How I test and rate AI tools
- Type
- Guide
- Updated
- Nov 5, 2026
- Written by
- Max Panych
Every review on this site follows the same process. I pay for the tool or use the free plan, I use it for real work at Buildme, my renovation company, and I write down what it cost and what came out.
On this page7 sections
1. I use the tool for real work
I don’t review tools from demos or press releases. Each tool gets used on real jobs: quote follow-ups, client videos, social posts, admin automations. If a tool is built for something I don’t do, I say so in the review and I don’t give it a score.
2. I pay with my own money
I sign up like any customer, usually on the plan most small businesses would pick. I never accept free or upgraded accounts in exchange for a review. If a vendor gives me extended access, I say so at the top of the review.
3. I measure, then score
Each review has five or six scores out of 5, for example output quality, ease of use, value for money and support. Each score has a weight, and the overall score is the weighted average, so you can see exactly where it comes from. Under each score I note what I measured: render times, credits used, minutes to the first finished result, mistakes I had to fix.
| Score | What it means |
|---|---|
| 4.5 to 5 | Best in class, I’d recommend it without caveats |
| 4 to 4.4 | Very good, with a few limits worth knowing |
| 3 to 3.9 | Fine for some people, not for everyone |
| Under 3 | I wouldn’t pay for it |
4. I check every fact
Prices, plan limits and features change all the time. I check them on the vendor’s own pricing and help pages and show the date I checked. When a price changes, I update the review and log it in the update history at the bottom of the page.
5. I compare it with the alternatives
A score only means something next to the other options. Every review includes the main alternatives, their starting prices and which one I’d pick for which kind of business.
6. I keep reviews up to date
I re-check prices and features on my reviews at least every three months, and straight away when a tool ships a big update. The “Updated” date at the top of each review shows the latest change. Hover or tap it to see what changed.
What I don’t do
- I don’t publish scores for tools I haven’t used.
- I don’t take payment for reviews or rankings.
- I don’t hide the bad parts. Every review has a “Skip it if” and a cons list.
Read how this site makes money in how I make money, and the rules I write by in my editorial policy.