Comparison methodology

This page sets out exactly how we built our NZ calculator platform comparison, so you can judge for yourself whether it is fair rather than taking our word for it. Rather than scoring competitors on vague measures of quality, we compare every platform against dimensions you can check yourself by visiting the sites: each one's primary focus, whether its tools are built specifically for New Zealand rules, the breadth of calculator categories it offers, whether calculators come with explanatory guides, whether it is free to use and needs sign-up, whether it maintains current NZ reference data, whether it offers a public API or similar machine access, and whether it states a process for keeping figures up to date. You will also see what we deliberately leave out. We do not publish a specific calculator count for other sites, because those numbers are hard to verify and change quickly, so we describe their focus in neutral terms instead, while our own tool count comes from an audited page linked here. We avoid subjective "we are better" claims and disparaging language, because New Zealand consumer law requires comparative statements to be substantiable. The comparison carries a review date, and if you spot anything inaccurate or out of date, you can contact us and we will check and correct it, in keeping with how we maintain the rest of our data.

What we compare on

We use dimensions that anyone can verify by visiting the sites, rather than subjective judgements of quality:

• Primary focus of each platform, described in neutral terms.
• NZ-specificity: whether the tools are built for New Zealand rules.
• Breadth: the range of calculator categories offered.
• Learning support: whether calculators are paired with explanatory guides.
• Access: free to use, and whether sign-up is required.
• Reference data: maintained NZ rates and figures.
• Machine and AI access: a public API or similar.
• Update process: a stated approach to keeping data current.

What we deliberately do not do

• No contestable head-counts for other sites. We publish our own audited tool count, but we do not assert a specific number of calculators for competitors, because those numbers are hard to verify and change. We describe their focus instead.
• No subjective "we are better" claims. Where Calculate leads, it is on a countable, checkable dimension.
• No disparagement. Each platform is described by its genuine strengths.

Sources

Our own figures come from the audited By the Numbers count. Descriptions of other platforms are based on their publicly visible features at the date of review. New Zealand consumer law requires comparative claims to be substantiable, which is why the comparison stays on observable features and our own verifiable numbers.

Keeping it fair and current

Platforms change. The comparison carries a review date, and if you believe anything is inaccurate or out of date, please tell us and we will check and correct it. This reflects the same approach we take to keeping our own data current.

Last reviewed 2026-07-02. Maintained by James Graham.