Methodology
How HackTheCart collects, matches, and ranks grocery prices.
How we collect prices
HackTheCart observes public retailer pages every few hours. We do not scrape behind logins or paywalls. Every data point comes from publicly listed shelf prices — the same price you would see walking into the store.
How we match products
Products are grouped into equivalence groups that cluster the same item across different stores. A gallon of 2% milk at H-E-B, Kroger, and Walmart all map to the same group so you can compare apples to apples (and actual apples to actual apples).
How we rank
Results are ranked cheapest first. We do not accept payment for placement. No store pays to appear higher. No brand pays to be featured. The lowest real shelf price wins.
Shelf prices, not delivery prices
Many grocery delivery services inflate prices 15-30% above in-store shelf prices. HackTheCart tracks only the real in-store shelf price. If a store offers delivery, we still show the shelf price — not the marked-up delivery price.
Update frequency
Prices are refreshed every few hours during business hours. Sale prices and weekly ads are incorporated as soon as they become publicly available.
Limitations
Prices are informational and may lag behind real-time changes. Store-specific promotions, loyalty card discounts, and regional price variations may not be captured. Always verify the final price at checkout.