Directories & comparison

Capterra

Business software directory with buyer intent. Pay-per-click placement is optional.

Visit capterra.com
Cost
Free + paid options

Free listing. Pay-per-click placement is optional. Check current pricing.

Verdict
slow burn

Slow burn: buyer-intent directory with optional paid placement.

Difficulty
Medium

Needs preparation, a review, or a steady habit before results.

Effort
Medium

About 5 to 10 hours a month.

First result
1 to 3 months

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

Payoff
Compounds

keeps growing while you keep at it.

Best for

Business software sold to small and mid-size teams.

Not for

Developer tools or consumer apps.

Pros

  • Business buyers with intent
  • Free basic listing

Cons

  • Pay-per-click competition
  • Weak fit for developer tools

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

Capterra is a business software directory where buyers compare tools and read reviews. Visitors are often small and mid-size businesses looking for software in a specific category. Basic listings are free, and Capterra also runs a pay-per-click program for more visibility.

02Cost and what you actually pay for

A basic listing is free. Paid placement works on a pay-per-click basis, where you pay when buyers click through. Check current pricing and bid rules before you start a paid campaign.

03Is it right for you?

It fits business software sold to small and mid-size teams, such as scheduling, accounting, HR or project tools. It fits poorly for developer tools and consumer apps. Without reviews, the free listing does little.

04Before you start

  • Create the vendor account and free listing.
  • Gather real customers who might write honest reviews.
  • Read Capterra's current review and listing guidelines.

05Step-by-step: how to distribute here

  1. Create the free listing with accurate category, pricing and features.
  2. Add screenshots and a short video if you have one.
  3. Ask real customers for reviews through Capterra's review process.
  4. Watch which category pages show your product and how you rank there.
  5. Only start pay-per-click once the listing has reviews and your trial converts.
  6. Set a small budget, track cost per sign-up, and stop if it does not pay back.

06What to post or submit

Listing description:

[Product] helps [business type] [do job] without [pain]. Key features: [feature 1], [feature 2], [feature 3]. Pricing starts at [as on your site]. Free trial: [yes/no].

07Common mistakes and do-nots

  • Do not write fake reviews or pay for reviews outside the rules.
  • Do not start paid clicks with no reviews and no trial.
  • Do not pick a category that sounds good but your buyers do not browse.

08How to measure it

  • Track visits and sign-ups from capterra.com.
  • For paid clicks, track cost per sign-up and per paying customer.
  • A realistic test: two to three months for the free listing, one month for a small paid test.

09Time budget

  • Before: 2 hours to set up.
  • Ongoing: 1 to 3 hours a month on reviews and campaign checks.

10Pair it with

11Sources

Sources