What share of "free" directories are actually free in 2026?
74% of directories with known pricing are free: 165 of 223 in LinkPing's library, checked 2026-10-20. A stricter "free with no account and no badge" is narrower, covering 45 directories.
Updated Markdown version
| Type | Directories | Known free |
|---|---|---|
| AI tool directory | 183 | 70 of 119 (59%) |
| Launch platform | 52 | 32 of 35 (91%) |
| SaaS review site | 31 | 16 of 16 (100%) |
| Web directory | 57 | 38 of 42 (90%) |
| Startup directory | 18 | 9 of 10 (90%) |
| Developer platform | 21 | No known pricing |
| Business listing | 12 | No known pricing |
| App store | 5 | 0 of 1 (0%) |
| Community | 31 | No known pricing |
| Definition | Directories |
|---|---|
| Free listing, pricing known | 165 of 223 |
| Free and no account needed | 55 |
| Free and no badge required | 97 |
| Paid-only | 22 of 410 |
Method
LinkPing probes each directory's submit flow and records price, account, badge, captcha and link type. "Free" means a listing can be submitted without payment; it does not mean instant or with a dofollow link. Directories whose pricing could not be determined are shown as unknown. The snapshot date is 2026-10-20; the dataset will be republished monthly at /data.
Related directories
- All checked directories
- Free directory submission sites
- Directory submission sites with instant approval
Related questions
- Which startup directories still give dofollow backlinks for free?
- Which directories have shut down or switched to paid in 2026?
- What's the median DR of AI tool directories vs launch platforms?
Source: LinkPing directory library snapshot 2026-10-20. Figures update when the snapshot is refreshed.
Frequently asked questions
Why do many "free" directories still cost something?
They may charge for faster review, a dofollow link or a featured slot. LinkPing records those in the price note.
How often is this updated?
The page recomputes from each new snapshot. The current one is dated 2026-10-20.