40 free directories to list your SaaS (and get your first backlinks)
Where to submit your product, what it costs, and which ones are actually worth your time.
A new SaaS is invisible. Nobody searches for your name, Google doesn't trust your domain yet, and AI search tools have never heard of you. Directories fix a bit of all three. Buyers browse them when they compare tools, search engines and AI assistants read them, and every listing is one more page that links to you. They won't make your startup on their own. But listing your product in the right 15 to 20 places takes one afternoon and keeps working for years. This list shows you where.
Quick start: if you only do 5, do these
Capterra, GetApp and Software Advice.
One free vendor account gets you onto all three. B2B buyers use them to shortlist software.
G2.
The review site many buyers check before they book a demo. A free profile is enough to start collecting reviews.
AlternativeTo.
People here are actively looking to switch from a tool they already use.
SaaSHub.
SaaS-only, free, and quick to set up.
Crunchbase.
The company record investors, journalists and data tools look up. Submit it once and keep it current.
Software review sites (B2B buyers)
| Directory | Best for | Cost | Good to know | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G2 | B2B SaaS of any kind | free profile; paid plans for more visibility | reviews are what matter here. Ask your first happy users for a review right after they get value. | medium |
| Capterra | B2B and SMB software | free listing; paid placement drives most of the visibility | part of Gartner Digital Markets. One vendor account covers Capterra, GetApp and Software Advice. | medium |
| GetApp | small business software | free (same Gartner vendor account as Capterra) | pick your categories carefully. That's how buyers find you here. | low |
| Software Advice | B2B software in established categories | free (same Gartner vendor account as Capterra) | works best if your product fits a category buyers already know. | low |
| TrustRadius | B2B software sold to larger companies | free listing | reviews here are long and detailed. Worth it once you have a few loyal customers. | medium |
| SourceForge | any software, including SaaS and open source | free | one of the oldest software directories. Review can be slow, so submit early. | low |
| Crozdesk | B2B software | free listing | pulls in reviews left on other sites, so a good G2 profile helps here too. | low |
| SaaSworthy | SaaS products | free listing | ranks and compares SaaS tools by category. Keep your pricing up to date. | low |
| SoftwareSuggest | B2B software, especially if you sell in Asia-Pacific | free listing | strong in APAC markets. | low |
| FinancesOnline | B2B software | free listing | expect offers for paid upgrades after you submit. You don't need them. | low |
Startup and company databases
| Directory | Best for | Cost | Good to know | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchbase | every startup | free basic profile | journalists, investors and data tools pull from here. Submit once and keep it current. | low |
| Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent) | startups that may hire or raise money | free company profile | also useful later for hiring. | low |
| F6S | startups looking at accelerators, programs and investors | free | your profile doubles as your listing. | low |
| EU-Startups | European startups only | free directory listing | skip it if you're not based in Europe. | low |
Alternatives and comparison sites
| Directory | Best for | Cost | Good to know | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlternativeTo | tools that replace a well-known product | free | mark the right "alternative to" products. That's where your traffic comes from. | low |
| SaaSHub | any SaaS product | free | verify your product after submitting, and add your alternatives and pricing. | low |
| Alternative.me | tools that replace popular software | free | works like AlternativeTo. A small extra source of switching users. | low |
Developer tools
| Directory | Best for | Cost | Good to know | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StackShare | dev tools, APIs and infrastructure only | free | developers use it to see which tools other teams run. Get listed as a tool, then ask users to add you to their stack. | low |
| DevHunt | developer tools only | free | weekly launches with voting. Launch early in the week. | low |
| LibHunt | open source projects and developer tools | free | only relevant if you have a public repo. | low |
Launch directories
| Directory | Best for | Cost | Good to know | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Hunt | any software product | free | the biggest launch day for software, but plan it properly. Your listing stays online after launch day. | high |
| Fazier | new tech tools and startups | free; paid placements exist | some benefits of the free tier depend on adding their badge to your site. Read the terms when you submit. | low |
| Uneed | SaaS and maker tools | free waiting line; paid option to skip it | free launches need enough upvotes on launch day to keep the listing with a backlink. Rally your audience that day. | low |
| Peerlist | products by individual makers | free | launches come from your personal profile. Set it up a few days before you launch. | medium |
| PeerPush | indie products and SaaS | free submission | small but active launch community. | low |
| TinyLaunch | small products and indie launches | free | quick to submit. Good for the week after a bigger launch. | low |
| Microlaunch | micro-SaaS and focused tools | free; premium options exist | small, focused products do better here than broad platforms. | low |
| BetaList | products in beta or pre-launch | free with a long queue; paid option to skip it | submit weeks before your launch, not on the day. | low |
| Launching Next | upcoming and newly launched startups | free | simple submission form, no launch day to manage. | low |
| StartupBase | indie startups | free | simple listing with upvotes. | low |
| Twelve Tools | tools with a clear use case | free tier and paid options | small directory with real traffic. Check which link type the free tier gives you. | low |
| Startup Fame | new startups and side projects | free if you add their badge to your site; paid options exist | a typical "badge for a free listing" deal. Decide if you're fine with that. | low |
| Dang | AI tools | free if you add their badge to your site; paid options exist | only relevant if your product is an AI tool. | low |
Indie and maker communities
| Directory | Best for | Cost | Good to know | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indie Hackers | bootstrapped SaaS and solo founders | free | add your product, then post real lessons and numbers. That's what gets attention here. | medium |
| SideProjectors | side projects, including ones you might sell later | free | buyers browse here too, so it's a soft way to test interest in your project. | low |
| Tiny Startups | indie products | free | directory plus newsletter with an indie audience. | low |
| Startup Stash | tools that help founders build a startup | free listing | curated, so not every submission gets in. | low |
| Startup Ranking | any startup | free | global startup database. Quick to submit. | low |
| WebCatalog | web apps people use every day | free | a catalog of web apps. Fits products people open daily. | low |
| Killer Startups | any startup | free submission | older startup site. Low effort, small but lasting extra link. | low |
A quick word on backlinks
Not every listing passes SEO value. Many big platforms mark outgoing links as "nofollow", for example Product Hunt, AlternativeTo, SaaSHub, Indie Hackers and SourceForge. They're still worth it for traffic, trust and AI search visibility. Some smaller directories give you a stronger link only if you add their badge to your site. That's a fair trade for some founders and not for others. Decide once and stick to it.
Submission checklist
- Logo in square format (PNG, at least 512 × 512 px) and a horizontal version
- Tagline under 60 characters that says what it does ("Get an alert when someone asks for a tool like yours", not "AI growth platform")
- Short description (about 160 characters) and long description (about 300 words)
- 3 to 5 screenshots and one short demo video or GIF
- Pricing, free plan or trial, and your money-back policy
- 3 to 5 categories and 3 to 5 tools you're an alternative to
- Founder name, company email and social links
- A link with UTM parameters per directory, so you know which ones bring visitors
- A simple spreadsheet: directory, date submitted, status, link live, visitors
How to get the most out of your listings
Collect reviews early. On G2, Capterra and TrustRadius, a profile with 5 honest reviews beats an empty one with a perfect description. Ask users right after they get value.
Keep it current. Update pricing, screenshots and features every few months. Outdated listings look abandoned.
Use the same name and description everywhere. Search engines and AI assistants connect the dots more easily.
Watch what brings visitors. After a month, put more effort into the 3 to 5 directories that work and ignore the rest.
Answer reviews and comments. A thoughtful reply to a critical review often convinces more buyers than the positive ones.