Our approach
A review is only useful if you can trust how it was made. This page explains, step by step, how a tool gets into AI Tools Directory, how we judge it, what the scores mean and what a payment does and does not change.
In short: every listing is checked by a person. Scores are set by our editors. Payment buys speed and visibility, never a higher score or a friendlier verdict.
The review process
- Submission. A founder or team submits the tool with its website, category, pricing model, a short pitch and a contact email. Each submission receives an invoice number so it can be tracked.
- Eligibility check. We confirm that the website works, that the product is real and clearly described, that pricing is not hidden or misleading, and that the tool is not illegal, deceptive or abusive. Tools that fail this check are declined.
- Editorial review. An editor studies the product. Where a free plan, trial or demo is available we use it. When we cannot test a tool hands-on (for example, enterprise-only products), we say so on the page and rely on the vendor's documentation and public information.
- Scoring. For reviewed tools the editor scores four dimensions and writes the verdict, strengths, limitations and the plans worth knowing about.
- Publication. The listing goes live. Reviewed pages show the date they were last reviewed.
- Maintenance. We update pages when we learn that pricing, features or availability have changed, and we re-check reviewed tools periodically.
What we evaluate
The ATD Score is built from four dimensions. Each one is scored from 0 to 5 and combined with the editor's overall judgement.
| Dimension | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | How quickly a new user gets a useful result. Clarity of the interface and onboarding, quality of documentation, how forgiving the product is when you make mistakes. |
| Features | Depth and quality of what the tool actually does compared with what it promises and with comparable tools. Reliability, output quality, integrations and export options. |
| Value for money | What you get at each price point. Whether the free plan is genuinely usable, how limits and credits work, and whether pricing is clear and fair for the target user. |
| Support | Availability and quality of help: documentation, community, response channels and how transparent the vendor is about issues and changes. |
We also pay attention to things that do not fit neatly into a number, such as privacy practices, data handling disclosures and how honestly a vendor describes its product. These can lower a verdict even when features are strong.
How to read the ATD Score
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 4.5 to 5.0 | Outstanding. A leader in its category with few meaningful weaknesses. |
| 4.0 to 4.4 | Excellent. Strong choice for its target audience, with some limitations. |
| 3.5 to 3.9 | Good. Does its job well, but has notable gaps or a narrow fit. |
| 3.0 to 3.4 | Decent. Usable, but alternatives are often better for most people. |
| Below 3.0 | Weak or risky. We will usually explain why, or decline to feature the tool. |
A score is an editorial opinion at a point in time. It is a starting point for your own research, not a guarantee that a tool will suit your needs. Always read the verdict, the pros and cons and the "best for" and "not ideal for" lines, not just the number.
Free and paid listings: what changes and what does not
| Plan | What you get | What it does not change |
|---|---|---|
| Free | A listing in the directory after review. Review within up to 21 days, not guaranteed. A simple tool page. | Free listings are held to the same eligibility standards as paid ones. |
| Fast-Track | A guaranteed review window (24 to 48 hours after payment is confirmed), a Verified badge and a full review page. | The score, the verdict and what we write about weaknesses. |
| Featured and Spotlight | Express review and premium placement (homepage and top of category) for the period stated on the plan. | Editorial independence. Featured tools can and do receive critical reviews. |
For paid plans we ask for payment only after we have confirmed that a tool is eligible. If we decline a listing, you are not charged. Details of fees, timelines and refunds are in our Terms of Service.
Paid and sponsored placements are labeled. Links on paid listings carry the link attributes (such as sponsored) that search engines ask publishers to use for paid placements.
Independence and conflicts of interest
- We do not sell scores, positive verdicts or the removal of criticism.
- We do not publish testimonials, review counts or usage numbers that we cannot verify, and we do not accept them from vendors as a substitute for our own assessment.
- Where we have a commercial relationship that could be seen as influencing a page (for example a partner link or an affiliate commission on a deal) we disclose it on that page or in our Disclaimer.
- Vendors may ask us to correct factual errors. They may not ask us to change an opinion because they disagree with it.
Updates, corrections and removals
AI products change quickly: plans are renamed, limits move and features appear or disappear. Reviewed pages display the date they were last reviewed and a note that prices were verified on that date. Always confirm current details on the vendor's website before you buy.
Found a mistake? Email [email protected] with the page address and what should change, ideally with a link to a public source. We aim to fix verified factual errors promptly and will update the review date when we do.
We may reduce a tool's score, add a warning or remove a listing if it changes in ways that hurt users, becomes unavailable, misleads people or breaks our rules. Removal does not entitle a vendor to a refund unless our Terms say otherwise.
Questions about our reviews
Do you test every tool yourselves?
For reviewed tools we use the free plan, trial or demo whenever one exists. When that is not possible we say so and base our assessment on documentation and public information. Basic free listings are not full reviews and carry no score.
Can I pay to get a better score?
No. Scores are set by our editors and are unrelated to whether a tool pays for a plan.
Why does a paid listing have a score and a free one does not?
Full reviews take editorial time. Paid plans fund that work. Free listings still pass an eligibility check but do not include a scored review.
I disagree with a review. What can I do?
Send us the specific facts you think are wrong. We correct factual errors. Opinions and scores remain the editor's call, but we do take well-argued feedback into account at the next review.