How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- This keyword names no single product, so this guide covers the best places to find alternatives to any software, stated plainly.
- AlternativeTo is the best starting point for consumer and open source swaps, with crowd sourced alternative lists for almost any app.
- G2, Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp now share one owner after G2's 2026 acquisition, so cross checking them is less independent than it used to be.
- TrustRadius, PeerSpot, and SourceForge sit outside that group and suit verified enterprise reviews and open source discovery.
- Every finder here is free for buyers, but free advisor services are paid for by vendors, so check how a list is sorted before trusting its order.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 AlternativeTo | Crowd sourced app swaps | Free | Yes |
 G2 | Largest pool of user reviews | Free | Yes |
 Capterra | Small business category browsing | Free | Yes |
 Software Advice | One on one advisor calls | Free | Yes |
 GetApp | Side by side feature comparisons | Free | Yes |
 TrustRadius | Verified in depth reviews | Free | Yes |
 PeerSpot | Enterprise IT and security reviews | Free | Yes |
 SourceForge | Open source discovery | Free | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best alternatives to software finders
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
AlternativeTo helps users find alternative apps and software across platforms based on existing favorites, with user reviews and descriptions for each option. Type in the app you want to replace, filter by platform, license, and price, and you get a ranked list of swaps, often including open source options that commercial directories bury.
List order is crowd driven rather than expert verified, and business depth trails G2. For a consumer or open source swap, such as replacing a paid editor with a free one, AlternativeTo is the fastest starting point.
What we like- Alternative lists for almost any app
- Filters by platform, license, and price
- Open source options easy to spot
Watch out for- List order is crowd driven, not expert verified
- Business depth trails G2
- Smaller review volume per product
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
G2 is a software marketplace that provides user reviews and insights to help businesses make informed software decisions. Its Grid ranks products by user reviews and market presence, and vendor profiles carry detailed feature and pricing information. For business software, G2's review volume is the largest available.
In January 2026 G2 agreed to buy Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice from Gartner, and the sale closed on February 5, 2026. Comparing G2 against Capterra no longer means comparing two independent companies, so pair G2 with an outside source like TrustRadius or PeerSpot for a real second opinion.
What we like- Largest pool of user reviews
- Grid rankings by reviews and market presence
- Detailed vendor profiles
Watch out for- Now owns Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp, so cross checks are less independent
- Vendor paid placement affects sorting
- Enterprise depth varies by category
#3Capterra
Best for: Small business category browsing3.9/5 on
G2 (150 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit capterra.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Capterra is a free online platform that helps users find and compare software solutions through user reviews and detailed product information. It hosts over 1.5 million validated reviews across 50,000 products in 800 software categories, which makes category browsing easy for small businesses that know the problem but not the product name.
Capterra uses a pay per click model where vendors bid for category placement next to unpaid listings, and it is now owned by G2. Check how a list is sorted before trusting its order, and cross check shortlisted products on an independent source.
What we like- Over 1.5 million validated reviews across 50,000 products in 800 categories
- Free for buyers
- Category browsing suits small business
Watch out for- Now owned by G2
- Pay per click model lets vendors bid for placement
- List order needs checking before trusting it
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Software Advice helps users find suitable software through expert guidance, reviews, and comparisons, and it is the clearest pick if you want a person to talk to. Its homepage says an advisor will send 3 to 5 matching options within 15 minutes, and buyers pay nothing.
The service is paid for by vendors, and it is now owned by G2, so treat recommendations as a shortlist to verify, not a final verdict. For a buyer who wants human help narrowing options fast, Software Advice is the easiest start.
What we like- Free for buyers
- Advisor sends 3 to 5 matching options within 15 minutes
- Human guidance suits buyers who dislike browsing
Watch out for- Now owned by G2
- Advisor model suits common categories best
- Vendor paid model affects recommendations
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
GetApp helps small businesses find and compare software solutions by providing reviews, pricing, and feature information. Its side by side comparisons suit buyers who already have two or three candidates and need to weigh features and prices line by line.
GetApp shares resources with Capterra and Software Advice and is now owned by G2, so its listings overlap heavily with Capterra. Use it for comparisons, not as an independent second opinion.
What we like- Free to browse
- Side by side feature comparisons
- Shared resources with Capterra and Software Advice
Watch out for- Now owned by G2
- Similar listings to Capterra, so little independence
- Small business focus limits enterprise depth
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TrustRadius is favored for in depth, verified user reviews, detailed product information, and research tools that give buyers transparency and confidence. Its verification checks make it a stronger trust signal than star ratings alone, and it sits outside the G2 group, so it works as a genuine second opinion.
Review volume is smaller than G2 in some categories, and the enterprise focus can feel heavy for small buyers. For a business purchase where review trust matters, TrustRadius is the best independent check on G2's rankings.
What we like- In depth, verified user reviews
- Detailed product information
- Independent of G2
- Research tools for buyers
Watch out for- Review volume smaller than G2 in some categories
- Enterprise focus can feel heavy for small buyers
- Fewer consumer apps
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
PeerSpot, formerly IT Central Station, is praised for authentic, triple verified reviews and a trusted community of enterprise technology buyers. For enterprise IT and security purchases, its long, detailed reviews tend to be more useful than star ratings from general review sites.
Review volume is smaller than G2, and coverage centers on enterprise IT rather than consumer apps. For an enterprise IT or security purchase, PeerSpot is the best independent source beside TrustRadius.
What we like- Long, detailed reviews from enterprise technology buyers
- Triple verified reviews
- Independent of G2
Watch out for- Smaller review volume than G2
- Enterprise IT focus limits consumer coverage
- Fewer categories than Capterra
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
SourceForge is recommended for ease of use, reliable and authentic user reviews, and comprehensive software discovery especially for open source projects. It combines a software directory with project hosting and downloads, which suits buyers looking for a free, open source swap for a paid tool.
The interface feels dated, and business review depth trails G2. For an open source alternative to a paid product, SourceForge is the best place to verify the project is active and well reviewed.
What we like- Free
- Strong open source discovery
- Authentic user reviews
- Download and project hosting in one place
Watch out for- Interface feels dated
- Business review depth trails G2
- Enterprise categories thinner
How we chose
We ranked finders by review trust, independence, and coverage. AlternativeTo scored on breadth and open source filters, G2 on volume, Capterra and GetApp on small business browsing, Software Advice on human guidance, and TrustRadius, PeerSpot, and SourceForge on independence from the G2 group. All eight are free for buyers, so price did not separate them.
We stated the ownership change plainly because it changes how to use these sites. G2's January 2026 acquisition of Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice, closed February 5, 2026, means four of the biggest review sites now share one owner. A shortlist built only from those four is one company's view, not four independent views, so every guide here pairs a G2 group site with an outside check.
Buying guide
Start with the tool you want to replace. On AlternativeTo, filter by platform, license, and price to find swaps, including open source options. On G2 or Capterra, browse the category and read the Grid or category rankings, then check how the list is sorted, since vendor paid placement affects order on both.
Next, verify with an independent source. Read TrustRadius or PeerSpot reviews for business software, and SourceForge for open source projects. Look for verified reviewers, recent reviews, and complaints that repeat across sites, since a single glowing review proves little. For large systems like ERP or EHR, consider a guided selection service with vendor scorecards and an RFP process.
Finally, trial the shortlist. Free trials and free tiers reveal fit that reviews cannot, and a tool that looks good on paper can fail on your data, your workflow, or your team's skill level. Check the vendor's pricing page directly before buying, since directory prices can lag. Also check the vendor's own trial terms before you commit. A plan that looks free on a directory may have limits on users, storage, or features that only show up on the vendor's pricing page, so read the current terms, confirm the free tier limits, and test the tool with your own data during the trial window.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best site for finding software alternatives?
AlternativeTo is best for consumer and open source swaps, while G2 is best for business software review volume. Pair either with TrustRadius or PeerSpot for an independent second opinion.
Are G2, Capterra, and Software Advice independent?
No longer. G2 agreed to buy Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice from Gartner in January 2026, and the sale closed on February 5, 2026. Treat them as one group, not four independent sources.
Are these finder sites really free?
Yes, for buyers. They are paid for by vendors through advertising, pay per click placement, or lead fees, which is why list order should be checked before trusting it.
What is the best source for open source alternatives?
AlternativeTo with its open source filter, and SourceForge for project activity and reviews. Both surface free swaps that commercial directories bury.
How do I avoid fake reviews when comparing software?
Favor verified reviewers, recent reviews, and complaints that repeat across independent sites. Regulators now ban paying for reviews that express a particular sentiment, but verification still varies by site.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.