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 | 86 | AppDirectory.org | — | Link type unknown | appdirectory.org | Software directories | Free | Quick | High | Live, conditional | Submit your tool once with its strongest free-use case, correct category, concise copy, and product URL. | The app must be free or have a meaningful free tier; listings are curated and duplicate submissions are not allowed. | 2026-08-03 | Open AppDirectory.org submit page (new tab)AppDirectory.org details |
| 2 | 86 | Awesome-Selfhosted | 40 | Link type unknown | awesome-selfhosted.net | Software directories | Free | Quick | High | Live, conditional | Submit a mature self-hosted your tool edition using the required YAML entry and canonical website/source links. | Must be a working FOSS network app with a release at least four months old; LLM-generated contributions are prohibited. | 2026-08-05 | Open Awesome-Selfhosted submit page (new tab)Awesome-Selfhosted details |
| 3 | 86 | OpenSourceAlternative.to | 35 | Link type unknown | opensourcealternative.to | Software directories | Free | Quick | High | Live, conditional | Submit a genuinely open-source, maintained and self-hostable your tool component as an alternative to a named proprietary tool. | Requires real open source, self-hosting and active maintenance; submission does not guarantee inclusion. | 2026-08-04 | Open OpenSourceAlternative.to submit page (new tab)OpenSourceAlternative.to details |
| 4 | 86 | PRISM Break | 60 | Dofollow | prism-break.org | Software directories | Free | Quick | High | Live, conditional | Propose a qualifying open-source your tool privacy project through the official contribution process. | Strong privacy and free-software fit is required; follow maintainers' criteria and avoid promotional-only changes. | 2026-08-05 | Open PRISM Break submit page (new tab)PRISM Break details |
| 5 | 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 |
| 6 | 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 |
| 7 | 84 | Local-First Software (LoFi) | — | Link type unknown | lofi.so | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Propose eligible your tool client-side or offline-first tools to the public directory with accurate site and source links. | The product must genuinely keep user data local and meet the directory's local-first scope; submit a human-reviewed PR. | 2026-08-05 | Open Local-First Software (LoFi) submit page (new tab)Local-First Software (LoFi) details |
| 8 | 84 | ODIPA Community Privacy Tools | — | Link type unknown | odipa.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Submit a mature your tool privacy component for technical and security review. | Open-source privacy tool only; dependency scan, manual review and board approval apply. | 2026-08-05 | Open ODIPA Community Privacy Tools submit page (new tab)ODIPA Community Privacy Tools details |
| 9 | 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 |
| 10 | 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 |
| 11 | 84 | TODO Group OSPO Landscape | 55 | Link type unknown | todogroup.org | Software directories | Free | Moderate | High | Live, conditional | Create a real your tool OSPO function or a tool that materially supports OSPO work, then contribute the logo and canonical URL by issue or pull request. | Adopters must meet the OSPO definition; tools must genuinely support governance, SBOM, compliance, security, documentation or community health. | 2026-08-05 official TODO Group landscape repository and documentation | Open TODO Group OSPO Landscape submit page (new tab)TODO Group OSPO Landscape details |
| 12 | 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 |
| 13 | 68 | AppImageHub | 50 | Link type unknown | appimage.github.io | Software directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Live, conditional | Package a legitimate your tool desktop app as an official AppImage, then file the requested issue or pull request for inclusion. | Requires a maintained downloadable AppImage and compliant metadata; a browser-only site is not eligible. | 2026-08-05 | Open AppImageHub submit page (new tab)AppImageHub details |
| 14 | 68 | Software Heritage | 65 | Link type unknown | softwareheritage.org | Software directories | Free | Quick | Medium | Live, conditional | Archive a genuine public your tool source repository and add its resulting SWHID permalink to release and citation metadata. | Public cloneable VCS origin only; this is preservation/citation, not a promotional directory. | 2026-08-04 | Open Software Heritage submit page (new tab)Software Heritage details |
| 15 | 66 | AsyncAPI Tools Dashboard | 60 | Link type unknown | asyncapi.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Live, conditional | If your tool ships a real tool that reads, validates, generates, visualizes, or otherwise supports AsyncAPI documents, add the required .asyncapi-tool metadata file and submit it for the public tools dashboard. | Only submit an actually usable AsyncAPI-related tool with accurate metadata, documentation, repository or supported manual entry, and maintained compatibility. A generic AltFTool product listing or promotional backlink does not qualify. | 2026-08-03 | Open AsyncAPI Tools Dashboard submit page (new tab)AsyncAPI Tools Dashboard details |
| 16 | 66 | Developers Italia | 55 | Link type unknown | developers.italia.it | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Live, conditional | If an your tool component is open source and genuinely targeted at public administration, add valid publiccode.yml metadata so the catalogue crawler can discover it. | Catalogue is for software released by public administrations or third-party open source aimed at the public sector; metadata claims are self-declared and must be accurate. | 2026-08-05 official Developers Italia Get Involved and publiccode.yml guidance | Open Developers Italia submit page (new tab)Developers Italia details |
| 17 | 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 |
| 18 | 66 | IzzyOnDroid | 40 | Link type unknown | izzyondroid.com | Software directories | Free | Moderate | Medium | Live, conditional | If your tool releases a suitable open-source Android app, request inclusion with public source, tagged APK releases, Fastlane metadata and website links. | Must meet the current inclusion policy, disclose anti-features, avoid silent binary downloads, pass scans and remain maintained; review is strict. | 2026-08-05 official IzzyOnDroid repository README, inclusion policy and current issue route | Open IzzyOnDroid submit page (new tab)IzzyOnDroid details |
| 19 | 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 |
| 20 | 65 | Packagecloud | 55 | Link type unknown | packagecloud.io | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Live, conditional | Create a public your tool repository and distribute real signed DEB, RPM, npm, Maven, Helm or other supported packages with accurate metadata. | Repository must serve genuine packages; check current account limits before uploading and never create an empty profile solely for a link. | 2026-08-05 official packagecloud documentation and API | Open Packagecloud submit page (new tab)Packagecloud details |
| 21 | 65 | selfh.st/apps | 45 | Link type unknown | selfh.st | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Live, conditional | Contact the curator with a maintained self-hostable your tool edition, repository, documentation and project website. | Requires a genuine self-hosted or companion application; paid placement should be clearly treated as sponsorship. | 2026-08-05 | Open selfh.st/apps submit page (new tab)selfh.st/apps details |
| 22 | 65 | Voice Tools Directory | — | Link type unknown | voice-tools.com | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Quick | Medium | Live, conditional | Submit a maintained your tool voice/audio utility with licensing and a clear creator or voice-AI use case. | Voice relevance and active maintenance are mandatory; generic AI/toolbox submissions are excluded. | 2026-08-03 | Open Voice Tools Directory submit page (new tab)Voice Tools Directory details |
| 23 | 63 | DevTool Center | — | Link type unknown | devtool.center | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Live, conditional | Submit a maintained your tool developer tool with concise description, pricing and relevant tags. | General consumer utilities are out of scope; documentation and active maintenance are required. | 2026-08-03 | Open DevTool Center submit page (new tab)DevTool Center details |
| 24 | 63 | ToolShelf | — | Link type unknown | toolshelf.dev | Software directories | Free + paid tier | Moderate | Medium | Live, conditional | Submit a focused your tool developer utility with repository, documentation and supported platforms. | Best for maintained developer tools; quality review and GitHub activity signals apply. | 2026-08-03 | Open ToolShelf submit page (new tab)ToolShelf details |
| 25 | 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 |
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.