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The 56 Best Startup Directories to Submit To in 2026 (We Tried 32)

Free backlinks and a trickle of early signups, if you pick the high-authority startup directories and skip the link farms. 56 ranked here, 32 of which we submitted to ourselves, with every link type verified first-hand.

9 min readUpdated July 11, 2026

Submitting your startup to directories is one of the cheapest backlink plays there is. Most startup submission sites are free, you do it once, and a high-authority listing keeps passing link equity (and the occasional signup) for years.

This list is different from the usual startup directory list: we actually submitted OneUp Today to 32 of these directories between May and July 2026, verified which ones really pass a dofollow link, hit the paywalled-backlink traps so you don't have to, and watched our own Ahrefs domain rating climb from 0.8 to 7.0 along the way. The 16 ranked below are the ones we would do first, with what each is genuinely good for; after that there is a table of 40 more startup listing websites ranked by authority.

Want a searchable version instead? We keep a sortable list of 115+ startup directories ranked by domain rating. And once you are listed, the highest-intent channel is still people asking for a tool like yours, which is what Reddit lead generation is built for.

What to look for

  • Domain authority

    A listing on a DR 60+ site passes real link equity. A DR 10 directory does almost nothing. Prioritise authority over raw volume.

  • Real referral traffic

    Some directories send actual visitors (Product Hunt, G2). Others are backlink-only (Crunchbase). Both have value, just know which you are getting.

  • Audience fit

    A founder audience (Indie Hackers, BetaList) converts better than a generic 'all websites' directory. Match the directory to who buys from you.

  • Dofollow vs nofollow

    Dofollow links pass SEO authority. Many community links (Reddit, Hacker News) are nofollow but still send traffic and discovery. Use both, for different reasons.

  • Cost and effort

    Start with free listings. Only pay to skip a queue or time a launch when timing genuinely matters.

  • Paywalled or conditional dofollow

    Several directories advertise a backlink but nofollow the free tier: PitchWall paywalls the dofollow at $49, TinyLaunch only grants it for a top-3 launch-day finish with their badge, and AlternativeTo's official-website link is now nofollow. Verify the actual rel attribute on a live listing before paying.

  • What they scrape from your site

    Directories auto-pull logos and descriptions from your homepage, and they get it wrong: two of our live listings showed a different product's logo until we caught it. After each acceptance, open the live listing and check the logo, the name, and the link.

At a glance

ToolBest forStarts atLink
Product HuntLaunch-day traffic + a strong backlinkFreeDofollow
G2High-intent B2B buyers comparing toolsFree listingNofollow
CapterraPurchase-intent software buyersFree listingNofollow
CrunchbaseCompany credibility + a strong backlinkFree basic profileNofollow
AlternativeToCapturing 'alternative to X' searchesFreeDofollow
Startup FameMaximum free link equity for a young domainFree (Verified plan requires their badge on your site)Dofollow
BetaListBuilding an early-adopter waitlist pre-launchFree, paid to skip the queueNofollow
SaaSHubSaaS discovery + alternative-page trafficFreeDofollow
StartupRankingA solid DA ~71 dofollow with zero budgetFreeDofollow
Indie HackersBuild-in-public reach + founder relationshipsFreeNofollow
F6SFounder networking, deals, accelerator discoveryFreeNofollow
PeerPushIndie and bootstrapped tools that want peer traffic plus a clean linkFreeDofollow
There's An AI For ThatAI products that want discovery trafficPaid (free listing removed)Dofollow
UneedActual referral visitors from an on-ICP maker audienceFree queue (paid skip: $29.99)Nofollow
Hacker News (Show HN)Technical launches + developer-founder trafficFreeNofollow
Reddit (relevant subreddits)High-intent niche communities + real conversationsFreeNofollow

See OneUp Today at work

Real recordings from the OneUp Today app. The Reply Agent drafts public replies you swipe to post or skip; the Content Agent turns a template into posts for every platform. Nothing goes out until you approve it.

Meet all seven agents
Reply Agent: review each drafted reply, swipe to post or skip.
Content Agent: pick a template, post to every platform you connect.
r/SaaS2 min agoHigh intent

“Looking for a CRM for my small SaaS team, what do you all use?”

Drafted in your voice

Hey, saw your post about CRM hunting. We make a lightweight CRM for small SaaS teams. Happy to share how founders your size set it up in under an hour, no pressure either way.

References their exact words. No template smell.

DM ready for review34 words, zero buzzwords

Hey, saw your post about CRM hunting. We make a lightweight CRM for small SaaS teams. Happy to share how founders your size set it up in under an hour, no pressure either way.

Approve & sendEdit first
Sent. Replied 14 min later.Trial started

Illustrative example

  1. 1. Product Hunt

    Free · DofollowFree

    The default launch platform for new products, and a high-authority backlink that lasts well past launch day.

    Strengths

    • Very high domain authority (DR ~90)
    • Big launch-day traffic spike
    • Lasting dofollow profile page

    Trade-offs

    • One shot, so launch prep matters
    • Traffic fades after launch day
    • Competitive on busy days

  2. 2. G2

    Free · NofollowFree listing

    The review marketplace B2B buyers use to compare software before they buy.

    Strengths

    • Very high domain authority
    • Audience is ready to purchase
    • Reviews compound over time

    Trade-offs

    • Needs reviews to rank inside G2
    • B2B SaaS focused
    • Upsells paid placement

  3. 3. Capterra

    Free · NofollowFree listing

    Gartner-owned software directory that sends bottom-of-funnel buyer traffic.

    Strengths

    • High authority and trust
    • Purchase-ready audience
    • Free to list

    Trade-offs

    • Pay-per-click upsell
    • Visibility is review-driven
    • B2B leaning

  4. 4. Crunchbase

    Free · NofollowFree basic profile

    The company database press and investors check, and a quick high-authority backlink.

    Strengths

    • Very high domain authority
    • Signals legitimacy to press and investors
    • Fast to set up

    Trade-offs

    • Not a real traffic driver
    • Profile only, no product sell
    • Paid tiers for full features

  5. 5. AlternativeTo

    Free · DofollowFree

    Where people go to find alternatives to the tools they already use.

    Strengths

    • High authority, evergreen traffic
    • Catches competitor-alternative intent
    • Community upvotes boost ranking

    Trade-offs

    • Needs upvotes to surface
    • Crowded categories
    • Approval can take time

  6. 6. Startup Fame

    Free · DofollowFree (Verified plan requires their badge on your site)

    The highest-DR free dofollow backlink we found in 32 first-hand submissions (DR ~83), via the free Verified plan.

    Strengths

    • DR ~83 dofollow on the free tier, verified on our own listing
    • Two bonus dofollow boosters: founder check and location
    • Fast: verification passed same day, publishes within a week

    Trade-offs

    • Requires embedding their badge to stay verified
    • Human review before the listing goes live
    • Smaller referral audience than Product Hunt

  7. 7. BetaList

    Free · NofollowFree, paid to skip the queue

    An early-adopter directory built for pre-launch and just-launched startups.

    Strengths

    • Targeted early-adopter audience
    • Good domain authority
    • Drives email signups

    Trade-offs

    • Free queue can take weeks
    • One-time feature
    • Best before launch, not after

  8. 8. SaaSHub

    Free · DofollowFree

    A SaaS-native directory and alternatives site that keeps sending evergreen traffic.

    Strengths

    • SaaS-focused audience
    • Decent authority, evergreen
    • Alternative pages rank

    Trade-offs

    • Less traffic than G2 or Capterra
    • Needs a complete profile
    • Niche reach

  9. 9. StartupRanking

    Free · DofollowFree

    Free startup profile with a dofollow website link once approved, plus a public ranking page that sticks around.

    Strengths

    • Dofollow website link on approved listings (we checked live profiles)
    • DA ~71 and a long-lived profile page
    • Simple Google-OAuth submission flow

    Trade-offs

    • Approval queue, not instant
    • Requires a 300+ character description
    • Audience skews browsers, not buyers

  10. 10. Indie Hackers

    Free · NofollowFree

    The bootstrapped-founder community, with a product directory attached.

    Strengths

    • Engaged founder community
    • Good domain authority
    • Relationships turn into referrals

    Trade-offs

    • Community-first, so self-promo norms apply
    • Product page is secondary
    • Takes ongoing participation

  11. 11. F6S

    Free · NofollowFree

    A startup network with accelerator programs and founder deals.

    Strengths

    • High domain authority
    • Founder and investor network
    • Access to deals and programs

    Trade-offs

    • Noisy platform
    • Less direct product traffic
    • Profile upkeep needed

  12. 12. PeerPush

    Free · DofollowFree

    Indie-product launch board where the free listing's outbound link came back verified dofollow.

    Strengths

    • Dofollow outbound link, verified on our live listing
    • Free standard launch queue
    • On-ICP indie and maker audience

    Trade-offs

    • Free queue means a wait
    • Modest traffic next to the big platforms
    • Listing quality depends on your own copy

  13. 13. There's An AI For That

    Paid · DofollowPaid (free listing removed)

    The largest AI-tools directory, if your product has an AI angle.

    Strengths

    • High domain authority
    • Huge AI-tool audience
    • Sends real referral traffic

    Trade-offs

    • Only fits if you are an AI tool
    • Free submission removed in 2026, now paid ($49+)
    • Very crowded now

  14. 14. Uneed

    Free · NofollowFree queue (paid skip: $29.99)

    A traffic play, not a link play: roughly 90K visits a month and ~22K monthly referral clicks out to listed products.

    Strengths

    • Real referral traffic out to product sites
    • AI prefills your whole listing from the URL
    • Free tier available

    Trade-offs

    • Nofollow, so no link equity
    • Free queue can be months long
    • Upsells at every step

  15. 15. Hacker News (Show HN)

    Free · NofollowFree

    A technical community that can send a real traffic spike if your launch lands.

    Strengths

    • Massive spike if it lands
    • Sharp, high-quality audience
    • Free and fast

    Trade-offs

    • Links are nofollow
    • Unpredictable and harsh
    • No second chances on a flop

  16. 16. Reddit (relevant subreddits)

    Free · NofollowFree

    Not a directory: where your buyers actually ask for tools like yours.

    Strengths

    • People describe the exact problem you solve
    • Where buying intent is highest
    • OneUp Today's home channel

    Trade-offs

    • Strict self-promotion rules per subreddit
    • Links are nofollow
    • Needs genuine participation, not drops

The full list: 40 more startup directories by authority

DirectoryDALink typeCategory
Trustpilot93DofollowReview Site
SourceForge93DofollowDirectory
Softonic92DofollowDirectory
GetApp91DofollowDirectory
Geekwire88DofollowDirectory
Tech in Asia88DofollowDirectory
Pitchbook82DofollowDirectory
Sitejabber74DofollowDirectory
Vccircle73DofollowDirectory
All top startups72DofollowDirectory
Finances Online72DofollowReview Site
StackShare71DofollowDirectory
TrustRadius70DofollowReview Site
All Top69DofollowDirectory
Clutch69DofollowReview Site
Similar Sites68DofollowReview Site
Slant.co68DofollowReview Site
Gust68DofollowDirectory
EU-Startups Database67DofollowDirectory
Comparably66DofollowReview Site
Acquire.com65DofollowMarketplace
Appvizer63DofollowReview Site
AppSumo61DofollowLaunch Platform
Tidy Repo59DofollowReview Site
Startupxplore59DofollowDirectory
AlphaDigits57DofollowReview Site
StartupBlink56DofollowDirectory
Alternative.me55DofollowDirectory
Tech directory55DofollowDirectory
All Software Categories - GoodFirms55DofollowDirectory
Tracxn53DofollowLaunch Platform
SoftwareSuggest52DofollowReview Site
FoundrList52DofollowDirectory
AIbase52DofollowAI Directory
Snap Munk50DofollowDirectory
Feedough50DofollowReview Site
Beta Bound49DofollowDirectory
Serchen49DofollowDirectory
Lobsters48DofollowLaunch Platform
PitchWall48DofollowDirectory

Which one should you pick?

Launching this week: Product Hunt + Hacker News (Show HN)
Both give a same-day traffic spike. Product Hunt also leaves a lasting dofollow backlink.
B2B SaaS with buyers comparing tools: G2 + Capterra
This is where purchase-ready buyers shortlist software. Start collecting reviews early, they compound.
Pre-launch, building a waitlist: BetaList + Indie Hackers
Both reach early adopters who want to try new tools and give feedback.
You just want authority backlinks fast: Crunchbase + AlternativeTo + SaaSHub
High authority, free, and quick to set up. Submit once and move on.
You are an AI product: There's An AI For That
The biggest AI-tools audience, and it sends real referral traffic, not just a backlink.
Highest free dofollow, no launch required: Startup Fame + StartupRanking + StackShare
All three passed a real dofollow on the free tier when we checked our own live listings in 2026. Startup Fame is DR ~83 but requires their badge on your site.

Frequently asked questions

Are startup directories worth it for SEO?
The high-authority ones, yes. A dofollow listing on a DR 60+ site passes real link equity and helps a young domain build trust. Low-authority directories and mass-submission services do little, or can hurt you. Quality over volume.
How many directories should I submit to?
Aim for 30 to 50 quality referring domains in your first 90 days. Submit to the top 10 in week one, then 2 to 3 niche ones a week. Beyond 50 you hit diminishing returns.
Do directory backlinks actually improve rankings?
High-authority dofollow links help, especially for a young domain with few backlinks. But avoid services that promise hundreds of submissions: those are link farms, and a flood of low-quality links can lower your domain rating.
Free or paid submissions?
Start free. Almost every directory worth listing on has a free option. Only pay to skip a queue (BetaList) or time a launch (Product Hunt) when timing genuinely matters.
Can I just post my startup to subreddits?
Carefully. Reddit is where buyers describe the exact problem you solve, but every subreddit has its own self-promotion rules and most links are nofollow. Read the rules first: here is how to share your SaaS on Reddit without getting banned.
Where do I find even more directories?
The table above covers 56. Beyond that, we maintain a free, sortable database of 115+ startup directories with domain rating and link type for each, at oneup.today/tools/startup. Filter it by dofollow and DR and work down the list.
Do free directory listings actually give dofollow backlinks?
Sometimes, and you should verify instead of trusting the marketing. Across 32 first-hand submissions in mid-2026 the free tier was genuinely dofollow on Startup Fame, StartupRanking, StackShare, PeerPush and Product Hunt, while PitchWall paywalls it at $49, TinyLaunch makes it conditional on a top-3 launch finish, and G2, Capterra, Crunchbase and AlternativeTo are nofollow. Check the link's rel attribute on a live listing before paying anyone.
Do startup directories actually move domain rating?
They did for us. OneUp Today's Ahrefs domain rating went from 0.8 to 7.0 during a five-week sprint of roughly 30 directory submissions (May to July 2026), with the high-authority dofollow listings doing the lifting. The nofollow ones still helped discovery and AI-answer citations, just not DR.

Listed everywhere but still quiet?

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Related reading

Full 115+ directory listBootstrapped SaaS growth guideEngineering as marketingFind leads on RedditReddit marketing guide