Finder Score
Maths doesn't have to be boring. The Finder Score is our objective editorial and insights driven number crunching machine (powered by human experts).
What is the Finder Score?
At Finder, we're committed to helping you save money and make better financial decisions. That's why we created the Finder Score, a simple way to compare different financial products like accounts, loans, credit cards, and more, based on their overall value and benefits.
We've spent eight years assessing over 6,000 financial products annually for our Finder Awards program, which has been featured on major Australian TV programs like Sunrise, The Today Show, and A Current Affair. This experience has shaped our understanding of what makes a financial product truly valuable for consumers, and shaped our methodology for Finder Score.
How does it work?
Our expert team evaluates various products in our database, assigning each one a score out of 10. A higher score means the product is more competitive and may offer better value.
We carefully consider a range of factors and features, weighting them according to the typical user of each product.
For example, with low-rate credit cards, the interest rate is a key factor, while for frequent flyer cards, the bonus points and earn rate hold more weight.
Our goal is to highlight the features that matter most to you. Each score is determined objectively, without any commercial bias or influence from partnerships.
This methodology applies only to products with a Finder Score displayed.
Why did we come up with the Finder Score?
To make comparing easy
Comparing your household bills is hard work. We thought that there should be an easier and more objective way to make sense of all the options we compare.
Because price isn't everything
2 million+ visitors use Finder each month to compare. The Finder Score can help you make sense of your options and choose the right fit for you.
Because we want to help
Finder is editorially independent. The Finder Rating is designed to help you make an informed decision and get better value for money.
Finder Scores: What they mean
If you want peace of mind, this rating will give it to you. These products offer the best value and outcomes considering various product features, terms, conditions and price.
Well-balanced products that provide what you need, offering a healthy mix of competitive features at a good price. But, they’re not quite the best in class.
Bottom line: you can find better. But these products still offer reasonable value and have the basics sorted.
These products may not offer much value in the long run and there are better options available.
How do we source our data for Finder Scores?
A Finder Score is a number between 0.1 and 10 that reflects a product's value and features compared to similar products in its category. The higher the score, the better the product.
How do we calculate the score?
Our insights team at Finder selects up to ten key product features, such as annual fees, interest rates, or bonus rewards points. We score each product's features out of ten, comparing them to other products in the same category. Then, we weight the scores based on how important each feature is to the average consumer for that particular product. The metrics and weightings for each product group are available in our category specific methodology.
Our data drives the scores.
Finder Scores are calculated using our extensive product dataset, which contains information on thousands of financial products. We strive to keep this dataset up-to-date, updating it whenever a product feature changes, like an interest rate or fee. While we aim to include the entire Australian market for each product, our dataset is continually expanding, so some products may not yet be included.
How often do Finder Scores change?
Our scores aren't static. They're dynamic and adapt whenever a product changes. In fact, scores are instantly re-calculated every time a relevant product feature is updated. If there are broader changes that affect a whole group of products, such as an interest rate adjustment, we'll update the score for every product in that group. This means you'll always see the most accurate and up-to-date scores, helping you make informed decisions about your finances.
See Finder Score across categories
Who is the Finder Score editorial and data team?
Our goal is to inform, educate, serve, challenge and amuse our users. As a result, our editorial and data collection process is objective, impartial and free of any influence from banks, financial institutions or partners.
With the Finder Score, our goal is simply to give you the best and most accurate information available, so you are informed and can make financial decisions that best suit your situation.
Our editorial and insights team include:
Insights spreadsheet superhero. Has a passion for crunching all the data.
Since joining Finder as an insights analyst in 2020, William has played a key role in developing Finder's renowned consumer research. In 2023, he took on the responsibility of refining and improving the methodology for Finder's Customer Satisfaction awards program, resulting in a more informative and valuable resource for Finder's members.
My biggest money win: Taking that first step into investing has set me on a path in securing my financial future. It took some discipline and a few adjustments, but seeing my savings grow has been incredibly rewarding. Last year, I earned a 7.05% dividend on an investment that I made.
Josh manages Finder's monthly Consumer Sentiment Tracker and RBA economist surveys which, along with Finder's product data, inform weightings and other metrics used across Finder score.
My biggest money win: Like most other 20-something Australians I love travelling. By taking out a rewards credit card I was able to score my flight back from Spain to Sydney for $160 in fees and taxes. I'm also flying half of it in business class which always seemed like a pipe dream until now.
Graham, Finder's Head of Consumer Research, developed the methodology for our first product awards program in 2017 and has continued to refine the scoring criteria for all subsequent programs. He has also served as an awards judge for the Australian Financial Review, Money Magazine, and the Australian Mortgage Awards, where he continues to be a member of the judging panel.
My biggest money win: As a Finder media spokesperson, I often advise people to lock in a low interest rate whenever possible. My biggest financial win came from following my own advice: In 2021, I secured a 1.89% rate on my home loan, which cost $3,000 upfront but has since saved me upwards of $30,000.
Mariam Gabaji is a tech and utilities expert at Finder with over 12 years of experience as a journalist. She closely monitors mobile, internet and energy prices and trends so you can understand how and why your household bills are being impacted. She regularly appears in the media to share her expertise.
My biggest money win: I've been consistently comparing and switching energy plans over the last 18 months in search of cheap plans with sign-up deals. I'm usually with a different provider for both electricity and gas as I seek out the cheapest offers available for my home. So far, I've managed to save around $500 after getting sign-up credit.
Rebecca has written about home loans and the world of finance for more than 6 years. She knows it's confusing and she's trying to help. Usually with a cup of tea in hand.
My biggest money win: It starts with me actually going in-store to Woolworths each week instead of using instant delivery services every other day. I religiously look at my Everyday Rewards boosters to maximise the points I earn (which I convert to Qantas Points). I paid for an annual Woolworths' Everyday Plus membership, where I not only get double points but I get 10% off a Woolies shop *each month*. I earned the subscription cost back in just a couple of months and I've earned over 6,000 Qantas Points in that time.
Richard has written about personal finance for 7 years. He's obsessed with home loans, because the biggest debt you'll (hopefully) ever have is also your biggest opportunity to save and grow your wealth. He also covers savings and credit cards and is a bit of a points hacker (but a fairly casual one). He regularly provides expert commentary in print and radio.
My biggest money win: I really focused on my credit card this year, for the points. I spend so much on groceries and other unavoidable expenses. So why not get rewarded? Now I'm converting my Flybuys into Velocity Points, too. Everything goes on the card and I pay it off in full before the interest-free period is up. I'm earning tons of points each month to spend on reward flights.
An authority on all things personal finance, Sarah has 20 years' experience and an extensive background in property and finance journalism. She's a regular media commentator, appearing weekly on TV, radio and in digital and print media: in 2023, Sarah's tips and advice were featured in the media 1,200 times.
My biggest money win: I treat every car and home insurance renewal as an opening offer. First I ask them if they can offer a better price and then I compare to see what the best deal is with another brand. I've saved thousands of dollars doing this, for an hour or two of work per year.
Tom is a personal finance writer who has covered everything from car insurance to credit scores over the last 6 years in Australia and the UK, and now specialises in investing.
My biggest money win: I've mastered the art of saving on groceries by using half-price specials to save big on household essentials and bigger-ticket items, and making the most of clearances on meat and other fresh produce, both of which can help you save hundreds of dollars a month.
Tim Bennett is a personal finance expert. For over 10 years he's reported on business, politics, finance and other topics as a journalist and radio presenter. Tim's roles have included radio news reader and breakfast at the ABC, news producer for SBS and producer for Fairfax Media. Tim regularly appears as an expert on programs like Sunrise and SBS news, as well as in the Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more.
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