Store comparison
Which store is cheaper? Compare two stores head to head
Pick two stores you shop at. CartLens matches the items they have in common, adjusts for size, and tells you which store is cheaper for what you buy and by how much.
What is a store comparison?
A store comparison answers a simple question: of two stores, which one is cheaper? Most answers online come from articles that price a fixed list of products at both chains once.
Prices vary by location and by what you buy, so a chain that wins in an article can lose for your basket. CartLens compares two stores you actually shop at, on the products you bought at both, adjusted for package size.
How it works
- Pick two stores: Choose a main store and one to compare it with, from the stores on your receipts.
- CartLens matches the items: It pairs the same products at both stores, even when the names or sizes on the receipts differ.
- See the winner: Get a scoreboard: which store wins on more items, each price side by side, and how much you'd save.
What you get
- Your items, not a generic basket: Articles comparing stores use a fixed basket. CartLens compares the products you actually buy at each store.
- Size-adjusted: A 46oz bottle and a 64oz bottle aren't the same price per ounce. CartLens compares by size, so a bigger pack doesn't look more expensive.
- Same product, matched: Items are matched by product identity first, then by name, and any match the AI suggests is checked again on size and price.
- Any two stores: Grocery against pharmacy, supermarket against discount store: any category, as long as you have receipts from both.
Who it's for
- Choosing your main store: Find out which of your two usual stores is really cheaper for your regular shop.
- Checking a new store: After a trip to a new store, see how it stacks up against the one you usually use.
- Pharmacy or supermarket?: See whether medicine and household basics are cheaper at the pharmacy or at the supermarket.
CartLens vs. store comparison articles
Articles compare chains in general. CartLens compares your stores, for your items.
| Comparison articles | CartLens | |
|---|---|---|
| Items compared | A fixed basket chosen by the writer | The items you bought at both stores |
| Location | One store, often in another city | The exact stores you shop at |
| Package sizes | Often compared as listed | Adjusted for size |
| Freshness | Prices from the day it was written | Prices from your receipts |
Which plan includes it
- Free: $0, Not included
- Pro: $19.99/mo (or $16.66/mo billed yearly), Included
- Ultra: $39.99/mo (or $33.33/mo billed yearly), Included
Store comparison is part of Pro. Scanning the receipts it uses is free.
Common questions
How does CartLens decide which store is cheaper?
It takes the items you've bought at both stores, matches the same products, adjusts for package size, and compares the prices. The store that is cheaper on more items, and in total, wins.
Which stores can I compare?
Any two stores you have receipts from: supermarkets, discount stores, pharmacies, hardware stores and more. The more receipts you scan, the more items there are to compare.
What if the same product has a different name at each store?
CartLens matches products by identity and normalized name, not the exact receipt text. When the AI suggests a match, it is checked again so that sizes and unit prices make sense.
Which plan do I need?
Store comparison is part of Pro ($19.99/mo, or $16.66/mo billed yearly). You can scan receipts for free first.
How is this different from "Walmart vs. Target" articles?
Those articles price a fixed basket at one point in time, in someone else's city. CartLens compares the stores you shop at, on what you buy, using your own receipts.
Further reading
- Trader Joe's vs Aldi: Price, Quality, and Private-Label Showdown: Compare Trader Joe's vs Aldi for grocery prices, private-label quality, and value. CartLens helps you find the best deals for your shopping basket.
- What Grocery Receipts Reveal That Bank Statements Can’t: Discover what grocery receipts reveal about your spending habits that bank statements can't. CartLens uses item-level data to track prices, brands, and savings.
- How CartLens Could Become the Price Memory Layer for Physical Retail: CartLens revolutionizes physical retail shopping by building a price memory layer from your receipts, helping you understand local prices and avoid overpaying
- How to Find the Cheapest Grocery Store Near You for the Items You Actually Buy: Learn how to find the cheapest grocery store near you for the items you actually buy. CartLens helps compare unit prices and save money on your groceries.
Related features
- Price comparison: Plan the cheapest trip for your whole shopping list.
- Receipt organizer: Every trip saved, searchable, and ready as a digital receipt.
Find out if you overpaid. Free.
Scan your next receipt and get a verdict in seconds. Any store, any category. No credit card needed.