Updated 15 October 2026 · 99 directories

Best startup directories in 2026: 99 sites, hand-checked

Every startup, SaaS and AI directory we use or have rejected, with approximate Domain Rating, link type, whether there's a free option, and whether you'll need an account or have to pass a human check. We open every submit page ourselves; we don't copy lists.

45 of 99 have a free option. 60 give a dofollow link. DR values are approximate third-party (Ahrefs-style) estimates and drift month to month; pricing changes often, so check before you pay.

How to use this list

Filter to directories that fit your product. AI-only sites reject non-AI products.
Start at the top: higher DR usually means more crawl and referral value.
Prepare your copy once (tagline ≤60 chars, 160/300/500-char descriptions, a long description, square logo, 1270×760 screenshots), then paste.
Pace yourself: 5–10 a day is plenty. Never buy votes or reviews.
Check back after 7 days and record which listings went live.

The list

Free option only Dofollow only

Directory	Category	DR≈	Link	Price	Account	Human check
StartupFA.me	startup directory	82	Dofollow	Check	Yes	Yes
Fazier	launch platform	80	Nofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
Dang.ai	AI directory	80	Nofollow	Free with backlink/badge or paid	Yes	No
StackShare	dev tools directory	80	Nofollow	Free	Yes	?
Twelve Tools	tools directory	79	Dofollow	Free with backlink/badge	No	No
AlternativeTo	software directory	79	Dofollow	Free	Yes	?
Turbo0	startup directory	78	Dofollow	Free with backlink/badge or paid	Yes	No
SaaSHub	software directory	76	Nofollow	Free	Yes	No
Toolpilot	AI directory	76	Nofollow	Paid	No	Yes
Peerlist Launchpad	launch platform	75	Nofollow	Free	Yes	?
Findly.tools	tools directory	75	Dofollow	Check	Yes	Yes
BetaList	launch platform	74	Dofollow	Free	Yes	Yes
LaunchIgniter	launch platform	74	Nofollow	Free + paid	Yes	?
Neeed	tools directory	73	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
Uneed	launch platform	73	Nofollow	Free	Yes	Yes
Alternative.me	software directory	73	Nofollow	Free	Yes	?
SubmitAITools	AI directory	73	Nofollow	Check	Yes	?
MagicBox.tools	AI directory	72	Dofollow	Check	?	No
Toolify	AI directory	72	Dofollow	Paid	?	Yes
SaaSworthy	software directory	72	Dofollow	Free	Yes	Yes
Futurepedia	AI directory	69	Nofollow	Paid	Yes	Yes
Future Tools	AI directory	68	Nofollow	Free	No	Yes
EU-Startups Directory	startup directory (EU)	68	Dofollow	Paid	Yes	?
AiTools.inc	AI directory	67	Nofollow	Free + paid	?	No
AI Tools Directory	AI directory	67	Dofollow	Free	No	?
Toolsfine	AI directory	67	Dofollow	Paid	No	No
aiwith.me	AI directory	66	Dofollow	Paid	?	No
Startup Ranking	startup directory	65	Nofollow	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
Startup Stash	startup directory	65	Dofollow	Check	No	Yes
SoftwareSuggest	software review directory	65	Nofollow	Free	Yes	No
Sprout24	software directory (martech)	64	Dofollow	Free	No	No
KillerStartups	startup directory	62	Dofollow	Check	No	Yes
Aura++	launch platform	62	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
AgentHunter	AI agent directory	60	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
Open Launch	launch platform	60	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
Startup Fast	launch platform	59	Nofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
DevHunt	launch platform (dev tools)	59	Nofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
Acid Tools	AI directory	59	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
Microlaunch	launch platform	58	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
Firsto	launch platform	57	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
Super Launch	launch platform	57	Dofollow	Check	Yes	Yes
Startups Lab	startup directory	56	Nofollow	Free + paid	?	No
IdeaKiln	startup directory	56	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
Tekpon	software review directory	55	Dofollow	Paid	Yes	No
Crozdesk (Revleads)	software directory	55	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
Serchen	software directory	55	Dofollow	Check	?	No
StartupTrusted	startup directory	53	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
OpenAlternative	open-source directory	51	Dofollow	Free	Yes	Yes
Shipybara	launch platform	51	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
FoundrList	startup directory	51	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
Tiny Startups	launch platform	50	Nofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
AI Tech Viral	AI directory	50	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
Unite List	startup directory	50	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
Launching Next	startup directory	50	Dofollow	Free + paid	No	?
OpenHunts	launch platform	50	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
MakerThrive	maker community	50	Nofollow	Check	?	Yes
Appa List	app directory	48	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
BAI.tools	AI directory	48	Dofollow	Paid	?	No
SaasHunt	SaaS directory	48	Nofollow	Check	Yes	Yes
Huzzler	launch platform	46	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	No
SoloPush	launch platform	46	Dofollow	Check	?	No
AI Library (Phygital+)	AI directory	46	Dofollow	Free	No	Yes
AiTools.fyi	AI directory	46	Dofollow	Paid	No	Yes
TryLaunch	launch platform	45	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
Toolfio	tools directory	45	Dofollow	Paid	?	No
AllTopStartups	startup directory	45	Dofollow	Check	No	No
EliteAI Tools	AI directory	45	Dofollow	Paid	Yes	Yes
Launch Vault	launch platform	45	Dofollow	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
VentureRadar	startup database	45	Nofollow	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
We Like Tools	tools directory	44	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
ProductBurst	launch platform	44	Dofollow	Check	?	?
AI Agents Directory	AI agent directory	43	Dofollow	Check	Yes	No
startuplist.ing	startup directory	43	Nofollow	Paid	Yes	No
AI Startups	AI directory	43	Dofollow	Check	?	No
Micro SaaS Examples	SaaS directory	41	Dofollow	Free + paid	No	No
Awesome Tools	tools directory	41	Dofollow	Free with backlink/badge or paid	No	No
Victrays	AI directory	40	Dofollow	Paid	Yes	Yes
StartupBuffer	startup directory	38	Dofollow	Check	?	Yes
SaaSGenius	software directory	35	Dofollow	Check	?	No
Productivity Directory	tools directory	35	Dofollow	Check	Yes	?
OpenFuture	AI directory	30	Dofollow	Free	Yes	?
Postmake	tools directory	28	Dofollow	Paid	No	No
Awesome Indie	indie directory	26	Nofollow	Free	Yes	No
Startup Collections	startup directory	22	Dofollow	Free	No	Yes
TopAI.tools	AI directory	–	?	Paid	No	No
Aitoolnet	AI directory	–	?	Free + paid	No	No
AItoptools	AI directory	–	?	Check	?	No
Dofollow.tools	AI directory	–	?	Check	No	No
Indie Tools	tools directory	–	?	Free + paid	Yes	Yes
PeerPush	launch platform	–	?	Free + paid	Yes	No
ToolWorthy	AI directory	–	?	Paid	?	Yes
Easy With AI	AI directory	–	?	Paid	No	Yes
Supertools (The Rundown)	AI directory	–	?	Free	No	?
AI Valley	AI directory	–	?	Free	No	Yes
Insidr AI	AI directory	–	?	Check	No	No
SaaSFame	SaaS directory	–	?	Check	Yes	Yes
NoCodeList	no-code directory	–	?	Check	Yes	?
Launch Llama	tools directory	–	?	Free + paid	?	Yes
SaaSurf	SaaS directory	–	?	Check	Yes	?

Column notes

Human check: the submit page shows a CAPTCHA, Turnstile or bot checkpoint. Budget an extra minute.
Free with backlink/badge: the free tier asks you to link back to the directory from your site.
Check: we couldn't confirm pricing from the public page.

FAQ

Do startup directories still help SEO in 2026?

Some do, a little. Most value is discovery, referral clicks and brand searches; many links are nofollow. Treat ranking gains as a bonus, and skip anything that looks like a link farm.

How many directories should I submit to?

Relevance beats volume. 20–40 well-matched directories cover most of the benefit for a new product. Expect that many "free" directories need their badge on your site or queue free listings for weeks.

Can I get this list as a spreadsheet?

Email hello@listedproof.com and we'll send the CSV.

Don't want to fill in 30 forms? ListedProof submits your product to hand-checked directories within 7 days and sends a proof report with a live link and screenshot for every listing. Starter is $79, one-time. See pricing.