Where to Launch Your Startup: 100+ Launch Platforms and Directories, Grouped by Type
Launch platforms, review sites, AI and developer directories, app stores, integration marketplaces and deal sites, grouped so you submit only where your buyers are.
Updated · 8 min read · By the LightSpeedBolt growth team
How to use this list
This list groups 100+ places to launch or list a product by type. Do not submit to all of them. Pick by product:
- B2B SaaS: launch platforms, software review sites, startup databases, integration marketplaces.
- AI tools: launch platforms plus AI directories.
- Developer tools and open source: developer communities, newsletters, GitHub awesome lists, package registries.
- Chrome extensions and apps: app stores, extension stores, plus launch platforms.
A good first wave is 20-40 relevant listings. Directory links are a useful foundation for a new site's backlink profile, but mass-submitting to hundreds of irrelevant directories adds little and can look like a link scheme. See how to get backlinks for a new website.
Directories come and go and change their rules, including free vs paid submission. Check each site's current terms before submitting.
General launch platforms
Where makers and early adopters look for new products:
- Product Hunt: the best-known launch platform. See our Product Hunt launch checklist.
- Hacker News (Show HN): technical audience; post as a "Show HN" with a plain, factual title.
- BetaList: early-stage and pre-launch startups looking for early adopters.
- Indie Hackers: product pages plus a community of indie founders.
- Uneed: daily launch platform with a ranking system.
- Peerlist Launchpad: weekly launches for a professional, builder-heavy audience.
- Microlaunch: month-long launches for indie products.
- Fazier: launch platform and directory for indie products.
- DevHunt: launches for developer tools.
- Launching Next: directory of new startups.
- SideProjectors: showcase and marketplace for side projects.
- Betapage: startup and beta product directory.
- StartupBase: community-driven startup directory.
- TinyLaunch: launch platform for small products.
- Startup Stash: curated directory of startup tools and resources.
- 10words: products summarized in ten words.
Software directories and review sites
Buyers compare tools here, and AI assistants often cite them. Prioritize once you have users who can leave honest reviews:
- G2
- Capterra
- GetApp
- Software Advice
- TrustRadius
- Gartner Peer Insights (more enterprise-focused)
- Trustpilot
- SaaSHub: alternatives-focused directory.
- AlternativeTo: crowd-sourced alternatives; strong for "[competitor] alternative" visibility.
- SourceForge: software directory and reviews, including business software.
- Slant: community-ranked "best X for Y" comparisons.
- StackShare: tech stacks and developer tools.
- Crozdesk: business software discovery.
- SaaSworthy: SaaS directory and comparisons.
- SoftwareSuggest: software reviews and comparisons.
- FinancesOnline: software reviews and comparisons.
- FeaturedCustomers: customer reference and case study platform.
Never write fake reviews or pay for positive ones. Most of these platforms prohibit it, and it undermines exactly the trust you are trying to build.
AI tool directories
For AI products, these are where many users browse for tools. Quality and moderation vary, so check that listings look current:
- There's An AI For That
- Futurepedia
- Toolify
- FutureTools
- TopAI.tools
- Dang.ai
- AI Valley
- Easy With AI
- SaaS AI Tools
- Insidr
- Altern
- OpenTools
- Supertools (from The Rundown)
- Toolpilot
- AI Scout
- AI Tools Directory
Use the same one-line description everywhere. Consistent descriptions across directories help AI assistants understand and recommend your product; see how to get recommended by ChatGPT. Our AI startups page covers the rest of the AI launch stack.
Developer tools, open source and newsletters
Developers discover tools through communities, repos and newsletters more than directories:
- LibHunt: open-source project discovery by language.
- Console.dev: curated developer tools newsletter.
- dev.to: developer blogging community.
- Hashnode: developer blogging platform.
- Lobsters: invite-only, technical link aggregator.
- Echo JS: JavaScript news.
- daily.dev: developer news feed with community squads.
- Changelog News: developer news; accepts submissions.
- TLDR newsletters: tech newsletters that feature tools and launches.
- JavaScript Weekly and other Cooperpress newsletters.
- Python Weekly
- Golang Weekly
- OpenAlternative: open-source alternatives to proprietary software.
- Open Source Alternative To: similar, open-source focused.
- awesome-selfhosted: curated list for self-hostable software.
- selfh.st: self-hosted software newsletter and directory.
- GitHub awesome lists in your category. See GitHub SEO and awesome lists.
- Package registries (npm, PyPI, crates.io, Packagist) if you ship an SDK or library.
Also see the developer tools page for how we approach dev-tool launches.
App stores, extension stores and integration marketplaces
App and extension stores
- Chrome Web Store
- Microsoft Edge Add-ons
- Firefox Add-ons
- Opera add-ons
- Safari extensions (via the App Store)
- Apple App Store
- Mac App Store
- Google Play
- Microsoft Store
- Amazon Appstore
- Samsung Galaxy Store
- Huawei AppGallery
- F-Droid (open-source Android apps)
- Setapp (curated Mac and iOS app subscription)
- Raycast Store (extensions for the Raycast launcher)
Integration marketplaces
If you integrate with a platform, its marketplace is a high-intent listing:
- Zapier app directory
- Make apps
- Slack Marketplace
- Shopify App Store
- HubSpot App Marketplace
- Salesforce AppExchange
- Google Workspace Marketplace
- Microsoft AppSource
- Atlassian Marketplace
- Notion integrations gallery
- WordPress plugin directory
- Figma Community
- Webflow Marketplace
- Stripe App Marketplace
- Intercom App Store
For store optimization, see marketing a Chrome extension and mobile app marketing with ASO.
Startup databases, deal sites and feedback communities
Startup databases
Useful for credibility, investor research and brand searches:
- Crunchbase
- Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent)
- F6S
- Dealroom
- Startup Ranking
- Gust
- Owler
- Your accelerator, incubator or university startup directory, if you are part of one.
Deal and lifetime-deal platforms
Good for early cash and users, but think carefully about lifetime-deal economics and support load:
- AppSumo
- StackSocial
- Dealmirror
- SaaS Mantra
- RocketHub
Feedback and beta communities
- r/SideProject, r/microsaas, r/alphaandbetausers and r/roastmystartup. Read our subreddit guide first.
- Erlibird: beta testers for early products.
- BetaFamily: beta testing for mobile apps.
- WIP: maker community for shipping in public.
Your submission kit and a six-week schedule
Prepare everything once, in a single document:
- Product name, URL, and founder names.
- Taglines in three lengths: under 60 characters, under 140 characters, and a 300-character description.
- Category and 5-10 tags.
- Logo (square, high resolution, transparent background) and a 240 x 240 thumbnail.
- 4-6 screenshots at 1270 x 760 or larger, plus a 30-90 second demo video.
- Pricing summary, free plan or trial details, and launch discount if any.
- Social links, a support email and a short founder bio.
Schedule
- Week 1: BetaList, Indie Hackers, and 5-8 smaller launch platforms.
- Week 2: startup databases and 10-15 category directories (AI, dev tools or extensions).
- Week 3: Show HN and developer newsletters, if relevant.
- Week 4: Product Hunt.
- Weeks 5-6: review sites and alternatives sites once early users can leave honest reviews, plus integration marketplaces.
Track each listing (URL, date, status, referral visits) in a sheet. If you would rather not spend 15-25 hours on submissions, our launch package handles the kit, the submissions and the tracking.
Frequently asked questions
How many directories should I submit my startup to?
Start with 20-40 directories that are relevant to your product and audience. That is enough to establish listings, early links and referral traffic without wasting time on low-quality sites.
Are startup directories good for SEO?
Relevant, moderated directories help new sites get discovered, add credible listings for brand searches, and can provide useful links. Mass submissions to low-quality directories offer little SEO value and can look manipulative.
What are the best Product Hunt alternatives?
Popular alternatives include BetaList, Hacker News (Show HN), Indie Hackers, Uneed, Peerlist Launchpad, Microlaunch, Fazier and DevHunt for developer tools. The best one depends on whether your audience is makers, developers or business buyers.
Should I pay for directory submissions?
Some directories charge for faster review or featured placement. Pay only where the directory sends real traffic from your target audience; check its traffic and recent listings first. Paying for featured placement is advertising, not a guaranteed result.
When should I submit to G2 and Capterra?
Once you have real customers who can leave honest reviews. An empty profile helps little, while a profile with 10-20 genuine reviews can influence buyers and the sources AI assistants cite.