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How to Submit to BetaList: Cost, Criteria and What You Get (2026)
By Balwant Singh Rawat · Published · Updated · Research-based (not yet hands-on tested)
Quick answer: BetaList is paid only, with a full automatic refund if you aren’t selected. It features technology startups that are new to its audience, on their own domain. If you’re featured, BetaList says you get a permanent listing and a do-follow link. Agencies, consultancies and sites on free hosting subdomains are listed as common reasons for rejection.
Last checked: 10 November 2026 (IST), on BetaList’s help/FAQ and submission criteria. Claims about traffic and link value are BetaList’s own, not our measurements. BetaList is also on our checked directory list.
What does BetaList cost?
BetaList’s FAQ is clear: “All submissions are paid. There is no free submission option.” It used to offer free submissions, so ignore older guides that say otherwise. Current plans and prices are shown at the end of the submission form. We didn’t go through checkout, so we don’t quote prices here. Plans differ mainly by how quickly you’re featured and whether a newsletter spot is guaranteed.
The refund rule: if your startup isn’t selected, you get a full refund automatically. BetaList says it can take 5–10 business days to show on your statement. Once you’ve been featured, refunds aren’t available.
Who is eligible?
From BetaList’s submission criteria (it says it features around 20 new startups a day):
- New to the audience. Pre-launch, beta or live, as long as most readers haven’t seen it. Widely known products, or products with significant press coverage, aren’t a fit.
- Not featured before. Up to two features per startup: once pre-launch and once at launch, a few weeks apart.
- A technology startup. Software, hardware and connected devices. Blogs, courses, books, newsletters, subscription e-commerce or general stores, and consultancies or agencies are listed as pitfalls.
- A distinct landing page on your own domain. Untouched templates, hosted builders (LaunchRock, Unbounce, KickoffLabs, Carrd) and free subdomains like yourapp.netlify.app are pitfalls, as are direct links to app stores or a Facebook page.
- A way to sign up. An email form, an app store button or a sign-in. “Follow us on X” alone doesn’t count.
BetaList says it won’t make exceptions to these criteria. You can resubmit after improving the product.
| Question | BetaList’s answer (checked 10 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|
| Cost | Paid only; prices shown at the end of the form |
| If not selected | Full automatic refund |
| Link type | Do-follow via a 301 redirect with UTM tags (operator-stated; not inspected by us) |
| Review time | Depends on the plan; shown at checkout and in the confirmation email |
| Own domain required | Yes; free hosting subdomains are rejected |
| Agencies / consultancies | Listed as a common pitfall |
| Editing after featuring | Request changes from your dashboard; most edits approved within minutes |
| Invoices | VAT ID and company details can be added on the billing page |
How do you submit, step by step?
- Check the criteria first, especially own domain, technology startup, and a clear sign-up path.
- Write the listing. BetaList’s help page links to a field-by-field writing guide covering the name, pitch, description, icon, gallery and topics.
- Choose a plan and pay. The plan determines how soon you’re featured and whether you get the newsletter.
- Wait for the editorial decision by email. If selected, you’re featured on your plan’s timeline. If not, the refund is automatic.
- Track results. Links carry
utm_source=betalist, so visits show up in your own analytics.
What can a submission service do for BetaList, and what can’t it?
It can: check eligibility, write the pitch and description, and prepare images.
It can’t: make an agency or a subdomain-hosted site eligible, or guarantee selection. BetaList is also a paid listing. GearPicked’s plans prioritize eligible free directories and don’t include third-party listing fees, so BetaList is something you pay for yourself if it fits.
Is BetaList worth it?
If you’re a new technology startup on your own domain, BetaList’s automatic refund lowers the risk: you only pay if you’re featured. If you run an agency or a service, its criteria tell you not to bother. Use our checked directory list to find free routes that fit, and see how to submit a SaaS to directories for a two-week plan.
Sources
- BetaList help / FAQ: pricing model, refunds, link type, review timing, edits
- BetaList submission criteria: eligibility and common pitfalls
Want a shortlist instead of researching each route? Use the free directory shortlist builder, or see GearPicked’s manual submission service. Approvals, links, rankings and traffic are never guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
Is BetaList free?
No. BetaList's FAQ says all submissions are paid and there is no free option. Current plans and prices are shown at the end of the submission form. If your startup is not selected, the payment is refunded in full automatically.
Does BetaList give a dofollow backlink?
BetaList says featured startups get a do-follow link. The Visit Site button goes through a betalist.com address that 301-redirects to your site with UTM tags. We have not independently inspected a live listing's link.
Can I submit a site on a netlify.app or vercel.app subdomain?
No. BetaList's criteria and FAQ list free hosting subdomains such as vercel.app, netlify.app and herokuapp.com as a reason not to feature a startup. Use your own domain.
Does BetaList accept agencies or services?
Its submission criteria say BetaList features technology startups and list consultancies or agencies, blogs, courses, books, newsletters and general online stores as common pitfalls.
How long does BetaList review take?
It depends on the plan you pay for. BetaList shows the expected timeline when you choose a plan and in your confirmation email. Review happens before featuring.