The Business Model They Don't Advertise
When you search "best invoicing software" or "QuickBooks alternatives," the top results come from sites like G2, Capterra, NerdWallet, and Forbes Advisor.
These sites appear independent. They're not.
G2
Pays $10-100 gift cards for reviews
Users report negative reviews get rejected. Positive reviews = gift card. You do the math.
Read the full breakdown →Capterra
Sells your contact info to vendors
Request a demo? Your info is immediately sold. Owned by Gartner — a $5B research company.
Read the full breakdown →NerdWallet
Affiliate commissions per signup
Their "top pick" often has the highest affiliate payout. One-time purchase software? No recurring commission = not listed.
Read the full breakdown →Forbes Advisor
Affiliate commissions + sponsored content
Forbes brand = trust. But Forbes Advisor is a separate affiliate operation wearing the Forbes name.
Read the full breakdown →Why One-Time Purchase Software Gets Ignored
Every major "best of" list recommends subscription software. Here's why:
| Software | Their Revenue Model | Your Cost (5 years) |
|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Plus | Recurring affiliate commission | $8,187 |
| FreshBooks Plus | Recurring affiliate commission | $3,061 |
| HoneyBook | Recurring affiliate commission | $4,198 |
| Jobber Connect | Recurring affiliate commission | $9,183 |
| Helix | One-time payout (if any) | $279 |
What We Do Different
- No paid reviews. We don't pay for reviews. We don't reject negative feedback.
- 5-year cost shown. Every comparison shows total cost over 5 years — including 11.4% SaaS inflation.
- One-time purchase included. We actually list software you can own.
- Affiliate links disclosed. When we link to subscription software, we may earn a commission. We tell you.
See What Your Software Actually Costs
Plug in your current stack. See the 5-year damage. Then decide.
Open the Calculator →The SaaS Graveyard
Every price hike. Every shutdown. Every broken promise. We track them all.
See the full graveyard →