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Methodology
How we review software
Our rankings follow the same process for every category. This page explains what we look at, how we score it, and how we stay independent.
Our principles
Four rules for every list
01
We rank on fit
Every list names who each tool suits best, so you skip the ones built for someone else.
02
We spell out pricing
We show the plans, the tiers, and the costs vendors tuck below the fold.
03
We name the tradeoffs
Every review lists the pros and the cons. No tool gets a free pass.
04
We keep lists current
We revisit each list every year, so the picks reflect the current software.
How we research
For each category, we build a list of the established and emerging tools. We then study each one using the vendor’s documentation and published pricing, product demos and free trials where they are available, and public user reviews.
[CONFIRM BEFORE LAUNCH: state exactly which tools we test hands-on and which we evaluate from published information. Each review should say which applies.]
What we score
- Fit: how well the tool serves the audience the list is written for.
- Features: the depth and quality of the core capabilities for the category.
- Pricing and value: what you pay, what you get, and how costs change as you grow.
- Ease of use: setup effort, learning curve, and day-to-day usability.
- Support: onboarding help, support channels, and documentation.
We combine these into a rating out of five. A rating reflects how a tool performs for the audience of that list, so the same tool can rate differently on two lists.
How we stay independent
Vendors cannot pay for a ranking, a rating, or a review. We choose the tools on each list ourselves, and we state the cons of every tool we cover.
Submit your software
Software companies can ask us to consider a product. Submit your software for review and we evaluate it with the same process we use for every tool. A submission does not guarantee coverage or a ranking.
Updates and corrections
Software changes quickly. Each article shows the date of its last update. If you spot an error or an outdated price, tell us and we will check it and correct it.