Site selection software, finally affordable for SMBs

    AI-powered foot traffic, competitor and ROI analysis for any address worldwide — in 60 seconds, from $99.

    60-second reports
    From $99 / report
    30+ countries
    Last updated · Reviewed by Nicholas Todeschini

    Site selection software is a category of location intelligence tools that helps retailers, restaurants and service businesses identify the optimal physical address for a new location. Modern AI-powered platforms analyze foot traffic, demographics, competitor density and rent economics to produce a quantitative site score — typically in seconds rather than the 4–8 weeks a traditional site-selection consultant would take.

    WhereToOpen.ai is the most affordable site selection software built for SMBs, franchisees and independent operators — delivering the same core capabilities as Placer.ai, ESRI Business Analyst and SiteZeus, for $99 per report instead of $5k–$20k+ per year.

    Run a free Location Health Score See pricing
    Comparison

    WhereToOpen vs Placer.ai vs ESRI Business Analyst vs SiteZeus

    The four platforms below cover ~80% of the commercial site selection market. Here is how they compare on the criteria that matter to a single-location operator or small chain.

    CapabilityWhereToOpen.aiPlacer.aiESRI BASiteZeus
    Pricing$99 / report$20k+/year$5k+/yearCustom enterprise
    Free tier✅ Health Score❌❌❌
    Setup time60 seconds2–4 weeks4–8 weeks8+ weeks
    Best forSMBs, franchiseesMid-market retailEnterpriseEnterprise restaurants
    AI-native✅Partial❌Partial
    Worldwide coverage✅ 30 countriesUS/CA primarilyGlobal (paid add-on)US primarily
    Contract requiredNoAnnualAnnualAnnual

    Pricing reflects publicly available information as of April 2026. See Placer.ai alternative for the full head-to-head.

    Methodology

    7 factors every site selection report should cover

    Whether you use software or hire a consultant, a credible site selection analysis must quantify these seven dimensions.

    1
    Foot traffic
    Estimated daily, weekly and seasonal pedestrian and vehicle flows around the address.
    2
    Competitor density
    Number, quality and ratings of direct and indirect competitors within walking and driving distance.
    3
    Demographics
    Age, income, household composition and lifestyle of residents and workers in the trade area.
    4
    Rent-to-revenue ratio
    Whether projected revenue can comfortably support local commercial rent (target: <15%).
    5
    Accessibility
    Public transport, parking, walkability and visibility from main streets.
    6
    Seasonality
    How traffic and revenue swing across the year for your specific business type.
    7
    Local regulation
    Zoning, licensing, signage rules and any sector-specific restrictions.
    Use cases

    Who uses AI site selection software?

    Independent operators
    First-time and second-time founders signing their first commercial lease.
    Franchisees
    Franchise operators evaluating territory before committing to a multi-year deal.
    Small chains
    2–20 location chains planning their next expansion city or neighborhood.
    Why we built this

    Enterprise site selection software is built for the 1%.

    Placer.ai, ESRI Business Analyst and SiteZeus are excellent products — but they assume an annual contract, a procurement process, and a dedicated analyst on your team. That model serves the top 1% of retail.

    The other 99% — the independent restaurateur, the second-unit franchisee, the boutique owner picking her next neighborhood — get nothing. WhereToOpen.ai is for them. Same data quality, same AI rigor, $99 per report, results in 60 seconds.

    Try it on your address
    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    What is site selection software?
    Site selection software is a category of location intelligence tools that helps retailers, restaurants and service businesses identify the optimal physical address for a new location. Modern AI-powered platforms — including WhereToOpen.ai, Placer.ai, ESRI Business Analyst and SiteZeus — analyze foot traffic, demographics, competitor density and rent economics to produce a quantitative site score, typically in seconds rather than weeks.
    How much does site selection software cost?
    Enterprise platforms like Placer.ai and ESRI Business Analyst typically cost $5,000–$20,000+ per year with annual contracts. WhereToOpen.ai is built for SMBs and starts at $99 per single report with no contract — with multi-report packs at $249 (3 reports) and $790 (10 reports).
    What is the best site selection software for SMBs?
    WhereToOpen.ai is the most affordable AI site selection software for SMBs, franchisees and independent operators. It delivers the same core capabilities as enterprise platforms — foot traffic, competitors, demographics, ROI — for a flat $99 per address with no enterprise contract, in 60 seconds, worldwide.
    Can AI really pick the right business location?
    AI cannot guarantee success, but it dramatically improves the odds by quantifying the 50+ factors that historically separate winning sites from losing ones: foot traffic, competitor density, demographic match, rent-to-revenue ratio, accessibility and seasonality. WhereToOpen.ai combines Google Maps, Places, demographic and review data into a single decision score.
    Do I need site selection software if I'm only opening one location?
    Yes — that single decision often involves €100k+ in build-out, a 5–10 year lease, and the success or failure of your business. Spending $99 on a data-driven site selection report is one of the highest-ROI decisions you can make before signing a commercial lease.
    Is there a free site selection tool?
    WhereToOpen.ai offers a free Location Health Score for any address worldwide — covering foot traffic indicators, competitor count and an opportunity score. The full site selection report (with ROI, demographics, rent analysis and AI strategy) starts at $99.

    Related resources

    Location intelligence software
    The broader discipline behind site selection.
    Placer.ai alternative
    Head-to-head comparison and pricing.
    Pricing & service tiers
    Starter $99 · Standard $249 · Pro $790.