How We Make Money
Our Revenue Model
RedLightOS is free to download and use. We sustain the app and our research through two sources: optional Pro subscriptions and affiliate commissions when you purchase devices through our links.
When you click a “Check Price” or “Buy” button on our site and make a purchase, the manufacturer or retailer pays us a small commission. This comes from the seller's marketing budget — it does not increase the price you pay.
Our Testing Methodology
We maintain a database of 55+ devices from 38+ brands. Our specifications are sourced from manufacturer data, Amazon listings, and independent spectrometer testing by Alex Fergus (Red Therapy Co.) and Light Therapy Insiders.
Every device in our database carries a confidence rating:
- Grade A — Third-party spectrometer verified (irradiance, wavelength accuracy, EMF)
- Grade B — Official manufacturer specifications (most devices)
- Grade C — Unverified claims (Amazon listings, marketing materials only)
We clearly label each device's confidence level so you know exactly how much to trust the numbers.
Commission Transparency
We earn commissions ranging from 1% to 20% depending on the brand and affiliate network. This does NOT affect our recommendations.
Over 50% of devices in our database have no affiliate relationship — we still review and compare them equally. Devices without affiliate programs appear in our rankings, best-of lists, and comparisons just as prominently as those with programs.
Our affiliate networks include Amazon Associates, Awin, Impact, Refersion, and direct brand programs. Cookie durations range from 1 day (Amazon) to 90 days (brand direct).
Editorial Independence
Our recommendation criteria are established before checking affiliate availability. Devices that score higher on verified irradiance, build quality, warranty, and value-per-watt always rank higher regardless of commission rate.
We evaluate devices on objective metrics: irradiance at rated distance, wavelength count, LED density, warranty length, FDA status, price-per-LED, and independent testing availability. No amount of affiliate commission changes these numbers.
What We Don't Do
- ✕No paid placements — brands cannot pay to appear higher in our rankings
- ✕No sponsored reviews — every review uses the same methodology
- ✕No pay-to-rank — our algorithms don't factor in commission rates
- ✕No removal of negative reviews — if a device has cons, we list them regardless of affiliate status
- ✕No affiliate-only listings — we review devices with or without affiliate programs
Questions?
If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or want to report an issue with our recommendations, please reach out. We take editorial integrity seriously.