Directories & comparison

AlternativeTo

Reaches people already searching for a replacement. Works best when you can name a clear incumbent.

Visit alternativeto.net
Cost
Free

Free to use. No paid tier is needed to list or post.

Verdict
works

Works: people searching for alternatives to a known tool find listings here.

Difficulty
Easy

Mostly self-serve. Sign up and post, with light checks.

Effort
Medium

About 5 to 10 hours a month.

First result
1 to 4 weeks

A rough range for one person working on it part-time.

Payoff
Compounds

keeps growing while you keep at it.

Best for

Products that can name a clear competitor.

Not for

Products with no comparable incumbent.

Pros

  • Reaches people searching for a replacement
  • Free and lasting

Cons

  • Needs a clear competitor to list against
  • Users vote on alternatives, so new entries start low

The full guide

Last verified 2026-10-30

Links checked 2026-10-30 · The site blocks automated checks, so its links are unconfirmed

01What it is and who is there

AlternativeTo is a site where people look for alternatives to software they already know. Each product page lists alternatives, and users vote on which ones they like. Visitors arrive with clear intent: they want to replace a specific tool. That makes it valuable if your product is a clear alternative to something well known.

02Cost and what you actually pay for

Listing is free. Your cost is the time to create the listing and to collect genuine likes and reviews from real users. Check the current terms for any paid options.

03Is it right for you?

It fits SaaS, consumer apps, developer tools and mobile apps that can name a clear incumbent, such as "an alternative to Notion" or "an open-source alternative to Zapier". It fits poorly for brand-new categories with no known competitor. If nobody searches for an alternative to anything you replace, the listing will sit unseen.

04Before you start

  • Decide which known tools you are a real alternative to.
  • Prepare a short description, platform list, license, pricing and screenshots.
  • Read AlternativeTo's current guidelines for adding software and suggesting alternatives.

05Step-by-step: how to distribute here

  1. Search for your product. If someone has listed it, claim or update the listing rather than making a duplicate.
  2. Create the listing with accurate platforms, pricing and tags.
  3. Suggest your product as an alternative only on pages where it truly replaces the tool.
  4. Ask real users to like or review it if they find it useful. Do not offer anything in return.
  5. Keep the listing current when you add platforms or change pricing.
  6. Check monthly which alternative pages send visitors.

06What to post or submit

Description:

[Product] is a [category] tool for [who]. Like [incumbent], it [shared job]. Unlike it, [Product] [key difference: price, open source, privacy, simplicity]. Available on [platforms].

07Common mistakes and do-nots

  • Do not list yourself as an alternative to tools you do not replace.
  • Do not create fake accounts to like your product.
  • Do not offer rewards for likes or reviews.
  • Do not leave platforms or pricing out of date.

08How to measure it

  • Track visits from alternativeto.net with analytics referrers.
  • Note which alternative pages send traffic.
  • A realistic test: give it two to three months. If visits grow, add more accurate alternative suggestions.

09Time budget

  • Before: 1 to 2 hours to create the listing.
  • After: 30 minutes a month to keep it current.

10Pair it with

11Sources

Sources