Cortex vs Northbeam
Pick Cortex when you want multi-touch attribution and books-level finance reconciliation together, starting from $129/mo per module rather than a four-figure monthly floor. Margin connects your actual accounting books to marketing spend so the P&L, MER, and blended CAC agree in one view, and Cortex covers B2B as well as ecommerce. Northbeam is a solid fit for high-spend ecommerce teams standardized on its multi-touch attribution — its published Starter plan begins around $1,500/mo, well above Cortex's entry price.
At a glance
| Cortex | Northbeam | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | B2B and ecommerce | High-spend ecommerce |
| Entry price | Modules from $129/mo; Cortex Complete $599/mo ($499/mo annual) | Starter around $1,500/mo |
| Free trial | 14-day, no credit card | Not published |
| Finance reconciliation (books-level) | Yes — Margin ties your accounting books to marketing spend | Not part of the published product |
| Attribution | Multi-touch across paid, organic, and CRM-sourced pipeline | Multi-touch attribution for ecommerce |
| Buying motion | Self-serve | Not published |
Choose Northbeam if
- You run high-spend ecommerce and want a multi-touch attribution product built for that scale.
- You are comfortable with a four-figure monthly starting price — its published Starter plan begins around $1,500/mo.
- You are already standardized on Northbeam's multi-touch attribution and books-level finance reconciliation is not part of what you need.
Choose Cortex if
- You need the accounting books reconciled with marketing spend — Margin makes P&L, MER, and blended CAC agree in one view, from $129/mo.
- You run B2B, ecommerce, or a mix, and want CRM-sourced pipeline in the same attribution as paid and organic.
- You want to start self-serve from $129/mo per module on a 14-day trial with no credit card, and grow into Cortex Complete at $599/mo ($499/mo annual).
Questions
Does Cortex replace Northbeam or run alongside it?
For most ecommerce teams it is one or the other for attribution. Northbeam specializes in multi-touch attribution for high-spend ecommerce; Cortex covers that plus B2B and adds books-level finance reconciliation through Margin. Teams that want attribution and the P&L in one place tend to consolidate on Cortex.
How does Cortex's pricing compare to Northbeam?
Northbeam publishes a Starter plan beginning around $1,500/mo, aimed at high-spend ecommerce. Cortex starts at $129/mo per module, with Cortex Complete at $599/mo ($499/mo annual), and every module includes a 14-day free trial with no credit card — a much lower entry point.
Can Cortex reconcile revenue the way Northbeam attributes it?
Cortex provides multi-touch attribution and goes further on finance: Margin connects your actual accounting books so P&L, MER, and blended CAC agree with what finance sees. Northbeam focuses on multi-touch attribution for ecommerce; books-level reconciliation is not part of its published product.
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Competitor details from their public sites as of August 2026. Spot something out of date? Email riley@cortexanalytics.app.