What makes directree an app discovery platform?
directree indexes software tools and SaaS products as structured listings. Each listing is built automatically from a tool's public site, labelled by data source (Observed, AI-inferred, or Founder-edited), and verified by the founder. Buyers can search, filter by category, compare alternatives, and read honest structured data instead of unchecked marketing copy. That combination -- structured data, source transparency, and permanent discoverability -- is what an honest app discovery platform looks like.
How is directree different from an app store?
App stores like Apple's App Store or Google Play are distribution channels for native applications. directree is a discovery layer for web-based software tools and SaaS products. There is no download, no store fee, and no platform lock-in. A listing on directree helps buyers find and evaluate software through search engines and structured comparison -- it is research infrastructure, not a marketplace.
Does it cost anything to get listed on directree?
No. Submitting, claiming, editing your listing, and earning the Verified do-follow badge are all free. directree Plus is an optional plan for founders who want quarterly Relaunch, a do-follow backlink without the embed requirement, a Verified Product Profile, and listing health checks. Plus is a one-time $49 -- pay once, keep it permanently.
What does 'Observed vs AI-inferred vs Founder-edited' mean?
Every field on a directree listing carries a source label. Observed means the detail was seen directly on your public website. AI-inferred means it was interpreted from available public text. Founder-edited means you reviewed it and wrote your own version. This labelling gives buyers a clear audit trail and gives founders a specific list of fields to correct -- instead of replacing the whole description from scratch.
How does the do-follow backlink work?
When a founder verifies domain ownership and claims their listing, they earn a do-follow backlink badge. That badge links back to the tool's website with a do-follow attribute, passing SEO authority. Unlike the majority of app directories -- which link with no-follow -- a directree listing contributes to the tool's domain authority from the moment it is claimed.
Can buyers compare tools on directree?
Yes. directree auto-generates comparison pages for every listed tool (the /alternatives and /compare routes). Because every listing is built to the same structured schema, comparisons are apples-to-apples: same fields, same source labelling, same category taxonomy. No cherry-picked marketing claims -- just the structured data available on each tool's public site.
What kinds of tools can be submitted?
Any web-based software tool or SaaS product. That includes developer tools, productivity apps, B2B SaaS, niche vertical tools, early-stage products, and independent maker tools. There is no minimum review count, no launch momentum requirement, and no editorial gate. If a public website exists, a listing can be built from it.
