AI Tool Evaluation Scorecard
A practical evaluation template for AI tools. Copy into a spreadsheet or document. Use for scoring, comparison, and final verdict.
Tool Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Tool name | |
| Category | |
| Pricing | |
| URL | |
| Date evaluated |
Scoring Criteria (1–5)
Rate each criterion from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). Add notes.
| Criterion | Score (1–5) | Weight | Weighted | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability fit | 20% | Does it do what you need? | ||
| Ease of use | 15% | How fast to productive? | ||
| Integration quality | 15% | Connects to your stack? | ||
| Pricing value | 15% | Cost vs. value? | ||
| Data privacy | 15% | Data handling, compliance? | ||
| Support quality | 10% | Documentation, help? | ||
| Documentation quality | 10% | Clear, complete? |
Weighted total — Sum of (Score × Weight) for each row. Max 5.0.
Weighted Total Calculation
Weighted Total = (Capability × 0.20) + (Ease × 0.15) + (Integration × 0.15) + (Pricing × 0.15) + (Privacy × 0.15) + (Support × 0.10) + (Docs × 0.10)
Adjust weights for your context. Enterprise may weight privacy higher. Startup may weight ease higher.
Comparison Section
When comparing two or more tools:
| Criterion | Tool A | Tool B | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability fit | |||
| Ease of use | |||
| Integration | |||
| Pricing | |||
| Privacy | |||
| Support | |||
| Documentation | |||
| Weighted total |
Final Verdict
| Verdict | When to use |
|---|---|
| Keep | Add to stack. Meets requirements. |
| Trial | Run 14-day test. Needs validation. |
| Pass | Does not meet requirements. Look elsewhere. |
Notes Section
Use for:
- Pros and cons summary
- Deal breakers
- Follow-up questions for vendor
- Next steps
Template Usage
- Fill tool information.
- Score each criterion. Add notes.
- Calculate weighted total.
- If comparing, fill comparison section.
- Assign verdict. Document reasoning.
The Bottom Line
Use this scorecard for consistent evaluation. Adjust weights for your context. Combine with the 14-day test. Document decisions for future reference.