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How we test software-key stores (2025)

Before a store ever reaches FynexKeys deal pages, we put it through a repeatable three-step audit. No brand gets a shortcut – and no visitor buys blind.

Our three-step checklist

  1. Price sanity check
    The offer must beat Microsoft’s official RRP by ≥ 70 %. If not, we scrap the test.
  2. Real-world activation trial
    We buy multiple keys with our own money and activate them on clean Windows installs and VMs. Pass mark = 100 % first-try activation.
  3. Refund stress test
    One key is “returned” within 48 h. We time support response and cash-back. Anything slower than 72 h fails.

Bonus signals we track

  • Public reputation (Trustpilot, Reddit, long-term trend)
  • Payment security (HTTPS checkout, recognised processors)
  • Support uptime (live-chat or email in EU/US business hours)
  • Licence transparency (OEM vs Retail clearly labelled)

What counts as a pass?

A store must clear every core step and score green on at least two bonus signals. Fewer than one in four stores passes on the first run.

Affiliate process (full transparency)

How commissions fit into our rankings:

  • Winner chosen first. We finish testing, publish the clear #1 pick, then look for an affiliate programme for that store.
  • Affiliate is just a bonus. If the top store has no programme, it stays #1 – rankings never depend on commission.
  • No price mark-up. Affiliate links never change the price you pay by a single cent.

Why publish the method?

We’d rather share the recipe than say “trust us”. Knowing our bar lets you judge whether it’s high enough – and call us out if it ever slips.

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