Skip to content
Methodology

What the ranking means—and what it cannot tell you.

RealCost is useful only when uncertainty stays visible. Every number has a defined calculation, an evidence label, and a timestamp.

The ranking

Cost / revenue is monthly infrastructure spend divided by monthly recurring revenue. Lower values often indicate a leaner operation, not a universally better business. Category, growth, reliability requirements, gross margin, and team time all matter.

When a founder publishes an MRR band, calculations use its representative midpoint. Optional marketing and advertising budgets are shown separately and never enter the infrastructure total or ranking. Treat every result as directional—not as an audited financial statement.

Evidence labels

01Founder-reported

Supplied by the founder and not independently reviewed. Useful context, not proof.

02Verified

Reserved for a future processor-neutral review process. It is not offered at launch.

03Pending

Awaiting publication checks and excluded from the public index.

What we do not claim

A listing is not an endorsement, investment recommendation, security review, or promise that the numbers remain current. We relabel or remove entries when material data changes or proves inaccurate.

Submit responsibly

Only share data you are authorized to publish. Never include customer information, credentials, account numbers, or payment details. RealCost does not request provider credentials or uploadable financial evidence at launch.