How we pick: the Handpicked Apps checklist
Every template on Handpicked Apps is opened by a person before it's listed. Here's what we check, what we never do, and how we label our own products.
Short answer
A person opens every product’s own page before it goes up. We write the listing in our own words, note which app it works in, and record the seller’s price on the day we checked. Nobody pays to be listed, and our own products are clearly labelled.
Handpicked Apps is a small, hand-curated directory. We start with spreadsheets and will add other small digital products over time. There are plenty of template stores out there. What we’re trying to do is give you a short, honest list you can trust.
What we check
- The page is real and it loads. We open the seller’s own product page, not a reseller or a copy.
- It’s clear what you get. If we can’t tell what’s in the file or which app it needs, it doesn’t go in.
- The app is right. We say whether it works in Excel, Google Sheets or both.
- The price matches the seller’s page. We show it in the seller’s own currency, with the date we checked. If we couldn’t confirm a price, the listing says “See site” rather than guessing.
- It’s written in our words. We describe each product ourselves and don’t copy the seller’s text.
What we never do
- Invent ratings, reviews, download counts or other numbers.
- Say “tested by us” unless we’ve actually used it.
- Take payment to list, rank or feature something.
- Talk down other makers to make a listing look better.
Our own products
Some listings are made by HustlePilot, the small team behind this site. They’re always tagged Our pick · made by us, they’re checked against the same list, and we don’t call them the best unless there’s a clear reason that applies to you. If you’d rather avoid them, they’re easy to spot.
Free and paid
We list both. A good free template is often all you need, and we’ll say so. Paid templates get listed when they add something real, such as a dashboard, support for irregular pay or one file that replaces several.
Featured picks
“Featured this month” is an editor’s choice and never a paid slot. It can include our own products, which are labelled.
Read the full curation policy, or suggest a template.
Questions
Can I pay to be listed or ranked higher?
No. Listing is free, and payment never decides what goes on the site or where it appears.
Are HustlePilot products treated differently?
They go through the same checklist and always carry an "Our pick · made by us" tag, wherever they appear.
Do you use affiliate links?
Not at the moment. Links go to the seller's own page. If that ever changes, we'll say so on the listing and on our disclosure page.
What if a price is wrong?
Prices change. Each listing shows the date we checked it. If you spot a change, tell us and we'll re-check.