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Meta Quest 3 review: the best VR headset for most people

8:41 pm | September 27, 2023

I’ve not spent a lot of time with the Meta Quest 3, but my roughly 30-minute demo with the new headset has given me a taste of what it has in store for users when it launches on October 10 – and I’m already hungry for more.

The improved performance and graphics provided by the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, the slimmed-down design, and the superior mixed reality experience it offers combine to create a VR gadget that feels like an excellent successor to the Oculus Quest 2.

Yes, the Quest 3 is pricier than the Quest 2 was at launch (coming in at $499.99 / £479.99, Australian pricing to be confirmed by Meta) for its cheapest model instead of $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$509.99) but its improvements certainly seem to justify the higher cost.

I’ll need to spend more time with the headset to get a proper feel for how it stacks up against the competition, but I already feel this may be the best VR headset out there; maybe finally replacing the ol’ reliable Oculus Quest 2, which has been my go-to headset recommendation for people looking to try what VR has to offer.

Meta Quest 3: Price and availability

Meta Quest 3 preorders went live on September 27 – the same day as Meta Connect 2023 – ahead of the official release date on October 10. You can choose between two models: a 128GB model at $499.99 / £479.99 (Australian pricing to be confirmed by Meta) and a 512GB option for $649.99 / £619.99 (Australian pricing to be confirmed by Meta). The only difference between the two is the on-board storage, so which one is best for you will depend on how many VR games and apps you want to have installed at any one time.

The Meta Quest 3 and controllers on their charging station which is itself on a wooden desk next to a lamp — (Image credit: Meta)

Based on my experience with VR the 128GB model should be sufficient for most users. VR apps are generally fairly small in terms of file size, which means you should be able to download a lot before you fill up the headset. If you somehow do fill up the storage it’s also fairly easy to delete and redownload software quickly, as long as you have a decent internet connection.

That said, VR games are going up in scale, so 128GB might not go as far in the Quest 3 era. If you don’t like swapping out digital games, and you plan to use the Quest 3 a lot, you might need to invest in the larger model.

It’s also worth noting that the Quest 3 is pricier than the Oculus Quest 2 – which currently starts at $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$509.99 for the 128GB model – although as you’d hope for from a newer gadget the Quest 3 does offer some solid improvements that seem to justify the price.

Meta Quest 3: Performance

The Meta Quest 3 owes most of its performance improvements to the new Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset that powers it – which Qualcomm describes as a literal “game changer” for XR. Other upgrades are the new 2064 x 2208 pixel displays (one per eye) and the bump to 8GB of RAM, from 6GB on the Quest 2.

According to Qualcomm and Meta, the new XR2 is able to deliver two-and-a-half times better graphical performance compared to the Gen 1 chip found in the Oculus Quest 2, while simultaneously delivering 50% better GPU efficiency – which should help to keep the headset from overheating, and the battery from draining too quickly.

Speaking of which, Meta says the Quest 3’s battery can last for two hours and 12 minutes on average – that sounds about right for a VR headset, but I haven’t yet been able to test the Quest 3’s battery for myself to see how long it lasts. With the included 18W charger the headset can reportedly be charged from 0% to 100% in roughly two hours.

Hamish wearing the Meta Quest 3 as he stands in front of a plant. He's looking at something in VR with wonder. — Mixed reality is very impressive on the Quest 3 (Image credit: Meta)

Numbers are one thing, but seeing the Quest 3 headset in action has sold me on the improvements Meta and Qualcomm claim the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip brings.

Text is notoriously difficult to read in VR, but the usually blurry letters had crisp defined edges that were clearly legible in the experiences I tried, such as Red Matter 2. As a matter of fact, all objects looked sharper, and free from the slight haze that outlines VR objects, causing them to blend together. Shadows and reflections look much more realistic too, which helps to bring VR and MR worlds to life.

In one demo for Red Matter 2, I was able to swap back and forth between the Quest 3 graphics and a Quest 2 emulation, and the difference in the visuals was striking. It was like going back to play one of my favorite PlayStation 1 games and realizing that the graphics are significantly worse than my nostalgia will let me remember. And in Assassin’s Creed Nexus, while the graphics weren’t on par with Red Matter 2, I was impressed by how busy the world felt, with large numbers of responsive NPCs and interactable items filling the space.

I’ll need to spend more time with the Meta Quest 3 to fully test how well it performs, but it does indeed appear to live up to Meta’s promise that this is its most powerful headset yet.

Meta Quest 3: Design

The Meta Quest 3 takes many of its design cues from the Quest 2, albeit with some enhancements that will be greatly appreciated by users.

The headset is a little heavier than its predecessor at 1.14lbs / 515g (the Quest 2 was 1.10lbs / 503g), but it’s a fair bit lighter than the 1.59lb / 722g Meta Quest Pro. It’s 40% slimmer than the Quest 2 though, and with the weight sitting closer to your face it does feel a little easier to wear (this is something I’ll only know for sure after using it for a few sessions that are longer than my 30-minute demo).

A more minor improvement (but one I love) is that IPD adjustments (how far the lenses are apart) are now managed by a little scroll wheel found underneath the headset’s visor. Unlike with the Quest 2, you don’t need to remove your headset to change how far the lenses are apart with the Quest 3, plus you’re not limited to three predetermined presets – you can scroll between a much wider range of options, so you can set the Quest 3’s lenses to suit you perfectly.

You’ll also see from the images that the Meta Quest 3 doesn’t just come in white; you can swap the strap, and some of the plastic casing, for orange and blue options. Unfortunately, these color options cost extra, but if you fall in love with your Quest 3 and want to personalize it they could be fun add-ons to pick up in the future.

A blue Meta Quest 3 and its controllers sit on a blue pedestal in a fancy looking building — The Meta Quest 3's left controller (Image credit: Meta)

Before trying out the Meta Quest 3 I was concerned that the controllers would be an issue. They don’t use a tracking ring, but unlike the Quest Pro’s controllers, which also lack tracking rings, they don’t have internal cameras to replace it.

Instead, the Quest 3’s handsets rely entirely on the headset’s cameras, IR LEDs in the controllers, and AI for tracking. I wasn’t convinced that this would be a suitable alternative, but having used the Quest 3 controllers I can report that they work just fine; in my demo I noticed no differences between using them and using the Quest 2’s controllers, save for the fact I no longer had to worry about a tracking ring bumping into something.

Meta Quest 3: Initial verdict

Like Meta’s previous Quest headsets, the Meta Quest 3 will support every single game and app currently on the Quest store. So if you own an Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, or a Meta Quest Pro you’ll be able to bring your entire software library to the new headset.

You won’t just be enjoying old VR experiences, however – there are new and exciting mixed reality apps to explore with this headset. The Meta Quest 3’s standout feature is mixed reality with full-color passthrough. This isn’t new to Meta headsets – it first launched with the Meta Quest Pro – but the Quest 3 is the first headset in the affordable Quest line to get the feature. Plus, the Quest 3 does it better than the Pro.

The picture quality is significantly less grainy, and the colors look more vivid than what the Quest Pro’s passthrough produced. While the real world still doesn't look exactly true to life, the Quest 3’s video feed does make it look a lot more so, which I found helped to sell the mixed-reality experiences.

A recreation of what mixed reality looks, A Meta Quest 3 user is rolling a large virtual die for a medieval tabletop game that looks like its real but isn't. — A recreation of what mixed reality looks (Image credit: Meta)

Another boost to MR is the improved AI provided by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, which in collaboration with the headset’s depth sensor and other external cameras can not only automatically map out your floor, but walls and other objects in the room as well. This allows mixed-reality experiences to interact more realistically with the space around you, and I found this made the feature feel a lot less gimmicky than on other headsets I’ve tried. Usually I ignore MR, but on the Quest 3 I can see myself turning it on as often as games and apps allow – I can’t wait to return to the mixed-reality Stranger Things and Samba de Amigo experiences I played in my demo.

I haven’t yet had the chance to use them, but the Quest 3’s new Augments sound like they’ll be great uses of mixed reality too. These mixed-reality widgets can be used to decorate your real-world space, and offer a range of different features. You can set up portals to your favorite games, get live weather updates for your local area, or just place a pretty-looking sculpture in the space. Best of all, Meta says these Augments will stay where you put them; so if you decorate your space with Augments during one session and then enter mixed reality in the same space on another day, everything will be just how you set it up before.

It’s also now a lot easier to swap between virtual reality and mixed reality – you just double-tap the right side of the headset to change your view.

Meta Quest 3: Initial verdict

The Meta Quest 3 is an impressive VR headset that takes mixed reality very seriously too. While it’s not as affordable as Meta’s Quest 2, it offers enough improvements that I feel it’s higher launch price is justified.

There are a few features I want to spend more time with before passing a final verdict on this new headset, but based on my early impressions this could be not just one of the best standalone VR headsets Meta has made, for most people, it might just be the best VR headset that money can buy.

Rokid Max AR glasses review: another passable pair of smart specs

6:06 pm | September 21, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Software Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality | Comments: Off

Rokid Max AR glasses: One minute review

The Rokid Max AR glasses are par for the course when it comes to AR glasses. They offer a lightweight wearable second screen for compatible devices, effectively providing you with a private, portable home theater. They’re not perfect, though.

I'm not a fan of the glasses' design overall, but one major negative aspect of the design isn’t just down to my personal tastes. The bridge of the glasses – the part pressed up against your face – gets hot. It never burns, but it is unpleasant, and the glasses heat up fairly quickly.

Picture-wise, the Rokid glasses are fine – roughly on par with a decent budget projector. This means you’ll get fairly vibrant colors when the brightness is turned up to max, but you’ll need to use the optional lens cover or use them in a dark environment for the best visuals. No matter your setup, contrast in dark scenes is weak, with onscreen details of scenes in shadow or set at night losing any intricacy.

Similarly, audio is passable, but the Rokid Max’s inbuilt speakers lack any kind of force in the bass department, so expect your favorite film score to sound less impactful than you’re used to. There’s also a fair amount of audio leakage, so unless you want everyone around you to hear what you’re watching, we’d recommend using headphones – though headphones aren’t usable with the Rokid Station.

Speaking of the Rokid Station, this add-on may be officially optional, but I’d recommend picking it up if you can. It turns the glasses into a portable Android TV (with a roughly five-hour battery life), giving you access to a host of streaming services. You can also cast videos from your phone to it just like you would with a Chromecast.

Lastly, the Rokid Max AR glasses are slightly more pricey than some of their rivals – such as the Xreal Air glasses – and I don’t feel they offer a better experience for the money. During sales, you've previously been able to pick up a bundle of the glasses and Rokid Station at a reasonable price, so I’d recommend waiting for a deal before buying a pair.

Hamish hector Wearing the Rokid Max AR glasses — Look, I'm wearing the Rokid Max glasses (Image credit: Future / Hamish Hector)

Rokid Max AR glasses: Price and availability

The Rokid Max AR glasses usually cost $439 – they’re currently only available in the US unless you ship them internationally – though at the time of writing, they’re on sale for $399 at Amazon.com and the official Rokid store. Both prices are in the same ballpark as similar AR glasses, however, they’re at the higher end of the scale. The Rokid Max glasses cost more than rivals like the Xreal Air AR glasses (at $379) and don’t offer a compelling enough reason to consider them over the competition.

The Rokid Station is an optional add-on (which we’d recommend you pick up with the glasses as they turn it into a standalone Android TV) for $129. Though at the time of writing, the Max and Station can be bought in a bundle for $489, saving you $89. This deal won’t be around forever, but always look out for similar sales, as it’s hard for us to recommend these smart specs at full price. As a pair – at the discounted price – the Rokid Max and Station are a formidable duo compared to the competition, offering simplicity and good performance at a relatively decent price.

In general, we’ve found AR glasses feel a little too much like an early adopter’s gadget. By that, we mean that the price you pay is high for what you get. While they do serve slightly different purposes, it’s hard not to compare AR glasses to a VR headset like the Oculus Quest 2 – which costs as little as $299 and offers considerably more bang for your buck.

Value score: 3/5

Rokid Max AR glasses: Performance

Colors look vibrant with max brightness
Struggles with shadowy scenes
Sound lacks fullness and oomph

The image quality from the Rokid glasses is comparable to a decent budget projector – fine but not faultless.

With the Rokid Max AR, I could enjoy full-HD (1080p) video on a virtual 210-inch screen, which is pretty awesome when just lying back in my bed. In a dark environment, the picture looks solid with decently vivid colors – though I’d recommend setting the brightness to max for the best image. If you’re in a brighter environment, the black cover is a must, as you'll struggle to see what’s happening without it.

Unfortunately, as is the case with other AR glasses, these specs struggle to reproduce dark scenes with clarity. Watching the finale of a film like Spider-Man: Homecoming – where our protagonist faces off against a villain with a dark costume in a dingy warehouse at night – making out details is a challenge. Characters’ facial expressions were sometimes impossible to see when they were in shadow, and the villain’s costume and glider just looked like dark blobs rather than intricate designs.

A person watching a show with someone in a space suit exploring a red planet, the screen is floating virtually in front of the person thanks to the Rokid AR glasses — A mock up of what using the Rokid Max glasses is like (Image credit: Rokid)

A minor annoyance is that the screen can become somewhat blurry at the edges. Generally, this isn’t a problem as the action is in the middle of the screen, but details on the fringes won’t be in focus, which can be an immersion-breaking distraction when you’re trying to enjoy a show.

Audio-wise, the Rokid glasses are passable in terms of mid and higher-range tones, but the bass lacks any kind of oomph to it. That said, if you’re planning to use them for film and TV rather than music videos you should be fine, just expect your favorite scores to sound a little more flat and emotionless than you're used to.

Additionally, audio does leak a considerable amount at moderate to loud volumes, so if you're using the Rokid Max AR glasses in a public space (like on a train during your commute to work), then you need headphones – though headphones will only work if you connect the glasses to your phone, using the glasses and station means you’re forced to use the in-built speakers.

Performance score: 3.5/5

Rokid Max AR glasses: Design

Fit really well
Not my favorite design aesthetically
Get uncomfortably hot

Design-wise, the Rokid Max AR is a mixed bag, with some factors I love and others that are disappointing.

On the positive end, I love the fit of the glasses. They’re comfy to wear at just 75g and come with two interchangeable nose clips. What’s more, they offer 0.00D to -6.00D myopia adjustment wheels for each eye, and you can buy an optional lens attachment at a fairly decent price (the site says they’re usually $30, though I’ve seen them on sale for $15) if you need a bigger adjustment. Ideally, this lens clip would be free, as you also need to provide your own prescription lenses, but at least it’s there if you need it. Not every pair of AR smart glasses is as accessible for prescription glasses wearers.

On the negative end, they suffer the same major design issue I found with the TCL Nxtwear S glasses; the bridge (which is pressed up against your face) gets hot when the device is in use, rather than an outer edge that's not against your skin as with the Xreal AIr glasses. The heat was never painful, but it did get uncomfortable, especially during the hot weather we were experiencing in the UK while I was testing these out.

I also think the glasses are pretty ugly with their bug-eyed look and choice of blue plastic covering. This just gives me an excuse to never remove the optional cover, as it gives the glasses a nicer shape (at least to me).

The Rokid Max AR glasses with a cover and the Rokid Station sat on a polka dot covered table — The Rokid Max AR glasses, station and optional cover (Image credit: Future / Hamish Hector)

Lastly, while the case is annoyingly close to being perfect, it falls short and is still kind of a failure. Yes, it’s great storage for the glasses and its cables but, ideally, it would also store the Rokid Station. There’s a perfect slot in the base of the case for the station – it fits so precisely that this must be intentional – but then there’s only space to fit the glasses too, and no room for the necessary connector cable that attaches the two pieces together.

I tried shoving everything in to see if it could work but ended up breaking the zip – it’s fixed now, thankfully. No other AR case included with the glasses I’ve tested offers the ability to carry the glasses and adapter in a single pouch; I was hoping Rokid would be different, but I’ve been disappointed again. Maybe a future iteration will finally fix this frustrating problem.

Design score: 2/5

Rokid Max AR glasses: Compatibility

Compatible with devices that support Display Port over USB-C
Rokid Station is easy to use

The Rokid Max glasses are par for the course in terms of compatibility. If your gadget supports Display Port over USB-C, then you can plug these specs in and use them as a second screen. This includes many laptops, smartphones (such as the Samsung Galaxy S23), and even the Steam Deck. To be able to hook up other devices like a Nintendo Switch, PS5, iPhone 14, or PC with only HDMI-out you’ll need to buy additional adapters, which Rokid sells for around $40 each.

You could also pick up the Rokid Station to turn your smart glasses into a smart TV powered by the Android TV OS. This little AR smart glasses hub is really neat and one of the easiest to use that I’ve tested. Once you’ve logged in with your Google account, you can download a range of apps for the best streaming services – including Netflix and Disney Plus. Alternatively, using the in-built Chromecast, you can cast videos from your phone to the Station.

The advantage of this is that your glasses will use the Station’s five-hour battery rather than your smartphone’s. You can even charge the Station while using it, so you can endlessly enjoy your favorite streamed content.

The Rokid Max AR glasses arm seen from the side. You can see the speakers on top, the nose clips and inner screens — The Rokid Glasses from the side (Image credit: Future / Hamish Hector)

Should you buy the Rokid Max AR glasses?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if...

Also Consider

How I Tested The Rokid Max AR glasses

Used for a couple of weeks
Tested with a range of devices

To test out these AR smart glasses, I used them for a couple of weeks in my home – using them as a second screen for a laptop, smartphone, and the Rokid Station. This was to get a feel for how easy they are to use with a selection of compatible gadgets.

I also made sure to watch a range of content types through the glasses, including music videos, movies, and YouTube videos, to understand the audio and visual capabilities of the Rokid Max glasses. In particular, I made sure to listen to bass-heavy music and very visually dark content, as these can be challenging for AR glasses. During my tests, I also made sure to watch the same content multiple times to get a sense of the glasses' performance with and without the cover in rooms of varying brightness.

Friday Website Builder: 2-minute review

Friday Website Builder positions itself as an all-in-one solution for users who want professional websites without the brainwork. It offers a rich user experience with its drag-and-drop editor, template library, and developer mode for advanced customization. Other standout features include ecommerce capabilities, AI content assistance, and SEO tools that help websites rank better in search results.

However, Friday's single $50/month pricing plan creates a significant barrier for users, especially when competitors like Wix offer plans starting at $17/month. While this pricing includes all features without restrictions, it may offer poor value to users who only need basic functionality. Also, limited scalability options and a restricted plugin ecosystem pose challenges for rapidly growing businesses.

What is Friday?

Friday Website Builder is a user-friendly platform that allows individuals and businesses to create professional websites without the need for coding knowledge or technical skill.

It provides a range of intuitive tools and templates to streamline the website creation process, enabling you to design and customize your sites according to your unique preferences and requirements.

With Friday, you can add and edit content, incorporate multimedia elements, optimize for mobile devices, and publish your websites with just a few clicks.

Features

Friday comes with all the features you would expect from one of the best website builders on the market. This ranges from a full website builder to help you get your site from idea to live, along with dedicated features to help you grow your business including an AI content assistant, photo editor, easy pop ups, the ability to create coupons, and multi-language websites.

During my testing of Friday's website builder, I discovered a wide range of powerful features that enhanced my website building journey. Firstly, the platform provided robust ecommerce capabilities, allowing me to effortlessly set up an online store, manage products, and inventory.

The developer mode feature allows the flexibility to edit and add code and make customizations according to my specific requirements. The built-in blog builder offered a seamless way to create engaging blog posts and share my thoughts and ideas with my audience.

I was also impressed with the comprehensive web analytics feature that provided valuable insights into visitor behavior and helped me optimize my website for better performance.

With the option to use a custom domain, you can choose any name for your website to add a professional and personalized touch. Friday's SEO tools proved to be invaluable in optimizing a website for search engines and increasing its visibility online.

The inclusion of SSL security feature helps to keep visitors' data protected. Friday uses AWS hosting which ensures reliable performance and scalability for your websites.

Moreover, the platform's mobile optimization feature automatically adapted my test website to different devices, ensuring a seamless user experience for mobile users. The unlimited bandwidth feature allows the handling of high traffic volumes without any concerns.

Tools

Friday analytics page — (Image credit: Friday)

Friday Website Builder provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline the website creation process. These tools range from basic design elements to advanced ecommerce and marketing features, all integrated into a single platform.

Drag-and-drop editor

The core of Friday's offering is its intuitive drag-and-drop editor that requires no coding knowledge. You can easily add, move, and customize elements by simply dragging them into position. The editor provides real-time visual feedback, allowing you to see changes instantly as you build your site.

Developer mode

For users with coding experience, Friday offers a developer mode that provides access to HTML and CSS editing. This feature bridges the gap between simplicity and advanced customization, letting you fine-tune your website's appearance and functionality beyond the standard editor limitations.

Template library

Friday provides an extensive collection of professionally designed templates covering various industries and website types. Each template is fully customizable and mobile-responsive, giving you a solid foundation to build upon while maintaining design consistency.

Ecommerce tools

The platform includes solid ecommerce functionality with inventory management, automated shipping calculations, and secure payment processing. You can set up product catalogs, manage orders, and create discount codes without needing additional plugins or integrations.

SEO suite

Friday's SEO tools include meta tag management, Google PageSpeed optimization, schema markup support, and AI-generated alt text for images. The platform also features IndexNow integration and automatic sitemap generation to help improve search engine visibility.

AI content assistant

The built-in AI assistant helps generate content suggestions and provides recommendations for website improvements. This tool can assist with writing copy, optimizing content for SEO, and suggesting design enhancements based on best practices.

Ease of use

Friday website builder dashboard — (Image credit: Friday)

Friday is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, even for individuals with limited technical expertise. The platform prioritizes simplicity and intuitive navigation, making it accessible to beginners and experienced users alike.

One key aspect contributing to Friday's ease of use is its drag-and-drop functionality. You can effortlessly add and rearrange elements on your websites by simply dragging and dropping widgets, images, text, and other components onto the desired location. This eliminates the need for complex coding or technical knowledge, streamlining the website creation process.

Additionally, Friday offers a visually-oriented interface that allows you to see real-time changes as you make adjustments to your websites. This instant visual feedback provides a clear understanding of how the site will look and function, empowering you to make informed design decisions.

The platform also provides a user-friendly dashboard that serves as a central hub for managing various aspects of the website. From this dashboard, you can access different tools and features, navigate through pages, customize themes, and track website analytics. The organized layout and intuitive controls contribute to a seamless user experience.

Pricing

There is a lot to love about Friday's pricing structure. Unlike the majority of website builders that offer host different plans and packages, which often confuse you more than they help you - Friday offers one plan for everything. Plus, you can cancel at any time, so you aren't tied into any expensive contracts.

When you sign up for Friday you get a 7-day free trial. This offers you an opportunity to make sure the website builder does everything you want. Once your free trial is over, you will then be charged $50 a month.

This may seem a little steep, especially when you look at competitors such as Wix offering plans for as little as $17/mo and Squarespace offering plans from $16/mo. Needless to say, if you are looking for a very basic website builder to build a basic website, Friday won't offer you doo value for money.

However, when you consider the fact that Friday offers you an all-in package for $50/mo, whereas Wix's all-in package is $159/mo and Squarespace's is a similar $49/mo, suddenly Friday seems like a fair to good deal.

Ultimately, it will come down to which tools and features you need. If you just want a simple package, Wix or Squarespace is probably better. But if you want an advanced website builder with plenty of powerful features, Friday is certainly worth considering.

Security

Friday SSL certificate — (Image credit: Friday)

Friday prioritizes the security of its users' websites by offering two essential security features: SSL certificates and backups.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are crucial for establishing a secure connection between a website and its visitors. SSL certificates ensure that sensitive information remains confidential and protected from potential hackers or malicious actors by encrypting the data transmitted between the user's browser and the website's server. Friday allows you to install SSL certificates, thus enabling secure communication and instilling trust in visitors who access your websites.

In addition to SSL certificates, Friday provides a backup feature to safeguard your website data. Regular backups are vital in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as data loss, server issues, or accidental changes that may compromise the website's functionality or content. By enabling backups, you can restore your websites to a previous state and recover lost data, minimizing potential disruptions and preserving the integrity of your online presence.

By offering SSL certificates and backup functionality, Friday aims to provide a secure environment for your websites. This contributes to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data and helps protect against potential security vulnerabilities or data loss incidents.

Support

Friday offers customer support through various channels, including a comprehensive knowledge base and email support. These options ensure that you have access to the assistance you need when encountering any issues or requiring guidance while using the platform.

The knowledge base serves as a valuable resource, providing you with a collection of articles, tutorials, and frequently asked questions that cover a wide range of topics. It offers step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting guides, and detailed explanations of features, empowering you to find solutions to your queries independently. The knowledge base serves as a self-help tool, allowing you to access information and guidance at your convenience.

For more personalized support, Friday provides email support through two dedicated email addresses: support@findfriday.com and hello@findfriday.com. You can reach out to the support team with your inquiries, concerns, or technical issues. The support team is committed to providing prompt and helpful responses, addressing your queries, and providing guidance to ensure a smooth experience while using the platform.

By offering both a comprehensive knowledge base and email support, Friday ensures that you have access to the resources you need to overcome challenges and make the most of the platform's features.

Alternatives

With just one (fairly expensive) plan, Friday website builder certainly isn’t for everyone.

As our top rated website builder, Wix is a worthy alternative. With plans starting at just $16/mo, Wix is almost certainly better for those who don’t need the full power of Friday. However, even on the entry level plan, with Wix you get access to a whole host of powerful website building tools, many with AI integration.

Read our full Wix review to find out more.

Squarespace is another good option to consider. Similar to Wix, plans start much cheaper at $17/mo and come with a huge range of website building tools. Squarespace is also known for its stunning website designs, making it ideal for those who want to make a big visual impact with their website.

Our Squarespace review goes into more detail on what the platform has to offer.

Friday Website Builder: Summary

Determining whether Friday website builder is the right choice for you depends on various factors such as your website creation needs, technical expertise, budget, and desired level of customization.

However, if you are looking for a user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop functionality, a range of customizable themes, and tools for adding pages, widgets, and blog posts, along with ecommerce capabilities, then Friday website builder could be a suitable choice that caters to your requirements and empowers you to create and manage a professional-looking website with relative ease.

Friday's comprehensive SEO and settings options and 24/7 customer support through a knowledge base and email assistance could also be the deciding qualities for your choice of website builder.

FAQs

What makes Friday different from other website builders?

Friday distinguishes itself through its single, all-inclusive pricing model and focus on providing enterprise-level features in a user-friendly package. Unlike competitors that offer multiple tiers, Friday includes all features — from basic website building to advanced ecommerce and SEO tools, in one plan. The platform also provides both drag-and-drop simplicity and developer mode for code editing, making it suitable for users across different skill levels.

Is Friday suitable for ecommerce websites?

Yes, Friday includes robust ecommerce capabilities with features like inventory management, automated shipping and tax calculations, and secure payment processing. However, the platform may not be ideal for large-scale or rapidly growing online stores due to its single pricing tier and limited scalability options. Small to medium-sized businesses will find Friday's ecommerce tools comprehensive and easy to implement.

How does Friday's pricing compare to competitors?

Friday's $50/month pricing appears expensive compared to entry-level plans from competitors like Wix ($17/month) or Squarespace ($16/month). However, when compared to premium plans that include similar features, Friday becomes more competitive - Wix's comprehensive plan costs $159/month while Squarespace's comparable offering is $49/month. The value depends on whether you need all the included features or would prefer a more basic, affordable option.

Keap review 2025

2:02 pm | November 23, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Software | Tags: Key Features | Comments: Off

Keap, formerly known as Infusionsoft, positions itself amongst the best CRM platforms on the market. The platform offers sales enablement and marketing automation for small businesses. With a focus on simplifying the growth process, Keap aims to provide entrepreneurs with the tools they need to capture more leads, manage customer relationships, automate follow-ups, and get paid faster.

What sets Keap apart is its commitment to combining essential business functions into one user-friendly interface. From contact management and appointment scheduling to email marketing campaigns and invoicing, Keap strives to eliminate the need for multiple software solutions by offering a comprehensive suite of features tailored to the needs of small business owners.

In this in-depth review, I'll dive into the core features, ease of use, pricing, and overall effectiveness of Keap CRM. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of whether it’s the right fit for your small business needs.

Keap core capabilities

screenshot of Keap CRM — (Image credit: Keap)

Keap offers everything you’d expect from one of the best small business CRM platforms. It allows users to easily store, organize, and manage customer information in a centralized database. I was impressed by the level of detail that can be captured for each contact, including personal details, communication history, and purchase records.

For managing your contacts, Keap provides tools to efficiently track and nurture leads throughout the sales process. I particularly appreciated the ability to assign lead scores based on predefined criteria, helping sales teams prioritize their efforts on the most promising prospects. Keap's visual sales pipeline management feature offers a clear overview of the sales funnel, allowing users to drag and drop deals between stages and monitor progress towards closing.

The software provides insights into expected revenue based on the current pipeline and historical data. I found the forecasting reports to be intuitive and customizable, enabling sales managers to make data-driven decisions and adjust strategies as needed. The ability to set quotas and track individual and team performance adds an extra layer of accountability and motivation.

Keap's reporting capabilities enable businesses to gain valuable insights into their customer base and make informed decisions to drive growth. I was able to generate detailed reports on various metrics, such as lead conversion rates, sales performance, and customer engagement. The software's dashboard provides a real-time overview of key performance indicators, allowing users to quickly identify trends and take action.

For sales reps in the field, Keap offers a user-friendly and feature-rich mobile app for iOS and Android. It allows sales reps to access customer information, update deals, and log activities on the go. The ability to work offline and sync data when a connection is available ensures that no important information is lost, even in areas with limited connectivity.

Something that really sets Keap apart, however, is its focus on automation. The software offers a wide range of automation features that streamline repetitive tasks and improve efficiency. From lead nurturing campaigns to follow-up reminders and task assignments, Keap's automation capabilities help businesses save time and ensure consistent communication with customers. I was impressed by the ease with which I could set up complex automation sequences using the drag-and-drop workflow builder.

Overall, Keap CRM delivers on all the core capabilities needed to effectively manage customer relationships, drive sales, and make data-driven decisions. Plus, its built-in automation capabilities add an extra layer of productivity enhancement for sales reps, allowing them to focus on the tasks that matter.

How easy is Keap CRM to use?

Keap maintains a strong focus on usability. Logging into the platform for the first time, I was impressed by the uncluttered layout that allows users to quickly navigate through the various features and tools. I also liked the customizable dashboard, which enables users to personalize their workspace according to their specific needs and preferences.

Onboarding with Keap is a breeze when compared to other CRMs. Each plan includes a dedicated customer success manager who guides new users through the setup process, ensuring that the platform is tailored to their unique business requirements. Additionally, Keap offers a wealth of training resources, including onboarding checklists, video tutorials, webinars, and personalized advice from expert coaches.

Adding even more to its user-friendliness, Keap's drag-and-drop automation builder allows users to create both simple and advanced workflows without requiring any coding knowledge. The availability of customizable templates further simplifies the process of setting up automated lead nurturing campaigns, follow-up sequences, and sales processes.

Speaking about the core CRM, the platform automatically captures and organizes customer interactions, allowing users to access a comprehensive view of each contact's history with just a few clicks. The ability to segment contacts based on various criteria and trigger automated actions for specific groups streamlines communication efforts and ensures that the right messages reach the right audience at the optimal time.

While a custom API with REST hooks is available for developers with advanced knowledge, the pre-built integrations are robust enough to suit most small businesses without custom development. Keap's integration with popular third-party applications, such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoom, and Mailchimp, is seamless and requires no coding experience.

Based on my experience, the average time for new users to become proficient with this platform should be relatively short, thanks to the platform's intuitive design and extensive support resources. The combination of a user-friendly interface, customization options, comprehensive onboarding, and accessible automation tools makes this a great option for smaller teams that lack in-house technical expertise.

Keap CRM integrations

Keap focuses on providing a curated selection of integrations that complement its core functionalities and cater to the needs of small businesses. While it does not offer the same number of integrations as Salesforce or HubSpot, the ones that it does offer should fit the requirements of most small businesses.

For example, by connecting Keap with Gmail, Outlook, and social media channels, businesses can automate marketing campaigns and track effectiveness directly within the CRM. Keap also integrates with a variety of other essential business tools, such as Leadpages for landing page creation, Jotform for custom lead capture forms, and BigCommerce for ecommerce functionality.

Keap also integrates with the no-code automation platform Zapier, which allows you to build your own automations with thousands of other third-party applications without any coding requirements. Through Zapier, Keap users can create custom integrations with Slack, Trello, Mailchimp, and more.

While its selection of pre-built integrations may not be as extensive as some other CRMs, Keap’s custom API is open and well-documented, allowing for custom integrations to be developed when needed. Keap also provides documentation and resources to assist users in setting up connected apps, including custom ones built using the API. Dedicated customer success managers are available to offer guidance and support throughout the integration process, ensuring a smooth experience for all customers.

How good is Keap's customer support?

Keap offers a decent range of support options, including human agents and self-service resources. Users can reach out to the support team via phone, live chat, and email, depending on their preference and the urgency of their issue. However, your experience with the support agents might vary depending on the channel you choose to contact them.

U.S.-based phone support is available on weekdays from 6 am to 7 pm PST, with local support also offered for subscribers in the UK and Australia. The inclusion of a dedicated success manager with all plans is a notable advantage. Phone support is generally quite good, with reduced wait times, helpful agents, and quick resolutions.

However, Keap offers a 24/7 chat support option that’s arguably the preferred option for users across different time zones. Yet, chat support can be wildly inconsistent when it comes to quality. Wait times can sometimes be up to 30 minutes, while the agents there seem to have very little knowledge of the product.

Keap does provide a range of self-help resources, including a knowledge base, how-to videos, and a community forum where users can seek advice from peers. These resources offer guidance on various topics, such as automating text messages and connecting the CRM with WordPress. But while they are helpful, they may not always suffice for complex account-specific issues.

Customer reviews on third-party sites like Trustpilot paint a worrisome picture of Keap's customer support. Many users report difficulties canceling their accounts, unresponsive support teams, and billing issues that required escalation to legal action. These experiences, while not necessarily representative of the majority, raise serious red flags.

On a more positive note, Keap's onboarding process and Expert Coaching service aim to set users up for success from the start. The one-on-one support, training webinars, and customized sales and marketing plans help businesses optimize their use of the CRM. However, the $499 one-time fee for this service may be a barrier for most SMBs.

Keap CRM pricing and plans

During my review of Keap CRM, I found the pricing model to be unique compared to other CRM platforms. Instead of feature-based plans, Keap's pricing is scalable based on the number of contacts, with plans starting at $249 per month for up to 1,500 contacts. Prices can add up quickly as you gain customers, especially if you’re a consumer-facing business. Moreover, adding more user seats to your Keap plan costs you a flat rate of $32 per month, regardless of the plan.

When comparing Keap's pricing to other CRM platforms, it's evident that Keap is on the higher end of the spectrum compared to players like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM. However, the fact that it includes features like marketing automation and invoice management does make it more bearable.

There are a number of implementation packages starting from $1500 one-time. It's also worth noting that Keap does not offer a free plan, unlike competitors like HubSpot and Zoho CRM. However, the CRM does come with a 14-day free trial, allowing potential users to explore the platform's capabilities before committing to a paid plan. While a longer trial period would be nice, two weeks is still sufficient to gain a solid understanding of the features and user experience.

Keap CRM Comparison Table

	Starting Monthly Price (Billed Annually)	Key Features
Keap Pro	Starts at $249/month for 1,500 contacts and 2 users	All core CRM, sales & marketing automation, email marketing, payments, invoicing, appointments, sales pipeline, and a dedicated business phone line.
Keap Max	Starts at $289/month for 2,500 contacts and 3 users	Includes all Keap Pro features, plus advanced reporting and lead scoring.
Keap Max Classic	Custom pricing	Includes all Keap Max features, plus advanced customization options like custom user roles, affiliate management, and a shopping cart. Export to Sheets

Keap CRM FAQ

Who is the primary audience for Keap?

Keap is an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform. It's primarily designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs (often with 1-15 employees and revenues over $100K) who need to automate their sales and marketing processes to save time and grow their business.

What is the difference between Keap Pro and Keap Max?

Keap Pro is the more basic plan, offering core CRM, sales, and marketing automation features. Expect things like contact management, sales and marketing automation, invoicing, payment management, and appointment scheduling that syncs with your calendar. Keap Max includes everything in Pro, plus more advanced tools like lead scoring and e-commerce capabilities.

What kind of automations can I create with Keap

You can automate a wide range of tasks, including sending follow-up emails, assigning leads to a sales rep, sending appointment reminders, and managing referral programs. The platform's drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to create these "when-then" workflows.

Is Keap easy to learn how to use?

In fact, many users note that Keap has a steep learning curve due to its robust features. Complexity comes with price - often a financial one; sometimes in terms of ease of use. However, the platform offers extensive onboarding resources, including a dedicated success manager, video tutorials, and webinars to help new users get started.

Keap CRM review: Final verdict

Keap is a solid choice for small businesses seeking an all-in-one CRM, with the added advantage of marketing automation and financial management features. Its core capabilities, such as contact management, lead nurturing, and sales pipeline visualization — are well-designed to the needs of most small businesses.

However, the inconsistent customer support experience is a notable drawback, potentially impacting user satisfaction and efficiency. The pricing structure is yet another deterrent, especially when you factor in the additional costs for initial onboarding and more seats.

On the whole, Keap offers valuable features and automation capabilities that can significantly benefit small businesses, but there's still room for improvement. Go for this platform if you need features beyond what a typical CRM offers at a low cost, but not if customer management is your only requirement.

GnuCash accounting software review

11:52 pm | September 20, 2020

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Software | Comments: Off

Thanks to open source development GnuCash is a completely free accounting software package that is impressive to say the least. Although it has more of an accounts-style edge, the program lets you tackle all manner of financial chores, including overall management of your money.

What that means is that for no financial outlay you can quickly get access to a system that lets you set up and manage things like invoicing and payments, customer and vendor management, as well as budgeting. In fact, due to the way GnuCash works you’ll find that it becomes a hugely useful tool for managing budgets, and this is especially so if you're running a small business.

Want to try GnuCash? Check out the website here

Adding to the appeal is its comprehensive range of reporting tools, which any small business owner will find hugely useful. Other slightly more premium options to consider include the likes of TaxAct, TaxSlayer, Jackson Hewitt Online, Credit Karma Tax and FreeTaxUSA.

Also check out our roundup of the best accounting software for small business

GnuCash: Pricing

There’s not much to say about GnuCash on the pricing front because, in short, it is absolutely free to use. While the open source creators behind it do accept donations if you're sufficiently chuffed with its appeal then that’s an option in order to part with some cash.

However, given that GnuCash comes with so many complex features and functions it’s hard not to feel very happy with the software once you’ve installed it. Some paid-for programs don’t offer as much and, indeed, a few don't work as well either. So a donation might be worth thinking about.

GnuCash: Features

Due to the way GnuCash has been created we think that this software is an ideal option for someone running a small business and who needs to keep a firm grasp on cashflow.

While it can be used as a fairly basic money management tool, GnuCash is actually at its best when it’s being utilized for more accountancy-based tasks. You’ll find that it covers a raft of those including accounts payable and receivable chores, managing customer and vendor requirements as well as producing lots of reporting, so you can easily keep tabs on your money matters.

The budgeting aspect of the software kicks in nicely by tying all of these features together and there are pretty sophisticated menu options for setting this facet up.

GnuCash: Performance

This is downloadable-only software, so there is no cloud-based arrangement, but that’s not too detract from GnuCash at all as once you’ve got it installed the program runs a treat.

Because it’s open source software successive editions of GnuCash come packed with even more features than the previous iterations, but the layout is quite lean so you never get the feeling that its getting bogged down and beginning to lag.

Indeed, if you’ve loaded a lot of financial information into the system then it rolls along very commendably, with nothing to make you live in fear of losing a years’ worth of accounts or something similarly cataclysmic.

GnuCash: Ease of use

GnuCash is everything you’d expect from open source software. That is to say it comes with lots of features and functionality, but also has a few rough edges. To get started you first need to download the software, which is straightforward enough, and then install it on your chosen platform.

Again, this is not too problematical; although once you get into the configuring stage GnuCash can cause one or two headaches. Nevertheless, there’s a version for any kind of platform including the main players Windows, MacOS and Linux too. The real bonus is the assistant that helps get you up and running, while another practical touch is that Quicken users can also import QIF files.

We also found the default business hierarchy a real boon as it sets out a stall for you and your business, which can then be tailored to suit your own needs.

GnuCash: Support

GnuCash does have a reasonable level of support options available, and you may well require their services due to a few quirks within the software. To get you started there’s a comprehensive online help manual and that takes you on a deep dive of its many different sides.

This is particularly useful when you're working through the initial setup stages, as these areas of the program can be a little tricky to get your head around if you’re not familiar with its nuances. Adding to the interest is the fact the user interface looks a little old school with it’s slightly dated feel.

We also found the tutorial guides quite useful for the same reasons, while the GnuCash Wiki content is also a very practical way to get primed about issues you’re stuck on, as are the old faithful YouTube videos.

GnuCash: Final verdict

Overall it’s really quite hard to fault software like GnuCash because it has been put together so well and, ultimately, doesn't cost you anything in order to use it. Even better is the fact that GnuCash does such a good job, especially if you’re running your own business where you need a little bit of a helping hand to keep your finances in order, but lack the budget to head down a paid-for software route.

Whilst the interface lacks some charm in places, while more critical types might even accuse it of being a little dated, the features and functions do all work once you’ve picked your way through the quite time-consuming set up and configuration stages. If you try it and like it then a donation might make a lot of sense.

We've also highlighted the best budgeting software

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Sejda PDF editor review

5:51 pm | September 25, 2019

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Creative Software Gadgets Software | Tags: PDF | Comments: Off

Sejda is a PDF editor that comes in free and paid-for versions, as well as online and desktop editions. The web and desktop interfaces look remarkably similar, and in fact the major difference here is that the Desktop version handles all of the processing locally rather than in the cloud – files never leave your computer, which will appeal to the security conscious.

That sounds great to us, but how does it compare to the best free PDF editor and best PDF editor software out there? We put the latest version to the test.

Sedja: Pricing & plans

You have access to Sejda’s arsenal of tools for free - but are laden with severe limitations. To remove them, get a subscription

Although you have access to all available tools with the free version, some severe limitations are applied to the service. For instance, you’re restricted to only being able to perform three tasks per day, can’t work with files larger than 50MB or 200 pages, can only OCR ten pages, and can only convert one file at a time.

If you want to remove these restrictions, getting a subscription is the way to go. Prices vary depending on how long you wish your contract to last. One week will cost you $5, a recurring monthly contract will set you back $7.50, and for a recurring yearly one, that’s $63.

You can try out Sejda by clicking here.

Sejda: Interface

Sejda PDF editor during our review — Sejda has many tools available, and its search feature makes it easy to highlight the one you’re looking for (Image credit: Sejda)

The interface is simple, with some nice features, including instructions on how each tool works just below the tool itself

Sejda’s available tools are sorted by categories on the main page, which you can scroll through. Alternatively, going to the menu bar at the top of the page and clicking on ‘All Tools’, will not only showcase them in a smaller, condensed format, allowing you to see more of them in one go, but you’ll also find a search field at the bottom, helping you find what you’re after quicker.

We did appreciate the fact that as you select a tool, you’ll see at the bottom of the page instructions on how to use it. It’s a great way to get to grips with how Sejda works, while also not getting in the way, once you know your way around, although do note that these instructions only appear on the webpages, and don’t feature in the desktop version.

Score: 3.5/5

Sejda: Tools

The gamut of the usual range of tools for such a service are available for you to choose from, and work with

The tools at your disposal will be familiar to anyone who’s explored such online PDF services before. You’re able to merge and split PDFs, delete pages, rearrange others, convert files from PDF to other formats, and vice versa, number pages, resize them, extract images, create bookmarks and edit a document’s metadata, among many others.

More advanced tools are also available such as watermarking a file, password protecting it, filling in and signing a form, and of course, being able to edit a PDF.

Score: 4/5

Sejda: Editing

Although you can edit a PDF’s existing text, you’re restricted to altering each line individually, making it tricky to rewrite a paragraph

Sejda’s editing capabilities are quite extensive, and in fact you gain access to additional tools within it, enabling you to do most of your editing in one place. For instance, you’re also able to fill in forms, sign a document, and even whiteout sections right from here. Do be aware however that whiteout is not the same as a proper redaction tool: the former’s hidden text can still be selected, whereas the latter won’t be - if you need to remove sensitive data, don’t use the whiteout tool; Sedja does not appear to have a redaction tool.

In addition to that, you have annotation tools to write notes, or even insert shapes. You can add or delete existing images, create new text boxes, and perhaps more crucially, edit a PDF’s existing text. This is great in many ways but there are some strong limitations, especially compared to other competing services. Take I Love PDF for instance: its PDF editing prowess is much greater. Not only can you move existing text boxes and images around, but I Love PDF is able to recognise entire sections of text as belonging together, making it much easier to rewrite paragraphs. With Sejda, the layout is fixed, and you can only select one line of text at a time. If your needs are simple, like fixing a typo, this is fine, but should you have to rewrite an entire section, this becomes a bit of a nightmare as the new text doesn’t flow to the next existing line, but instead creates an entirely new one, overlapping on top of any other already existing text, which you then have to select and delete. This also can affect line spacing, potentially making a mess of the page layout - unless you decide to select each line individually as you edit, which is really a very frustrating way to edit text.

Score: 3/5

Should I try Sejda PDF editor?

Try it if...

You need to work with PDF files, make simple edits, extract pages, delete others, and move from one format to another, all within a simple clean interface.

Don't try it if...

You have more extensive editing needs, or are looking for a proper way to redact information.

For more PDF tools, we reviewed the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives.

HandBrake review

7:17 pm | February 23, 2018

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Creative Software Gadgets Software | Comments: Off

Originally a Mac-only title, HandBrake ultimately made its way to PC users where it found an audience eager to lap up its capabilities.

At its heart, this is a video encoding tool, and this includes the ability to rip DVDs – as long as they aren’t copy protected. In fact, this is the best free video converters and best free DVD ripper right now. However, it's the video conversion side of things that we're interested in. If your needs are more complex take a look at our guide to the best free video editing software.

Getting the software couldn’t be easier: visit handbrake.fr, and download the version that matches your operating system. As of this writing, version 1.9.0 is compatible with MacOS 10.13 and later, Windows 10 and later, and 64-bit Linux.

HandBrake: Interface

HandBrake during our review process — Curious what your conversion will look like? HandBrake offers 10 thumbnails taken through the video’s runtime; it even allows you to check a live preview (Image credit: HandBrake)

It’s as simple as you need it to be, or a complex as you can handle

You can’t do much with the interface itself until you’ve given it a video to analyse. Now we ourselves have accumulated a fair number of clips over the years, videos whose formats used to be the default but have been cruelly abandoned and discarded over time. Well, we found that HandBrake was able to breathe new life into these vintage clips, reformatting them into something more suitable for today. But HandBrake is also just as adept at taking any current video, and reformatting it for a specific audience, be it for the web, for YouTube, for your Playstation, or even for more high-end professional formats. So click on ‘Open Source’, choose a video file you have at hand and let’s see how HandBrake performs.

If you’re new to HandBrake, the myriad of options can feel daunting. After all you’ve got a Summary tab, one for Dimensions, Filters, Video, Audio, etc, each with a slew of parameters. It’s easy to think this is not the software for you.

However, although HandBrake was designed with versatility at the forefront, giving the user as much control as possible, the open source designers were wise enough to realise not everyone wants or even needs such power. With that in mind, there’s a handy ‘Preset’ button, near the top right of the interface.

Click on it and you’ll find a very generous list of ready-made presets, which should cater for anyone’s needs. However, don’t feel you’re stuck between having to choose a template, or have to tweak the settings from scratch on your lonesome: once a preset has been chosen, you’re free to make alterations to its settings, and better yet, you can then save these changes as your very own preset, which you can use over and over again. Although be aware: HandBrake doesn’t explain the video encoding terminology, so if you’re unfamiliar with the jargon, you're going to have to do a little research before you’ll feel confident to tweak some of the obscure settings on offer.

We very much appreciated the fact that when you next launch HandBrake, the last configuration you used is the one already selected, so once you’ve found the combination that works best for you, you don’t really need to touch anything, just load up a video, click on ‘Start’, and job done.

Before long, as you get comfortable with the interface, and you’re happy with the results you’re achieving, you'll be adding subtitles and editing sound settings in addition to the main video-related options.

Interface: 4/5

HandBrake: Documentation

The online documentation is kept up to date, and will help you understand how the software works

All this is great when you’re used to HandBrake, but what do you do until you do? Well, the community hasn’t let you down: if you go to their website, you’ll find a ‘Docs’ menu. Within that is the documentation for the latest version (and a few older ones) in English (there’s also a German page, but sadly it hasn’t been updated since version 1.3, and don’t even ask about other languages).

The instructions are clear, but can also feel a bit cold and technical. Still they go guide you through the basics, like how to load a new video, to more advanced features, such as adjusting the quality of your output. It should help you understand how the software works and how you can make the most of it.

Documentation: 4/5

HandBrake: Converting

Even though it’s free, HandBrake is fast and delivers high quality reformats, as well as being an adept multitasker

You’ll find HandBrake is incredibly versatile, not to mention fast. As video encoding can be a time-consuming process, it's good to see that there's a queuing feature, and the batch conversion tool can be used to encode a folder full of videos in one fell swoop. It became our go-to conversion program when we realised the quality of its output, not to mention its sheer speed, rivalled those of ‘professional’ alternatives - ie, those you have to pay for.

If there’s one downside, aside from its steep learning curve, is the fact that this is a community-lead open source project, and this means updates don’t come on a regular basis. However, we found HandBrake is already an incredibly powerful and stable piece of software: it has never crashed on us and we’ve been using it for well over a decade.

The software is also well designed enough that it can multitask: you’re able to load others, choose different presets, make alterations, type in information, check the preview section, add clips to the queue, all while it works in the background.

One thing to bear in mind though: it uses up a lot of processing power. Now this is great of course, as it means the reformatting will be done quicker, but it also means you’ll notice a noticeable lag with anything else you do on your machine which is also processor intensive.

Converting: 5/5

Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You need to alter the format of your videos, or resurrect old clips whose format has fallen out of favour these days, and your budget is non-existent.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re intimidated by a seemingly overly complex interface which throws far too many parameters your way, and would rather pay than use open source software.View Deal

Freemake Video Converter review

2:30 pm | January 10, 2018

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Creative Software Gadgets Software | Comments: Off

FreeMake Video Converter is enormously popular, with over 103 million users. Its name implies that it only encodes videos into different formats – and it does that very well – but it's also capable of converting audio files and images, and ripping unprotected DVDs.

Freemake Video Converter provides a good selection of output options, including AVI, WMV, MPG and MP4. It can also burn videos to DVD or Blu-ray, and has preset profiles for games consoles, smartphones and tablets. You can even export the video straight to YouTube (if you need even more tools, take a look at our roundup of the best free video editing software).

There are two ways to make use of Freemake Video Converter: through a dedicated, Windows-only app, or via a webpage. We’ll explore both here.

Freemake Video Converter: Pricing & plans

Freemake Video Converter during our review process — Your output will be prominently watermarked - unless you pay, of course (Image credit: Freemake)

You can opt for a subscription or a one-time purchase, and it also unlocks more powerful features… but why call an app ‘Freemake’ if it isn’t really free?

Despite its name, Freemake isn’t actually free - you'll want to check out our round-up of the best free video converters for that. Sure, you can use it without paying, but the large watermark in the centre of the screen totally prevents you from using the output, even for casual purposes. So, you have to fork out some dosh.

The cheapest way to do it is paying less than $1 for a week’s access. This removes the watermark and the speed throttling, but you gain nothing else.

A yearly subscription of $70 introduces full HD support, being able to convert embedded videos via their URL, additional presets for TV and DVD, and more. And if the idea of getting yet another subscription doesn’t appeal, there’s also a lifetime one-off price of $100 (currently reduced to $60), offering the same features as those found with the subscription.

Pricing & plans: 3/5

Freemake Video Converter: Windows App

The app’s name makes you think this is free software - although you can use it for free, its speed is deliberately throttled and a massive watermark is plastered over the output, rendering it pretty much useless outside of a ‘try before you buy’ concept

You can grab a copy of Freemake Video Converter (currently at version 4.1.12 at time of review) by clicking here. No need to log in, or give your credit card details, or anything; just click, download, install, and you’re good to go.

Prior to converting a file, you have the option of turning Freemake Video Converter into a very rudimentary editor by trimming any clip you’ve loaded into the app. This could certainly be of use if you only wish to keep a section of the file you’ve chosen, but there isn’t much else there to do.

To convert a file from your PC or a DVD, simply select the appropriate button from the list along the top, then pick an output format from the one at the bottom. Options include current formats, such as the ubiquitous MP4, to others we thought had been laid to rest years ago, such as 3GP and SWF. There’s also a range of presets to convert your file for Apple devices, Androids, Samsung, and… BlackBerry (is anyone really still using that one?).

Each destination comes with a handful of preconfigured settings from which you can choose the one will do the job for you. If none appeal, ‘Add your preset’ will grant you access to all changeable parameters to customise the output as you require.

Be aware that not all formats can be read by Freemake Video Converter. In fact we found some ancient ones (which HandBrake, a competing converter, had no problem with), turned out to not be compatible with the software. But more recent ones, even some over 20 years old, were fine.

When you’re ready and click on the ‘Convert’ button, you’ll realise Freemake isn’t as free as its name implies. The first clue is the fact it’ll add a large watermark all over your converted file by default… unless you pay. If a watermark isn’t an concern for you (even though it’s a pretty darn big one), the next clue is the throttled process. That’s right: the conversion is deliberated slowed down… unless you pay…

Windows app: 2.5/5

Freemake Video Converter: Online app

No changeable parameters: choose the format you want and hit convert. We were able to do this with video files from our own library, but YouTube URLs just refused to work for us

Accessing the online service is done through a different URL, which we actually couldn’t find through Freemake’s main page, but it exists nonetheless: You can check it out by clicking here

Here, as you’d expect, there’s no need to download any software: everything is handled through your browser. You can upload a file from your computer, or paste the URL of a YouTube video.

By default the format Freemake Video Converter will use is MP4, but you’ve got a choice of 15 others. You cannot however access or modify any parameters: you choose MP4, for instance, and that’s it. No tweaking, no fine tuning, no nothing.

Click on ‘Convert Now’ and the online Freemake Video Converter service will get to work… except it wouldn’t for us. For YouTube videos at least. No matter what we tried, we ended up staring at a blank page. Nothing happened.

Thankfully, compatible files from our own computer worked just fine. On the plus side, the conversion was quick, ie, we didn’t notice any speed throttling as was so obvious using the software we’d installed on our Windows PC. And lastly, no watermark. The output’s quality was excellent.

So if you’re looking for a free service that can convert your video files into some other formats, is quick, has no watermark, and doesn’t offer you any parameters to tweak and alter, then the online version of Freemake Video Converter is the way to go.

Online app: 3/5

Should I buy Freemake Video Converter?

Buy it if...

You need a conversion tool with the ability to either choose a format preset or change the parameters as you please, with a very simple user interface.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

If you just want to use the online service… or if you know of other software that does the same job - and sometimes more - and is completely free (like HandBrake).View Deal

For more creative tools, we reviewed the best video editing software and the best video editing apps.

WPS Office Free review

7:00 pm | August 17, 2017

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Office Suites Software | Comments: Off

WPS Office Free is a remarkable Microsoft Office alternative, replicating its overall appearance and fundamental functionalities. It offers a word processor, presentation software, and spreadsheet, and all are freely accessible, albeit with some advertising tied to specific features. Notably, this office suite exhibits seamless compatibility with Microsoft document formats, providing a seamless user experience.

The cloud integration is a truly remarkable feature of this software. While the 1GB of free storage space may appear limited at first glance, it can actually be incredibly useful for storing a variety of small files, especially text documents. These documents, such as notes, reports, articles, and scripts, typically don't require a lot of storage space. With 1GB of free cloud storage, you can easily store a significant number of text files without worrying about running out of space.

Then, there’s also the portability and accessibility, which allows you to access your text documents from anywhere with an internet connection. This means you can work on, edit, and share your documents from any device, whether it's your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

We also appreciate the collaboration and sharing as the cloud also facilitates seamless collaboration on text documents. You can easily share your documents with colleagues, friends, or family members, allowing for real-time editing and feedback.

Finally, there is the backup and data protection for storing your text documents in the cloud that provides an extra layer of protection against data loss due to accidental deletion, hardware failure, or device theft. Your files are securely stored in the cloud, ensuring that you can recover them if needed.

Overall, while 1GB of free storage may seem limited for storing large files like videos or audio, it's an incredibly valuable asset for managing and storing text documents. With the cloud integration, you can enjoy the convenience of accessing, editing, sharing, and protecting your text documents from anywhere, anytime.

Other enhancements, like converting PDF files into Word format, elevate WPS Office Free above other free office suites. Additionally, its remarkably low system requirements make it exceptionally suitable for installation on even the oldest Windows PCs.

For those who prefer working on the go and utilizing cloud storage, this software suite offers iOS, Android, and Linux versions. With a wide range of supported languages, it provides incredible versatility.

WPS Office Free: User experience

If you're accustomed to Microsoft Office's recent iterations, WPS Office Free will instantly feel like home. Its intuitive ribbon interface and well-organized tools and options mirror those of Microsoft Office, making it easy to transition between the two. The thoughtful design ensures that you won't spend an eternity searching for the setting or tool you need. Moreover, with its light system requirements, even users with older or less powerful computers can experience swift performance and smooth operation.

Key features of WPS Office Free's interface include:

A clean and modern design that is easy on the eyes.
A ribbon interface that organizes tools and options into logical groups, making it easy to find what you need.
A customizable Quick Access Toolbar that allows you to tailor the software to your specific needs.
A status bar that provides information about the current document, such as the page number, word count, and language.
A help system that provides comprehensive documentation and tutorials.

WPS Office Free's interface is designed to be efficient and user-friendly, allowing you to focus on your work without having to worry about the software getting in your way.

The only downside to WPS Office Free is the occasional advertisements that must be endured to gain temporary access to certain features. However, this is a small price to pay for an otherwise exceptional software suite.-----While WPS Office Free offers a plethora of impressive features, there is one minor drawback that users may encounter. Occasionally, advertisements may appear, requiring users to watch them in order to gain temporary access to certain premium features. While this may be inconvenient at times, it's important to consider that WPS Office Free is a freemium software suite, meaning that it provides a substantial range of features without requiring a monetary investment. In the grand scheme of things, enduring the occasional advertisement seems like a small price to pay for an otherwise exceptional software suite.

It's worth noting that the advertisements in WPS Office Free are generally unobtrusive and do not hinder the overall user experience. They typically appear as small banners or pop-up windows that can be easily closed or dismissed. Additionally, the frequency of these advertisements is relatively low, so users can enjoy extended periods of uninterrupted work without being bombarded with ads.

Moreover, it's crucial to recognize the value that WPS Office Free offers in terms of its features and capabilities. The software suite includes a comprehensive word processor, spreadsheet application, and presentation software, all of which are compatible with Microsoft Office formats. This compatibility ensures seamless collaboration and exchange of documents with others who may be using Microsoft Office. Furthermore, WPS Office Free provides a wide range of advanced features, including cloud storage integration, real-time collaboration, and mobile apps, which greatly enhance productivity and convenience for users.

WPS Office Free: Final verdict

At the end of the day, while the occasional advertisements in WPS Office Free may be a minor inconvenience, they should not overshadow the exceptional value and functionality that the software suite offers. For users seeking a free and feature-rich office suite, WPS Office Free stands out as a top choice, providing a compelling combination of powerful tools and ease of use.

We feature the best free office software.

Money Manager Ex review

2:00 pm | July 26, 2017

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Software | Comments: Off

Finance software may not be the most existing type you could install on your computer, but it's certainly one of the most useful. Money Manager Ex aims to be simple enough for just about anyone to use, while being powerful enough to keep demanding users happy.

Money Manager Ex

Where to download: http://www.moneymanagerex.org/

Type: Personal finance

Developer: Money Manager Ex

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android

Version: 1.3

If you’ve been using a spreadsheet or other financial program to manage your money until now, Money Manager Ex's import feature will get you up and running fairly quickly, but otherwise you have a lengthier manual task ahead of you.

Despite Money Manager Ex allowing for fairly in-depth analysis of your finances, the interface is approachable, and the program rarely feel intimidating – although at times you may feel as though you're building a database from scratch.

Everything in Money Manager Ex is stored in an SQLite database with AES encryption, meaning it's nice and secure, and the support for a range of currencies is useful for anyone with overseas investments.

It's a shame that Money Manager Ex is an entirely offline application. It would be nice if bank statements could be pulled in automatically, or online payment could be made through the program, but sadly this isn't possible.

As it stands, Money Manager Ex is a wonderful halfway house between managing your money in a simple spreadsheet and going all-out with a fully-fledged finance app.

User experience

To get the most out of Money Manager Ex, it's important to stick with it. Getting the initial database set up, while not particularly difficult, can be time consuming, as is the process of creating all of the categories you need to keep things organised.

Once you have this somewhat arduous task out of the way, it's really just a matter of simple maintenance, and the program provides you with a raft of tool to analyze your spending, make predictions for the future. The reporting on offer is impressive, and the ability to run the program from a USB drive means it's easy to take with you and update your finances from another computer if necessary.

Latest updates

The latest version of Money Manager Ex makes a few minor bug fixes, including resolving an issue that caused the search box to stop working in some circumstances. For a full list of changes, see the Money Manger Ex release notes.

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