Review Methodology
How we research, evaluate, and compare email marketing software — and how each article tells you which method was used.
Last updated
Three research methods
| Method | What it means | How it's labeled |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-on testing | Harlixa actually used the product and documented what was tested | “Hands-on testing: Yes,” with a description of what was tested |
| Documentation-based research | Based on the vendor's official website, documentation, and pricing pages | “Hands-on testing: No — based on public documentation” |
| Editorial comparison | Two or more products compared using publicly available information | Stated in the comparison's research panel |
Evaluation criteria
| Criterion | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Features and functionality | Core campaign tools, templates, scheduling, testing |
| Ease of use | Documented onboarding, editor approach, learning resources |
| Pricing structure and limitations | How contacts are counted, send limits, plan tiers, billing terms |
| Integrations | Availability and documented depth for common tools |
| Automation capabilities | Triggers, workflows, and which plans include them |
| Reporting and analytics | Core metrics and ecommerce attribution |
| Support documentation | Help center quality and support channels by plan |
| Suitability | Which kinds of users the product may or may not suit |
| Disadvantages and alternatives | Meaningful limitations and when another option may fit better |
Our research process
- Identify the product's intended audience and main use cases.
- Review official documentation, help articles, and plan pages.
- Record the date pricing and plan details were checked.
- Assess the product against the criteria above.
- Write strengths, limitations, and alternatives, separating facts from analysis.
- List sources and known limitations of the review itself.
Verifying pricing and features
Pricing and features change frequently. We only publish prices with a verification date, and we label unverified details “needs verification.” Always confirm current pricing and features on the provider's official website before purchasing.
What we don't fabricate
- Numerical ratings or star scores
- Product testing results
- Customer surveys
- Expert interviews
- Testimonials
- Customer counts
- Industry awards
Ratings
Harlixa does not currently publish numerical scores. If we introduce them, we'll first publish a scoring rubric on this page and apply it consistently to every product scored.
Independence
Vendors can't pay for coverage or for a particular conclusion. If Harlixa joins an affiliate program, that relationship will be disclosed and will not change how we apply this methodology. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Related policies
Questions about privacy or these policies? Contact us.