Every tool on AI Compared has an editorial score out of 5. This page explains what the score means, what goes into it and what does not.
What the Score Is
- It is an editorial score, given by our editors. It is not an average of user reviews.
- It is shown with two decimals (for example 4.62). This avoids ties and makes the order inside a category clear.
- It compares a tool with other tools in the same category. A 4.5 in Music & Audio and a 4.5 in AI Coding both mean “strong choice in its category”, not that the two tools are equally good at the same task.
- Current scores range from 3.94 to 4.82. We do not list tools we would not recommend to anyone, so scores below 3.5 are rare.
The Five Criteria
| Criterion | What we check |
|---|---|
| Core output quality | How well the tool does its main job: accuracy of answers, image and video quality, natural-sounding voices, working code, usable slides. |
| Features and limits | What each plan includes, usage caps, file and export formats, integrations, API access. |
| Pricing and value | Free plan, starting price, monthly vs annual billing, credit systems, cost of extra usage. |
| Ease of use | Onboarding, interface, supported platforms (web, desktop, mobile, IDE, terminal), documentation. |
| Trust and policies | Commercial-use rights, data and training policies, consent safeguards for voice and likeness, clarity about limits. |
The editor scores each criterion, then sets the final score after comparing the tool with the rest of its category. Core output quality carries the most weight, followed by features and pricing.
What Does Not Affect the Score
- Payments or requests from vendors.
- Affiliate commissions. Some links on the site may earn us a commission; see the Affiliate Disclosure.
- Popularity or brand size on their own.
How We Check Facts and Prices
- We read the vendor’s official site, pricing page and documentation.
- We record the cheapest paid individual plan in USD as the “starting price”. Team and enterprise prices go into the pricing notes.
- If the price is not shown in USD, depends on location, or is a short-term promotion, we write “see website” or note the promotion and its end date.
- A time-limited trial is not a free plan.
- We keep a record of the official sources used for each card. The current catalog was checked in November 2026.
When Scores Change
We re-check every card regularly and after major announcements: new plans, price changes, renamed products or new models. A score can go up or down after a re-check. Products that shut down or stop selling to new customers are removed.
Spotted an Error?
If a price, limit or feature on a card is out of date, email us at contact@aicompared.cc. Include the tool name and a link to the official page if you have one.
