We do not skim the surface. We dive into the data.
Most review sites are built on affiliate commissions. Ours are built on stress tests. Here is exactly how we break down every bank, broker and casino before they earn a spot on our site.
The Anatomy of an Audit
We evaluate every service across five core ‘Usage Pillars’. A brand must excel in all five to receive a 5-star rating.
The Onboarding Friction (20%)
We measure the time from ‘download’ to ‘first transaction'. We flag invasive data requests and slow ID verification process.
The Real-World Cost (30%)
We ignore the ‘zero commission’ headlines. We look at the spreads, the FX markups and the ‘inactivity fees that quietly drain your balance.
App Utility & UX (20%)
Is the interface intuitive or cluttered with upsells? We count the clocks it takes to perform essentials tasks like ‘freeze cards’ or ‘place trade’.
Support Response Quality (15%)
We do not just email them. We trigger ‘lost card’ scenarios or ‘withdrawal queries’ at 2AM to see if their support is a human or a dead-end bot.
The Exit Velocity (15%)
How easy is it to get your money out? We track the exact number of hours it takes for funds to move from the platform to a third-party bank account.
Our Hands-On Process
We never accept ‘demo’ or ‘press’ accounts. Our researchers sign up as regular customers using their own details to ensure we see exactly what you see, no special treatment.
We deposit real money.
- In Banking: We set up Direct Debits and use the card for international spending.
- In Trading: We execute trades across different asset classes to check for ‘slippage’.
- In Casinos: We play though bonuses to see if the wagering requirements are mathematically fair.
Our ‘policy-sleuths’ read the full Terms & Conditions (the stuff that is usually in 8-point font). We look for ‘inactivity fees’, ‘minimum withdrawal limits’ and ‘data sharing’ clauses.
After 30 days of active use, we sit down and assign a score. If a platform changes its terms later, we go back and re-audit.
The Rating Scale
- 1. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (The Gold Standard): Flawless UX, transparent fees and instant liquidity. Highly recommended.
- 2. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Strong Contender): Great service, but perhaps one ‘friction point’ (e.g. slow support or slightly higher fees).
- 3. ⭐⭐⭐ (The Average): It works, but it does not innovate. You can find better value elsewhere.
- 4. ⭐⭐ (The Warning): High friction, hidden fees, or poor transparency. Use with caution.
- 5 ⭐ (The Avoid): Predatory terms, failed ‘Exit Audits’, or lack of proper licensing. Stay Away!
Why Choose How People Use
- Usage-First Analysis: We don’t just read the marketing brochures. We sign up, deposit and
test the friction points ourselves to see how these services perform under pressure. - Unbiased Audits: Our ranking aren’t for sale. If a platform has predatory terms or a clunky
interface, we say so, no matter how big their brand is. - Data Over Hype: We cut through the ‘welcome bonus’ noise to show you the numbers that
matter, payout seeds, real-world interest rates and hidden fee structures. - Built for Action: Our content is designed to save you time. We give you the ‘cheat sheet’ for every service so you can skip the trial and error and get straight to the value.
Want to see a specific audit?
Is there a platform you are about to join? Tell us and we will put it through the 4-layer audit before you deposit a single penny.
