The AI Directories Alternative: Cheaper, Broader, You Pick
Submitator is an AI Directories alternative that costs a fraction of the price, isn't limited to AI directories, and lets you choose your own. AI Directories is a well-known, done-for-you service in the AI-directory space: it manually submits AI tools to AI-focused directories and sends back a report. Its plans are $99 for 30 directories, $149 for 60, and $199 for 100. Submitator covers the same volumes, across every category, for $29, $49, and $79.
Credit where it's due: AI Directories is a legitimate, well-regarded service that's helped a lot of founders, and if you build an AI tool and AI directories are all you want, it does that job. But on price, breadth, and control, Submitator takes a different approach. Here's the honest comparison.
AI Directories vs Submitator
| Feature | Submitator | AI Directories |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29–79 one-time | $99–199 |
| Cost per directory | Under $1 | $2–3.30 |
| Categories | All | AI only |
| Directories | 30–100, you pick | 30–100, they pick |
| Choose your directories | ||
| Submission | Cloud automation | Manual, done-for-you |
| Proof per listing | Live dashboard + link | Report |
| Badges & paid dirs | Handled free | Paid dirs custom-quoted |
| Refund | 30-day money-back | Satisfaction guarantee |
AI Directories' one-time prices ($99 / $149 / $199, shown discounted from $149 / $199 / $249; monthly options also offered) and AI-only scope are from aidirectori.es; it's manual/done-for-you and picks the directories per tier, with paid placements in a separate custom-quoted tier. Verify current pricing before buying (they run sales). Last checked June 2026.
$29 vs $99, for the same 30 directories
Start with the number. AI Directories is $99 for 30 directories, $149 for 60, and $199 for 100. Submitator is $29, $49, and $79 for the very same volumes. That works out to roughly $2 to $3.30 per directory on AI Directories versus under $1 with us, so you're paying about two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half times less for the same number of listings. A lot of that gap is the model: AI Directories submits by hand, and human time costs money.
Every category, not just AI
AI Directories does one thing: it submits AI tools to AI directories. That's great if you built an AI product and that's all you need. Submitator covers every category, AI, SaaS, startup, developer tools and more, so a non-AI product isn't shut out, and an AI product still gets the AI directories plus everything else that fits.
You pick the directories. They pick for you.
With AI Directories you choose how many directories (30, 60, or 100), but their team chooses which ones and emails you a report. Submitator hands you the list. You pick your directories from your dashboard, filtered by category or Domain Rating, and watch each one go live, with a screenshot and a clickable link for every submission rather than a report you read once.
Badges handled, no fees on the side
Here's a subtler difference. On AI Directories' higher tiers the high-DR list includes paid directories, and paid placements sit in a separate, custom-quoted tier, so some of the best ones cost extra on top of the plan. Submitator handles directory badges for free, and has free-publish arrangements with some directories, so you're not paying fees on the side. It focuses on dofollow directories and backs it with a 30-day money-back refund.
Same directories. A third of the price.
100 directories you pick, across every category, a live link for each. From $29, one-time.
When AI Directories might still fit
To be fair, AI Directories is a well-known, legitimate service with real traction, it's promoted hundreds of startups. If you built an AI tool, AI directories are exactly what you want, and you'd rather a team hand-pick and submit a curated AI list for you, it's a perfectly good option. Submitator is the better fit when you want to pay a fraction of the price, cover every category, and choose your own directories.
Real backlinks. Real DR. Real proof.
FAQ
Is Submitator a good AI Directories alternative?
Yes, on price, breadth, and control. Submitator is $29 for 30 directories versus AI Directories' $99 for the same 30, it covers every category instead of only AI directories, and it lets you choose your own directories rather than receiving a fixed bundle.
How much does AI Directories cost?
AI Directories is one-time: Starter $99 for 30+ AI directories, Pro $149 for 60+, and Premium $199 for 100+ (it also offers monthly options). Submitator is $29 for 30 directories, $49 for 60, and $79 for 100, so you pay roughly 2.5 to 3.4 times less per directory with Submitator.
Does AI Directories cover non-AI directories?
No. AI Directories submits only to AI-focused directories. Submitator covers all categories, AI, SaaS, startup, dev tools and more, so a non-AI product isn't left out, and an AI product still gets the AI ones.
Can you choose your directories with AI Directories?
You choose the package size (30, 60, or 100), but AI Directories picks which specific directories and sends you a report. Submitator gives you a live dashboard where you choose the exact directories, filtered by category or Domain Rating, and watch each one go live.
What about paid directories?
On AI Directories' higher tiers the list includes paid directories, and paid placements sit in a separate, custom-quoted tier, so some directories cost extra on top of the plan. Submitator handles directory badges for free and has free-publish arrangements with some directories, so you're not paying fees on the side.
Do you offer a refund?
Yes, a 30-day money-back refund, and every rejected directory is credited back as +1 so you can pick another. AI Directories offers a satisfaction guarantee, where they'll work with you to make it right or provide a refund.
Comparing options? See the others.
Every category. Your pick. A third of the price.
100+ real directories you choose, dofollow backlinks, a live link for each. From $29, one-time.