The EdTech Trust Index
Every product review includes a Trust Index score from 0 to 100. It is built from eight criteria, each scored from 0 to 10 by the reviewing editor, using public documentation, hands-on testing where possible, vendor responses and independent sources. The overall score is the average of the criterion scores, scaled to 100, unless an editor records a documented adjustment.
What we evaluate
- Privacy & data governance. Data collection scope, retention and deletion terms, student data agreements, sub-processor disclosure, and FERPA/COPPA posture.
- Accessibility & WCAG alignment. Published VPAT/ACR, WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA conformance claims, keyboard and screen-reader support, and remediation responsiveness.
- Evidence & research support. Independent studies, ESSA evidence tier where relevant, transparency about outcomes, and the quality of vendor-published research.
- Interoperability & integrations. LTI, SSO/SAML, SCIM, rostering, API access, and integrations with the major LMS and SIS platforms.
- AI transparency. Disclosure of models and providers, training-data use of customer content, human oversight, and documented limitations.
- Cost transparency. Public pricing, clarity of education and institutional plans, renewal terms, and hidden implementation costs.
- Support & implementation. Onboarding, training resources, support channels and SLAs, status reporting, and implementation burden on IT teams.
- Classroom or institutional fit. How well the product matches real teaching, learning, and administrative workflows for its stated audience.
Score bands
| Score | Band | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 80–100 | Strong | Clear documentation and strong practice across most criteria. |
| 65–79 | Solid | Generally sound, with specific gaps buyers should verify. |
| 50–64 | Mixed | Meaningful gaps in transparency, evidence or fit. |
| 0–49 | Limited | Significant concerns or insufficient public information. |
Independence and commercial relationships
Vendors cannot pay for a review, a score, or a change to a score. Sponsored content is labeled and never includes a Trust Index score. Affiliate commissions never influence scores or rankings; see our affiliate disclosure and editorial policy.
Updates and corrections
Scores are reviewed when a product, its terms, or its pricing changes materially. Vendors can request a correction through our contact page; every correction is noted with the update date.