Free backlink sites list: 1,964 places to get a link
A maintained list of 1,964 legitimate backlink sites: directories, profile creation sites, guest posting sites, launch platforms, registries and marketplaces. 1,628 are free or have a free tier, 44 usually give a dofollow link, and 781 have an estimated DA of 70 or more. Every row shows authority, link type, cost and effort, and links straight to the submit page.
- 1,964
- Opportunities
- 1,628
- Free or freemium
- 781
- Est. DA 70+
- 208
- Quick wins
All filters2
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 | 48 | FreewareFiles | 60 | Link type unknown | freewarefiles.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit your free Windows program through the author submission form. | Software must be free or freemium and free of malware. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open FreewareFiles submit page (new tab)FreewareFiles details |
| 2 | 48 | MacMenuBar | 40 | Sometimes dofollow | macmenubar.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Submit your macOS menu bar app with a short description and screenshot. | Only apps that live in the menu bar are accepted. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open MacMenuBar submit page (new tab)MacMenuBar details |
| 3 | 48 | Portable Freeware | 50 | Sometimes dofollow | portablefreeware.com | Software directories | Free | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Suggest your app if it runs without installation and is free. | Must be genuinely portable and freeware; community moderates entries. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Portable Freeware submit page (new tab)Portable Freeware details |
| 4 | 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 |
| 5 | 46 | Astrophysics Source Code Library | 55 | Link type unknown | ascl.net | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Submit an your tool-related astronomy utility only after it has been used in research submitted to or published by a refereed journal. | Strict astronomy or astrophysics scope; code must be accessible, research-used, complete, moderated, and supported by a paper reference. | 2026-08-05 — https://ascl.net/code/submit | Open Astrophysics Source Code Library submit page (new tab)Astrophysics Source Code Library details |
| 6 | 46 | Business-Software.com | 55 | Link type unknown | business-software.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Not submitted | Create a truthful your tool/founder profile or content page and add the website link where allowed. | Use a real brand/founder identity; do not create thin duplicate pages. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/business-software-com | Open Business-Software.com submit page (new tab)Business-Software.com details |
| 7 | 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 |
| 8 | 46 | ITQlick | 45 | Link type unknown | itqlick.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit your SaaS product for a profile with pricing and feature data. | Info must be accurate; marketing copy gets rewritten. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open ITQlick submit page (new tab)ITQlick details |
| 9 | 46 | LO4D | 65 | Link type unknown | lo4d.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit your Windows app for review and malware testing. | Programs failing their antivirus checks are not listed. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open LO4D submit page (new tab)LO4D details |
| 10 | 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 |
| 11 | 46 | OpenAlternative | 45 | Dofollow | openalternative.co | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Not submitted | Create a truthful your tool/founder profile or content page and add the website link where allowed. | Use a real brand/founder identity; do not create thin duplicate pages. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/openalternative | Open OpenAlternative submit page (new tab)OpenAlternative details |
| 12 | 46 | OpenEBench | 40 | Link type unknown | openebench.bsc.es | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Organize a rigorous life-science privacy-tool benchmark or participate with an eligible your tool method and publish validated results. | Requires a scientific community, formal challenge metadata, reference data, containerized metrics workflow, assigned role, and OpenEBench support review. | 2026-08-05 — https://openebench.readthedocs.io/en/latest/how_to/4_manage_events.html | Open OpenEBench submit page (new tab)OpenEBench details |
| 13 | 46 | pyOpenSci | 45 | Link type unknown | pyopensci.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Submit a mature scientific Python package related to an your tool privacy or accessibility workflow for public review and listing. | Must support open science, have sustained public development, packaging, tests, docs, human-reviewed code, and a maintenance commitment. | 2026-08-05 — https://www.pyopensci.org/software-peer-review/our-process/policies.html | Open pyOpenSci submit page (new tab)pyOpenSci details |
| 14 | 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 |
| 15 | 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 |
| 16 | 46 | SoftwareConnect | 45 | Link type unknown | softwareconnect.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Request a vendor listing for your business software and supply feature details. | B2B products only; pricing and features are checked. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open SoftwareConnect submit page (new tab)SoftwareConnect details |
| 17 | 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 |
| 18 | 45 | Serchen | 50 | Link type unknown | serchen.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Not submitted | Create company listing and product profile. | Check category fit before spending time. | 2026-07-30 | Open Serchen submit page (new tab)Serchen details |
| 19 | 45 | SubmitMatic | — | Link type unknown | submitmatic.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Use free launch/listing tools to prep copy and track submissions. | Research/operations support. | 2026-07-30 | Open SubmitMatic submit page (new tab)SubmitMatic details |
| 20 | 44 | Cuspera | 50 | Link type unknown | cuspera.com | Software directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Claim/request listing if eligible. | No obvious direct form; use contact if needed. | 2026-07-30 | Open Cuspera submit page (new tab)Cuspera details |
| 21 | 44 | ToolThump | — | Link type unknown | toolthump.com | Software directories | Not stated | Quick | Later | Needs checking | Study accepted multi-tool positioning; possible outreach/partnership. | Research/comparable, not direct submission. | 2026-07-30 | Open ToolThump submit page (new tab)ToolThump details |
| 22 | 43 | AI Top Hub | — | Link type unknown | aitophub.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Needs checking | 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/ai-top-hub | Open AI Top Hub submit page (new tab)AI Top Hub details |
| 23 | 43 | browse.sh | — | Link type unknown | browse.sh | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/browse-sh | Open browse.sh submit page (new tab)browse.sh details |
| 24 | 43 | CompareCamp | 55 | Link type unknown | comparecamp.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Not submitted | Pitch your tool for software review/listing. | Contact/pitch, not instant backlink. | 2026-07-30 | Open CompareCamp submit page (new tab)CompareCamp details |
| 25 | 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 |
| 26 | 43 | FeedMyApp | 30 | Link type unknown | feedmyapp.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool as web app/tool collection. | Older app directory; verify active. | 2026-07-30 | Open FeedMyApp submit page (new tab)FeedMyApp details |
| 27 | 43 | IndieHustles | — | Link type unknown | indiehustles.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Not submitted | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/indiehustles | Open IndieHustles submit page (new tab)IndieHustles details |
| 28 | 43 | Journal of Open Source Software | 60 | Link type unknown | joss.theoj.org | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Verified live | Submit a qualifying open your tool research-software component and short software paper after it has mature public development history. | Requires OSI licence, public source and issues, tests, documentation, research use, contributor authorship, and editorial review. | 2026-08-05 — https://joss.readthedocs.io/en/latest/submitting.html | Open Journal of Open Source Software submit page (new tab)Journal of Open Source Software details |
| 29 | 43 | NITRC | 55 | Link type unknown | nitrc.org | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Register an actual neuroimaging privacy, quality-control, or data-processing tool through NITRC's resource workflow. | Must have substantive neuroimaging or neuroscience relevance; account registration and moderation apply. | Official NITRC project and registered-resource pages checked 2026-08-05 | Open NITRC submit page (new tab)NITRC details |
| 30 | 43 | Noxilo | — | Link type unknown | noxilo.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Needs checking | 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/noxilo | Open Noxilo submit page (new tab)Noxilo details |
| 31 | 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 |
| 32 | 43 | Remote Tools | 40 | Link type unknown | remote.tools | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool as remote/productivity tool if form active. | Verify activity and category fit. | 2026-07-30 | Open Remote Tools submit page (new tab)Remote Tools details |
| 33 | 43 | SaaS Landing Page | 45 | Dofollow | saaslandingpage.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool/SaaS-style landing page. | SaaS-focused design gallery. | 2026-07-30 | Open SaaS Landing Page submit page (new tab)SaaS Landing Page details |
| 34 | 43 | Software Finder | 50 | Link type unknown | softwarefinder.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Claim or request a product listing in the right software category. | Vendors cannot post their own reviews. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Software Finder submit page (new tab)Software Finder details |
| 35 | 43 | Software for Progress Foundation | — | Link type unknown | softwareforprogress.org | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Live, conditional | Submit an open-source your tool accessibility, education or digital-security component for foundation review. | Mission alignment, public code, team details and an impact roadmap are required. | 2026-08-03 | Open Software for Progress Foundation submit page (new tab)Software for Progress Foundation details |
| 36 | 43 | Techjockey | 60 | Nofollow | techjockey.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Register as a vendor to list your software for Indian business buyers. | Listings are reviewed; resale partnerships are optional. | Added 2026-11-01 | Open Techjockey submit page (new tab)Techjockey details |
| 37 | 43 | The AI Generation | — | Link type unknown | theaigeneration.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/the-ai-generation | Open The AI Generation submit page (new tab)The AI Generation details |
| 38 | 43 | TheSaaSDirectory | — | Link type unknown | thesaasdirectory.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Dofollow is reported but recheck after approval. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/thesaasdirectory | Open TheSaaSDirectory submit page (new tab)TheSaaSDirectory details |
| 39 | 43 | Waild World | — | Link type unknown | waildworld.com | Software directories | Free | Involved | Later | Needs checking | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Link treatment varies by tier/page. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/waild-world | Open Waild World submit page (new tab)Waild World details |
| 40 | 42 | AppAppeal | 40 | Link type unknown | appappeal.com | Software directories | Not stated | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit or request app review/listing. | Older directory; verify active. | 2026-07-30 | Open AppAppeal submit page (new tab)AppAppeal details |
| 41 | 42 | MagicBox.tools | — | Link type unknown | magicbox.tools | Software directories | Not stated | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit useful your tool utilities. | Verify quality/form. | 2026-07-30 | Open MagicBox.tools submit page (new tab)MagicBox.tools details |
| 42 | 42 | Nicelydone | 45 | Link type unknown | nicelydone.club | Software directories | Not stated | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit/request inclusion if UI is strong. | Verify submission route. | 2026-07-30 | Open Nicelydone submit page (new tab)Nicelydone details |
| 43 | 42 | ToolFio | — | Link type unknown | toolfio.com | Software directories | Not stated | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit online tool/platform if form exists. | Verify active submit flow. | 2026-07-30 | Open ToolFio submit page (new tab)ToolFio details |
| 44 | 42 | Twelve Tools | — | Link type unknown | twelvetools.com | Software directories | Not stated | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Submit useful tool/platform. | Verify active form. | 2026-07-30 | Open Twelve Tools submit page (new tab)Twelve Tools details |
| 45 | 42 | UpRank | — | Link type unknown | uprank.com | Software directories | Not stated | Moderate | Later | Verified live | Submit your tool for manual inclusion in the software directory. | Manually vetted; acceptance and category fit are discretionary. | https://uprank.com/list-your-business | Open UpRank submit page (new tab)UpRank details |
| 46 | 40 | Find Productized | — | Link type unknown | findproductized.co | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | Later | Not submitted | Submit your tool with homepage URL, privacy-first positioning, logo, screenshots and accurate pricing. | Accurate tool details required; editorial approval controls publication. Link treatment varies by tier/page. | 2026-07-30 • https://www.submission.directory/site/find-productized | Open Find Productized submit page (new tab)Find Productized details |
| 47 | 40 | ToolAssistant | — | Link type unknown | toolassistant.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Involved | Later | Not submitted | 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/toolassistant | Open ToolAssistant submit page (new tab)ToolAssistant details |
| 48 | 36 | SubmitSaaS | — | Link type unknown | submitsaas.com | Software directories | Paid | Moderate | Later | Needs checking | Use only if outsourcing manual directory submissions. | Vet quality; avoid low-quality guaranteed-link spam. | 2026-07-30 | Open SubmitSaaS submit page (new tab)SubmitSaaS details |
How to build backlinks with this list
Four steps that work for a new site, a SaaS or a side project. No paid link packages, nothing that risks a penalty.
Get the basics right first
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.
Claim profiles and free listings
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.
Go after a few strong links
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.
Track and keep it clean
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
A link opportunity is not a link.
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.
Backlink sites by category
Product launch sites87
One-shot launches where timing and preparation decide the outcome.
Guest posting sites55
Publications that accept contributed articles. Slow and editorial, but the links are earned.
AI tool directories200
Fast-growing listings specifically for AI-powered tools.
App stores and marketplaces273
Extension, plugin and integration stores. Real review processes, real distribution.
Startup directory submission sites120
Startup listings, beta lists and founder media.
Software directory submission sites215
General tool and software catalogues with real search traffic.
Software review sites29
B2B review sites. Slow to approve, strong once live.
Developer platforms for backlinks139
Package, image and docs hosting that carries real authority.
Web design galleries for backlinks87
Showcases judged on craft. A good screenshot matters more than copy.
Web 2.0 and publishing sites214
Write once, link back. Editorial standards vary widely.
PR and press release sites41
Get quoted or distribute a release. Slower, higher ceiling.
Business directory submission sites109
Company and local listings. Unglamorous, consistently indexed.
Profile creation sites163
Owned pages you control: company, founder, knowledge-panel entities.
Forum and community backlink sites61
Answer real questions. Never drop a bare link.
Social bookmarking sites18
Brand surface and referral traffic more than link equity.
More backlink opportunities153
Everything that does not fit the buckets above.
Common questions
Do backlinks still matter for ranking in 2026?
Links remain one signal among many, and low-quality bulk links do more harm than good. What still works is being listed where your buyers actually look — directories with real traffic, registries your peers use, and launch platforms with engaged audiences. Every entry in this list is a place a human might plausibly find you, which is why they are worth submitting to regardless of link equity.
Which submissions should I do first?
Start with the quick wins filter: free, low effort, and not in the lowest priority band. 208 of the 1,964 entries qualify, and those are the ones where a single form submission gets you a live listing the same week. Launch platforms are worth saving until your product is genuinely ready, because you only get one good attempt at each.
How is the impact score calculated?
It starts from a hand-assigned priority band (do first, high, medium, later), then adjusts for cost and effort. A free, quick opportunity scores above a paid, involved one in the same band, because it is the one you can realistically finish today. The score is a queueing aid, not a measure of domain authority.
Are these links free?
1,628 of the 1,964 entries are free to submit to or offer a free tier that includes a listing. Cost is shown on every row, and the "nothing to pay" filter narrows the list to exactly those.
Which backlink sites are dofollow?
44 entries are known to give a followed link on a normal listing, and more give one only in some placements. The link type is shown on every row and can be filtered. Sites change their link policy without notice, so treat the label as a starting point and check the live page after you are listed. A nofollow link from a busy site still sends visitors and helps search engines discover you.
What does the DA number mean?
It is our estimate of the site's domain authority, a third-party style 0-100 score of how strong a domain's link profile is, rounded to the nearest 5. 1,580 of the 1,964 sites have one. It is useful for comparing sites, not a Google metric, so relevance to your niche still matters more.
How do I get backlinks for a new website?
1. Get the basics right first: 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. 2. Claim profiles and free listings: 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. 3. Go after a few strong links: 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. 4. Track and keep it clean: 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.
Will submitting everywhere hurt my site?
Submitting to spam directories can. That is why this list is curated rather than scraped, and why entries carry a status showing whether they have been verified as live. Skip anything that promises hundreds of links for a fee, and prefer places where a real person reviews submissions.