Free vendor evaluation scorecard
Agree the criteria and weights before the demos, rate each vendor from 1 to 5, and get a weighted ranking you can explain to anyone who asks.
How to build a vendor evaluation scorecard
A scorecard turns a selection into a decision you can defend. It works best when the criteria and weights are fixed before anyone sees a proposal or a demo, so the result is not shaped around a favourite.
- Pick five to eight criteria. Fewer is easier to score consistently. Merge criteria that measure the same thing.
- Weight them to 100%. Weights force the trade-off: if everything matters equally, nothing decides.
- Separate mandatory requirements. Requirements a vendor must meet, such as a certification or a data location, are pass or fail, not points.
- Score independently, then compare. Each evaluator rates alone first; discuss the biggest differences, then agree a final rating.
- Write down why. A one-line note per vendor makes the result easy to explain to finance, auditors and the vendors who lost.
The rating scale
A 1 to 5 scale is precise enough to separate vendors and simple enough to agree on: 1 does not meet the requirement, 2 partly meets it, 3 meets it, 4 exceeds it and 5 clearly exceeds it. Write down what a 3 looks like for each criterion before scoring.
How the score works
Each rating is divided by 5 and multiplied by the criterion weight; the sum is the score out of 100. A vendor rated 5 on everything scores 100. Unrated criteria count as 0, so finish the ratings before comparing. Vendors that fail a mandatory requirement are listed but not ranked.
Frequently asked questions
Is this vendor scorecard free?
Yes. Score as many vendors as you like and download the scorecard as a PDF or CSV without creating an account.
Are my ratings uploaded?
No. The scorecard runs in your browser. If you add your contact details and download, Sourceably saves those details (not the ratings) so our team can help you, unless you tick "Don’t contact me".
How much weight should price get?
For services and software, price is usually 20 to 30%: enough to matter, not enough to buy a weak solution. For standard goods with a fixed specification it can be higher. Compare quotes on total landed cost first with the quote comparison tool.
Should security be a criterion?
Yes, whenever the vendor will handle your data or connect to your systems. Score it on evidence: a current certificate or audit report, or a verified scorecard, rather than on the vendor’s own description.