Last updated: November 1, 2026
Shortlist Software exists to answer one question for small business owners: what will this tool actually cost me, and is it the right fit? This page explains exactly how we research, price-check and update every guide on the site.
Our research process
- Start from primary sources. Every guide is built from each company’s own pricing pages, plan comparison tables, help-center documentation and published terms. We link to those sources on the page so you can check them yourself.
- Record the real price. We note the price you’ll pay after any introductory discount ends, whether a price is billed monthly or annually, per-user or per-location charges, and limits that push you onto a higher plan.
- Compare like for like. Where possible we compare plans on the same terms, for example total monthly cost for a team of five, so one tool’s per-user pricing doesn’t look cheaper than it is.
- Say who it’s not for. Every recommendation includes the businesses it’s the wrong fit for, including tools we may earn a commission from.
- Date everything. Every guide shows the date its prices were last checked.
How often we check prices
Software pricing changes constantly, so checking prices is ongoing work, not a one-time step. We re-check the prices in our guides on a rolling schedule, so every guide is reviewed at least once a month, and sooner when we learn about a change.
- “Prices last checked” date: shown at the top of every guide, so you always know how current the numbers are.
- “What changed” notes: when a company changes its prices or plans, we update the page and add a dated note describing the change.
- Monthly price-change roundup: each month we publish a summary of the price and plan changes we found across small business software.
What we do and don’t claim
Our guides are based on research into pricing, plans and published documentation. We don’t claim to have personally tested every product, and we never invent test results, ratings or customer reviews. Free trials are the best way to confirm a tool fits before you commit, and we point them out where they exist.
How we choose our picks
Our picks are based on value for a small business: total cost, what’s included at each price, how easy the tool is to set up and run without an IT team, and how well it scales as you grow. Companies can’t pay to be included or to change our picks. Read more in our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.
Spotted something out of date?
Prices change between our checks. If you see a price or plan detail that doesn’t match the company’s website, email [email protected] or use our contact page. We’ll verify it and update the guide.