Product Hunt vs BetaList vs Indie Hackers: Comparison

Three platforms dominate the startup launch ecosystem. But they serve different purposes. Here's how to choose.

Quick Comparison

| Feature | Product Hunt | BetaList | Indie Hackers |
|---------|--------------|----------|---------------|
| Best for | Big launches | Pre-launch | Community building |
| Audience | Tech enthusiasts | Early adopters | Bootstrapped founders |
| Launch window | 24 hours | 2-4 weeks listing | Ongoing |
| Competition | Very high | Medium | Low |
| Backlink DA | 92 | 70+ | 75 |
| Cost | Free | Free + paid options | Free |
| Best timing | Ready product | Beta/pre-launch | Any stage |

Product Hunt: The Big Stage

What It Is

The world's largest product discovery platform. Getting on the front page can bring thousands of visitors.

Pros

• Massive reach: 500K+ daily visitors


• High-DA backlink: DR 92


• Social proof: "Featured on Product Hunt" badge


• Media attention: Journalists monitor it

Cons

• Extremely competitive: 500+ launches daily


• One shot: You can only launch each product once


• Timing critical: First 4 hours determine success


• Audience required: Need upvotes fast to stay visible

Best For

• Products ready for public use


• Teams with existing audience


• Products with visual appeal


• B2C or prosumer tools

Tips for Success

Schedule your launch (Tuesday-Thursday best)

Prepare supporters in advance

Be online all day to respond

Have a maker comment ready

BetaList: The Pre-Launch Platform

What It Is

A directory specifically for products that haven't launched yet. Perfect for building a waitlist.

Pros

• Pre-launch focused: Designed for betas


• Early adopters: Audience expects unfinished products


• Multiple submissions: Can resubmit when you fully launch


• Newsletter: Your listing goes to their email list

Cons

• Smaller audience: Less traffic than Product Hunt


• Review queue: Takes time to get listed


• Limited visibility window: Listings cycle through

Best For

• Products in beta stage


• Collecting early feedback


• Building a waitlist before launch


• Testing positioning/messaging

Tips for Success

Submit 2-3 months before full launch

Have a clear value proposition

Make signup process simple

Follow up with everyone who signs up

Indie Hackers: The Community

What It Is

Not a launch platform—it's a community of bootstrapped founders. Different approach entirely.

Pros

• Long-term value: Ongoing engagement, not one-time


• High conversion: 23% engagement rate (vs PH's 3%)


• Supportive: Founders helping founders


• Transparency valued: Share your numbers openly

Cons

• Requires time: 4-6 months of engagement to see results


• Not a quick win: Can't just post and leave


• Smaller reach: Individual posts get less traffic


• Community rules: Blatant promotion is frowned upon

Best For

• Solo founders and small teams


• Bootstrapped businesses


• Building in public strategy


• Long-term audience building

Tips for Success

Engage genuinely for months before promoting

Share milestones and learnings

Help others with no expectation

Be transparent about struggles

The Smart Strategy: Use All Three

Don't choose one—use them strategically:

Timeline

Months before launch:

• Start engaging on Indie Hackers


• Share your building journey


• Submit to Cut & Ship for SEO foundation

2-4 weeks before launch:

• Submit to BetaList


• Collect early feedback


• Build waitlist

Launch week:

• Product Hunt (if ready for big launch)


• Announce on Indie Hackers


• Email your BetaList signups

Post-launch:

• Continue Indie Hackers engagement


• Submit to additional directories


• Build on initial momentum

Beyond the Big Three

Don't stop at these platforms. Also consider:

Cut & Ship

• AI & SaaS focused directory


• Dofollow backlinks


• No launch pressure—ongoing visibility


• Newsletter mention available

Other Platforms:

• Hacker News (Show HN)


• DevHunt for developer tools


• Uneed for curated products


• Reddit communities

Recommendation by Stage

Pre-Launch (Beta)

BetaList first

Start Indie Hackers engagement

Submit to Cut & Ship

Launch

Product Hunt (if you have audience)

OR focus on Indie Hackers + directories

Reddit communities

Post-Launch (Growth)

Continue Indie Hackers

Niche directories

Guest posting and PR

The Verdict

• Product Hunt: High risk, high reward. Use if you're ready and have support.


• BetaList: Low risk, good for pre-launch. Use for building waitlist.


• Indie Hackers: Long game. Best for sustainable growth.


• Cut & Ship: Consistent value. Use from day one for SEO.

The winning strategy uses multiple platforms, timed correctly.

Read also: Product Hunt Alternatives and Building in Public Guide.