Editorial Standards
Editorial Policy
How we pick, test, and rate SaaS tools. No pay-for-rank, no hidden sponsorships. Just honest reviews.
How We Pick Tools to Review
We choose tools based on what buyers are actually searching for and comparing. Market presence, search demand, and real buyer interest drive our picks. We skip tools that are abandoned, not actively maintained, or irrelevant to our audience. Vendors can suggest their product, but inclusion is always our call.
How We Test
We create real accounts and run real workflows. For HR tools we process payroll. For support tools we submit test tickets. For expense tools we scan receipts and build approval chains. We don't test every edge case, but our scores come from actual usage, not marketing pages. When we can't verify something firsthand, we say so in the review.
How We Verify Pricing
Pricing comes from vendor websites at the time we publish. We note the date we last checked. Pricing changes, sometimes without notice. Region, contract length, and volume discounts can shift the numbers. Always confirm final pricing with the vendor before buying.
How We Handle Corrections
If something is wrong, tell us at hello@trulycritic.com. Include the page URL, what's incorrect, and a source. We fix errors within 24-48 hours. Every correction is noted on the affected page. We'd rather fix a mistake quickly than defend it.
How We Make Money
Two ways. Sponsors pay a flat annual fee to appear as a 6th entry on category pages, always labeled Sponsored. And we earn small commissions when readers click through to vendor sites. Neither revenue stream touches our editorial rankings. If we wouldn't recommend a tool to a friend, we won't take their money.
Editorial Independence
No vendor sees our review before it goes live. No vendor gets to change their score or a competitor's. Rankings are our editorial judgment based on testing against consistent criteria. Sponsorships and affiliates don't influence what we write.
What You Should Know
- •Our rankings are our honest assessment, not a guarantee. Your needs might be different.
- •Pricing and features change. Always verify with the vendor before purchasing.
- •Software fit depends on your team size, budget, existing tools, and use case. Our recommendations are starting points.
- •We don't provide legal, financial, or procurement advice. Run your own evaluation and vendor demos before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
About our editorial standards
No. Our editorial top 5 rankings are earned by the product. Sponsors pay to appear as a 6th entry with a clear Sponsored badge, always separate from editorial rankings. Sponsors never influence competitor scores or editorial content.
Email hello@trulycritic.com with the page URL, what's wrong, and a source if you have one. We fix factual errors within 24-48 hours and note corrections on the page.
We update guides quarterly, or sooner if a tool makes a major change (pricing overhaul, new features, acquisition). Each page shows its last-updated date. Pricing can change between updates, so always verify with the vendor before buying.