How we review
Every review on CanadianReviews.ca follows the same four-step process and is scored against fixed criteria, so you can trust that a 4-star bank and a 4-star insurer were held to comparably high standards.
1. We scope the category
Before reviewing a single company, we research the category as a whole — typical pricing, standard features, and common complaints — so we know what a genuinely good offer looks like.
2. We use the product ourselves
We sign up, open accounts, or purchase plans using our own funds wherever possible. When that isn't feasible, we rely on verified documentation, publicly available terms, and structured interviews with current customers.
3. We score against fixed criteria
Every review is scored across the same weighted criteria for its category — cost, features, customer support, and reliability — so ratings are comparable across companies, not just vibes-based.
4. We keep reviews current
Pricing and terms change. We periodically revisit published reviews and update them when a company materially changes its offer, and we note the last verified date on every review.
What we score
Ratings are a weighted average of four criteria, tailored slightly by category — for example, reliability matters more for insurance claims, while cost carries more weight for wireless plans.
Cost & value
Pricing relative to comparable options in the same category.
Features
Depth and usefulness of what's actually included, not just advertised.
Customer support
Real response times and resolution quality, tested directly.
Reliability
Consistency of service based on our usage and verified customer reports.
Our rating scale
We use a 1–5 star scale, with half-star increments, across every review on the site.
Excellent
Best in its category, with no significant drawbacks.
Very good
Strong option with only minor caveats.
Average
Reasonable, but with meaningful trade-offs to weigh.
Below average
Noticeable shortcomings compared to alternatives.
Poor
Significant issues we'd steer most people away from.