OpenAlternative: how to submit your startup
Curated, community-driven directory of open source alternatives to proprietary SaaS products.
IndieNeed is a launch site for indie makers.
- Cost
- Not checked
- Link type
- Standard listing: nofollow. A featured listing had no nofollow
- Review time
- Not checked
- Badge or link back required?
- Not checked
- Account needed?
- Yes
- Best for
- Open source projects positioned as SaaS alternatives
- Covers
- SaaS, Developer Tools, AI
- Region
- Worldwide
- Last checked by IndieNeed
- November 2, 2026
How to submit to OpenAlternative
- Get the submission kit ready (below). Most of OpenAlternative's form asks for the same things as other directories.
- Create an account on OpenAlternative: it asks you to sign in before you can submit.
- Open OpenAlternative's submit form at openalternative.co/submit and fill it in with your kit.
- Check OpenAlternative's own rules for a badge or link back; we have not verified whether one is required.
- Wait for review. OpenAlternative does not state a review time we could verify.
- Use a UTM link as your website address (below), so you can see what the listing sends you.
What a OpenAlternative listing includes
OpenAlternative is a catalog. Curated, community-driven directory of open source alternatives to proprietary SaaS products. When we checked on November 2, 2026, the cost was: Not checked.
Lists open source alternatives only. Prices are behind login.
Link type, and how we know
Link type on a free (or the only) listing: Nofollow. We read it on the site's own pricing, FAQ or submit page, or from the rel attribute on the link a public listing gives the listed product.
Conditions: Standard listing: nofollow. A featured listing had no nofollow
The pages we opened on November 2, 2026:
- openalternative.co/
- openalternative.co/submit
- openalternative.co/about
- openalternative.co/advertise
- openalternative.co/godot
- openalternative.co/tolgee
A nofollow, sponsored or UGC link tells search engines not to count it as a vote; a plain (dofollow) link can be counted. Either way, a listing is worth more for the people who see it than for the link.
Who OpenAlternative suits
OpenAlternative suits open source projects positioned as SaaS alternatives. It covers SaaS, Developer Tools, AI, and its audience is worldwide. It does not state a review time we could verify.
We have no visits from OpenAlternative in our own analytics since Aug 18, 2026. That says nothing about what it would send you.
What to prepare before you submit
Most directories ask for the same things. Have them ready and the form takes a few minutes. Read OpenAlternative's own rules on its site before submitting; they can change.
- A one-line tagline that says what the product does
- A short description: who it is for and what they can try first
- A square logo and two or three screenshots
- A working website, with a sign-up or demo a visitor can reach
Track what OpenAlternative sends you
Use this as your website link on OpenAlternative, with your own domain in place of yourproduct.com. Your analytics will then show visits and sign-ups from this listing on their own.
https://yourproduct.com/?utm_source=openalternative&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=launchHow to read the numbers: track which startup directories send you users.
OpenAlternative questions
- Is OpenAlternative free?
- We have not checked OpenAlternative's prices on its own site, so we do not state a price.
- What kind of products does OpenAlternative list?
- Curated, community-driven directory of open source alternatives to proprietary SaaS products. It suits open source projects positioned as SaaS alternatives, and covers SaaS, Developer Tools, AI.
- Does OpenAlternative give a dofollow backlink?
- Standard listing: nofollow. A featured listing had no nofollow. Checked on November 2, 2026.
- How long does OpenAlternative take to approve a listing?
- OpenAlternative does not state a review time we could verify, so we do not give one.
- How do I know if OpenAlternative sends real users?
- Give your OpenAlternative listing its own UTM link, then compare visits and sign-ups per directory in your analytics.
Launch on IndieNeed too
List the same product on IndieNeed for free: it gets a lasting product page, upvotes and reviews from other makers. Paid plans publish on your chosen day with featured placement. We run IndieNeed.
Alternatives to OpenAlternative
- SaaSHubEstablished SaaS and software alternativesCost: Not checked. Link: Not checked
- AlternativeToProducts with clear software alternativesCost: Not checked. Link: Not checked
- TracxnStartups wanting to appear in investor deal-sourcing dataCost: Not checked. Link: Not checked
- Findly.toolsSaaS and tools wanting a badge-backed dofollow listingCost: Free with badge; Premium $29 one-time. Link: Free: one dofollow link while the Findly.tools badge stays on your site. Premium ($29): four dofollow links, no badge
- TrustMRRRevenue-generating startups proving MRR or sellingCost: Base listing $0; add-ons: Dofollow authority link $19, AI visibility boost $79, sponsor spot from $399 for 7 days (one-time). Link: Free: nofollow. Dofollow is a $19 add-on
- CrozdeskB2B software listing via an approved vendor accountCost: Free account application ("No credit card required"); PPC/advertising offered, prices not stated. Link: Not checked
Compare all of them on the list of the best startup directories, or plan the week with where to submit your startup in 2026.