Our Scoring System
Every product receives a score from 1.0 to 10.0 based on weighted criteria specific to its category. Scores are calculated using a combination of hands-on testing, feature analysis, pricing evaluation, and user feedback.
Category-Specific Criteria
Each category has its own set of evaluation criteria. For example, VPN services are scored on speed, privacy, server network, and streaming support, while meal delivery services are evaluated on meal quality, variety, convenience, and value.
Testing Process
- Research Phase: We identify all major products and gather specifications, pricing, and feature data.
- Hands-On Testing: Our team signs up for and uses each product for a minimum of two weeks.
- Scoring: Products are scored across all criteria using our standardized rubric.
- Review: Scores are reviewed by at least two team members for accuracy and consistency.
- Publication: Final scores and reviews are published with full transparency on methodology.
Score Ranges
Detailed scoring process
Each category uses a weighted rubric designed around reader risk. VPNs emphasize privacy policy, leak protection, audit history, speed, jurisdiction, device support, and refund clarity. Password managers emphasize encryption design, recovery model, passkey support, sharing controls, breach monitoring, and usability. Identity-theft protection emphasizes monitoring breadth, restoration support, credit coverage, insurance language, and cancellation clarity.
Scores are not copied from merchant marketing pages. Editors review primary documentation, create or inspect product accounts when practical, compare current pricing against renewal terms, and record limitations that should make a reader skip a product. A product can rank well in one use case and poorly in another; that is why we add “best for” labels and who-should-skip sections instead of presenting a single score as universal truth.
Update cadence
High-traffic commercial pages are reviewed at least quarterly and sooner when a vendor changes pricing, suffers a breach, releases a major feature, or changes privacy/security terms. News-driven security pages are updated when new official information becomes available. Material corrections are reflected on the page and, when appropriate, on the corrections log.