Opening soon
Mac and Apple apps, reviewed by hand.
Sterling Pick is a small, curated showcase of apps for Mac, iPhone, iPad and the rest of Apple’s platforms. Every app is used and tested by a person before it’s listed, against a standard we publish.
What the badge means
The Sterling Pick badge on an app’s website means we have reviewed the app by hand and it passed all nine of these criteria:
Works as described
It does what its website and store page say, without crashes or broken features.
Actively maintained
It gets updates and runs properly on current versions of the platforms it supports.
Honest pricing
Prices, trials and subscriptions are clear before you pay, and easy to cancel.
Respects your privacy
It collects only what it needs, says so plainly and has a real privacy policy.
Real support
There's a way to reach a person, and they answer.
Professional presence
A working website with clear information about who makes the app.
No dark patterns
No tricks that push you into paying, sharing data or staying subscribed.
Legitimate owner
It's published by the people or company who really own it.
Follows platform rules
It meets Apple's rules for the platforms and stores it's distributed through.
Every listing is re-checked each year. When a listing lapses, the badge says so. It never keeps vouching for a review that’s out of date. How we choose and order apps
Paid, but never for placement
App makers pay for Sterling Pick, and we say so on every listing.
- The review fee buys a careful, hands-on review, not a place. Apps that don’t meet the standard aren’t listed.
- Apps that pass pay an annual listing fee. Paying never moves an app up: lists are ordered by category, editorial choice or date.
- Every listing is labelled “Paid listing, reviewed by Sterling Pick”, and links to listed apps are marked as sponsored.
- Reviews are ours. Makers can correct facts, but they can’t edit what we write.
Founding apps
We’re opening with 20 founding apps. If yours passes the review, it gets:
- The review fee waived (normally $99).
- $149 for the first year of the listing (normally $249 a year).
- Renewals locked at $149 a year for as long as you stay listed.
How founding places work, and the refund promise
Hear when founding places open
Founding places open in November 2026 at the earliest. Leave your details and we’ll email you when they do. Registering doesn’t reserve a place.