Published methodology · v1.0
The score should survive being explained.
The recommendation engine is deterministic. The same answers and catalog version produce the same result. An AI model does not invent the ranking, and affiliate compensation never enters the formula.
Three different judgments
Task grade
How well the product performs a specific job.
Evidence confidence
How directly and recently the claims were checked.
Personal match
How the tool fits your goal, stage, budget, and preferences.
Base evaluation dimensions
Quiz answers adjust these weights. A free-only user gives value more weight. A technical user prioritizing ownership gives portability and workflow fit more weight.
Task capability
25%
Can it complete the requested job and its important sub-tasks?
Output quality
20%
How usable is the result without substantial correction?
Ease
10%
How much time and skill are required to produce a good result?
Reliability
10%
Does it behave consistently enough for a real workflow?
Value
10%
What useful capability do you receive for the actual usable price?
Workflow fit
10%
Does it integrate, export, and work with the rest of the stack?
Speed
5%
How quickly can someone reach and repeat a useful result?
Privacy and control
5%
What data, retention, and portability controls exist?
Support and ecosystem
5%
Are documentation, support, templates, and community available?
Hard constraints come first
A high-quality tool is removed or penalized when it breaks the stated budget, requires more technical ability than requested, duplicates something already owned, or solves a later-stage problem instead of the current one.
Evidence and updates
Direct use
Corey's real workflow and repeatable task tests where available.
Primary sources
Current official product, pricing, documentation, privacy, and terms pages.
Practitioner signal
Repeated community patterns used as supporting context, never copied ratings.
Fast-moving tools should be checked monthly. Stable products should be reviewed at least quarterly. Scores represent released capability, not roadmap promises.
Financial relationship
Some outbound links may pay Corey a commission at no extra cost to the user. Affiliate availability, commission percentage, and cookie duration are kept outside the score. Products without an affiliate program remain eligible to win. Paid placement cannot buy a quiz position or grade.