Startup directory statistics
What 532 startup, SaaS and AI tool directories cost, their domain ratings, what they ask you to do and who they accept. Figures from our own list, updated live.
By Miles Burke · Last updated 28 October 2026
Key figures
- 77% of the 532 startup directories we track can be joined without paying (407); 23% are completely free with no strings attached.
- The median directory has a domain rating of 48, and 21% have a DR of 70 or more.
- Directories that are free in return for a badge, link or upvotes have the highest average DR (58). Paid-only directories average 42, the same as fully free ones.
- 44% make you create an account before you can submit, and 31% use Google sign-in.
- 33% list AI tools only (174 directories).
- Where a directory sells a paid upgrade such as faster review, the typical (median) price is US$20.
These figures come from the directory list behind SubmitLinksNow: 532 places where founders launch startups, SaaS products, AI tools and side projects, each checked for what it costs, who it accepts and what it asks you to do. They’re read live from that list, so this page always shows the current numbers. You’re welcome to quote them; see how to cite this page.
How much do startup directories cost?
Most don’t cost anything to join. 77% have a free route, though many attach conditions or sell a faster lane.
| Cost type | Directories | Share | Average DR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free No paid upsell mentioned. | 121 | 23% | 42 |
| Freemium Free, with an optional paid upgrade such as faster review. | 159 | 30% | 43 |
| Free with requirements Free if you add a badge, a link back, or upvotes. | 127 | 24% | 58 |
| Paid No free path. Shown so you can decide. | 125 | 23% | 42 |
Paying doesn’t buy a stronger link: paid-only directories have the same average domain rating as free ones. The strongest group is the free-with-requirements one: directories that ask for a badge, a link back or upvotes in return.
What domain ratings do startup directories have?
The median is 48. Domain rating (DR) is Ahrefs’ 0 to 100 score for the strength of a site’s links; a link from a higher-DR site generally carries more weight.
| Domain rating | Directories | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 70 to 100 | 112 | 21% |
| 50 to 69 | 144 | 27% |
| 30 to 49 | 131 | 25% |
| Under 30 | 145 | 27% |
What do directories ask you to do?
Beyond filling in the form, 44% make you sign up first. These are the extra steps directories ask for, from most to least common:
| Directories that ask you to… | Directories | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Make an account first | 233 | 44% |
| Sign in with Google | 167 | 31% |
| Add their badge to your site | 95 | 18% |
| Link back to them | 33 | 6% |
| Confirm your email | 19 | 4% |
| Collect upvotes or votes | 19 | 4% |
| Use a business email (no Gmail) | 18 | 3% |
| Give a phone number | 17 | 3% |
| Solve a CAPTCHA | 16 | 3% |
| Sign in with GitHub | 16 | 3% |
| Comment on other listings | 6 | 1% |
| Give a postal address | 6 | 1% |
The badge and link-back requests matter most: 95 directories want their badge on your site, and some remove your listing if you take it down.
Which directories only take certain products?
42% of directories only take one kind of product. AI tools have by far the most of their own:
| Only lists | Directories | Share |
|---|---|---|
| AI tools and AI products | 174 | 33% |
| B2B software | 16 | 3% |
| MCP servers | 12 | 2% |
| Mobile apps | 7 | 1% |
| Developer tools | 6 | 1% |
| SaaS | 6 | 1% |
| Open-source software | 4 | 1% |
For an AI product that’s good news: there are more places to list it than any other kind of product. For anything else, it means checking each directory’s rules before you spend time on its form. See the best free directory submission sites, with who each one takes.
How we collected these figures
- The list: 532 active directories for startups, SaaS, AI tools and side projects. Directories that have closed are removed.
- Cost and rules: each directory’s cost type and requirements are recorded as its submission page states them, then sorted into the categories above by matching the wording. A directory whose rules are worded unusually may be counted in the wrong category, so treat the smaller figures as approximate.
- Domain ratings: from Ahrefs, updated monthly.
- Prices: the median of the 150 paid upgrades listed in US dollars.
- Updates: the figures on this page are read from the live list each time it loads.
Cite this page
You’re welcome to use these figures with a link to this page:
SubmitLinksNow, “Startup directory statistics”, 28 October 2026, https://submitlinksnow.com/guides/startup-directory-statistics
Common questions
How many startup directories are there?
We track 532 active directories where startups, SaaS products, AI tools and side projects can be listed. There are more, but many old web directories list anything and are not worth submitting to, so they are left out.
Are most startup directories free?
Yes. 77% have a free route, though many ask for a badge, a link back or upvotes, or sell a faster review.
Are paid directories better than free ones?
Not by domain rating. Paid-only directories average a DR of 42, the same as fully free ones; directories that are free in return for a badge or link average 58.
List your product on the right ones
SubmitLinksNow has every directory behind these figures, with each one’s rules. We write every answer directory forms ask for from your website, check which directories will list your product, and keep each answer one click away while you submit. US$29 per website, paid once, with a 7-day refund for any reason. List your product.