About CrateNorth

Choosing software, services and gear is harder than it should be. Every vendor page promises "the best," reviews contradict each other, and it's hard to know who to trust. CrateNorth exists to narrow the field to a few well-researched picks.

What we cover

We focus on the tools people rely on for work and everyday life: software and services such as VPNs, hosting and VPS, and work tools for individuals and teams. We add new categories slowly, so each one gets real depth.

Who's behind it

CrateNorth is edited by a small independent editorial team. Our job is to do the digging most buyers don't have time for: reading vendor documentation and published policies, comparing options side by side, and working through independent reviews and user feedback to find the patterns, including what holds up, what disappoints, and who each product is really for.

We don't claim to have used every product on the site, and our guides never pretend otherwise. When a recommendation is based on research rather than hands-on use, that's how we describe it.

How we work

Every guide starts with research: features, vendor claims, published policies, independent audits where they exist, and long-term user feedback. You can read the details on our How We Pick page.

How we make money

We're reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn a commission from the vendor or retailer, at no extra cost to you. Vendors can't pay to be included or to change our rankings. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

Get in touch

Questions, corrections or product suggestions? Email us at [email protected].