SmartScout for Online Arbitrage: Complete 2026 Guide

SmartScout helps online arbitrage sellers find profitable products faster by using real Amazon data instead of guesswork.

You can filter for demand, price, competition, and brand performance before checking any retail site.

This guide shows how to use SmartScout for online arbitrage, which tools matter most, and how to build a repeatable sourcing process that actually works.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartScout helps online arbitrage sellers find profitable products using real Amazon data.
  • Tools like Subcategories, Products, and the UPC Scanner make sourcing faster and more targeted.
  • The Essentials plan is best for OA and includes everything needed to scan, filter, and validate leads.

How SmartScout Helps With Online Arbitrage

SmartScout helps you do online arbitrage by showing which products are actually worth sourcing – before you ever browse a retail site.

You start with Amazon data: filter subcategories by demand and seller count, find products with consistent sales and low competition, then use tools like the UPC Scanner to check if those items are available cheaper elsewhere.

With SmartScout, you can:

  • Identify underserved niches with strong demand and fewer sellers
  • Find proven ASINs that sell consistently but aren’t flooded with competition
  • Spot profitable brands and reverse-engineer successful OA sellers
  • Scan supplier or retailer price lists in bulk to match against winning ASINs
  • Validate profit margins before spending time sourcing

It’s a faster, more focused way to build an OA product list using real data – not guesswork.

Key SmartScout Tools for Online Arbitrage

SmartScout offers several tools that help online arbitrage sellers find profitable products more efficiently. Here are the ones that matter most:

Subcategories

Start by narrowing your search to product types with demand and manageable competition. The Subcategories tool lets you filter by revenue, average price, number of sellers, and Amazon’s market share – ideal for finding niches worth exploring.

Products

This is your core research tool. You can filter ASINs by price, BSR, review count, number of sellers, and Amazon In-Stock Rate %. These filters help you spot listings with strong sales, manageable competition, and solid margin potential.

For OA targeting, combine the Amazon In-Stock Rate % filter with Number of FBA Sellers to find products Amazon rarely has in stock and that only a few FBA sellers list. These gaps give you a better chance to step in, win the buy box, and profit before competition increases.

Brands

SmartScout’s Brands tool highlights brands with high-performing products and relatively low seller coverage. It’s especially useful for OA sellers targeting smaller catalogs or lesser-known brands that still have strong sales.

Sellers & Seller Map

These tools let you research other successful sellers – what brands they carry, what they’re flipping, and how deep their listings go. It’s great for reverse-engineering profitable strategies from active OA or wholesale sellers.

UPC Scanner

Upload store or supplier price lists, and the UPC Scanner will cross-check them against SmartScout’s Amazon data. It flags profitable matches instantly – saving you hours of manual checking.

Chrome Extension

The Chrome extension overlays SmartScout data on Amazon and retailer product pages. Use it for quick profit checks and to validate potential leads on the fly.

smartscout chrome extension
SmartScout's Chrome Extension

How to Use SmartScout for Online Arbitrage (Step-by-Step)

SmartScout gives you a structured process to source high-potential products using real marketplace data.

Here’s how to use it for online arbitrage:

  1. Choose a niche using Subcategories: Start by filtering categories based on demand, price point, and competition. Focus on areas where Amazon has low presence and third-party sellers are active but not overcrowded.
  2. Find viable ASINs in the Products view: Search for products with healthy sales volume and clear buy-box stability. Give extra attention to listings with low ratings or weak content – they often signal easier wins.
  3. Identify brand patterns: Use the Brands tool to spot companies with successful products but minimal seller overlap. These are great targets for both reverse-sourcing and lead building.
  4. Review seller activity: Check which sellers are moving those products consistently. Look at storefront depth and how often they go out of stock – this reveals gaps you can fill.
  5. Scan price lists with the UPC Scanner: Upload retailer or supplier lists and let SmartScout flag profitable matches. Focus on replenishable items or leads with strong ROI.
  6. Verify your picks: Use SmartScout’s profit estimates and, if needed, tools like Keepa to confirm price stability and avoid risky listings.
  7. Build and update your OA list: Save qualified ASINs, organize by category or margin, and revisit weekly to refresh your sourcing pipeline.

How Much Does SmartScout Cost for Online Arbitrage?

SmartScout’s core online arbitrage tools such as Subcategories, Products, Brands, Sellers, and the Chrome Extension are available on all paid plans.

If you want to use the UPC Scanner to bulk-check product lists, you’ll need the Essentials or Business plan. These tiers also unlock more filters and seller insights, which are especially useful for high-volume OA workflows.

For a full breakdown, check our SmartScout pricing guide and see which plan fits your sourcing strategy.

Don’t forget to grab your SmartScout discount here to save up to 25%.

Frequently Asked Questions

SmartScout is one of the top tools for online arbitrage, especially if you want to filter profitable products before sourcing. Its ability to analyze subcategories, seller data, and match price lists makes it ideal for serious OA sellers.
Yes – while you can start manually, software like SmartScout helps you scale faster by saving time, reducing bad buys, and uncovering better product leads. It’s essential if you want to grow beyond occasional flips.
The Essentials plan is best for OA sellers. It includes key tools like the UPC Scanner, seller filters, and advanced product insights needed for bulk sourcing.

Start Sourcing Smarter With SmartScout

SmartScout makes online arbitrage faster and more focused by helping you find products that already have demand and profit potential. Instead of chasing random deals, you build a sourcing process backed by real data.

Get up to 25% off SmartScout with our exclusive coupon and unlock every tool you need to grow your online arbitrage business.

Try SmartScout Risk-FREE!

Create a Thriving Business on Amazon with SmartScout. Start, run, and grow your business with all the tools, training, and expertise you need.

Picture of Adam Wood
Adam Wood
Adam Wood is a seasoned E-commerce Strategist and SaaS Analyst, acclaimed for empowering Amazon sellers with actionable strategies and advanced analytics insight. His expertise in leveraging technology for market success makes him a pivotal resource for both budding entrepreneurs and established online merchants. Adam's approach combines rigorous data analysis with a deep understanding of the nuances of e-commerce, positioning him as a leading authority in the Amazon FBA sphere.
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