Free startup directory submissions: checked options and conditions

From 2026-10-24 to 2026-10-28 we checked 43 startup directories and launch sites for a free way to list RadarMakers or one of its free tools. We sent a free submission to 4 of them and did not submit to the other 39. This page is the full report: what we found, how we checked, and every site in one table.

Where to submit for free, by what we found

Short answer first. Only the first group below is a place where a free form took our entry, and none of those listings is confirmed live yet. The other groups show the conditions you will meet. Dates are in the table further down.

Prepare before you submit: use the product launch checklist and tag your links with the UTM link builder. Prepare a clear product tagline and use the product description examples to check that your opening explains the task.

What we found

• 43 sites checked, 4 free submissions sent, 39 sites where we did not submit.
• Badge or link back condition: 12
• Captcha or bot check: 12
• Paid submission: 9
• Needs a named person: 2
• Sign in with Google or Figma only: 2
• Nofollow on the free tier: 1
• Submission page unavailable: 1
• None of the 4 submissions was confirmed as published in our notes when we wrote this page.

How we checked

We reviewed our dated notes on submission forms, pricing, sign in requirements and access checks. We did not pay, add badges or reciprocal links, solve captchas, bypass bot checks, use Google sign in or provide a person's name. We also skipped Startup Dope because its free tier used nofollow links. We included individual directories and launch sites where the notes clearly documented a free submission or one of the skip reasons shown below. We excluded entries with unclear evidence, submissions whose free status was not recorded, sites outside our scope, combined entries for multiple sites and outreach to directory lists. Prices and rules change, so check a site before you plan around it.

Checked, submitted and published are different things

Checked means we looked at the submission path. Submitted means a free form accepted our entry. Published means the listing went live, and we only count that after we see it. All 4 submissions were awaiting review when we recorded them.

What a skip does and does not mean

The 39 skips reflect our own constraints, including payment, badges, links back and identity requirements. They are not a judgment that a directory is bad. A site that asks for a badge or a fee may still suit a maker who is happy to show a badge or to pay.

RadarMakers is a free launch directory too, so we have an interest in this topic. We are not in the table, because we cannot check ourselves fairly.

All 43 sites

Related reports: GitHub awesome lists for startups and indie tools: 48 we checked, Where to launch a SaaS: 19 sites we tried, and Startup directories with dofollow links: 10 sites we tried.

Frequently asked questions

Does a free submission mean the listing went live?

No. We sent 4 free submissions, and all 4 were awaiting review when we recorded them. Submission does not mean publication.

Is a badge or a link back always a bad deal?

Not necessarily. We skipped them because we do not add reciprocal links. If you are happy to show a badge, those sites may still be worth a look.

Why are some sites not linked?

Some site names appear without links. Search for the name to find the site.

Read the product launch checklist. Submit your product to RadarMakers for free.