Effortless Backlinks vs StartupSubmit
StartupSubmit is the biggest player in the directory submission space. They have a 20-person SEO team, 250+ directories in their network, and testimonials from well-known indie founders. Effortless Backlinks is a smaller, more personal service focused on quality manual submissions.
Here's how they actually compare — no spin, just facts.
At a glance
| Feature | Effortless Backlinks | StartupSubmit |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | €79 | $99 |
| Max directories | 100 | 250+ |
| Delivery time | 30 days | 7-14 days |
| Submission method | 100% manual | Manual (20-person team) |
| DR guarantee | No | Yes (DR 30+ on Authority plan) |
| Reddit marketing add-on | No | Yes ($49) |
| Money-back guarantee | No | Yes |
| Affiliate program | No | Yes (50% commission) |
| Case studies with metrics | Coming soon | Yes |
| Verified company | No | Yes (US company) |
Pricing comparison
| Plan | Effortless Backlinks | StartupSubmit |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | €79 — 25 directories | $99 — 60+ directories |
| Mid | €119 — 50 directories | $199 — 150+ directories |
| Top | €179 — 100 directories | $299 — 250+ directories |
At the entry tier, Effortless Backlinks is cheaper — €79 vs $99. But StartupSubmit includes more directories per dollar at every tier. Their Authority plan at $299 covers 250+ directories with a DR 30+ guarantee, which is the most comprehensive offer in this market.
Prices last verified April 2026.
Want someone to handle this for you? See how Effortless Backlinks takes care of directory submissions and link building so you can focus on your product.
See how Effortless Backlinks handles this for you →Where StartupSubmit wins
Scale and coverage
250+ directories is the largest network in this space. If you want maximum coverage — every startup directory, every SaaS listing, every niche platform — no one beats StartupSubmit's reach.
Delivery speed
7-14 days is fast. Not SubmitSaaS-fast (48 hours), but significantly faster than our 30-day window. If you want results in under two weeks, StartupSubmit delivers.
Social proof
This is where StartupSubmit really stands out. Their homepage features testimonials from well-known indie founders including Marc Lou, Florin Pop, and Pieter Levels. They have detailed case studies with specific traffic numbers — like Transync AI's 338% traffic surge after using their service. That level of proof is compelling.
DR guarantee
Their Authority plan ($299) guarantees DR 30+. Most services won't put a number on expected results. This is a concrete, measurable promise.
Extra services
Reddit marketing add-on for $49, an affiliate program paying 50% commission, and a money-back guarantee. They've built a complete ecosystem around directory submissions.
Team credibility
A 20-person dedicated SEO team signals reliability and capacity. They're a verified US company, which adds trust.
Where Effortless Backlinks wins
Lower entry price
At €79 for 25 directories, we're more accessible for bootstrapped founders who want to start small and validate the approach before committing more. Not everyone wants to start at $99 for 60+ directories — some founders want 25 quality submissions as a baseline.
Simpler, no-frills pricing
Three straightforward tiers, no discount framing. The prices on our site are the prices you pay. No "was $599, now $299" anchoring.
Personal, focused service
We're a smaller operation, which means your product gets individual attention. When you order from us, your product isn't queued in a system alongside hundreds of others. Every submission gets care.
One thing, done well
We do directory submissions and nothing else. No Reddit add-ons, no affiliate programs, no upsells. If you just want someone to submit your product to directories and send you a report, we're the focused choice.
The honest answer
StartupSubmit is the market leader for good reason. They have the most directories, the fastest delivery, the strongest social proof, and the most features. If you have the budget ($99-$299) and want maximum directory coverage backed by real case studies and a DR guarantee, StartupSubmit is hard to beat.
Effortless Backlinks is the better fit if you're an indie founder who wants to start smaller (€79), prefers working with a lean and focused service, and values personal attention over scale. Our manual-only approach means every submission gets careful, individual treatment.
Neither service is trying to be the other — and that's fine. Different founders need different things.
Which should you choose?
SChoose StartupSubmit if:
You want maximum directory coverage (up to 250+), fast delivery (7-14 days), proven case studies with traffic numbers, and a DR guarantee on the top tier.
EChoose Effortless Backlinks if:
You want a lower starting price (€79), a personal and focused service, and every submission done manually with care — without upsells or complexity.