A review is only worth reading if you know how it was produced. Here is exactly how ours are.
The process
- Scope. We decide what job the tool claims to do, and who it is aimed at. A tool is judged against that claim, not against a general ideal.
- Primary sources. Pricing, plan limits, integrations and API availability are read from the vendor’s own pages and recorded with the date.
- Hands-on use, where we have it. Where an editor has used the tool on real work, the review says so and describes what was done.
- Honest labelling. Where we have not used it, the page carries a visible notice that the entry is based on public documentation.
- Comparison. Every tool is placed against its realistic alternatives, including doing the job without AI.
- Review before publication. An editor checks the facts, the framing and the calls to action.
What we assess
| Criterion | What we are asking |
|---|---|
| Fit for the job | Does it do the specific task better than the obvious alternative? |
| Output quality | How much rework does the output need before it is usable? |
| Pricing honesty | Is the real monthly cost obvious, or hidden behind credits and add-ons? |
| Free tier usefulness | Can you evaluate it properly without paying? |
| Data handling | What happens to what you upload? Is it clear? |
| Integration | Does it fit the tools you already use, or create another silo? |
| Support and maturity | Is this a product or an experiment? |
| Who it is wrong for | Stated explicitly on every review. |
How pricing is verified
Every tool entry carries a “facts checked” date. Pricing is taken from the vendor pricing page on that date, in USD unless stated, and we note whether a figure is the monthly or the annual-billing rate — the two differ substantially for most tools. Where a vendor does not publish pricing, we say “pricing not published” rather than repeating a third-party estimate.
Ratings
Ratings run 1–5 and are only published after a genuine editorial evaluation. Most entries in a new directory are unrated, and we show that plainly rather than filling the column with invented numbers. Structured review data is only emitted for pages that carry a real rating.
Affiliate relationships
Some tools have affiliate programmes and some do not. Which is which has no effect on inclusion, ordering or assessment. Pages containing affiliate links say so at the top. See the affiliate disclosure.
Tell us when we are wrong
Vendors and readers can both request corrections through the contact page. We correct factual errors quickly. We do not remove accurate criticism.