WealthSort publishes product reviews and “best of” rankings in personal finance. This page explains how we research, evaluate, and score products.
Our Principles
- Consumer-first: We focus on what matters most to real users: total cost, clarity, reliability, and usability.
- Consistency: We use the same core framework across a category so products can be compared fairly.
- Independence: Partnerships do not influence scoring or ranking.
- Documentation: We keep internal notes and source records for key claims and figures.
How We Collect Data
Depending on category, we may use:
- official pricing and fee schedules
- product disclosures and terms
- regulator and government sources
- direct communications with providers (when needed)
- user-facing testing (sign-up flow, tools, UX) where applicable
How We Score
We use category-specific criteria with weighted sub-scores. Examples:
Banking (checking/savings)
- Monthly fees and fee waivers
- APY, minimums, and limitations
- ATM access, overdraft, customer support
- Digital experience and account tools
Credit Cards
- APR ranges, fees, rewards structure
- Redemption flexibility
- Consumer protections and transparency
Loans
- APR range, fees, repayment terms
- Approval criteria clarity
- Speed, customer support, complaint signals
Insurance
- Coverage options and exclusions transparency
- Claims process indicators
- Pricing factors clarity and support
Brokers/Investing Platforms
- Commissions, spreads, and hidden costs
- Asset coverage and account types
- Tools, education, and usability
- Regulatory disclosures and account protections
Expert Review & Fact Checking
For sensitive topics, expert reviewers validate assumptions and accuracy before publication.
Updates to Reviews
We refresh reviews when pricing, terms, or regulations change, and periodically on a fixed review cycle.