A maintained list of 1,854 legitimate backlink sites: directories, profile creation sites, guest posting sites, launch platforms, registries and marketplaces. 1,532 are free or have a free tier, 44 usually give a dofollow link, and 772 have an estimated DA of 70 or more. Every row shows authority, link type, cost and effort, and links straight to the submit page.
The table is wider than the screen — swipe it sideways for cost, effort and the preparation notes.
| # | Impact (sorted) | Site — sort by this | Est. DA — sort by this | Link | Domain | Type | Cost | Effort — sort by this | Priority | Status | What to prepare | Rules / caveat | Checked | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95 | Softpedia | 90 | Nofollow | softpedia.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Do first | Verified live | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Listing link is currently reported nofollow. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/softpedia | Open Softpedia submit page (new tab)Softpedia details |
| 2 | 88 | W3C Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools List | 95 | Link type unknown | w3.org | Software directories | Paid | Moderate | Do first | Verified live | Submit one released evaluator such as WCAG Quick Auditor with accurate standards, scope, license, release date, and accessibility-statement details. | Must actually evaluate digital accessibility or simulate user experience; remediation tools, checklists, assistive technology, and best-practice pages are excluded. W3C reviews submissions in roughly 2–4 weeks and listing never implies endorsement. | 2026-08-03 | Open W3C Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools List submit page (new tab)W3C Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools List details |
| 3 | 86 | Capterra | 90 | Nofollow | capterra.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | High | Not submitted | List product under software categories. | Part of Gartner Digital Markets; good B2B fit. | 2026-07-30 | Open Capterra submit page (new tab)Capterra details |
| 4 | 86 | Wikimedia Toolhub | 95 | Link type unknown | toolhub.wikimedia.org | Software directories | Free | Quick | High | Verified live | Build a tool that genuinely interacts with Wikimedia, publish accurate toolinfo.json metadata, and register it through Toolhub UI, crawler, or API. | Must serve Wikimedia projects; Wikimedia login is required and submitted metadata is CC0; unrelated utilities do not qualify. | Official Wikimedia developer search and Toolhub documentation checked 2026-08-05 | Open Wikimedia Toolhub submit page (new tab)Wikimedia Toolhub details |
| 5 | 85 | Black Hat Arsenal | 80 | Link type unknown | blackhat.com | Software directories | Paid | Involved | Do first | Not submitted | Prepare a focused open-source defensive tool with English documentation, reproducible demos, and a technical presenter, then submit to the next relevant Arsenal Call for Tools. | Arsenal is selected by a review board and demonstrations must focus on the submitted open-source tool. Product pitches, upsells, unrelated company branding, and closed-source marketing demos are prohibited. Europe 2026 submissions closed 2026-07-19. | 2026-08-03 | Open Black Hat Arsenal submit page (new tab)Black Hat Arsenal details |
| 6 | 84 | Discord App Directory | 95 | Nofollow | discord.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Build and verify an your tool Discord app, then enable Discovery in the Developer Portal. | App must meet verification and Discovery qualification criteria before appearing publicly. | https://docs.discord.com/developers/discovery/enabling-discovery | Open Discord App Directory submit page (new tab)Discord App Directory details |
| 7 | 84 | FOSSHub | 70 | Link type unknown | fosshub.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Apply with a signed, downloadable open-source or qualifying freeware build that needs reliable binary hosting, malware scanning, and a public project page. | FOSSHub reviews applications and accepts only qualifying open-source or freeware projects under its terms; a web-only homepage with no downloadable artifact is not a fit. | 2026-08-03 | Open FOSSHub submit page (new tab)FOSSHub details |
| 8 | 84 | GetLatka | 70 | Nofollow | getlatka.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Create an your tool company profile using an official your tool email. | Work email must match the company domain; team reviews submissions. | https://getlatka.com/add | Open GetLatka submit page (new tab)GetLatka details |
| 9 | 84 | OMR Reviews | 70 | Link type unknown | omr.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Suggest your tool and complete its B2B software profile. | Must fit a supported B2B software category; OMR reviews the suggestion. | https://omr.com/en/reviews/b2b/list-software | Open OMR Reviews submit page (new tab)OMR Reviews details |
| 10 | 84 | Openwall oss-security | 75 | Link type unknown | openwall.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Post only a self-contained initial announcement of a substantial open-source defensive tool, a major update, or a properly coordinated OSS vulnerability disclosure. | The list is for OSS security, not promotion. Tool posts should be rare, technically detailed, and especially useful for improving other open-source software; minor updates and cross-posting are discouraged. | 2026-08-03 | Open Openwall oss-security submit page (new tab)Openwall oss-security details |
| 11 | 84 | PeerSpot | 70 | Link type unknown | peerspot.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Contact PeerSpot with your tool enterprise use cases and real-customer evidence to request inclusion. | PeerSpot says listings are not pay-to-play, but the product must be enterprise-class and have real customers; never manufacture reviews. | 2026-08-03 | Open PeerSpot submit page (new tab)PeerSpot details |
| 12 | 84 | Privacy Guides | 70 | Link type unknown | privacyguides.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Submit one mature privacy tool, disclose ownership, publish its exact threat model and limitations, and engage transparently with the community review. | Developers must disclose affiliation and explain the privacy advantage and threat model; sensitive-data tools need a security white paper and audit status. Open source, active development, usability, cross-platform support, and strong documentation are preferred. | 2026-08-03 | Open Privacy Guides submit page (new tab)Privacy Guides details |
| 13 | 84 | Softonic | 90 | Nofollow | softonic.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Needs checking | Submit your desktop or mobile app through their developer contact so it gets a download page. | Installers are malware-scanned; bundled adware is refused. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Softonic submit page (new tab)Softonic details |
| 14 | 84 | Uptodown | 80 | Nofollow | uptodown.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Needs checking | Register as a developer and upload your app or ask the team to list it. | Apps are scanned and checked for malware before publishing. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Uptodown submit page (new tab)Uptodown details |
| 15 | 84 | Zenodo | 85 | Nofollow | zenodo.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Verified live | Publish a genuine open your tool dataset, benchmark, software release, poster, or reproducible research artifact and connect its related identifier to your tool. | Not for marketing PDFs. Upload a reusable artifact with accurate creators, license, metadata, and persistent record. | https://help.zenodo.org/docs/deposit/create-new-upload/ | Open Zenodo submit page (new tab)Zenodo details |
| 16 | 81 | G2 | 90 | Nofollow | g2.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | High | Not submitted | Create seller profile and list product if eligible. | Needs B2B SaaS positioning and review collection. | 2026-07-30 | Open G2 submit page (new tab)G2 details |
| 17 | 74 | OWASP Foundation Projects | 85 | Link type unknown | owasp.org | Software directories | Paid | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Offer a standalone, vendor-neutral security tool or documentation project with open governance and a committed leader, then submit the official new-project request. | OWASP projects must be genuinely open source and maintained as community projects; approval is required, official source hosting is mandated, and the project page must be created within the stated onboarding period. Do not submit a branded sales funnel. | 2026-08-03 | Open OWASP Foundation Projects submit page (new tab)OWASP Foundation Projects details |
| 18 | 68 | F-Droid | 75 | Link type unknown | f-droid.org | Software directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Verified live | Publish a privacy-respecting open-source Android companion app, then file a packaging request or merge request. | App must be source-buildable, useful and actively maintained, with no proprietary tracking, ads or non-free dependencies. | Official F-Droid inclusion policy checked 2026-07-30 | Open F-Droid submit page (new tab)F-Droid details |
| 19 | 68 | GetApp | 85 | Nofollow | getapp.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create software vendor listing. | Often managed with Capterra listing. | 2026-07-30 | Open GetApp submit page (new tab)GetApp details |
| 20 | 68 | Software Advice | 85 | Nofollow | softwareadvice.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Submit B2B software listing. | Gartner network; use consistent product info. | 2026-07-30 | Open Software Advice submit page (new tab)Software Advice details |
| 21 | 68 | StackShare | 75 | Nofollow | stackshare.io | Software directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Needs checking | Add your tool if accepted; create company stack. | May be stale; dev-tool angle needed. | 2026-07-30 | Open StackShare submit page (new tab)StackShare details |
| 22 | 66 | FileHippo | 85 | Nofollow | filehippo.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Contact them to have your Windows or Mac software added to the catalogue. | Editorial choice; files are scanned before listing. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open FileHippo submit page (new tab)FileHippo details |
| 23 | 66 | FileHorse | 70 | Link type unknown | filehorse.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Send your Windows or Mac software for review via their submission or contact page. | Editors only list software they consider useful and clean. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open FileHorse submit page (new tab)FileHorse details |
| 24 | 66 | FSF Free Software Directory | 85 | Link type unknown | fsf.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Release a genuinely free-software your tool desktop or self-hosted component with free documentation and transparent downloads, then submit a custom directory entry. | Software must meet FSF freedom, documentation and GNU/free-OS requirements and pass administrator review; the web-only proprietary service is not eligible by itself. | 2026-08-03 | Open FSF Free Software Directory submit page (new tab)FSF Free Software Directory details |
| 25 | 66 | HAL Open Science | 85 | Link type unknown | hal.science | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Deposit a research-level open-source your tool component or related preprint/report with accurate project and source links. | Research-software or scholarly output only; accurate authorship, affiliation, rights, licence and metadata; deposits may be reviewed and cannot be self-deleted after acceptance. | 2026-08-05 — https://doc.hal.science/en/deposer/deposer-le-code-source/ | Open HAL Open Science submit page (new tab)HAL Open Science details |
| 26 | 66 | Internet Archive | 95 | Nofollow | archive.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Live, conditional | Archive an authentic your tool release, manual or research artifact with accurate metadata and official source URL. | Upload only material you own or may redistribute; item metadata must describe a real archival object, not an SEO-only page. | https://archive.org/create/ | Open Internet Archive submit page (new tab)Internet Archive details |
| 27 | 66 | MacUpdate | 75 | Nofollow | macupdate.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Add your Mac app and keep version updates current so users get notified. | Mac apps only; listings must link to the official download. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open MacUpdate submit page (new tab)MacUpdate details |
| 28 | 66 | MajorGeeks | 80 | Link type unknown | majorgeeks.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Submit your Windows utility with a PAD file or download link for editorial review. | Every program is tested by staff; bundled toolbars or adware are rejected. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open MajorGeeks submit page (new tab)MajorGeeks details |
| 29 | 66 | Savannah Non-GNU | 70 | Link type unknown | nongnu.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Submit only a substantive free-software your tool component that runs primarily on free systems and needs authentic Savannah project hosting and collaboration. | Strict hosting-policy and licensing review applies; this is not a backlink directory, empty mirror, or marketing page, and unsuitable projects should not apply. | 2026-08-03 | Open Savannah Non-GNU submit page (new tab)Savannah Non-GNU details |
| 30 | 66 | TechSpot Downloads | 90 | Nofollow | techspot.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Needs checking | Ask the TechSpot team to add your app to the downloads section, with version notes. | Editorial picks only; they favour well-known or genuinely useful tools. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open TechSpot Downloads submit page (new tab)TechSpot Downloads details |
| 31 | 66 | Trello Power-Up Directory | 95 | Nofollow | trello.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Live, conditional | Build an your tool Trello Power-Up, register it, sign the developer agreement, and submit it. | Requires polished Trello-specific functionality, reliable hosting, privacy/support details, and review of two or more weeks. | https://developer.atlassian.com/cloud/trello/guides/power-ups/submitting-your-power-up/ | Open Trello Power-Up Directory submit page (new tab)Trello Power-Up Directory details |
| 32 | 65 | SoftwareSuggest | 70 | Sometimes dofollow | softwaresuggest.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | List software in relevant category. | India-friendly B2B software directory. | 2026-07-30 | Open SoftwareSuggest submit page (new tab)SoftwareSuggest details |
| 33 | 65 | SourceForge Software | 95 | Nofollow | sourceforge.net | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Not submitted | Create software listing/vendor profile. | Good for software/tools discovery. | 2026-07-30 | Open SourceForge Software submit page (new tab)SourceForge Software details |
| 34 | 63 | Figshare | 90 | Nofollow | figshare.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Verified live | Publish a genuine your tool benchmark, dataset, software artifact, poster, or methods report with the canonical project URL in metadata. | Academic/research output only; public items receive persistent DOIs and should not be deleted or used as promotional shells. | https://info.figshare.com/user-guide/what-is-figshare/ | Open Figshare submit page (new tab)Figshare details |
| 35 | 63 | GoodFirms | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | goodfirms.co | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Create company/software listing. | Works better with company details and reviews. | 2026-07-30 | Open GoodFirms submit page (new tab)GoodFirms details |
| 36 | 63 | PhysioNet | 75 | Link type unknown | physionet.org | Software directories | Free | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Publish a clinical-data de-identification or quality tool with source, installation steps, dependencies, documentation, and tests. | Must support credible biomedical research, use an accepted open-source license, and pass editorial review. | Official PhysioNet publishing guide checked 2026-08-05 | Open PhysioNet submit page (new tab)PhysioNet details |
| 37 | 63 | TrustRadius | 80 | Nofollow | trustradius.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Not submitted | Create vendor profile and collect authentic reviews. | No fake reviews; verification strict. | 2026-07-30 | Open TrustRadius submit page (new tab)TrustRadius details |
| 38 | 60 | FinancesOnline | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | financesonline.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | Medium | Not submitted | Submit product for review/listing. | Editorial review; prepare screenshots/features. | 2026-07-30 | Open FinancesOnline submit page (new tab)FinancesOnline details |
| 39 | 53 | Journal of Statistical Software | 70 | Link type unknown | jstatsoft.org | Software directories | Paid | Involved | Medium | Verified live | Develop an open statistical/privacy-analysis component, then submit a reproducible English LaTeX software paper linking its code and your tool project page. | Only statistical-computing software with publishable scholarly value; authors must supply software/replication material and handle strict formatting and peer review. | 2026-08-05 — https://www.jstatsoft.org/authors | Open Journal of Statistical Software submit page (new tab)Journal of Statistical Software details |
| 40 | 48 | Software Informer | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | software.informer.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Add or claim your program and keep version info and description up to date. | Listings are auto-checked; inaccurate entries are removed. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Software Informer submit page (new tab)Software Informer details |
| 41 | 46 | CSDMS Model Repository | 90 | Link type unknown | csdms.colorado.edu | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Open-source a relevant geoscience model or component, complete the model questionnaire, and provide its code archive for CSDMS testing. | Must be an actual Earth-surface or geoscience model; staff may compile and run it, and BMI compatibility is encouraged. | Official CSDMS contribute-model guide checked 2026-08-05 | Open CSDMS Model Repository submit page (new tab)CSDMS Model Repository details |
| 42 | 46 | Neowin Software | 80 | Sometimes dofollow | neowin.net | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Send release notes for notable versions of your desktop software to their software news section. | Editors pick releases; minor updates are often skipped. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Neowin Software submit page (new tab)Neowin Software details |
| 43 | 46 | rOpenSci | 70 | Link type unknown | ropensci.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Verified live | If your tool produces a research-grade R package, submit a presubmission inquiry and the package for open review. | Package must fit rOpenSci scope, avoid overlap, meet testing and lifecycle policies, and remain actively maintained. | 2026-08-05 — https://devguide.ropensci.org/softwarereview_author.html | Open rOpenSci submit page (new tab)rOpenSci details |
| 44 | 46 | ROS Index | 70 | Link type unknown | index.ros.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Build a real ROS package for an your tool robotics/privacy/safety workflow, release it through rosdistro and expose maintained README, documentation and source links in ROS Index. | Must provide genuine ROS functionality and follow repository, metadata and release conventions; a branded launcher without robot-facing value will be rejected. | 2026-08-05 | Open ROS Index submit page (new tab)ROS Index details |
| 45 | 45 | Clutch | 90 | Sometimes dofollow | clutch.co | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Not submitted | Create company profile if your tool/Anslation has service angle. | Less fit for pure tool site unless company profile. | 2026-07-30 | Open Clutch submit page (new tab)Clutch details |
| 46 | 43 | DesignRush | 75 | Sometimes dofollow | designrush.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Pitch/list company/tool if category fits. | More agency-oriented; verify fit. | 2026-07-30 | Open DesignRush submit page (new tab)DesignRush details |
| 47 | 43 | PortableApps.com | 75 | Link type unknown | portableapps.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Package your open-source tool in their portable format and propose it in the development forum. | Apps must meet their packaging spec and licensing rules. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open PortableApps.com submit page (new tab)PortableApps.com details |
Four steps that work for a new site, a SaaS or a side project. No paid link packages, nothing that risks a penalty.
Before submitting anywhere, have a one-line description, a 150-word description, a square logo and two or three screenshots ready. Every form asks for some mix of these.
Start with the free, quick rows: profile creation sites and free directories. They are one form each and build the entity signals search engines use to understand who you are.
Then pick a handful of high DA and dofollow sites that fit your niche, and write proper guest posts or launch posts for them. Ten relevant links beat a hundred random ones.
Note where you submitted and when. Recheck after a month, update stale descriptions, and never pay for bulk link packages: they put the whole site at risk.
Behind the list
Every row here starts as a line in a sheet, gets normalised into one of 16 groups, scored for cost, effort and impact, and written up with the steps to actually submit. The floor below represents that pipeline.
Open the sheet viewAn illustration of the AltF Backlinks floor: opportunities sourced at the back, vetted for cost and effort by the engineering pod, written up for outreach by the design pod, then tracked to placement along a line.
One-shot launches where timing and preparation decide the outcome.
Publications that accept contributed articles. Slow and editorial, but the links are earned.
Fast-growing listings specifically for AI-powered tools.
Extension, plugin and integration stores. Real review processes, real distribution.
Startup listings, beta lists and founder media.
General tool and software catalogues with real search traffic.
B2B review sites. Slow to approve, strong once live.
Package, image and docs hosting that carries real authority.
Showcases judged on craft. A good screenshot matters more than copy.
Write once, link back. Editorial standards vary widely.
Get quoted or distribute a release. Slower, higher ceiling.
Company and local listings. Unglamorous, consistently indexed.
Owned pages you control: company, founder, knowledge-panel entities.
Answer real questions. Never drop a bare link.
Brand surface and referral traffic more than link equity.
Everything that does not fit the buckets above.