How I review.
Real flows, not every button. Each review judges the same five things in writing, then makes one call. No numeric scores, because a number hides the reason.
The five dimensions
| Dimension | The question |
|---|---|
| Usability | Can an average person finish the core task without help or guessing? |
| Friction | How many taps, fields, forced steps and interruptions sit between intent and done? |
| Design | Is the hierarchy clear, and does the craft help the task? |
| Proactive | Does it prevent errors, protect the user's data, and anticipate what comes next? |
| Trust | How does it handle privacy prompts, permission asks, dark patterns and upsells? |
The verdict
Use it
Does the job well. I would put it on my phone and tell a friend.
Use it, with caveats
Works, but with specific problems you should know about before you commit.
Skip it
The problems outweigh the benefit. Use an alternative.