Sidehunt at a glance
- Listing price
- Free, paid upgradesPremium Launch $19
- Domain rating
- DR 39
- Link
- Dofollow
- Account
- Sign up with email or Google
- Captcha
- None
- Backlink or badge
- Not required
- Email confirmation
- Yes, by link or code
- Time to go live
- Projects launch at 8:00 AM UTC each Monday. Free and Nofollow launches go into a standard queue; Premium launches skip the queue and launch instantly.
- Submit at
- sidehunt.io/submit
What Sidehunt is and who it's for
Sidehunt is a weekly competition where side projects and indie launches go live, collect votes, and compete for top spots. Each week, hunters browse new products, try them, and vote. The top 3 hunted products win badges and dofollow backlinks. The site also features a Hall of Fame, blog, and studio posts.
Indie makers, solo founders, and early adopters actively looking for new side projects and tools.
It lists
- Side projects
- Indie launches
- SaaS
- AI tools
- Developer tools
- Productivity apps
- Design tools
- Marketing tools
How to submit to Sidehunt, step by step
Submit a Free Launch or Nofollow Launch. Free Launch requires a Sidehunt badge on your website and gives nofollow links by default; Nofollow Launch has no badge requirement and always nofollow links. Both are free and enter the weekly competition.
Create an account
Sign up with email or Google. Email verification is required.
Choose a launch plan
Select Free Launch, Nofollow Launch, or Premium Launch ($19).
Submit your project
Fill out the submission form with your project details.
Add badge (if Free Launch)
If you chose Free Launch, place the Sidehunt badge on your website.
Wait for launch
Free and Nofollow launches go into a standard queue and launch on Monday at 8:00 AM UTC. Premium launches skip the queue and launch instantly.
Compete and win
Your project is live for 7 days. Collect votes. Top 3 win badges and dofollow backlinks.
Sidehunt pricing: free vs paid
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free Launch | Free | Live on homepage for 7 days, Sidehunt badge required, nofollow links by default, earn dofollow + badge if top 3, competition entry, launch blog post, standard launch queue |
| Nofollow Launch | Free | Live on homepage for 7 days, no badge required, nofollow links always, earn badge if top 3, competition entry, launch blog post, standard launch queue |
| Premium Launch | $19 / launch | Live on homepage for 7 days, homepage sidebar spotlight, guaranteed dofollow backlink, no badge required, earn badge if top 3, launch blog post, SEO & GEO optimized page and blog post, dofollow links in blog post, skip queue - instant launch, premium badge, priority support |
| Ad Spot Subscription | $99 / month | Ad placements across homepage, project pages, blog posts, studio posts, and launches; 8-slot system; update ad details anytime; subscription status controls visibility |
Why Sidehunt submissions get rejected or stall
- Not a side project or indie launch
- Free Launch without required Sidehunt badge
- Duplicate listing
- Inappropriate content
Tips for a listing that gets approved
- If you want a dofollow backlink without winning, choose Premium Launch.
- Free Launch requires a badge on your site; if you don't want a badge, choose Nofollow Launch.
- Launch on Monday at 8:00 AM UTC to maximize your 7-day visibility.
- Encourage your users to vote during the week to improve your chances of winning top 3.
Our take on Sidehunt
Sidehunt is a good fit for indie makers and founders launching side projects or SaaS tools who want exposure to an early-adopter audience. Free launches are available but require a badge or accept nofollow links; Premium Launch offers a dofollow backlink and instant launch for $19. Expect a weekly competition format with voting.
Sidehunt FAQ
How much does it cost to launch on Sidehunt?
Free Launch and Nofollow Launch are free. Premium Launch costs $19 per launch.
How long does it take to get approved?
Free and Nofollow launches go into a standard queue and launch on Monday at 8:00 AM UTC. Premium launches skip the queue and launch instantly.
Do I get a dofollow backlink?
Free Launch gives nofollow links by default, but you can earn a dofollow backlink if you finish in the top 3. Nofollow Launch always gives nofollow links. Premium Launch guarantees a dofollow backlink.
Do I need to put a badge on my website?
Only for Free Launch. Nofollow Launch and Premium Launch do not require a badge.
What are the requirements to submit?
You need an account (email or Google sign-up with email verification). Your project should be a side project or indie launch.
Checked against Sidehunt's own pages on Oct 24, 2026: sidehunt.io, sidehunt.io/submit, sidehunt.io/pricing, sidehunt.io/advertise. Directories change their forms and prices; the submit page has the final word.
