About The Testing Desk
Honest, tested recommendations for people who need tools that solve real problems, not tools that just look good in a demo.
Why this site exists
The Testing Desk grew out of a practical need. Over the years I've had to find tools that solve everyday problems at work: cutting repetitive tasks, speeding up processes and getting more done in the same hours. More recently that has meant AI tools, across very different jobs and sectors.
Some of those tools were worth every penny. Others promised a lot and delivered little. This site is where I share what I learn, so you can choose with real experience behind you instead of a vendor's sales page.
Who's behind it
I'm Robert, and I'm based in London. I've worked in sales for more than 25 years, across a range of markets and business conditions. My background is in engineering and business administration.
I keep the rest private, so there's no photo and no employer names here. The point of this site is the testing, not me.
What my background brings to a review
- I know how products are sold. I've spent my career on the selling side of the table. I read pricing pages, "unlimited" claims and free-trial terms the way a seller does, and I point out the catches.
- I judge tools by return, not by feature lists. Business training taught me to ask one question: what does it cost, and what do you get back? I compare price in pounds, including VAT, against the time a tool actually saves.
- I test like an engineer. Same task, same conditions, measured results. I write down how I tested, so you can check it or repeat it yourself.
- I've seen different markets. A tool that suits a sole trader may be wrong for a team of twenty. Every review says who a tool is for, and who should skip it.
How I test
- I use each tool on a real task, not the vendor's demo.
- I start where you would: the free plan or trial, and I note exactly what it allows.
- I measure time taken, quality of the result and the real cost in pounds.
- I publish the drawbacks, including for tools that pay us a commission.
- I re-check prices whenever I update an article, and every article shows when it was last updated.
How the site is funded
Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That pays for the time and the subscriptions that testing takes.
Rankings are not for sale. I recommend tools that don't pay us when they're the right choice for the job. You'll find one in our AI tools comparison. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
How I use AI on this site
This is a site about AI tools, and I use them myself: for research, first drafts and editing. The tests, screenshots, results and final recommendations are my own.
Spotted a mistake?
Prices and features change fast. If something here is wrong or out of date, please tell me or email hello@thetestingdesk.co.uk. I'll check it, correct it and update the date on the article.