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Comparison

Builtbyindies vs Penguin Startup

Which one fits

Builtbyindies is the better fit for solo founders who want feedback from other makers, a backlink and a buildlog for updates. It has optional paid plans at $9 or $19 one-time. Penguin Startup is the better fit for founders who want a free listing with no paid placements, or for people who scan fresh launches by sector, including investors looking for deal flow.

Free plan
Builtbyindies Yes, free plan
Penguin Startup Yes, free
Pricing
Builtbyindies Freemium
Penguin Startup Free
Both do
product launches, startup directory

Builtbyindies and Penguin Startup both help new products get seen, but they work differently. Builtbyindies runs weekly launch cohorts for indie makers. Other makers upvote and comment, and the top three products get a Product of the Week badge and a dofollow link.

Penguin Startup is a daily directory of new startups. Listing is free, submissions are checked by hand, and the weekly ranking follows visitor views. The site says nobody can pay to move up.

What it is

Builtbyindies
Weekly product launches and feedback for indie makers
Penguin Startup
Daily directory of new startups, free for founders to list

Free plan

Builtbyindies
Yes, free plan
Penguin Startup
Yes, free

Pricing

Builtbyindies
Freemium. Free launch with community scheduling, though the site says it may require karma. Premium is $9 one-time for 14 days on the homepage spotlight. Featured is $19 one-time for 30 days plus a blog post. No subscriptions.
Penguin Startup
Free. Listing is free and the site says there are no paid placements at the moment. No paid plans are described.

Who it is for

Builtbyindies
Solo founders and small teams who have a product to show and want early users, feedback from other makers and a backlink. It suits people comfortable with a community of fellow builders as the audience. Teams after a large mainstream audience may find the cohorts small by design.
Penguin Startup
Founders who want a free listing for a new product, and people who like scanning fresh launches in areas such as AI, SaaS and developer tools. The About page also names investors looking for deal flow outside their own networks. It is a discovery list, not a tool for deeper research on each company.

Highlights

Builtbyindies
Free launches join a queue for the next open weekly cohort. Top three products each week get a Product of the Week badge and a dofollow link. Permanent product page with description, pricing type, category, tech stack and maker. Buildlog for posting updates after launch. Premium is $9 one-time with 14 days on the homepage spotlight. Featured is $19 one-time with 30 days on the homepage and a blog post.
Penguin Startup
Daily directory of new startups, 574 listed at time of writing. Eight sectors including AI/ML, SaaS, DevTools and FinTech. Launch list ranked by weekly visitors, then recency. Free to list, with no paid placements stated. Founder submissions reviewed by hand, usually within 2 business days. Search and sector filter on the full directory.

Listed

Builtbyindies
12 Oct 2026
Penguin Startup
13 Nov 2026
Visit Builtbyindies Visit Penguin Startup

Questions about Builtbyindies and Penguin Startup

What is the difference between Builtbyindies and Penguin Startup?
Builtbyindies is the better fit for solo founders who want feedback from other makers, a backlink and a buildlog for updates. It has optional paid plans at $9 or $19 one-time. Penguin Startup is the better fit for founders who want a free listing with no paid placements, or for people who scan fresh launches by sector, including investors looking for deal flow.
Does Builtbyindies have a free plan?
Yes, free plan. Freemium. Free launch with community scheduling, though the site says it may require karma. Premium is $9 one-time for 14 days on the homepage spotlight. Featured is $19 one-time for 30 days plus a blog post. No subscriptions.
Does Penguin Startup have a free plan?
Yes, free. Free. Listing is free and the site says there are no paid placements at the moment. No paid plans are described.

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