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CLVTools
What it is
CLVTools is an open-source R package for modeling customer attrition when purchases are not tied to contracts. It implements Pareto/NBD, BG/NBD, Gamma/Gompertz/NBD, and Gamma/Gamma models, and can forecast individual customers’ future behavior, including expected transactions and the probability they remain active. The package accepts transaction histories with customer IDs and purchase dates; its example also includes prices. It supports time-invariant covariates across its models and time-varying covariates in some models. Additional options include correlated purchase and attrition processes, L2 regularization, and equality constraints for contextual-factor parameters. The models are intended for non-contractual settings and are usually applied to cohorts that joined at the same time. CLVTools can support predictive customer lifetime value work, cohort analysis, and customer segmentation with a configurable forecast horizon. The package is free under GPL-3 and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Stable installation is available through CRAN; a development version is available from GitHub using devtools. Building from source requires the external GSL C++ library.
For and against
For
- Implements four probabilistic customer models.
- Predicts transactions and customer activity likelihood.
- Supports covariates and model extensions.
- Free, GPL-3 licensed, and cross-platform.
- Offers a configurable forecast horizon.
Against
- Requires R.
- Source builds require the GSL C++ library.
- Usually applied to cohorts that joined together.
The verdict
CLVTools brings several probabilistic attrition models and individual-level forecasts to R users at no cost. It is most relevant when the data and analysis fit non-contractual customer settings.
Who it suits
CLVTools suits analysts working with customer transaction histories in non-contractual businesses, especially those studying cohorts that joined together. It may also fit teams that need individual forecasts, cohort analysis, or customer segmentation in R.
Plans and prices
CLVTools R package
Requires R; compiling from source requires GNU GSL
Read 9 Oct 2026 · clvtools.com
On the record
- Build dependency
- Compiling CLVTools from source requires the external GNU Scientific Library (GSL).clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Covariates
- The package supports time-invariant covariates across its models and time-varying covariates for some models.cran.r-project.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The stable release is installed from CRAN, and a development version is installed from GitHub using devtools.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The project links to a walkthrough, a reference manual, and vignettes covering modeling, advanced techniques, and package classes.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Input data
- CLVTools requires customer transaction history with a purchase date and customer ID for each transaction record.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The site documents installation from CRAN and installation of a development version from GitHub.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The package describes its models as suited to non-contractual settings and says they are usually applied to customer cohorts that joined at the same time.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The package is licensed under GPL-3.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The package authors page identifies Patrick Bachmann as maintainer and author.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Model extensions
- Available extensions include purchase and attrition process correlation, L2 regularization for contextual-factor parameters, and equality constraints between contextual-factor parameters.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Model options
- Supported extensions include purchase and attrition process correlation, L2 regularization, and equality constraints for contextual factor parameters.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Models
- It implements Pareto/NBD, BG/NBD, Gamma/Gompertz/NBD, and Gamma/Gamma models.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The source installation instructions cover Linux, Intel and Apple Silicon Mac, and Windows.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Predictions
- Its predictions can include expected transactions, probability a customer is alive, discounted expected residual transactions, and customer lifetime value when spending data is provided.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CLVTools is an R package for probabilistic customer attrition modeling in non-contractual settings.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project invites bug reports through GitHub Issues and contributions through pull requests.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support and contributions
- The GitHub project welcomes feedback and contributions, and directs bug reports to GitHub Issues and contributions to pull requests.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Supported models
- The package implements Pareto/NBD, BG/NBD, Gamma/Gompertz/NBD, and Gamma/Gamma models.clvtools.com · read 9 Oct 2026
