A TechLila guide is only useful if it works on the computer or phone in front of you. This page explains what we test ourselves, what we check against the maker’s documentation instead, and how we decide which products make a list.
Guides and instructions
Every guide names the operating system or app version its steps were written for. Whenever we can, we run each step, menu path, keyboard shortcut and command on that version ourselves, on our own machines rather than in a screenshot from someone else’s. Every step is also checked against the maker’s official support, help and setup pages, whether or not we could run it. A step that neither check confirms is cut.
We test on our own Windows 11 PC, Mac and Android phone.
App comparisons and best-of lists
A list starts from what readers are trying to do, then collects the apps or services that do it. The TechLila team installs and tests the free apps and the free tiers of paid ones wherever we can. For the rest, we work from the maker’s own feature and pricing pages.
Each list states what it compared: price, platform support, features, how recently the app was updated, or the kind of user it suits. Each pick says why it made the list. It also says who should skip it. We do not invent star ratings, scores or benchmark numbers, and a ranking always gives its reason.
When a list ranks by public data, such as Play Store install counts or ratings, the article says which data and the date we read it.
Hardware
We do not run lab benchmarks on hardware. No TechLila article reports a speed test we did not run. Device specifications come from the maker’s own specification sheet. When we compare devices, we say which figure came from where.
Prices and plans
Prices, plans and limits come from the maker’s own pricing page. Each one carries the date we read it. They change often. We recheck them every time we update the article.
When software changes
Menus move. Features disappear. When a maker changes the steps a guide depends on, the guide goes back into our update queue and its steps are checked again on the new version. A guide that can no longer be made to work is retired, not left up with a new date.
What money does not change
Affiliate commissions never decide whether an app is tested, included or ranked. Our Ethics Policy and disclaimer page explain how we handle money and links.
Tell us when something fails
If a step does not work on your device, tell us through the contact page with your version and any error message. Our Reader Feedback Policy explains what happens next.