Review methodology
How we evaluate Mac software, and the line between testing a product and reading about it.
Two kinds of evaluation
- Hands-on testing. We installed the product on a Mac, used it for the tasks described, and recorded the macOS version, app version and date. Only these products can receive a rating or a “tested” label.
- Research-based evaluation. We have not used the product ourselves. We summarise the vendor's documentation and independent sources, and say so. These products receive no rating and no first-person claims.
Every review, comparison, alternatives page and best-of guide states which applies, based on recorded data. Right now, 0 of the 68 products we track have been tested hands-on.
What we evaluate
- Features
- Does it do what it claims, and does it do the jobs a typical Mac user needs? Features are checked in the app, not copied from a feature page.
- Ease of use
- How clear are setup and everyday use? How many permissions does it ask for, and are they explained?
- macOS compatibility
- Supported macOS versions, Apple silicon and Intel support, and behaviour after a macOS update.
- Performance
- Resource use and responsiveness on a named Mac and macOS version, with the method described. We publish no numbers we haven't measured.
- Reliability
- Does it complete tasks without errors, recover from interruption, and avoid damaging data?
- Pricing and value
- Price, billing model (one-time or subscription), trial terms and refund policy, checked on the vendor site and dated.
- Privacy and security
- What data it collects or sends, what it changes on disk, how it is signed and distributed, and how cleanly it uninstalls.
- Customer support
- What support channels exist and, where we tested them, how they responded.
The testing process
- Install on a current macOS and record the macOS and app versions.
- Complete the same set of tasks for every product in a category.
- Record price and billing directly from the vendor, with the date.
- Note permissions requested, what changes on disk, and how cleanly the app uninstalls.
- Write up only what we observed. Anything we couldn't verify is left out or marked pending.
When a product gets a rating
A rating appears only after hands-on testing, with a test date and notes. We don't publish star ratings, review markup, or “tested” badges for products we haven't tested. Unverified reviews stay as drafts.
Money and independence
Affiliate relationships don't affect ratings or order. See the editorial policy and the affiliate disclosure.