Editorial Policy: How We Review Software

Last updated:

Fileion is a directory of software, games and apps. This page explains who writes our listings, how we test software, how we check downloads, how we make money, and what we do when something is wrong.

Where downloads come from

Most download buttons point to the publisher's official website or an official distribution channel (for example the Microsoft Store, Google Play, the App Store or the publisher's GitHub releases). For a small number of programs, such as older versions or software whose official download is no longer available, we keep a copy on our own file server (files.fileion.com). Every file stored there is scanned with ClamAV every 24 hours.

Who writes and checks our listings

Every software page names the person who reviewed it, with a link to their profile, and shows when the page was last updated. Reviewers are members of the Fileion content team. Before anything is published, our Content Team Lead checks it.

How we test software

  • We install it. Reviewers install and use every program they write about.
  • On real devices. We test mainly on Windows and macOS, and on Android when the software supports it. We use real computers whenever we can. If a reviewer can't use a real Windows PC or Mac for a test, they use a virtual machine instead.
  • We check the installer. We look for bundled offers, extra toolbars or other software the installer tries to add.
  • We spend time with it. Testing takes half a day to a full day, depending on how large and complex the software is.
  • We show our setup. Where possible, each review lists the device it was tested on.

How we check downloads for safety

  • For each download, we record the file's SHA-256 hash and its size.
  • We scan the file on VirusTotal, which checks it with 70+ antivirus engines, and link the full scan report on the download page so you can see the result yourself.
  • We scan each file on VirusTotal when we add that version. Every new version is a new file, so it gets its own scan.
  • Files stored on our own server are also scanned with ClamAV every 24 hours.

Ratings and reviews

Each listing has two separate ratings. The editor rating is our reviewer's score, based on their own testing. The user rating is the average of ratings from Fileion users. One does not change the other.

How we make money

Fileion is funded mainly by advertising. Ads are shown separately from our editorial content.

Most software we list is chosen by our team based on what people are searching for. Publishers can also pay us to add their software to the directory. That payment covers the listing and the editorial work, not the review. The review is written the same honest way as every other one. If a publisher does not accept this, we do not take their money and we do not publish the listing.

Some download links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you buy the software. We only use affiliate links for software whose publisher allows it or runs an affiliate program we have joined. Affiliate links never change what we write about the software.

Use of AI tools

We may use AI tools to help with grammar, research and polishing the writing. All testing, data and fact-checking is done by people on our team.

Corrections and reports

If you find an error, an outdated version, a broken link or a safety concern, use the "Report an Issue" button on the download page or contact us at [email protected]. We usually reply within 24 business hours (Sunday to Thursday). Security reports are different: we act on them within 24 hours, every day of the week, including weekends. If a download is confirmed unsafe, we remove it and update the listing.

Publishers

Software publishers can submit their software or ask for corrections to their listing. Submissions go through the same review and safety checks as every other listing.