Home > Methodology

Methodology: how every tool here is scored

Five criteria, each scored 0 to 5 from public evidence only, weighted to 100 points:

• MLS disclosure and compliance handling: 30 points.
• Image integrity verification: 25 points.
• Price and what the entry tier actually includes: 20 points.
• Free offer: 15 points.
• Disclosure labeling on the image itself: 10 points.

Evidence rules

Disclosure built into the output (a label on the image, an original photo pairing or link, or a disclosure package shipped with the staged photo) scores highest on the compliance criterion. Published board level or state level rule guidance scores next. A stated compliance claim with a named law earns claim points only; a bare MLS compliant claim with no mechanism does not earn tooling points. Advice to disclose, with no tool, scores minimal points.

On verification, a published check that compares the staged output against the original photo scores highest. Human review of every image earns partial credit, and this page says so openly rather than pretending it is zero. Marketing language about preserving architecture, with no check, earns no verification points.

On the label criterion, a vendor watermark on unpaid output is not a disclosure label and scores zero. Conflating the two is the most common confusion in this niche.

Prices are converted to a comparable unit: cost per staged photo at the entry tier, plus what the entry tier excludes, such as listing use gated to a higher tier, expiring credits, or per generation charging. A vendor whose own pages disagree on price loses transparency points, with both figures shown.

Re-check cycle and hygiene

Every figure and claim carries its source link and the date it was read. Prices and claims are re-read on a monthly cycle and each page shows its last checked date. No star ratings, review counts, or user counts are published unless they come from a named public source we opened and dated. At launch, none are published.

Corrections route for vendors

Any vendor listed here can send a dated correction with a source link to corrections at the operator address on relto.app (chad@relto.app). Factual corrections with a checkable source are applied and the page's checked date is updated. Scores follow the published criteria for every vendor, including the operator.

Questions this page answers

Who publishes this ranking? RELTO, one of the tools ranked here. Can a vendor pay for position? No. Did you test these tools hands on? No; scoring is from published evidence, quoted and linked. How does a vendor correct a fact? Through the corrections route above.