How We Review & Editorial Policy
This page explains exactly how App Compare HQ researches, verifies, writes and updates its software guides, which sources we trust, how we use AI tools, and how we keep our recommendations independent from money.
Four standards behind every article
App Compare HQ publishes guides on software pricing, plans, licenses, requirements and troubleshooting. Whatever the topic, every article is held to the same four standards.
Accuracy
Every price, limit and requirement is checked against an official source before it is published.
Independence
No company can pay for coverage, a better position or a more favourable conclusion.
Transparency
We show where information comes from and say clearly when something could not be confirmed.
Reader first
We answer the real question directly, in plain language, including the downsides and catches.
These standards follow Google’s guidance on creating helpful, reliable, people-first content.
From question to published guide in five stages
No article skips a stage. Each one must pass before the next begins.
Topic selection
We choose topics based on the questions real software buyers and users are asking, such as what a plan includes, why an export fails, or whether a laptop can run an app. We plan related articles in groups so each guide answers one clear question without repeating another.
Source research
Our team collects the facts from the vendor’s own pricing pages, documentation, help centre, terms and release notes. Every key fact is recorded with its source link and the date it was checked.
Analysis
We turn raw facts into answers: comparing plans, working out what limits mean in everyday use, and identifying who each option suits and who should avoid it. Where a feature has not been tested by our team, we rely on official documentation and say so.
Editorial review and fact-check
Before publishing, an editor reviews the article against this checklist:
- Every price, number and limit matches its official source
- The question in the title is answered clearly and early
- Limitations and downsides are included, not only benefits
- Links work and point to official or reliable pages
- Nothing is stated as fact that could not be verified
Publishing and monitoring
Each article is published with its date and author. After publishing, we continue to watch for changes to prices, plans and requirements, and we update the article when the facts change.
The sources we use, in order of trust
Not all information is equal. When sources disagree, the higher level always wins, and official vendor information is required for any price or plan detail.
| Source level | Examples | How we use it |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Official | Vendor pricing pages, product documentation, help centre articles, terms of service, refund and billing policies | Required for every price, plan feature, limit and policy we state |
| Level 2: Official updates | Vendor release notes, changelogs, official blog announcements, system status pages | Used to confirm recent changes and new features |
| Level 3: Context | Established technology publications and widely reported user experiences | Used only for context, never as the sole source of a fact, and clearly identified |
| Not accepted | Unverified forum claims, other websites’ price figures, outdated screenshots, unchecked AI output | Never used as evidence for any fact we publish |
How we report prices
Software pricing is the area most likely to change and most likely to cause costly mistakes. We follow strict rules whenever we publish a price.
Because vendors can change prices at any time, always confirm the final price on the vendor’s checkout page before you buy. See our Disclaimer.
Our pricing rules
- Prices come only from the vendor’s official pricing or checkout pages
- We state whether a price is billed monthly or annually
- We show the currency the vendor lists and note that taxes and regional pricing can differ
- Limited-time discounts are labelled as promotions, not standard prices
- Usage limits, credits and add-on costs are explained alongside the headline price
How we use AI tools, honestly
We believe readers deserve to know how content is made. Our team uses AI tools to work more efficiently, but people remain responsible for everything we publish.
Where AI helps us
We use AI tools to help organise research, plan article structure and prepare first drafts. This lets our team spend more time on the work that matters most: checking facts against official sources and making sure each guide is genuinely useful.
This approach is consistent with Google’s published guidance on AI-generated content, which focuses on quality and helpfulness rather than how content is produced.
Rules we never break
- A member of our team reviews and edits every article before it is published
- Facts produced with AI help are verified against official sources
- Recommendations and conclusions are decided by our editors
- We never publish AI output without human review
- We never invent experiences, test results or quotes
Keeping guides accurate after publishing
A software guide is only useful while it is current. These are the ways we keep our articles up to date.
When facts change
When a vendor changes prices, plans, features or requirements, we update the affected articles and change the updated date shown on the page.
When we find an error
If we or a reader find a mistake, we verify it against official sources and correct it promptly. Significant corrections are noted in the article.
When you report a problem
Every correction request is reviewed by our team. Email contact@appcomparehq.com with the article link and the source.
How we earn money, and how we keep it separate
Running a research team costs money. Here is exactly how App Compare HQ is funded, and the firewall between revenue and editorial decisions.
Affiliate links
Some links may earn us a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide what we recommend.
Advertising
We may display advertising. Advertisers have no influence over our articles, conclusions or topics.
Vendor contact
Vendors may send official updates to info@appcomparehq.com. They never see or approve articles before publishing.
What we always do
- Disclose clearly when a link may earn us money
- Cover products whether or not they have an affiliate program
- Mention cheaper or free alternatives when they fit better
What we never do
- Accept payment for reviews, rankings or positive coverage
- Let vendors edit or approve our content
- Recommend a product because it pays more
Full details are in our Affiliate Disclosure, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Questions about our standards?
Our editorial team, led by Sameer Patel, is responsible for this policy. If you think an article falls short of it, we want to know. Messages are read Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM IST.