How We Rank AI Tools
Every score on this site follows the same four steps. Here is exactly how it works.
1. Define what matters for the job
Each ranking starts with 4–6 criteria that matter for that use case, with weights that add up to 100%. A coding tool is judged mostly on code quality and agent reliability; a free image generator is judged heavily on what the free tier really allows. The criteria and weights are printed on every ranking.
2. Gather public evidence
We collect evidence from public sources, in this order of trust:
- Independent measurements: third-party benchmarks and leaderboards (for example Artificial Analysis, LMArena, SWE-bench, Scale SEAL, Epoch AI), academic studies and independent accuracy tests.
- Primary documentation: official pricing pages, model cards, documentation, release notes and terms of service.
- Aggregate user experience: ratings on G2, Capterra, the App Store, Google Play and Trustpilot, with review counts.
- Reputable reporting: established technology and business press.
When a company reports its own benchmark score, we say so ("OpenAI says…"). When independent results disagree with a vendor, we report both and explain the gap.
3. Score each criterion from 0 to 10
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 9–10 | Best available; clear evidence it leads. |
| 8–8.9 | Excellent; a strong choice with minor gaps. |
| 7–7.9 | Good; solid, with trade-offs you should know. |
| 5–6.9 | Usable for some people; real limitations. |
| Below 5 | Hard to recommend for this use case. |
The overall score is the weighted average of the criterion scores. Ranks follow the overall score.
4. Explain it and keep it current
Each tool gets a written verdict saying who should use it and who shouldn't, plus pros, cons and key facts. Pages carry an "Updated" date; fast-moving pages are re-checked most often, and our automated research agent flags stale prices and new releases for an editor to review.
What we never do
- Sell scores, scored ranks or reviews.
- Use affiliate links. External links are marked nofollow.
- Invent numbers. If a figure can't be confirmed from a public source, we leave it out.
Featured picks
Some rankings show a Featured pick pinned above the scored list. It is an editorial choice to highlight a tool, and it is always labelled on the page. A featured pick never changes any score or scored rank: the tool's review shows its real score and where it placed ("Scored #4 of 9"). If a placement is ever paid, it is labelled Sponsored, the disclosure says it is a paid placement, and its link carries rel="sponsored".
Corrections and suggestions
Spotted an error or want a tool considered? Email hello@theexpertranking.com with the page and a link to public evidence. Tools are added when they meet the same bar as everything else on the page.