Review Policy

This review policy explains how Shujaz.com reviews, scores and compares the AI tools listed in our directory. Shujaz.com is an AI tools directory and AI prompts library run by Shujaz, an independent web developer, social media consultant and AI consultant based in Kerala, India. We list more than 900 AI tools across 30 categories, and each tool page shows an editorial score out of 5. This page explains what that score means, how it is calculated and what it is not.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Why We Publish a Review Policy

A score is only useful if you know how it was made. Without a clear method, a “4.5 out of 5” could mean anything. That is why we publish this review policy.

Our goal is to help you compare AI tools quickly and fairly. Each review follows the same structure and the same scoring criteria. That makes it easier to compare a writing tool with another writing tool, or an image generator with its alternatives.

What a tool review includes

• A plain-language description of what the tool does.
• Key features, based on official sources.
• Pros and cons.
• Pricing and plans, shown as a guide only.
• Supported platforms, such as web, desktop and mobile.
• Flags for public API access and open-source status.
• An editorial score out of 5.
• Visitor star ratings, shown separately.
• Frequently asked questions and suggested alternatives.

This review policy works together with our Editorial Policy and Fact-Checking Policy. You can browse all reviews in our AI tools directory.

How Reviews Are Made

We want to be honest about our process. Tool information is compiled from each tool’s official website, documentation and pricing pages, plus other publicly available information.

Long-form tool reviews are produced with the help of automation and AI writing assistance. Every review follows a fixed editorial structure. The site owner then reviews and updates articles over time, focusing first on facts like pricing, plans, features and platforms.

Who is responsible

Shujaz.com is operated by an individual, not a large review team. Shujaz is responsible for the scoring method, the final scores and any changes. You can learn more about him on the founder portfolio page.

AI assistance does not set scores on its own

AI writing tools help turn source information into readable text. They are not treated as a source of facts. Under this review policy, scores are based on the criteria below, and the owner can adjust any score that does not reflect the evidence.

Review Policy Scoring Criteria and Weights

Every tool is scored out of 5 using seven weighted criteria. The weights show how much each criterion counts toward the final score.

Criterion	Weight	What we look at
Features	25%	Range, depth and usefulness of the tool’s core features for its category
Pricing and value	20%	Free tier or trial, price level, plan limits and value for money
Ease of use	15%	How quickly a new user can get started, based on the interface, onboarding and documentation
Output quality and reputation	15%	Public reputation, popularity and the quality of results shown in official examples
Platforms and integrations	10%	Web, desktop, mobile, browser extensions and connections to other apps
API, open source and developer friendliness	5%	Public API, open-source code, SDKs and developer documentation
Updates and support	10%	How often the tool is updated, changelog activity and available support channels

How the final score is calculated

1. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5.
2. Each rating is multiplied by its weight.
3. The weighted ratings are added together to give a score out of 5.
4. The score is rounded to one decimal place and shown on the tool page.

For example, a tool with excellent features but high prices might score well on features and lower on pricing and value. The weighted total balances those strengths and weaknesses.

Scores are relative to the category

A coding assistant and a video generator do very different jobs. So under our review policy, features and output quality are judged against what people expect from that category. A 4.5 in one category is not a direct comparison with a 4.5 in another.

A worked scoring example

Imagine a general image generator with strong features, rated 5 for features. Its paid plans are fairly priced but the free tier is small, so it rates 3 for pricing and value. It is easy to start with, so it rates 4 for ease of use. It is well known, so it rates 4 for output quality and reputation.

It runs on the web only, so it rates 3 for platforms and integrations. It has no public API, so it rates 2 for developer friendliness. It is updated often, so it rates 4 for updates and support. Under our review policy, the weighted total comes to about 3.9 out of 5.

This example is illustrative and does not describe a real product. It shows how our review policy lets a tool with a strong core score well, while still reflecting its weaker areas.

An Honest Statement on Hands-On Testing

This is one of the most important parts of our review policy. We do not always test every paid feature of every tool hands-on.

With more than 900 tools, personally testing every plan, credit system and premium feature is not realistic for one person. Many tools also require paid subscriptions, business accounts or waitlists.

What our scores are based on

• Features described on official websites and in documentation.
• Pricing and value from official pricing pages.
• Ease of use, judged from the interface, onboarding and documentation where available.
• Platform availability from official sites and app stores.
• Public API and open-source status from official developer resources.
• Reputation and popularity from publicly available information.
• Update frequency from changelogs, blogs and release notes.

Where we have tried a tool ourselves, that experience can inform the review. But you should read our scores as a structured, research-based guide, not as the result of lab testing. We think it is better to say this clearly than to pretend otherwise.

How Pros and Cons Are Chosen

Pros and cons help you see a tool’s strengths and weaknesses at a glance. Our review policy asks for balance on every page.

Our method

1. Start from facts. Each pro or con must be based on a verifiable detail, such as a feature, limit or price.
2. Focus on what matters. We choose points that affect real decisions, like a generous free tier or a missing mobile app.
3. Stay fair. Every tool gets both pros and cons. No product is perfect.
4. Avoid hype. We do not repeat marketing claims such as “best in the world” as pros.
5. Keep it current. When a tool changes, affected pros and cons are updated.

Cons are not insults. They help readers understand whether a tool fits their needs. A con for one reader may not matter at all to another.

Badges: Popular, New and Free

Some tool pages and cards show badges. Badges help you scan the directory quickly. They are separate from the editorial score.

Badge	What it means
Popular	The tool is widely used or well known, based on publicly available information and interest from our visitors
New	The tool, or its listing on Shujaz.com, was added recently
Free	The tool offers a free plan or meaningful free access, based on its official pricing page

Badges are never sold. A company cannot pay for a “Popular” badge. If a tool removes its free plan, the “Free” badge should be removed too, and you can report it if we miss the change.

Visitor Star Ratings Are Separate

Tool pages also show visitor star ratings. These are not part of our editorial score. The editorial score reflects our review policy. Visitor ratings reflect what readers think.

How duplicate votes are prevented

We want visitor ratings to be fair, so we use simple checks to limit duplicate votes:

• After you rate a tool, a cookie named “sz_rated_{id}” is set for one year to remember that you have voted.
• A temporary hashed IP check is stored for 7 days to help stop repeat votes.
• Your browser’s localStorage key “sz-rated” remembers which tools you rated.

The IP check is hashed, so the raw IP address is not stored for this purpose. If you are in Europe, you can learn about your data rights at GDPR.eu.

These checks are not perfect, but they reduce abuse. More details are in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Why keep them separate?

Visitor ratings show real-world opinion, which can differ from a structured review. Showing both gives you a fuller picture. Our review policy never edits visitor ratings to match our score.

How Alternatives Are Selected

Each tool page suggests alternatives. These help you compare options before you commit.

Selection method

• Same job. Alternatives solve a similar problem or belong to the same category.
• Useful variety. We try to include a mix, such as free and paid options or different platforms.
• Relevance first. Tools are chosen because they are a good comparison, not because of affiliate links.
• Active tools. We avoid suggesting tools that appear closed or abandoned.

Under our review policy, affiliate status plays no part in choosing alternatives. A tool with no affiliate program can appear as a top alternative.

Our Review Policy on Affiliates and Advertising

Shujaz.com may earn money through Google AdSense ads and affiliate links. Some “Visit website” buttons may be affiliate links. If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

This review policy is firm on one point. Affiliate relationships never affect scores, rankings, badges, pros, cons or alternatives.

• We do not raise a score because a tool pays commission.
• We do not lower a score because a tool has no affiliate program.
• Advertisers do not see or approve reviews.
• Affiliate links may carry rel=”sponsored nofollow” attributes.

Full details are in our Affiliate Disclosure. For background on why disclosure matters, see the US Federal Trade Commission’s Endorsement Guides FAQ.

How the Review Policy Applies Across Categories

The same seven criteria apply to every tool. But what “good” looks like changes from one category to the next. Here is how our review policy adapts the criteria for some common categories.

Writing and chatbot tools

For writing tools and chatbots, features cover things like templates, languages, tone controls and document length. Ease of use matters a lot, because many users are not technical. Output quality and reputation are judged from official examples and public feedback.

Image and video tools

For image and video generators, we look at styles, resolution, editing options and commercial use terms. Pricing and value often depend on credits, so our review policy looks closely at how many images or minutes each plan includes.

Coding tools

For coding assistants, the API, open source and developer friendliness criterion becomes especially relevant. We look at supported languages, editor integrations and documentation quality. Platforms and integrations also carry real weight here.

Marketing, productivity and business tools

For business-focused tools, integrations with other apps, team features and support options matter most. We also check whether pricing is per user, per workspace or usage based, since this can change the real cost a lot.

Across every category, the weights stay the same. This keeps our review policy consistent, while the detail inside each criterion reflects what users in that category actually need.

No Paid Reviews

We do not accept payment for positive reviews. That includes money, gifts, free lifetime plans or promises of future business.

If we ever offer sponsored listings or sponsored posts, they will be clearly labelled “Sponsored”. A sponsor pays for visibility only. Sponsored content does not change a tool’s editorial score, and our review policy applies to it in full.

Free access for testing

Sometimes a tool maker offers free access so we can check features. Accepting it does not create any obligation. The tool is scored with the same criteria as every other tool. If free access was provided, we may mention it on the page.

How Tool Makers Can Request Review Updates

AI tools improve quickly. A missing feature today may launch next month. We welcome updates from tool makers.

What to send

1. The URL of your tool’s page on Shujaz.com.
2. What has changed, such as new features, new pricing or new platforms.
3. Links to official sources, like your pricing page, changelog or documentation.
4. Proof that you represent the tool, ideally by emailing from your company domain.

Send requests to mail@shujaz.com. We aim to reply within 3 to 5 business days.

What happens next

We check your sources and update the facts on the page. If the changes affect any scoring criteria, we re-score the tool using this review policy. The score may go up, stay the same or, in some cases, go down.

We correct facts on request, but we do not remove fair cons or change a score simply because it was requested. Factual errors are handled under our Corrections Policy.

When Scores Change

Scores are not permanent. Under our review policy, a score may change when:

• A tool adds or removes major features.
• Pricing, plan limits or free access change.
• New platforms, integrations or an API become available.
• The tool goes open source or closes its code.
• Updates slow down or support becomes hard to reach.
• A factual error in the original review is corrected.

Because tools change often, please confirm key details, especially pricing, on the official website before you buy. Our Disclaimer explains the limits of our information.

Limits of Our Reviews

Our reviews are general information, not professional advice. They cannot account for every use case, budget or country.

• Prices and features can change after our last check.
• Results from AI tools vary by prompt, settings and model version.
• Availability can differ by region.
• Some details may not be published by the tool maker.

All tool names, logos and trademarks belong to their owners. Their appearance on Shujaz.com does not imply any affiliation or endorsement. Please read our Terms and Conditions for more.

Frequently Asked Questions about Our Review Policy

How is the editorial score calculated?

Each tool is rated on seven weighted criteria: features, pricing and value, ease of use, output quality and reputation, platforms and integrations, API and open source, and updates and support. The weighted total gives a score out of 5.

Do you test every tool hands-on?

No. We do not always test every paid feature of every tool. Our review policy bases scores on official information, public reputation and, where possible, our own experience.

Can a company pay for a higher score?

No. We do not accept payment for positive reviews, and affiliate links never affect scores.

Why is the visitor rating different from your score?

Visitor star ratings reflect reader opinion. Our editorial score follows this review policy. The two are kept separate on purpose.

How can I ask for my tool’s review to be updated?

Email us with the page URL, what changed and links to official sources. We will check the details and re-score if needed.

Contact Us About Our Review Policy

Questions about this review policy, or want to request a review update? Email mail@shujaz.com. We reply to general emails within 3 to 5 business days and review factual errors within 5 business days.