  • New customers named this quarter: Customers welcomed in the quarter and named in the release include Eagle Materials, Everbridge, G4S, Outreach and University of Connecticut. Source

Costs, margins and profitability

  • Non-GAAP gross margin steady at 86.3%: Non-GAAP gross margin was 86.3%, against 86.2% a year earlier. GAAP gross margin was 84.8% in both periods. Source
  • Sales and marketing rose to 42.2% of revenue: Non-GAAP sales and marketing expense was $96.4 million, or 42.2% of revenue, against $72.9 million, or 37.2%, a year earlier. Source
  • R&D and G&A ratios rose: Non-GAAP research and development was 16.1% of revenue, against 15.6%. Non-GAAP general and administrative was 10.1%, against 9.8%. Source
  • GAAP G&A and stock compensation fell: GAAP general and administrative expense was $40.4 million, or 17.7% of revenue, against $47.2 million, or 24.1%. Total stock-based compensation was $43.9 million, against $51.7 million. Source

“We are strategically investing in the EX opportunity as our approach continues to resonate with our customers.”

Dennis Woodside, CEO & President of Freshworks

Cash, balance sheet and capital returns

  • Operating cash flow was $62.4 million: Net cash from operating activities was $62.4 million, a 27.3% margin, against $58.0 million and 29.5%. Adjusted free cash flow was $55.8 million, a 24.4% margin, against $55.4 million and 28.2%. Source
  • Cash and securities totaled $780.4 million: Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities totaled $780.4 million, against $843.7 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Deferred revenue up, receivables down: Deferred revenue was $392.1 million, up from $385.3 million at December 31, 2025. Accounts receivable, net was $127.3 million, down from $150.8 million. Source
  • Business combination cash outflow of $56.9 million: Investing cash flow included $56.9 million for a business combination, net of cash acquired. Goodwill rose to $199.3 million from $146.7 million. Source
  • Repurchases were $48.4 million: Repurchases of common stock were $48.4 million, against $113.6 million a year earlier. Withholding tax payments on net share settlement were $7.2 million, against $16.7 million. Source

Acquisition, sales organization and leadership

  • FireHydrant included in 2026 figures: The release states that all 2026 financial numbers include the results of the FireHydrant business, which the prior release had announced. Source
  • Acquisition costs recorded in the quarter: Acquisition expense was $155 thousand, and $719 thousand of acquisition costs were paid in the quarter. Source
  • Global sales organization unified: Management said the global sales organization was unified, and Ian Tickle was appointed Chief Revenue Officer. Source
  • New channels leader joined: Kuntal Vahalia joined as Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Customers contributing more than $100,000 in ARR Source1,646
Customers contributing more than $50,000 in ARR Source3,938
Customers contributing more than $5,000 in ARR Source25,088
Net dollar retention rate Source106%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Currency effects added $5.4 million to reported revenue, so reported growth of 16% was above 14% at constant currency. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said first-quarter results exceeded its estimates for revenue and non-GAAP operating income. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.