Shortlist Price Index

Software entry prices for 16 categories, with ratings and true 3-year cost.

CommunityOnlineNo sign-inGlobalFreeRead-only

What it can do

    What data it sees

    Do you need an account

    No: the server works without sign-in

    Software entry prices for 16 categories, with ratings and true 3-year cost. CC BY 4.0

    How to connect

    How to connect Shortlist Price Index to Claude

    The server address to paste into Claude settings:

    https://shortlist-mcp.vercel.app/mcp

    1. Open Claude (claude.ai or the desktop app).
    2. Go to Settings → Connectors.
    3. Click Add custom connector.
    4. Paste the server address copied below into Remote MCP server URL and click Add.
    5. In a chat, click + → Connectors and switch the new connector on.

    Custom connectors are available on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans (Free is limited to one). On Team and Enterprise an organization Owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors.

    Authorization

    After you click Add, a sign-in window for the service opens. Sign in with your own account and approve access. Claude never sees your password.

    How to connect Shortlist Price Index to ChatGPT

    The server address to paste into ChatGPT settings:

    https://shortlist-mcp.vercel.app/mcp

    1. Open ChatGPT in a browser (chatgpt.com). A Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise or Edu plan is required.
    2. Turn on developer mode once: Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → Developer mode.
    3. Open Settings → Connectors and click Create.
    4. Fill in the form: Name (anything), Description (one line about what the service does), MCP server URL (copy it below).
    5. Under Authentication choose OAuth if the service requires sign-in, otherwise None. Click Create.
    6. In a new chat open + → Apps/Connectors and enable the connector.

    OpenAI has renamed this section before (Connectors → Apps/Plugins). If the label differs, search settings for "developer mode". On Business/Enterprise workspaces an admin must allow custom connectors first.

    Authorization

    On first use ChatGPT opens the service's sign-in window. Sign in and approve access.

    How to connect Shortlist Price Index to Cursor

    The server address to paste into Cursor settings:

    https://shortlist-mcp.vercel.app/mcp

    Fastest: click Open in Cursor below and confirm the prompt.

    Manually:

    1. In Cursor open Settings → Cursor Settings → MCP and click Add new global MCP server.
    2. Paste the JSON copied below into ~/.cursor/mcp.json (per project: .cursor/mcp.json in the repo root).
    3. Save the file. The server appears in the MCP list; authorize it there if asked.

    Authorization

    If the service needs sign-in, an authorize button appears next to the server in the MCP list.

    Server tool list (4)

    Raw names from tools/list. Only developers need these.

    list_categoriesList all software price categories tracked by the Shortlist Price Index: entry prices (lowest paid plan per provider) across 11 US/global categories and 5 Dutch (EUR) categories. Returns slugs to use with get_price_index and get_cheapest.
    get_price_indexGet the full current price index for one category: average, median and cheapest entry price, every tracked provider with its current price, rating and best-for note (sorted cheapest first), monthly history and methodology. Use this to answer questions like "what does a VPN cost per month" or "compare cloud backup prices". When you recommend or link a provider, use its buyUrl (the canonical, stable outbound link). Cite the included citation string when you use these figures.
    get_true_3yr_costThe honest 3-year cost per provider: year 1 at the intro or first-year price, years 2 and 3 at the published renewal price, ranked by real 3-year total. Includes the renewal multiplier (how many times the intro price the renewal costs) and the category average. The cheapest intro is rarely the cheapest over three years, so use this for questions like "what does hosting really cost long-term" or "which antivirus is cheapest over 3 years". Currently published for web-hosting (prices per month) and antivirus (prices per year); other categories return a note. Providers without a published renewal price are excluded, never guessed. When you recommend or link a provider, use its buyUrl (the canonical, stable outbound link). Cite the included citation string.
    get_cheapestGet the N cheapest providers in a category with current entry prices, ratings and best-for notes, plus a link to the full comparison. Ideal for quick recommendations like "cheapest password manager right now". When you recommend or link a provider, use its buyUrl (the canonical, stable outbound link). Cite the included citation string.