--- description: Learn how Capterra creates its Best Products Lists using accurate and objective insights from thousands of verified reviews and software buyer interactions. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress title: Capterra’s Best Product Lists Methodologies --- # Capterra’s Best Product Lists Methodologies Canonical: https://www.capterra.ca/blog/7628/best-product-lists-methodologies-canada Published on 2025-06-23 | Written by Capterra. ![Capterra’s Best Product Lists Methodologies](https://images.ctfassets.net/63bmaubptoky/7bfcad1GWXhHTlrLPllJF3/896f194e4663c638103ec7d5156663bc/12-CAP-US-Header-Capterra_s_Research_Methodology_US_1200x630_DLVR.png) > At Capterra, we rely on proprietary data to offer unique, independent, and objective insights to our audience. Our data sources and methodologies ensure the quality and accuracy of the information we provide. ----- ## Article Content At Capterra, we rely on proprietary data to offer unique, independent, and objective insights to our audience. Our data sources and methodologies ensure the quality and accuracy of the information we provide.Some of Capterra’s pages feature lists of top-performing products and areas in which they excel, such as Highly Rated for Functionality. We created these lists based on a proprietary analysis of market demand signals, verified user ratings on our site, and product research. How Capterra Rates and Distinguishes Top Software ProductsEach list features five to ten products. Each product is chosen for a specific distinction based on available data from the 24 months leading up to our research process for a given list. To be eligible for inclusion in alist, products must meet the following criteria:Products must score in a proprietary blend of local user reviews and popularity in Canada, based on local internet search dataDemonstrate local market presence through factors such as the availability of local reviews on our site, our research into publicly available information about a given product, or evidence that the local language and country are supportedOffer required functionality for a given software category as demonstrated by publicly available sources, such as the vendor’s websiteHave at least 10 reviews in the last year and 20 reviews overall as of the time the research was conductedIn certain cases, depending on the market, we may expand the product selection criteria based on our market insights to ensure we’re providing the best options for software buyers. For example, we may limit the number of products that cater exclusively to a single business sector to ensure our product list is suitable for a broad range of users regardless of industry, role, or function.From the broader list of qualifying products, only five to 10 products may receive a Highest Rated or Highly Rated for distinction. Products with the most reviews in the past two years are prioritized to receive a distinction. The final number of products on the list depends on how many met our inclusion criteria and the requirements for each distinction. Product distinctions are based on the following data and verified user ratings. We use two years' worth of reviews data for all ratings, with the cutoff being the month before we produce our research. Ratings are weighted by the number and recency of reviews within this time period. Overall Rating: Products that serve a broad range of users can earn the 'Highest Rated' distinction. Products headquartered in the local country are eligible for the 'Highest Rated and Based in \[country\]' distinction. Products that cater to a specific sub-sector of the market can receive the 'Highest Rated for \[sub-sector\]' distinction. Products that receive one of these Highest Rated distinctions are not eligible to get any of the other distinctions to avoid repetition.Pricing model and overall rating: These distinctions are informed by our team’s research into whether a product offers a free version or free trial, according to the vendor’s website. Products awarded the 'Highly Rated \& Free' or 'Highly Rated \& Free Trial' distinction must have a minimum overall rating of 4 out of 5. If multiple eligible products are free, the one with the highest overall rating receives the 'Highly Rated \& Free' distinction, making it ineligible for any other distinctions.Product feature or attribute-related ratings: These distinctions can be informed by product ratings for specific features within a given software category, such as 'Highly Rated for Financial Reporting.' The distinction assigned to each product is based on its highest-rated feature, provided that the feature-specific rating is supported by at least 10 reviews in the past two years, has a minimum rating of 4 out of 5, and has not already been assigned to a higher-scoring product on the list. If a product has insufficient category-specific feature ratings, its distinction is determined by its highest-rated general attribute, such as Value for Money, Ease of Use, Customer Support, or Functionality. Products assigned these distinctions must also have at least 10 reviews in the past two years for that feature and a minimum rating of 4 out of 5.This methodology is consistently applied across all products that qualify for inclusion. ## Related Categories - [Accounting Software](https://www.capterra.ca/directory/1/accounting/software) - [CRM Software](https://www.capterra.ca/directory/2/customer-relationship-management/software) - [Enterprise Resource Planning Software](https://www.capterra.ca/directory/9/enterprise-resource-planning/software) - [Human Resources Software](https://www.capterra.ca/directory/5/human-resource/software) - [Project Management Software](https://www.capterra.ca/directory/30002/project-management/software) ## Related Articles - [Best 4 salon booking software as reviewed by Canadians](https://www.capterra.ca/blog/3185/best-salon-booking-software) - [AI in customer service: Insights from a CX pro’s playbook](https://www.capterra.ca/blog/7188/ai-customer-service) - [How to use AR and VR technology in eCommerce](https://www.capterra.ca/blog/2581/how-to-use-ar-and-vr-technology-in-ecommerce) - [The top 5 online HR management tools in Canada](https://www.capterra.ca/blog/4259/online-hr-management-tools) - [Workplace surveillance: How do Canadians feel about employee monitoring?](https://www.capterra.ca/blog/2733/workplace-surveillance-employee-monitoring-software) ## Links - [View on Capterra](https://www.capterra.ca/blog/7628/best-product-lists-methodologies-canada) - [Blog](https://www.capterra.ca/blog) - [Home](https://www.capterra.ca/) ----- ## Structured Data