How to Choose SaaS Directories
10 filters that separate the directories worth your time from the ones that waste it. Plus a recommended directory mix for every stage of SaaS.
Volume Is the Wrong Metric
Most "submit to 1000 directories" pitches are noise. Roughly 60% of directories on the internet are link farms, abandoned sites, or noindexed listings, and submitting to them wastes founder time at best, hurts your SEO at worst.
The right metric is value-weighted volume: 50-150 high-quality directories beats 1000 low-quality ones every time. Choosing well takes 10 minutes if you know the filters.
Below: the 10 filters in priority order, plus the directory mix that fits each stage of SaaS.
The 10 Filters That Matter
Domain Rating (DR): start here
Sort by DR descending. The first 20 directories by DR usually pass more link equity than the next 200 combined. Aim for at least 15 listings on directories with DR 50+.
Link type: DoFollow vs NoFollow
DoFollow links pass full ranking authority, NoFollow links pass almost none. Prioritize DoFollow for SEO; NoFollow is still useful for referral traffic and brand visibility.
Topical relevance
A DR 35 SaaS-specific directory often beats a DR 60 generic directory because the surrounding context tells Google what your link is about. Always prefer category-relevant directories over generic ones at the same DR tier.
Indexability
Some directories list you on noindexed or canonicalized pages. Those listings carry no SEO value. Use our Directory Finder tool to filter out low-quality directories and verify a directory's listing pages are actually indexable before submitting.
Approval probability
A high-DR directory you cannot get into is worth zero. Filter by your stage and category because a brand new SaaS will not pass G2, but it will pass BetaList and AlternativeTo.
Pricing model
Free directories scale cheaply. Paid directories should be reserved for the 1–3 cases where measurable referral traffic or premium placement justifies the spend.
Approval time
For a launch wave, prioritize directories with under 7-day approval. Save longer-review directories for post-launch coverage.
Login and confirmation friction
High-friction directories (account, email confirmation, CAPTCHA, screenshot upload) are worth it for the top 20–30. For volume, prefer the lower-friction long tail.
Anchor text and listing format
Some directories let you choose your anchor text. That matters for SEO. Avoid directories that force exact-match keyword anchors (a Google penalty signal).
Recency of last update
A directory that has not been updated in 2 years is dying. Skip directories with no new listings in the last 90 days because they may not exist next year.
Directory Mix by Stage
Pre-launch
BetaList, Indie Hackers, Launching Next, and niche launch directories reward early-stage products. Skip G2/Capterra until you have 5+ reviews.
Launch week
Product Hunt, BetaList, AlternativeTo, SaaSHub, Indie Hackers, plus 80+ general SaaS directories for the SEO long tail.
Post-launch (B2B SaaS)
G2, Capterra, GetApp, SoftwareAdvice, SaaSworthy. Niche review sites for your category. Generic SaaS directories for SEO.
Post-launch (AI tool)
AI-specific directories first (Toolify, There's an AI for that, Futurepedia, AI Tools Directory). Then general SaaS directories.
Post-launch (developer tool)
GitHub-adjacent directories, dev tool aggregators, AlternativeTo, Indie Hackers, plus general SaaS directories with high DR.
Post-launch (browser extension)
Chrome Web Store first (mandatory), then extension directories, then general SaaS directories. Skip review sites that do not list extensions.
Apply the Filters Yourself
700+ vetted directories. Sort and filter by DR, link type, pricing, and category.
| # | Name | DR | Type | Pricing | Link Type | URL | Submit URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Trustpilot | 94.0 | Review Platform | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 2. | SourceForge | 92.0 | Software Directory | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 3. | Clutch | 91.0 | General Directory | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 4. | Hacker News | 91.0 | General Directory | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 5. | Product Hunt | 91.0 | Launchpad | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 6. | CrunchBase | 91.0 | Startup Directory | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 7. | G2 | 91.0 | Review Platform | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 8. | AI Tools Neil Patel | 91.0 | AI Directory | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 9. | Indie Dev Tools | 90.0 | Startup Directory | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 10. | DEV Community | 90.0 | Community | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 11. | Telegraph | 88.0 | Others | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 12. | Devpost | 87.0 | Software Directory | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 13. | FinancesOnline.com | 87.0 | Software Directory | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 14. | Built In | 86.0 | General Directory | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 15. | YourStory | 85.0 | Startup Directory | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 16. | GeekWire | 85.0 | Startup Directory | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 17. | TrustRadius | 84.0 | Review Platform | Free | Nofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 18. | HackMD | 83.0 | Others | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 19. | AppSumo | 83.0 | Software Directory | Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
| 20. | Startup Fame | 83.0 | Startup Directory | Conditional Free | Dofollow | Visit | Submit |
Free Tools to Pick the Right Directories
Choosing Directories FAQ
We've Already Done the Filtering
Our packages target the exact 60, 100, or 140+ directories worth submitting to by stage, category, and DR. You skip the research and we ship the listings.
Basic
Ideal for businesses starting their journey to enhanced online visibility.
Choose $60 package- Submission to 60+ directories
- Guaranteed DR increase from 0 to 10+
- Complete submission report
- Paid directories are not included
- Get valuable backlinks
- Generate organic traffic
- Save over 12 hours of your time
- 48-hour turnaround time
Premium
Our most comprehensive package for maximum visibility and SEO impact.
Choose $140 package- Submission to 140+ directories
- Guaranteed DR increase from 0 to 20+
- Complete submission report
- Paid directories are not included
- Get valuable backlinks
- Generate organic traffic
- Save over 28 hours of your time
- 48-hour turnaround time
Standard
Accelerate your growth and expand your online recognition.
Choose $100 package- Submission to 100+ directories
- Guaranteed DR increase from 0 to 15+
- Complete submission report
- Paid directories are not included
- Get valuable backlinks
- Generate organic traffic
- Save over 20 hours of your time
- 48-hour turnaround time
Ready to boost your SaaS?
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Our expert service takes care of every directory submission, securing more backlinks, driving organic traffic, and dramatically expanding your SaaS's online presence.