How we evaluate tools and apps.
Every YTC score is earned through independent research, structured evaluation frameworks, and honest editorial judgment, never influenced by advertisers or affiliate commissions.
Our scoring system exists to give you a fast, trustworthy signal, not to manufacture a number that makes a product look good.
Independently evaluated
Scores are based on verified data, official documentation, third-party benchmarks, and architectural analysis. No score is based solely on press releases or vendor marketing claims.
Weighted, not averaged
Different dimensions matter differently. A tool’s output quality carries more weight than its onboarding experience. Our weights reflect what actually matters to real users making real decisions.
Africa-aware scoring
Every score includes an African Accessibility dimension, a differentiator unique to Your Tech Compass. A tool that works beautifully in San Francisco but fails on Nairobi mobile data scores lower here.
We apply a structured framework calibrated for AI tools, productivity apps, and consumer technology products.
Applied to AI tools, productivity apps, software platforms, and consumer technology products. Evaluates across five weighted dimensions with a maximum score of 100.
Each dimension is scored from 0 to 10, then multiplied by its weight. The resulting scores are summed and converted to a 100-point scale.
How we evaluate it
- Cross-reference vendor benchmarks with independent third-party evaluations
- Verify accuracy claims against public datasets and community reports
- Analyze documented hallucination rates and consistency metrics
- Assess depth and nuance based on published technical specifications
How we score it
- 9–10: Industry-leading, rarely makes errors
- 7–8: Reliable with occasional lapses
- 5–6: Adequate but requires verification
- Below 5: Unreliable for professional use
How we evaluate it
- Audit onboarding flows and documentation clarity
- Review UI/UX design against accessibility standards
- Analyze community feedback on learning curve friction points
- Verify setup time claims against official guides and tutorials
How we score it
- 9–10: A non-technical user succeeds in minutes
- 7–8: Minor friction, resolved quickly
- 5–6: Requires patience or prior knowledge
- Below 5: Significant barrier to entry
How we evaluate it
- Audit free tier limitations and hidden paywalls
- Compare pricing against closest competitors at each tier
- Verify value claims against feature sets and usage caps
- Identify undisclosed costs like overages, add-ons, or rate limits
How we score it
- 9–10: Exceptional value, free tier is generous
- 7–8: Fair pricing, reasonably paid tier
- 5–6: Overpriced or heavily restricted free tier
- Below 5: Poor value relative to alternatives
How we evaluate it
- Audit privacy policies for clarity and data training opt-outs
- Verify security claims against third-party audits and certifications
- Review public incident history and breach response track record
- Assess transparency of data collection and retention practices
How we score it
- 9–10: Full transparency, data never sold or trained on
- 7–8: Generally trustworthy with minor concerns
- 5–6: Vague policies or limited opt-out options
- Below 5: Significant privacy red flags
How we evaluate it
- Verify availability and functionality in key African markets
- Assess performance on low-bandwidth and mobile data connections
- Check for local payment method support and regional pricing
- Evaluate African language localization and cultural relevance
How we score it
- 9–10: Fully available, optimized, locally priced
- 7–8: Available with minor limitations
- 5–6: Accessible but not optimized for Africa
- Below 5: Unavailable or severely limited in Africa
Scores are designed to be honest signals, not marketing tools. A score of 70 is genuinely good; it means the product is worth your time.
Score range | Verdict | What it means | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
85 – 100 | Excellent | Best-in-class. We recommend this without reservation. Very few products reach this range. | |
70 – 84 | Good | Solid product worth using. Minor weaknesses exist, but don’t significantly affect the experience. | |
55 – 69 | Average | Functional but outperformed by competitors. Consider alternatives before committing. | |
40 – 54 | Below average | Significant weaknesses. We recommend exploring alternatives unless there is no other option. | |
0 – 39 | Poor | Not recommended. Serious problems with quality, trust, or value that make this product hard to justify. |
Data collection
Gather official docs, third-party benchmarks, and community feedback
Verification
Cross-reference claims against multiple independent sources
Dimension scoring
Each dimension scored 0–10 independently, then weighted and summed
Editorial review
Score reviewed by both Oscar and Diana before publication. Disagreements are discussed and resolved
Living score
Scores are updated when a product releases major changes. Every update is date-stamped
Independence & conflicts of interest
Scores are never influenced by advertising relationships, affiliate commissions, or sponsored partnerships. If a product we have reviewed subsequently advertises on Your Tech Compass, its score is not revisited unless the product itself has materially changed.
Our evaluations are based on independent research, verified public data, and structured analysis. When vendor-provided information is used, it is always cross-referenced against third-party sources and clearly attributed. Free access to a product does not guarantee a positive score; our evaluation framework applies identically regardless of how we obtained information.
If you believe a score is incorrect or outdated, contact us. We take corrections seriously and respond within 48 hours.
See our scores in action
Browse our AI Unboxed and Apps & Tools reviews to see the YTC scoring system applied to real products.