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GearPicked vs StartupSubmit: Directory Submission Compared
By Balwant Singh Rawat · Published · Updated · Research-based (not yet hands-on tested)
Short answer: both services say they submit by hand, and both start at $99 (public pages checked 10 November 2026). GearPicked: $99 for 100 or $149 for 200 submissions. StartupSubmit: $99 for 60+, $199 for 150+ or $299 for 200+. Its two higher plans add Domain Rating targets. Pick on the target list, proof and refund terms that suit you, not on the headline count alone.
Disclosure: this page is written by GearPicked, one of the two services compared. Every StartupSubmit fact comes from startupsubmit.app and its Terms, read on 10 November 2026 (IST). We have not bought its service.
Side by side
| GearPicked | StartupSubmit | |
|---|---|---|
| Method stated | Manual, tailored copy | Manual; says a team writes a unique description for each directory |
| Packages | $99 / 100; $149 / 200; combos $119 / $169 with $30 leaderboard credit | $99 / 60+; $199 / 150+; $299 / 200+ (Authority shown reduced from $699) |
| DR target | None | Growth and Authority plans carry a DR target (Authority: DR 30+) |
| Timing stated | Launch scheduled within 5 business days of complete intake; Full Coverage starts within 48 hours | Report in 5–7 days (3–7 on Authority); Terms say 3–10 business days, up to 30 when busy |
| Proof | Screenshot proof and a shared status tracker | Submission URL and before-and-after screenshots; Airtable report |
| Resubmits | Free resubmits for rejected listings on Full Coverage, where permitted | Not established from the pages we read |
| Refunds | Full refund before work starts; pro-rated refund for undelivered directories (terms) | Money-back guarantee advertised; Terms: full completion or refund if it fails to deliver the promised submissions or report; rejections excluded |
| Public directory list | 106 checked directories plus CSV and a shortlist tool | Names example directories on its homepage |
Who might prefer which
- StartupSubmit may suit founders who want a written DR target and are comfortable with how DR is measured (Ahrefs) and the conditions in its Terms.
- GearPicked may suit founders who want more submissions per dollar, a public checked target list, and a refund formula for undelivered work, without a DR promise.
Both depend on directories’ own approval decisions. Before buying either, ask the questions in our buyer checklist. The full comparison has 23 other providers, and there is also GearPicked vs BacklinkBot.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, GearPicked or StartupSubmit?
Per submission, GearPicked's public packages are lower: $99 for 100 or $149 for 200, against StartupSubmit's $99 for 60+, $199 for 150+ and $299 for 200+ (both checked 10 November 2026). StartupSubmit's higher plans include Domain Rating targets, which GearPicked does not offer, so they aren't like-for-like.
Do both submit manually?
Yes, by their own descriptions. StartupSubmit says its team submits every listing by hand and writes a unique description for each directory. GearPicked submits by hand with tailored copy. Neither claim has been audited by a third party.
What about refunds?
GearPicked: full refund if work hasn't started, and a pro-rated refund for directories it couldn't submit. StartupSubmit advertises a money-back guarantee. Its Terms (updated 22 Nov 2025) say completed work is generally non-refundable, but it will finish the work or refund in full if it fails to complete the promised submissions or deliver its report.
Does either guarantee approvals or rankings?
No. Both say directories decide on approval independently. StartupSubmit's Growth and Authority plans carry a DR (Ahrefs Domain Rating) target, and it says it will keep building links until that target is met. DR is a third-party metric, not a Google ranking.