About Real Tool Stack
Real Tool Stack is written by a small team that builds and runs niche websites on a tight budget. Right now that includes a closet-design site with a free planning tool, a few affiliate test sites, and the servers, email and tracking that hold them together.
We started this site because most "best software" lists are written by people who never had to pick a tool and live with the bill. We do pick tools and pay for them, so we write down what we learn.
How we review
Every article carries one of these labels, right under the title:
- Hands-on: in our stack. We use the tool on our own sites. The review comes from that use, including the parts that annoyed us.
- Research guide: not used by us. We have not used the tool. We read the vendor's documentation and pricing pages, check public user reviews, and summarize who it fits and who should skip it. Sources are listed at the end of every guide.
- Comparison. Two or more tools side by side, with the same labels applied to each.
We check prices on the date shown in each article. Software vendors change plans often, so always confirm on the official site.
We use AI tools to help with research, drafting and illustrations. Every article is checked against its sources before it goes live, and we never claim hands-on experience we don't have.
How we make money
Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy, the vendor may pay us a commission. It costs you nothing extra and never changes a verdict. Tools that don't pay commissions get the same treatment. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
Our stack
The tools we really use, and what for:
| Tool | What we use it for | Plan | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elestio | Managed servers for our WordPress site and admin tools | Paid | 2026 |
| WordPress + GeneratePress | CMS and theme for our closet-design site | Free | 2026 |
| Caddy | Web server with automatic HTTPS for our static sites | Free | 2026 |
| Namecheap | Domain registration and DNS | Paid per domain | 2026 |
| Resend | Sending and receiving email on our domains | Free plan | 2026 |
| ClickUp | Content calendar and scheduled tasks | In use | 2026 |
| Google Analytics 4 | Traffic and conversion tracking | Free | 2026 |
| Google Search Console | Search performance and indexing | Free | 2026 |
| BeMob | Click tracking for paid traffic tests | Free plan | 2026 |
| fal.ai | AI-generated illustrations for articles | Pay as you go | 2026 |
| Keywords Everywhere | Keyword volume research | Prepaid credits | 2026 |
Questions or corrections: see contact.