Every tool we rank goes through the same four steps and is scored the same way, so you can compare our scores fairly across reviews.
Our four-step process
- Sign up. We create a real account on the free plan or free trial. If the features that matter are only on a paid plan, we test the paid plan.
- Run real tasks. We set the tool up the way a small business would and use it for the jobs it’s meant to do, from first login to everyday use.
- Score it. We rate the tool in four areas and combine them into one overall score out of 10.
- Keep it current. We re-check prices and plans on a schedule and update the page when anything changes.
How we score
Each tool gets a score out of 10 in four areas. The overall score is a weighted average:
- Ease of use (30%): how quickly a non-technical person can get set up and do everyday tasks.
- Features (30%): whether it does the jobs it promises, and how well.
- Value for money (25%): what you get for the price, including plan limits and costs that rise as you grow.
- Support (15%): help docs, response times and the channels available on each plan.
For example, a tool scoring 9 for ease of use, 8 for features, 8.5 for value and 7 for support gets an overall score of 8.3: (9 × 0.30) + (8 × 0.30) + (8.5 × 0.25) + (7 × 0.15) = 8.275, rounded to one decimal place.
What we test in each category
Email marketing
Importing a contact list, building a signup form, designing a newsletter, setting up a welcome email sequence, and reading the reports.
CRM
Importing contacts, building a sales pipeline, logging deals and calls, connecting email, and checking the reports a small sales team would use.
Project management
Setting up a project, assigning tasks with deadlines, working with a teammate, switching between views, and connecting other tools.
Website builders
Building a small business website from a template, editing it on mobile, setting up basic SEO, checking page speed, and adding a simple online store.
How we keep prices accurate
Prices and plan limits come from each vendor’s own pricing page. Every pricing table on WeighStack shows the date we last checked it. We re-check our main pages at least every three months, and sooner when a vendor announces changes. If you spot a change before we do, let us know.
What we never do
- Accept payment to rank a tool higher.
- Publish scores for tools we haven’t used.
- Copy other websites’ reviews or screenshots. When we show screenshots, they come from our own test accounts.
- Hide a tool’s weaknesses because it has an affiliate program.
Who does the testing
Testing and writing are done by Aphidelsi Orono, a software developer and digital marketer with more than 14 years of experience. Read more about WeighStack.