How we test AI tools
Every score on this site comes from real, hands-on use — bought with our own money, never the tool maker’s.
The short version: we buy a seat, run the same real tasks through every competitor, score each on six criteria, and re-test quarterly. No tool maker pays for placement, and no commission ever changes a score.
Use the tools hands-on
We don’t review from feature pages or demos. We sign up, pay, and do real work in the product for days — the way you actually would. If we haven’t shipped something with it, we don’t score it.
Same tests for every competitor
Each tool in a category runs the identical set of prompts and tasks. A fair fight is the only way a head-to-head means anything — so the comparison 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 reviews current
AI changes weekly. We re-test every tool each quarter — and sooner when a major release lands — so a score you read today reflects the product as it is now, not as it was at launch.
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 test AI tools. You keep your money. If we wouldn’t pay for it, we won’t tell you to.”
Eight years buying, breaking, and benchmarking software — and a refusal to score anything the lab hasn’t paid for and used in anger.