How we choose and order apps
A person uses every app before it’s listed, and checks it against the same nine criteria. An app is listed only if it meets all nine. We don’t give scores or stars: it passes, or it isn’t listed.
The nine 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.
How a review works
- The maker applies and pays the review fee. Paying buys the review, not approval.
- We use the full app, paid features included, with access the maker gives us, such as a TestFlight link or a test account.
- We check it against each criterion and note why it passes or fails. If we need something, we ask the maker.
- If it passes, we write our own review of it. If it doesn’t, the maker gets our reasons in writing, and can apply again once they’ve fixed them.
- Every year we check the app again before its listing renews. A listing that lapses stops appearing on Sterling Pick, and its badge says it has expired.
How lists are ordered
By when apps were listed, by name, or by our own editorial choice. Never by payment: there are no featured or promoted places for sale, and founding makers get no better position.
How many apps we don’t approve
We’ll publish the share of apps we don’t approve once we’ve made 20 decisions, so a handful of early reviews can’t paint a misleading picture either way.