This page describes the method we use to evaluate AI tools for our guides. Each guide states which tools were included and when it was last updated.
Our evaluation criteria
- Output quality: how good the results are for the task the guide covers.
- Ease of use: setup, learning curve and interface.
- Features: the capabilities that matter for that category.
- Pricing and value: free tier, plan prices and what each plan includes, checked against the vendor’s pricing page.
- Privacy and terms: data use, commercial-use rights and export options, based on the vendor’s published policies.
- Support and reliability: documentation, support channels and stability.
How we rank
Tools are scored against the criteria above, and the rankings in each guide reflect those scores. Where a guide includes a score, it explains what the score is based on. We do not publish user reviews or ratings we did not collect.
Independence
Affiliate relationships do not determine rankings. Vendors cannot pay to be included or to change a ranking. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Updates
AI tools change quickly. We re-check pricing and key features periodically and update the date shown on each guide. If you spot something out of date, please let us know.