Best Startup Directories (2026) — Free, Dofollow & DR-Ranked
The best startup directories for founders in 2026 — a live startup directories list of 1,017+ SaaS directories and startup listing websites with free submission, dofollow backlinks, and live DR from Ahrefs. Open any startup directory row to compare pricing and link type, or filter Free + Dofollow for free startup directories for founders that can still pass equity. Prefer just the highest-DR targets? Open the Domain Rating leaderboard. Submit your SaaS or AI product manually below, or submit your startup to directories done-for-you.
Don't want to submit manually?
We'll manually submit your product to 100+ high-DR directories and send you a detailed report with every live link. One-time from $99 — no subscription.
594 dofollow · 833 free · 1,017 total
Top directory reviews by DR
Full DR leaderboard (Top 100)Full list of startup directories
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best startup directories in 2026?
This startup directories list defaults to highest DR first — the best authority-per-hour-spent order for founders. Top entries include GitHub Showcase, Chrome Web Store, Google Business Profile, and Wikipedia. ScrollLaunch is included for SaaS and AI product launches with a dofollow backlink on your product page. Last reviewed 2026-08-08.
What is a startup directory?
A startup directory is a curated site where founders list a live product for discovery, traffic, and often a backlink. This page is the full startup directories list — every row shows pricing, dofollow status, and live Ahrefs DR so you can pick the next submission target without guessing.
Where can I find a startup directories list?
You're on it — 1,017+ startup directories ranked by Ahrefs Domain Rating. Filter Pricing = Free and Dofollow = Yes for a shortlist you can finish in an afternoon, or use the search box to jump to a category. For the Top 100 by Domain Rating only, see the DR leaderboard. For a shorter decision framework, read our best SaaS directories guide, then come back here for the live table.
What are the best SaaS directories in 2026?
This page is a live SaaS directories list ranked by Ahrefs Domain Rating — the same archive founders use when they search for best SaaS directories or a list of SaaS directories. Filter Pricing = Free and Dofollow = Yes for a shortlist of free SaaS directories that can pass backlinks. For a curated shortlist with launch-stage tips, see our best SaaS directories guide, then come back here for the full DR-sorted table.
What's the difference between a startup directory and a SaaS directory?
Overlap is high. "Startup directories" is the broader search term; "SaaS directories" usually means the same submission targets filtered for software products (SaaS, AI tools, B2B apps) rather than hardware or consumer marketplaces. Use this archive for both — filter by category when you only want software-friendly listings.
What are the best startup listing sites and submission sites?
Startup listing sites, startup listing websites, and startup submission sites are the same targets as this archive — places you submit a product URL for discovery and backlinks. Sort by DR, then filter Free + Dofollow for the highest-ROI pass. Launch directories (weekly or daily boards) sit in the same list; pick them when you want traffic spikes, and evergreen directories when you want lasting SEO equity.
Where can I find free startup directories for founders?
Filter Pricing = Free on this page — 833 of 1,017 entries accept free submission. Pair that with Dofollow = Yes for free startup directories for founders that can still pass backlinks. Freemium rows often keep a free listing path with a paid upgrade for placement.
Which startup directories have free submission?
833 of the 1,017 listed directories offer free submission. Filter by Pricing = Free to see them all — that view is the practical list of free startup directories and free SaaS directories for backlinks when you also set Dofollow = Yes. "Freemium" means you can list for free but a paid tier unlocks better placement or dofollow. "Paid" means submission requires a one-off or recurring fee. We've avoided pure pay-to-play directory farms — every entry has real organic traffic and an established editorial process.
Which startup directories give dofollow backlinks?
594 directories on this list pass dofollow link equity (filter Dofollow = Yes). Every entry is hand-checked: "Dofollow" means the listing link passes ranking authority, "Nofollow" means it doesn't, and "Conditional" means it depends on tier (e.g. paid listings dofollow, free listings nofollow). For SEO impact, prioritise Dofollow + Conditional entries with DR 50+.
What is Domain Rating (DR) and why does it matter?
Domain Rating is Ahrefs' 0–100 metric estimating how strong a website's backlink profile is. Submitting your startup to a directory with DR 70+ is roughly equivalent to earning a referral link from a respected industry publication — Google treats those backlinks as much stronger ranking signals than a link from a brand-new site with DR 5. Check any domain live with our free Ahrefs DR Check or run a full website comparison with SEO Compare.
Which directories should I submit to first?
Default sort is highest DR first — that's the order with the best authority-per-hour-spent. If your budget is hours not dollars, filter by Pricing = Free + Dofollow = Yes. If you sell to enterprise B2B, prioritise software-review directories like G2 and Capterra (DR 87+). If you ship indie consumer apps, the community directories (Indie Hackers, Hacker News Show HN) usually drive better launch-day traffic than pure SEO directories.
How often is this list updated?
We re-check every directory at least quarterly: confirming the submission URL still works, the dofollow status hasn't changed, and the directory still has live editorial activity. Last reviewed 2026-08-08. If you spot an entry that's gone stale, email kalashvasaniya@gmail.com and we'll fix it within 24 hours.
Don't have time to submit manually?
We'll do it for you. Our paid done-for-you service manually submits your SaaS or AI product to up to 100+ high-DR directories, returns a detailed report with every live link, and saves you 70+ hours of busywork — without buying automated directory submission software that sprays spam forms. Plans start at $99 (one-time, no subscription). See directory submission plans for pricing.
Want this list updated, or spot a stale entry? Email kalashvasaniya@gmail.com and we'll fix it within 24 hours.
