Our Methodology: How We Test AI Software Builders
Most software reviews online feel the same: long lists, copy-paste features, and tools ranked based on who pays the most.
We built Shipper.now because we wanted the opposite:
- A real way to go from idea → live product in minutes.
- Not just vibe-code something for fun.
- Something real. Something you can ship.
But to get there, we’ve had to test nearly every AI builder out there, from tiny indie tools to big-name platforms.
This page explains how we test each product, how we stay fair, and why you can trust our reviews, even if we’re building our own tool.
No sponsorships.
No affiliate bias.
Honest testing, the same way we’d use these tools for our own ideas.
Our Process, Summarized
No special access. No demos. Just the regular sign-up flow — same as you’d use.
We try to build working apps — CRMs, trackers, directories — not just test a landing page generator.
We time how long it takes to go from first prompt to working, public product — because speed matters.
We edit, extend, and stress test every tool. If something crashes or blocks you — we highlight it.
We don’t care how shiny a tool looks. If it doesn’t help you ship a usable product, it won’t rank high.
We follow the founders, track product updates, and go back to retest tools whenever pricing, features, or UX changes — so what you’re reading stays relevant.
What We Test AI Software Development Platforms
1. Speed to Live Product
The whole point of using an AI builder is to save time.
We measure how fast you can go from prompt to public.
Not just generating code, but actually launching something people can use.
Can you ship in minutes? Or are you stuck stitching pieces together?
2. Backend + Frontend Quality
Some tools only give you a UI. Others go deeper, generating a working backend, database, and real logic.
We test whether the output can handle real data, user accounts, and state, or if it’s just a static shell.
3. Flexibility After Launch
Shipping the first version is only step one.
We check how easy it is to edit your product, add new features, or change logic after that first build. Does the tool keep up with iteration, or does it fall apart once you go beyond the basics?
4. Pricing Transparency
What you see should be what you get.
We dig into billing, from what’s included in each plan to what gets paywalled. Many tools seem free or cheap… until you try to connect a backend or use custom domains.
We flag those limits clearly.
5. Real Integrations
A live app without real-world connections isn’t much use.
We test how easily you can hook into platforms like Stripe, Supabase, or Zapier. We look for tools that actually ship data workflows, not just promise them.
6. Use Case Fit
No single tool can do everything, and that’s okay.
We test each builder for what it’s best at.
Whether it’s shipping MVPs, directories, internal tools, or AI agents, we call out what it’s actually suited for, and what it’s not.
Scoring System: 1 – 5
Not every tool needs to be perfect.
But it should do what it promises, and actually help you ship.
Every tool we test gets a score from 1 to 5, based on how it performs across core features, ease of use, and actual outcomes.
We don’t score in isolation. If another tool ships faster, builds better logic, or is easier to launch with, that affects how we rate everything else.
The Ethics @ Our Editorial Team
We don’t run affiliate links.
We don’t accept paid placements.
No tool can pay to rank higher on Shipper.now, and we’ve turned down offers that tried.
We test software because we build products ourselves.
And when we recommend something, it’s because it actually helped us ship, not because someone paid us to say it’s good.
Our reviews aren’t written by random freelancers or AI prompts. Everything here is built, tested, and reviewed by people who’ve launched real tools, including Shipper.now itself.
We also follow the tools we review. When a founder ships a big update, new UI, or changes pricing — we go back, test again, and update what you’re reading.
We’re not here to create content.
We’re here to help people like us build faster.
Meet The Shipper Team 👋 👋
Shipper.now is built by two brothers, David and Daniel.
We’re not a big company. Just two honest builders who’ve spent the past few years building tools, testing ideas, and trying to ship faster (since 2019, precisely).
We started Shipper.now because we were tired of how long it takes to turn an idea into something real. Most tools still expect you to glue everything together (hosting, backend, frontend, SEO), and it gets messy fast.
So now we’re testing every AI builder we can get our hands on, trying to answer one question:
Which ones actually help you ship?
No waste of time…
No keyword stuffing for SEO purposes…
Just honest, real results from people building real things.
Fun Fact: David’s favourite article is this list of top Lovable alternatives. Check it out, it’s full of colorful graphs and images to help you find a new Lovable replacement!
A Note About Data & Freshness
We test every tool ourselves — no discussion otherwise. Every comparison, screenshot, and breakdown you see is based on real use, not just what’s on a landing page.
We do our best to stay up to date.
But tools change fast — pricing updates, UI shifts, new limits.
We retest often, but can’t guarantee every detail is 100% current at all times.
If something looks off or you want to double-check a detail, just reach out. We’re happy to help and even happier to update things when needed.
Contact us: [email protected] → our team will reply ASAP.
If you ever want to ask something directly, we’re just a message away.
— David & Daniel
