What is the difference between PLG and sales-assisted PLG?

In a pure product-led growth model, the product drives acquisition, retention, and expansion without human intervention. Users sign up, explore the tool, and upgrade to paid plans entirely on their own. In contrast, a sales-assisted PLG model introduces human sales representatives to help high-value accounts convert or expand. Sales reps do not make cold calls; instead, they use real-time product signals to assist active trial users. This approach combines the efficiency of self-service software with the relationship-building power of enterprise sales. Marketing plays a crucial role in this model by identifying which users require human assistance based on usage milestones. By automating this identification process, the organization can target its sales resources where they will have the greatest impact. This hybrid model is highly effective for selling complex software to larger organizations that require security reviews and custom contracts.