50+ Free Startup Directories with Dofollow Links (2026)

Why Free Directories Matter

Many founders assume that paid directories are automatically better than free ones. This is a common misconception. Some of the highest-value directories for SEO and traffic are completely free.

The Value of Free Directory Submissions

• Zero Financial Risk: Test the waters without committing budget. See which directories drive results before considering paid upgrades.
• High-Authority Backlinks: Many free directories have Domain Authority scores of 50+, providing valuable SEO benefits.
• Targeted Traffic: Free doesn't mean low-quality. These directories attract users actively seeking solutions.
• Foundation Building: Start with free directories to build a baseline of backlinks and visibility, then layer in paid options strategically.
• Ongoing Value: Unlike paid advertising, directory listings provide continuous value for months or years.

Dofollow vs Nofollow: What It Means

Understanding link types helps you prioritize your submissions for maximum SEO impact.

Dofollow Links

Dofollow links pass "link juice" or PageRank from the directory to your website. They signal to Google that the linking site endorses your content. Benefits include:

• Improved domain authority over time
• Better search engine rankings
• Stronger backlink profile
• Increased organic search visibility

Nofollow Links

Nofollow links include a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells search engines not to pass ranking credit. However, they still provide value:

• Drive referral traffic (clicks still work!)
• Build brand awareness
• Create a natural-looking link profile (Google expects a mix)
• Often from high-traffic sites like Product Hunt and Reddit

Top 10 Free Directories (Best Value)

These directories offer the best combination of domain authority, traffic, dofollow links, and ease of submission. If you only have time for 10 submissions, start here.

Deep Dive: Top 3 Submissions

1. AlternativeTo

AlternativeTo is the gold standard for free dofollow backlinks. With a DA of 87, it's one of the highest-authority sites that offers free listings with dofollow links. The site captures significant search traffic from users searching for "alternative to [competitor]" queries.

How to Submit:

1. Create a free account at alternativeto.net
2. Click "Submit Application" and fill in your product details
3. Select which products yours is an alternative to
4. Add screenshots and a compelling description
5. Submit and wait for approval (usually 1-3 days)

Pro Tip: After listing, encourage your users to mark your product as an alternative to specific competitors. More associations = more visibility.

2. SourceForge

SourceForge has been around since 1999 and remains a powerhouse for software discovery. Its DA of 86 makes it incredibly valuable for SEO. While historically focused on open source, it now accepts all software types.

How to Submit:

1. Register for a SourceForge account
2. Go to "Create a Project"
3. Fill in project details, category, and description
4. Add screenshots, documentation, and download links
5. Publish your project page

Pro Tip: Add detailed documentation and regular updates. SourceForge rewards active projects with better visibility.

3. SaaSHub

SaaSHub focuses specifically on SaaS products and has built a strong community of software buyers. The free listing includes a dofollow link and visibility in relevant categories.

How to Submit:

1. Visit saashub.com and click "Submit"
2. Enter your product URL and basic information
3. Select relevant categories and competitors
4. Add features, pricing info, and screenshots
5. Submit for review

Pro Tip: Claim your listing after approval to add more details and respond to user questions.

General Startup Directories

These directories accept a wide range of startups and products. They're great for building a foundational backlink profile.

SaaS-Specific Directories

If you're building a SaaS product, these directories cater specifically to your market. They attract buyers actively comparing software solutions.

AI & Tech Directories

The AI directory space has exploded with new platforms. Many offer free listings to attract quality products. If you're building an AI product, these are essential.

Developer Tool Directories

Building for developers? These directories cater specifically to technical audiences and can drive highly qualified traffic to your product.

Getting Listed on Awesome Lists

Awesome Lists are curated collections hosted on GitHub (like "Awesome React," "Awesome Python," etc.). Getting listed provides massive visibility within the developer community.

1. Find relevant Awesome lists for your technology/category
2. Review the contribution guidelines in each repository
3. Fork the repository and add your tool
4. Submit a pull request with a clear description
5. Engage respectfully with any feedback from maintainers

Community Platforms

These platforms combine directory listings with community features. While links are often nofollow, the traffic and engagement value is significant.

Submission Tips for Free Directories

Just because it's free doesn't mean you should rush. Quality submissions lead to faster approvals and better results.

Before You Submit

1. Prepare Your Materials:
   • Multiple description lengths (50, 100, 200 words)
   • Screenshots in common dimensions (1200x630, 1280x720)
   • High-quality logo (PNG with transparency)
   • Founder/team photos for credibility
2. Set Up Tracking:
   • Create unique UTM parameters for each directory
   • Set up Google Analytics goals to track conversions
   • Create a spreadsheet to track submissions
3. Optimize Your Website:
   • Ensure fast load times (under 3 seconds)
   • Clear call-to-action on landing page
   • Mobile-responsive design

Writing Effective Descriptions

Your description is often the only thing standing between you and a click. Make it count:

• Lead with the benefit: What problem do you solve?
• Be specific: "Save 10 hours/week on X" beats "Save time"
• Include social proof: "Used by 500+ companies" or "Featured in TechCrunch"
• Clear positioning: Explain who it's for and why it's different
• Call to action: Tell them what to do next

Submission Workflow

1. Batch by priority: Submit to Top 10 first, then work down the list
2. Track everything: Record submission date, expected approval time, status
3. Follow up: If not approved within expected timeframe, contact support
4. Optimize post-approval: Update listings with reviews, new features, screenshots

Tracking Your Results

What gets measured gets managed. Set up proper tracking to understand which directories deliver real value.

Essential Metrics to Track

• Referral Traffic: Visits from each directory (Google Analytics)
• Conversion Rate: Signups/purchases per directory
• Backlink Quality: Monitor new backlinks (Ahrefs, Moz, or free alternatives)
• Domain Authority Changes: Track your DA over time
• Ranking Improvements: Monitor target keyword rankings

UTM Parameter Template

Tracking Spreadsheet

Create a spreadsheet with these columns:

• Directory Name
• URL
• DA Score
• Link Type (Dofollow/Nofollow)
• Submission Date
• Approval Status
• Approval Date
• Your Listing URL
• UTM Campaign
• Referral Traffic (Monthly)
• Conversions
• Notes

Review Schedule

• Weekly: Check submission status, follow up on pending approvals
• Monthly: Review traffic and conversion data, identify top performers
• Quarterly: Update listings with new features, screenshots, and copy