Core evaluation areas
Our methodology starts with practical access and then moves into provider quality. A platform that is excellent in one country may not be usable in another, so country availability, funding routes, account restrictions, and supported products matter before scoring.
- Shariah transparency: methodology, scholar oversight, screening rules, exclusions, and update notes.
- Fees and costs: subscriptions, spreads, trading fees, fund expenses, withdrawal costs, and minimums.
- Product fit: stocks, ETFs, funds, banking, sukuk, crypto, retirement, real estate, or tools.
- Account tools: onboarding, mobile experience, reporting, alerts, portfolio tracking, and support.
- Trust signals: regulation, custody model, security, company history, and complaint patterns.
How rankings differ from reviews
Ranking pages compare multiple providers for a country or product category. Review pages go deeper into one provider's tools, limitations, fees, compliance evidence, alternatives, and related comparisons.
Source hierarchy
When facts conflict, we give the most weight to primary sources: provider fee pages, terms, regulatory disclosures, fund documents, Shariah board materials, official help centers, and public announcements. Secondary commentary can help identify a question, but it does not replace source checks.
- Provider pages and official documents are checked before third-party summaries.
- Regulatory and fund documents take priority for custody, risk, fees, and product scope.
- Shariah claims need visible methodology, scholar oversight, certification, or a clear limitation note.
- Unverified claims are either removed, softened, or marked as needing direct confirmation.
Update cadence and triggers
Core ranking and review pages are reviewed on a quarterly cycle. We also update pages sooner when a provider changes pricing, market access, product scope, Shariah documentation, minimums, or availability in a covered country.
A material provider change can affect multiple pages at once, so we check related rankings, comparison pages, review pages, Academy links, and sitemap coverage when the change is significant.
Score changes
Scores can change when providers change pricing, market access, methodology disclosure, country availability, or product features. We also update pages when new competitors make an existing shortlist less useful.
What scores do not mean
A score is an editorial comparison signal, not a guarantee that an account, investment, fund, or security is suitable for every investor. Scores do not replace current provider terms, professional financial advice, legal guidance, tax review, or qualified Shariah guidance.