We don't list tools we haven't used. That sounds obvious, but most directories scrape marketing copy and call it a day. Here's what we actually do.
Sign up like a real user
We create an account the way a normal person would — no press demos, no special onboarding calls. If signup is confusing, that's going in the review.
Use the core workflow
We spend time in the product's main use case. For a meal kit, we cook a recipe. For a design tool, we make something we'd actually publish. Surface-level clicks don't count.
Check pricing honestly
We read the pricing page, note what's free vs paid, and watch for surprise limits. If a tool hides costs until checkout, readers hear about it.
Write for humans
Every listing includes who it's for, pros, cons, and clear affiliate disclosure. We'd rather say "skip this" than pad the directory.
