How we assess AI tools
Every score on this site comes from the same six criteria, applied to primary sources — vendor documentation, published pricing and changelogs — never to a press release.
The short version: we research every competitor in a category from primary sources, score each on the same six criteria, and refresh whenever pricing or features change. No tool maker pays for placement, and no commission ever changes a score.
Work from primary sources
We work from vendor documentation, published pricing pages, changelogs and public user reports — and we say so on every page. We do not run paid lab tests, and we never claim usage we haven’t had.
Same criteria for every competitor
Every tool in a category is assessed against the identical criteria and the same documented capabilities. A fair comparison is the only way a head-to-head means anything — so it is apples to apples, every time.
Score on 6 criteria
Output quality, speed, value for money, ease of use, support, and reliability. Each is weighted and transparent — and they roll up into the single dial you see on every review.
How we make money & stay independent
Some links earn us a commission at no cost to you. That’s it. Placement can’t be bought, scores aren’t for sale, and a higher payout never moves a tool up a list. If that ever conflicts with the verdict, the verdict wins.
We keep pricing current
AI pricing changes constantly. We re-check published prices and feature tiers on a rolling basis — and immediately when a major release lands — and stamp every page with the date it was last verified.
Found a mistake? Tell us
We get things wrong sometimes, and we’d rather hear it from you. Flag an error and we’ll re-check, correct it in the open, and note the update. Send a correction →
“We vet AI tools. You keep your money. If we wouldn’t pay for it, we won’t tell you to.”
Eight years working with software — and a refusal to dress up documentation research as a lab test. What you read here is independent editorial assessment, clearly labelled.