How We Test & Review Products
Our transparent methodology for evaluating software products. We use consistent criteria to ensure fair, reliable comparisons.
Our Testing Process
Every product goes through a standardized evaluation process
We identify leading products in each category based on market share, user reviews, and feature sets. We prioritize products with strong reputations and active development.
We sign up for and use each product ourselves when possible. This includes testing core features, user interface, performance, and customer support responsiveness.
We evaluate products against standardized criteria including features, pricing, ease of use, performance, security, and customer support. Each category has specific benchmarks.
We analyze user reviews across multiple platforms to understand real-world experiences, common pain points, and satisfaction levels beyond our own testing.
For security products (VPNs, antivirus, password managers), we review third-party audits, security certifications, privacy policies, and independent lab test results.
We monitor for product updates, pricing changes, and feature additions. Our reviews are updated regularly to reflect the current state of each product.
Rating Criteria
How we calculate our overall ratings (0-10 scale)
Features & Functionality
30%Breadth and depth of features, unique capabilities, and how well core functions work
Ease of Use
20%User interface quality, learning curve, documentation, and overall user experience
Performance
20%Speed, reliability, uptime, and technical performance metrics
Value for Money
15%Pricing competitiveness, features per dollar, free tier quality, and refund policy
Customer Support
10%Support channel availability, response times, and quality of assistance
Security & Privacy
5%Data protection, encryption standards, privacy policy, and compliance certifications
Category-Specific Testing
Each product category has additional specialized testing criteria:
- VPNs: Speed tests across multiple servers, leak testing (DNS, WebRTC, IPv6), kill switch verification, streaming unblocking capability
- Antivirus: Independent lab test results (AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives), real-time protection testing, system performance impact
- Web Hosting: Uptime monitoring, page load speeds, server response times, scalability testing
- Password Managers: Encryption standards, breach monitoring, autofill accuracy, cross-device sync reliability
- Email Marketing: Deliverability rates, automation workflows, template quality, contact management
- Internet Providers: Speed consistency, data cap policies, customer service responsiveness, contract terms
Our Commitment to Transparency
We believe you deserve to know exactly how our reviews work:
- Affiliate Relationships: We may earn commissions from links, but this doesn't influence our ratings or recommendations
- Regular Updates: Reviews are updated when products release major updates or change pricing
- Real Testing: We actually use the products we review when possible, not just marketing materials
- Honest Opinions: We highlight both strengths and weaknesses to help you make informed decisions
- Last Updated Dates: Every review shows when it was last updated so you know the information is current
Questions About Our Process?
We're committed to transparency. If you have questions about how we test products or want to suggest improvements to our methodology, we'd love to hear from you.