MerchantFlow vs SimplyCost
Built for 2026, not 2016 - with 5 years of history on first sync
SimplyCost has been on the App Store since 2016 and is still the cheapest way to put COGS against your orders. In 2026, your store also deserves real-time ad platform integrations, cohort analysis, AI assistance, Business Valuation, and a dashboard that doesn't look a decade old. MerchantFlow imports up to 5 years of historical data on your first sync.
Last updated
Install on ShopifyUse MerchantFlow if
You've outgrown SimplyCost's dated interface and want real-time ad platform integrations, Flow AI, cohort analysis, Business Valuation, Product Viability, and modern billing that respects cancellation.
Use SimplyCost if
You need rock-bottom pricing, you only need basic COGS and margin tracking with manual ad spend entry, and you're comfortable with a 2017-era interface.
The shortlist
Best SimplyCost alternatives compared
SimplyCost beside MerchantFlow and the other profit tools merchants shortlist against it, on the five things that decide the switch.
| Tool | Entry price | Blended P&L | Shopify-native | Per-region P&L | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MerchantFlowRecommended | $49-$149/mo Flat tiers · no order caps · no GMV scaling | Yes Every ad platform in one blended number | Shopify app Shopify and WooCommerce | Yes Net profit per country | 1-click Shopify install Plus a WooCommerce connector |
| SimplyCost4.9(57)MerchantFlow vs SimplyCost | $9.99/mo Starter capped at 600 orders/mo | Limited | Shopify app Shopify only | No | 1-click Shopify install |
| BeProfit4.3(171)MerchantFlow vs BeProfit | $49/mo Hard order caps below the top tier (450 / 900 / 1,700) | Yes | Shopify app Shopify only | Profit, ad spend unallocated | 1-click Shopify install |
| Kleio5.0(18)MerchantFlow vs Kleio | $29/mo | Yes | Shopify app Shopify only | Country filter only | 1-click Shopify install |
| GoProfit4.8(85)MerchantFlow vs GoProfit | $12/mo Free plan available · Tiers gated by monthly order count | Yes | Shopify app Shopify only | Not documented | 1-click Shopify install |
"Recommended" is our own pick, and we are not a neutral party: MerchantFlow is our product. Every competitor cell is drawn from that vendor's published pricing page and Shopify App Store listing on the dates below. Blended P&L means one profit number across every channel: it is not a split of organic against paid revenue, and no row here claims a per-campaign net profit figure for any tool.
Pricing verified from SimplyCost Shopify App Store listing (Aug 20, 2026), BeProfit Shopify App Store listing (Aug 20, 2026), Kleio Shopify App Store listing (Aug 20, 2026) and GoProfit Shopify App Store listing (Aug 20, 2026).
Why merchants switch
What MerchantFlow does that SimplyCostdoesn't
Modern UI built for 2026
SimplyCost's interface hasn't been meaningfully updated since launch. MerchantFlow is built on modern component patterns with accessible typography, responsive layouts, and a dashboard designed for the way operators actually work today.
Native ad platform integrations
SimplyCost requires manual entry for ad spend. MerchantFlow pulls Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat ad spend natively, with OAuth-based connections that refresh automatically.
Flow AI with three personas
SimplyCost has no AI assistant. MerchantFlow's Flow AI switches between CMO, Executive, and Finance personas so each team member gets answers framed for their decisions.
Honest billing
Cancel and you stop paying, full stop. SimplyCost has a July 2025 review from an 8-year customer documenting ignored refund requests after cancellation. MerchantFlow won't put you through that.
Historical data import on first sync
MerchantFlow ingests up to 5 years of historical Shopify orders and ad spend on your first sync so you keep your full financial picture when switching from SimplyCost.
Everything beyond COGS
Business Valuation, Product Viability, cohort analysis, Flow AI, revenue-based funding tracking, bank balance, bundles, and CAPEX amortisation. None of these exist in SimplyCost.
Margin by Region
See net profit, net margin, POAS, and CAC per country with a full cost waterfall - allocating COGS, shipping, payment fees, ad spend, and shared overhead. SimplyCost breaks profit down by time, product, variant, vendor, and sales channel, but documents no country or region dimension for revenue, orders, or profit.
Side by side
MerchantFlow vs SimplyCost: the full comparison
| Feature | MerchantFlow | SimplyCost |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time P&L | Yes | Limited |
| Auto COGS | Yes | Yes |
| Native ad platform integrations | Yes | Manual entry |
| Meta, Google, TikTok, Snapchat Ads | Yes | No |
| LTV / cohort analysis | Yes | No |
| Custom report builder | Yes | No |
| Flow AI assistant (3 personas) | Yes | No |
| Business Valuation | Yes | No |
| Product Viability simulator | Yes | No |
| Revenue-based funding tracking | Yes | No |
| Bank balance + burn rate | Yes | No |
| Bundle handling | Yes | No |
| CAPEX amortisation | Yes | No |
| Agency Portal | Yes | No |
| Margin by Region (per-country net P&L) | Yes | No |
| WooCommerce support | Yes | No |
| Per-discount-code margin tracking | Yes | No |
| 3PL / fulfilment cost tracking | 3PL integration | Manual entry |
| CJ Dropshipping (cost + tracking) | Native 3PL sync | No |
| 5-year historical data import | Yes | No |
| Modern UI | Yes | 2017-era |
| Native MCP server (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code) | Yes | No |
Feature data verified against SimplyCost's public Shopify App Store listing and developer pricing page.
What you actually pay
SimplyCost pricing vs MerchantFlow
Three flat plans. Annual saves 20%. Every plan includes a 14-day free trial - cancel for free anytime during the trial and you will not be charged.
Starter
Solo operators under $500k GMV
or $39.2/mo billed annually
Pro
Default for $500k-$5M GMV
or $71.2/mo billed annually
Plus
Full financial OS for $5M+ GMV
or $119.2/mo billed annually
MerchantFlow - flat pricing
Starter / Pro / Plus. Save 20% billed annually.
- 14-day free trial, cancel for free anytime
- Month-to-month billing, the same flat price at any order volume
SimplyCost pricing
4.9(57)Starter
Up to 600 orders/mo
per month
Pro
Unlimited orders
per month
Pricing as published on SimplyCost Shopify App Store listing - verified Aug 20, 2026.
What their merchants say
Public reviews and testimonials about SimplyCost
Where a public source page is available, we link it so you can inspect the context yourself.
The SimplyCost app itself provided good functionality for profit tracking. However, my experience with their customer support was extremely frustrating and lacked transparency. I had been using this app since May 9, 2017, until I uninstalled it on June 28, 2025. Despite uninstalling, I was subsequently charged $5.34. A SimplyCost representative had previously promised me a refund. Despite multiple contact attempts, I received absolutely no response from SimplyCost.
The other side
What MerchantFlow customers say
Reviews from merchants who run their store on MerchantFlow.
MerchantFlow has become one of the most valuable tools in my business. As a tradie building Mech Tools from the ground up, understanding true profitability is critical. MerchantFlow gives me clear, accurate data that helps me make better business decisions.
Mech Tools Pty LTD
Australia · 18 days using the app
I've tried quite a few of these profit tracker apps (even tried making one myself), but honestly, none of them offer what MerchantFlow does and the ones that come close cost 10x the monthly price. My favorite feature by far is the integration with my 3PL, so the data I'm seeing is the actual data not a guess.
Netherlands · 21 days using the app
I've been using MerchantFlow for the last six months in order to better understand my brand's profitability. The tool has without a doubt been super insightful and allowed me to make changes within the business that have nearly doubled our brand's monthly profit. This is the best profit analysis and optimisation tool going around for any ecommerce brand owner right now.
Australia · 6 months using the app
Its super important for me to know my numbers down the the exact percentage and I can trust Merchant Flow to get it right. I've used other softwares in the past but none of them have half of the features this does and always end up not being correct. Highly recommend using it if you're running an ecommerce store.
Australia · 2 months using the app
The honest take
Where SimplyCost still beats us
We think comparison pages should be honest. Here's where SimplyCost is genuinely a better fit than MerchantFlow.
- At $9.99/mo, Starter is the cheapest entry price of any app on this page.
- 8+ years of merchant tenure and a huge historical install base.
- Strong inventory and "Variants without cost" tooling for merchants who only need basic COGS.
- Simple, focused feature surface area for merchants who want nothing more.
Questions merchants ask
MerchantFlow vs SimplyCost FAQ
What are the best SimplyCost alternatives in 2026?
The closest alternatives to SimplyCost for Shopify profit tracking are MerchantFlow, BeProfit, Kleio and GoProfit. All of them install from the Shopify App Store. MerchantFlow is our own product, so treat this as our recommendation rather than a neutral verdict: it starts at $49/mo flat with no order caps or GMV scaling, reports one blended profit number across every ad channel, breaks net profit down per country, and supports WooCommerce as well as Shopify. The comparison table on this page puts all five side by side on entry price, blended P&L, per-region P&L and setup, with each vendor's pricing source and the date we last checked it.
Will I lose my historical COGS data if I switch from SimplyCost?
MerchantFlow ingests up to 5 years of historical Shopify orders on your first sync. You can set up your COGS rules (percentage, flat rate, or target margin) in the dashboard and they apply retroactively across your order history.
How long does migration take?
Historical data import on first sync happens in the background and typically finishes within a few hours for 5 years of history. Setting up your COGS rules and expenses takes a few minutes in the dashboard.
Is MerchantFlow more expensive than SimplyCost?
Yes. SimplyCost's Shopify App Store listing shows Starter at $9.99/mo for up to 600 orders and Pro at $29.99/mo for unlimited orders, verified August 2026. Note that SimplyCost's own site still advertises an older $4.99/mo single plan, so check which one you are actually offered at install. MerchantFlow charges more because you get native ad platform integrations, real-time P&L, Flow AI, cohort analysis, Business Valuation, Product Viability, and dozens of other features that SimplyCost doesn't have. If all you need is basic COGS and you're happy with manual ad spend entry, SimplyCost is still the cheaper option.
Will MerchantFlow keep charging me if I cancel?
No. Cancellation stops billing immediately. We don't honour the "Netflix" approach that other apps in this category have used on their own customers.
Run your own numbers
Free calculators to check the math yourself
Every tool runs instantly in your browser - free, no signup required.
Landed Cost Calculator
Cost tracking that includes freight and duty, not just the supplier unit price.
Open calculatorBreak-Even ROAS Calculator
The minimum ROAS you need once COGS, fees and refunds come out.
Open calculatorEcommerce Business Valuation
Eight years of trading history is worth real money on a multiple. See how much.
Open calculatorAlso comparing
See how MerchantFlow stacks up against others
See the full picture of your profit
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