How We Select Award Winners
Winners are selected using InvestingCube's published editorial methodology, which may include independent hands-on testing, product and infrastructure evaluation, market research, and comparison with relevant alternatives.
How We Judged
The same six steps apply to every InvestingCube Global Award, in this order.
- 01
Define Criteria
Category criteria are set before any candidate is considered.
- 02
Research
Documentation, market reputation and industry feedback reviewed.
- 03
Testing
Hands-on evaluation of platforms, infrastructure and support.
- 04
Comparison
Candidates scored against each other, never in isolation.
- 05
Editorial Review
Final assessment against the published methodology.
- 06
Publish & Disclose
Winner, criteria and any commercial relationship published together.
What Each Step Involves
Define the Category
We establish the specific criteria relevant to the award category before any candidate is considered — the category and its criteria exist before a specific winner is drafted, not the other way around.
Research the Market
Our editorial team reviews publicly available information, product documentation, market reputation, and relevant industry feedback.
Hands-On Evaluation
Where access is available, our team tests the provider's services, technology, infrastructure and user experience. Every award page states plainly whether hands-on testing was performed.
Compare Alternatives
Candidates are evaluated against other relevant providers rather than assessed in isolation. Each award page lists the finalists considered alongside the winner.
Editorial Assessment
Our team reviews the findings and determines the winner based on this published methodology — never on advertising spend or affiliate relationship alone.
Publish and Disclose
The award page identifies the winner, criteria, and any commercial relationship. A disclosure section appears on every award page — even when the relationship is "None".
Editorial Independence
Defined Criteria
Awards are based on transparent criteria defined before candidates are considered.
Hands-On Evaluation
Where access allows, we test platforms and infrastructure through real usage.
Market Research
Independent research and industry feedback inform every evaluation.
Commercial Disclosure
Winners may also be commercial partners — and that is disclosed on every award.
InvestingCube maintains full editorial control over the awards process and its outcomes. Awards are never sold, and an award placement cannot be purchased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who evaluates each award?
How are commercial relationships disclosed?
How often are awards reviewed?
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See the methodology in action
Every InvestingCube Global Award page shows its own evaluation record — criteria, finalists, and disclosure — built on this exact process.