Nonprofit · Consumer Advocacy
Did the price go up? Or did it go down?
The PRECIT app can assist you. PRECIT is a free, not-for-profit app from DataChan that lets shoppers scan shelf labels to build a shared, verified record of real retail prices that we as consumers pay routinely.
Recent scans
Organic Roast Coffee, 40oz
$13.49 ↓
Paper Towels, 12-pack
$18.99 ↑
AA Batteries, 24-pack
Pending · 1 scan
$11.29
Why the PRECIT app from DataChan exists
Many people are often surprised at the prices they have to pay at checkout because they’ve purchased the same or similar products routinely, but prices have moved. Let’s minimize that surprise and understand which items in our basket have changed in price and by how much!
We often assume that prices are mostly stable on the routine products we buy rather than have particular times when the prices move up or down like airplane ticket prices. Large stores and companies change prices at different times and for a variety of reasons. Let’s get more visibility on these pricing patterns and shop smarter!
Government indicators of inflation measure a basket of different items, many of which we don’t need to purchase routinely, and what items are included also changes over time. This means the inflation numbers are more general than what we experience week to week and month to month. Let’s get a better indicator of the real inflation that we experience, based on the products that we need to buy.
Why is DataChan a nonprofit?
Retailers and ad-funded apps profit when pricing stays confusing. DataChan doesn’t. We’re an independent 501(c)(3) building open, crowd-verified price data as a public resource — not a product to sell to advertisers or retailers.
- No ads. Nothing on PRECIT is sponsored placement.
- Data never sold. Your scans build a shared public record — they’re not a product.
- Open verification. Every price is backed by independent, agreeing scans — not a single company’s say-so.
Frequently asked questions
Is PRECIT free?
Yes. PRECIT is free to use. DataChan, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit behind it, exists for public access to fair pricing data — not ad revenue or paid subscriptions.
How does using PRECIT benefit me?
PRECIT helps you see which items in your basket have changed price and by how much, so you’re not surprised at checkout. It gives you visibility into pricing patterns and a real, personal indicator of the inflation you actually experience — based on what you buy, not a general government basket.
Do I need an account to use PRECIT?
No — you can scan as a guest. Signing in with Google or Apple just lets you keep your scan history across devices.
Is PRECIT ready to download?
Not yet — PRECIT is still in active development. Email us to hear the moment it’s ready.
What does DataChan do with my data?
We only collect what’s needed to verify prices and improve detection accuracy — never sold to advertisers or retailers. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
Get notified when PRECIT launches
PRECIT is still in active development. Email us and we’ll add you to the list by hand while we’re small — no spam, ever, because we’re not selling anything.