At GearScored, every AI tool we review is tested hands-on. We sign up, use it for real tasks, and record the results. We don’t rewrite feature lists from company websites. This page explains exactly how we do it.
Who tests the tools
All tests are done by David Smith, founder of GearScored. I work in digital marketing and use AI tools every day for writing, research and content work.
How a test works
- We create a real account. We test on the free plan, and on paid plans when the review covers them. Each review says which plan was used.
- We use the same tasks for every tool in a category. Image generators all get the same prompts. Chatbots all get the same questions and tasks. This makes results directly comparable.
- We save the evidence. Screenshots and outputs from our tests appear in the reviews, so you can judge the results yourself.
- We note the date. AI tools change fast, so every review shows when it was tested and last updated.
What we score
| Criterion | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Output quality | Accuracy, usefulness and quality of the results |
| Ease of use | How quickly a new user gets good results |
| Features | What the tool can do, and what is missing |
| Price and value | Plans and limits, with prices in CAD where available |
| Free plan | What you really get without paying |
How we keep reviews up to date
We re-check reviews when a tool changes its features or prices. The “Last updated” date at the top of each review shows the latest check.
Independence and affiliate links
Some links on GearScored are affiliate links: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our results. Tools cannot pay for a better score or position. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Contact
Found an error or an outdated price? Contact us and we’ll check and correct it.