Many websites, especially those offering software services or subscriptions, hide their pricing information behind sign-up forms or sales processes. This creates friction for potential customers who want to compare prices quickly before committing time to a product. The lack of transparent pricing makes it difficult for users to efficiently evaluate options, leading to frustration and wasted time—particularly in B2B SaaS, membership sites, and premium services.

How It Could Work

One way to address this could be through a Chrome extension that automatically detects and displays pricing information on any website a user visits. When activated, the extension could scan the page for pricing structures—such as monthly/annual plans, tiered pricing, or enterprise quotes—and present them in a standardized, easy-to-read format. This might involve:

• Real-time parsing: Using algorithms to identify pricing tables or common pricing layouts.
• Crowdsourced database: Allowing users to submit pricing info for sites, creating a shared knowledge base.
• Manual entry fallback: If automated methods fail, users could manually input pricing data for future visitors.

The extension could overlay a small button or popup when pricing is detected, letting users quickly view plans without navigating away.

Who Benefits and Why

Primary beneficiaries could include:

• Individual consumers researching subscriptions (streaming, software, memberships).
• Small business owners comparing SaaS tools for their operations.
• Procurement professionals evaluating enterprise software options.

These users typically want to make informed purchasing decisions quickly, often comparing multiple options at once. Website owners might have mixed incentives—some prefer opaque pricing for sales strategies—but the extension could still thrive by relying on crowdsourced data where automated detection fails.

Execution and Differentiation

An MVP might start with basic pricing detection for a curated list of top SaaS sites, expanding later with machine learning and crowdsourcing. Compared to existing solutions like PriceRunner (which requires manual searches) or SaaSworthy (a centralized directory), this extension could offer a unique advantage by working in real-time while users browse, rather than forcing them to seek out comparison sites separately.

Potential monetization approaches could include a freemium model, affiliate revenue, or enterprise versions for procurement teams. The key competitive edge might come from network effects—as more users contribute data, the tool becomes more valuable—and machine learning improvements in detecting diverse pricing layouts.