Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brilliant Directories - All-in-one SaaS platform for building, launching, and monetizing professional membership directories and communities.
- 2#2: eDirectory - Established PHP-based directory software platform with robust features for creating scalable online directories.
- 3#3: GeoDirectory - Powerful WordPress plugin for creating location-based business directories with advanced search and mapping.
- 4#4: Directorist - Modern WordPress directory plugin offering unlimited listings, monetization, and frontend submission features.
- 5#5: HivePress - Free open-source WordPress framework for building flexible directories, classifieds, and marketplaces.
- 6#6: Ideal Directories - Cloud-based directory software with customizable templates and membership management tools.
- 7#7: Bubble - Full-stack no-code platform for building dynamic web apps including custom directory databases and UIs.
- 8#8: Softr - No-code tool to turn AI rtable or Google Sheets into client portals and directory websites.
- 9#9: Strapi - Open-source headless CMS ideal for powering directory websites with custom content types and APIs.
- 10#10: Webflow - Visual web design platform with CMS capabilities for creating dynamic directory sites.
These tools were selected based on key attributes including feature depth (such as membership management, search capabilities, and customization), ease of use, technical reliability, and overall value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs from beginners to advanced users.
Comparison Table
Selecting the right building directory software is key to effectively managing listings, and exploring diverse tools helps identify the best fit for specific needs. This comparison table breaks down options like Brilliant Directories, eDirectory, GeoDirectory, Directorist, HivePress, and more, examining features, usability, and purpose. Readers will gain clarity to choose software that aligns with their goals, whether for residential, commercial, or mixed-use spaces.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brilliant Directories All-in-one SaaS platform for building, launching, and monetizing professional membership directories and communities. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | eDirectory Established PHP-based directory software platform with robust features for creating scalable online directories. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | GeoDirectory Powerful WordPress plugin for creating location-based business directories with advanced search and mapping. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Directorist Modern WordPress directory plugin offering unlimited listings, monetization, and frontend submission features. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | HivePress Free open-source WordPress framework for building flexible directories, classifieds, and marketplaces. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Ideal Directories Cloud-based directory software with customizable templates and membership management tools. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 7 | Bubble Full-stack no-code platform for building dynamic web apps including custom directory databases and UIs. | other | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Softr No-code tool to turn AI rtable or Google Sheets into client portals and directory websites. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 9 | Strapi Open-source headless CMS ideal for powering directory websites with custom content types and APIs. | other | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 6.2/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 10 | Webflow Visual web design platform with CMS capabilities for creating dynamic directory sites. | creative_suite | 7.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
All-in-one SaaS platform for building, launching, and monetizing professional membership directories and communities.
Established PHP-based directory software platform with robust features for creating scalable online directories.
Powerful WordPress plugin for creating location-based business directories with advanced search and mapping.
Modern WordPress directory plugin offering unlimited listings, monetization, and frontend submission features.
Free open-source WordPress framework for building flexible directories, classifieds, and marketplaces.
Cloud-based directory software with customizable templates and membership management tools.
Full-stack no-code platform for building dynamic web apps including custom directory databases and UIs.
No-code tool to turn AI rtable or Google Sheets into client portals and directory websites.
Open-source headless CMS ideal for powering directory websites with custom content types and APIs.
Visual web design platform with CMS capabilities for creating dynamic directory sites.
Brilliant Directories
specializedAll-in-one SaaS platform for building, launching, and monetizing professional membership directories and communities.
Unlimited custom fields and categories for hyper-specific building data like lease terms, energy ratings, and accessibility features
Brilliant Directories is a powerful, all-in-one platform for building and managing online directories, perfectly suited for creating comprehensive building directories with property listings, photos, maps, and detailed profiles. It enables users to customize layouts, add custom fields for building-specific data like amenities, floor plans, and occupancy details, while supporting advanced search, SEO, and monetization. The software streamlines member management for tenants, owners, or agents, making it ideal for real estate professionals organizing building inventories.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including custom fields, SEO tools, and built-in CRM tailored for detailed building listings
- Drag-and-drop builder with mobile-responsive themes for quick setup
- Robust monetization options like paid listings and memberships to generate revenue from building directory traffic
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations despite user-friendly interface
- Higher pricing tiers may be unnecessary for very small-scale directories
- Limited native integrations with specialized real estate CRMs without custom work
Best For
Real estate agencies, property management firms, or commercial building owners seeking a scalable, professional directory platform.
Pricing
Starts at $145/month (Launch plan) billed annually, with tiers up to $395/month (Turbo) and custom enterprise options.
eDirectory
specializedEstablished PHP-based directory software platform with robust features for creating scalable online directories.
Unlimited listings with advanced SEO tools tailored for high-traffic directory sites
eDirectory is a versatile SaaS platform designed for creating and managing online directories, making it suitable for building directory solutions like tenant listings, office directories, and amenity guides. It provides customizable templates, advanced search and filtering options, map integrations, and member management tools to help property managers maintain an up-to-date, user-friendly directory. The software supports SEO optimization and mobile responsiveness, ensuring accessibility for residents, visitors, and staff.
Pros
- Highly customizable listing templates and fields
- Powerful search, filtering, and categorization tools
- Scalable for multi-building or large property portfolios
Cons
- Initial setup and customization can be time-intensive
- Pricing may be steep for small residential buildings
- Limited native integrations for building management systems
Best For
Property managers of mid-to-large commercial or multi-tenant buildings needing a professional, searchable online directory.
Pricing
Starts at $199/month for the basic plan, with Pro at $499/month and custom Enterprise pricing for advanced needs.
GeoDirectory
specializedPowerful WordPress plugin for creating location-based business directories with advanced search and mapping.
Multi-location support allowing single listings for buildings with multiple addresses or units
GeoDirectory is a versatile WordPress plugin designed for creating location-based directories, making it suitable for building directories with features like custom fields for property specs, interactive maps, and advanced search filters. It supports user-submitted listings, reviews, and multi-location entries per building, enabling detailed catalogs of apartments, offices, or commercial properties. With integrations for Google Maps and Mapbox, it excels in geolocation-driven navigation and proximity searches.
Pros
- Highly customizable fields and post types for detailed building data like floor plans and amenities
- Robust map integration with proximity search and multi-location support
- Freemium model with strong core features and active community support
Cons
- Learning curve for advanced customizations requires WordPress knowledge
- Performance can lag on large directories without optimization
- Key add-ons like payments and events are premium-only
Best For
Real estate agents or property managers building searchable directories of buildings and rentals on WordPress sites.
Pricing
Freemium: Core plugin free; Pro licenses start at $99/year per site, with add-ons from $39/year.
Directorist
specializedModern WordPress directory plugin offering unlimited listings, monetization, and frontend submission features.
Advanced custom fields builder for hyper-specific building attributes like accessibility features or parking details
Directorist is a versatile WordPress plugin designed for building directory websites, allowing users to create listings for buildings, properties, apartments, or offices with custom fields, photos, and maps. It offers advanced search filters, frontend submission, and monetization tools like paid listings and bookings, making it adaptable for real estate or facility management directories. The plugin integrates seamlessly with WordPress themes and provides tools for user management and reviews.
Pros
- Highly customizable with unlimited custom fields for building-specific details like amenities and floor plans
- Freemium model with robust free core features including maps and search
- Strong WordPress ecosystem integration for themes and plugins
Cons
- Requires WordPress knowledge and can impact site performance on large directories
- Advanced features like bookings and claims require premium add-ons
- Limited native mobile app support, relying on responsive design
Best For
Small to medium-sized real estate agencies or property managers seeking a cost-effective, customizable directory without building from scratch.
Pricing
Free core plugin; premium extensions start at $59/year per site, with bundles up to $299 for lifetime access.
HivePress
specializedFree open-source WordPress framework for building flexible directories, classifieds, and marketplaces.
Drag-and-drop custom fields builder for tailored building attributes like floor plans, zoning, and energy ratings
HivePress is a flexible WordPress plugin for building directories, marketplaces, and classifieds sites, making it suitable for creating building directories with listing submissions, custom fields, and search functionality. It offers core features like categories, maps, user profiles, and messaging out of the box, with extensibility via add-ons. Users can customize attributes for buildings such as size, location, amenities, and pricing without coding.
Pros
- Free core plugin with robust directory basics
- No-code customization for building-specific fields and filters
- Seamless WordPress integration and active extension ecosystem
Cons
- Advanced features like bookings or payments require paid extensions
- Steeper learning curve for non-WordPress users
- Scalability depends on hosting and may need optimization for large directories
Best For
WordPress enthusiasts or small teams building scalable, cost-effective directories for buildings, properties, or real estate listings.
Pricing
Core plugin free; premium extensions $19-$59/year each, bundles $99-$199/year.
Ideal Directories
specializedCloud-based directory software with customizable templates and membership management tools.
Built-in recurring membership system for monetizing listings with automated payments and subscriptions
Ideal Directories is a PHP-based, self-hosted directory software designed for creating customizable online directories, including those for buildings, properties, and real estate listings. It supports user-submitted listings, advanced search with filters, Google Maps integration, and monetization options like paid memberships and ads. The platform emphasizes SEO optimization and responsive design, making it suitable for property managers to showcase buildings with photos, amenities, and contact details.
Pros
- One-time purchase with no recurring fees
- Highly customizable themes and fields
- Strong SEO and mobile-responsive design
Cons
- Requires self-hosting and basic technical setup
- User interface appears somewhat dated
- Limited native integrations with modern CRMs or APIs
Best For
Small to medium-sized property management firms or real estate agents seeking a budget-friendly, self-hosted solution for building and tenant directories.
Pricing
One-time licenses from $97 (single site) to $297 (unlimited sites), with optional premium add-ons.
Bubble
otherFull-stack no-code platform for building dynamic web apps including custom directory databases and UIs.
Visual repeating groups and database queries for dynamic, filterable building listings
Bubble (bubble.io) is a no-code platform for building full-stack web applications, including custom building directory solutions with searchable property listings, tenant databases, and interactive maps. Users can visually design UIs, manage data via built-in databases, and automate workflows without coding. It supports integrations for payments, emails, and external APIs, making it adaptable for real estate or facility management directories.
Pros
- Highly customizable for tailored directory features like dynamic searches and maps
- No-code interface reduces development time and costs
- Scalable backend with built-in database and user authentication
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex directory logic
- Performance can degrade at high scale without optimization
- Not specialized for building directories; requires building from scratch
Best For
Non-technical teams or startups needing a custom, scalable building directory without hiring developers.
Pricing
Free plan for development; paid plans start at $29/month (Starter), scaling to $529/month (Team) based on workload units and app capacity.
Softr
otherNo-code tool to turn AI rtable or Google Sheets into client portals and directory websites.
One-click conversion of AI rtable data into fully functional, customizable directory apps with search and filters.
Softr is a no-code platform that transforms AI rtable or Google Sheets data into interactive web apps, including building directories for properties, tenants, or facilities. Users can drag-and-drop blocks to create searchable lists, grids, maps, forms, and user portals without coding. It's particularly suited for quick setups of public or private directories with filtering, search, and authentication features.
Pros
- Intuitive no-code builder with drag-and-drop blocks for rapid directory creation
- Seamless integration with AI rtable/Google Sheets for easy data management
- Built-in user logins, permissions, and responsive designs out-of-the-box
Cons
- Limited native advanced analytics or mapping without integrations
- Relies heavily on external data sources, which can introduce sync issues
- Customization beyond blocks requires CSS or higher-tier plans
Best For
Non-technical property managers or small real estate teams needing a quick, professional building directory from spreadsheets.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; paid tiers start at $49/mo (Basic), $139/mo (Professional), and $315/mo (Business) with more apps and users.
Strapi
otherOpen-source headless CMS ideal for powering directory websites with custom content types and APIs.
Headless API-first architecture for decoupling content management from any frontend, enabling seamless integration with modern directory UIs.
Strapi is an open-source, Node.js-based headless CMS designed for developers to quickly build customizable APIs and content management systems. For building directory software, it excels at letting users define flexible content types like buildings, properties, floors, and amenities via an intuitive admin panel, then exposing that data through REST or GraphQL APIs. This makes it ideal for powering custom directory frontends on web or mobile apps, though it requires development effort to implement full directory functionality.
Pros
- Highly customizable content modeling for building data structures
- Open-source and free core with REST/GraphQL API support
- Plugin ecosystem for extending directory features like search and media management
Cons
- No pre-built directory UI or frontend; requires custom development
- Steep learning curve for non-developers
- Self-hosting requires server management and scaling expertise
Best For
Development teams needing a flexible, API-first backend to build tailored building directories integrated with custom frontends.
Pricing
Free open-source edition (self-hosted); Enterprise plans with support and advanced features start at custom pricing.
Webflow
creative_suiteVisual web design platform with CMS capabilities for creating dynamic directory sites.
Visual CMS editor with dynamic collections for scalable, no-code building directory management
Webflow is a no-code visual website builder that allows users to create custom, responsive directory websites, including those for building listings with dynamic content via its CMS. It excels in designing visually stunning property directories with features like collections for buildings, amenities, floor plans, and interactive maps through integrations. However, it lacks specialized tools for operational building management like tenant tracking or maintenance scheduling, positioning it more as a frontend directory solution than a full backend system.
Pros
- Highly customizable visual designs for professional-looking directories
- Powerful CMS collections for managing building listings dynamically
- Built-in hosting, SEO tools, and responsive design out of the box
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-designers building complex directories
- Lacks native features for building-specific operations like leasing or maintenance
- Pricing escalates quickly for CMS-heavy sites with higher traffic
Best For
Agencies and designers creating custom-branded websites for building or property directories without deep operational management needs.
Pricing
Free starter plan; CMS-enabled sites start at $29/month (billed annually), with tiers up to $49/month for advanced features and custom Enterprise pricing.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools offer diverse solutions for building directories, with Brilliant Directories leading as the standout choice due to its all-in-one SaaS platform that simplifies creation and monetization. eDirectory distinguishes itself with robust scalability, while GeoDirectory excels for location-based setups, making them strong alternatives tailored to specific needs.
Eager to launch your directory? Start with Brilliant Directories to leverage its comprehensive features and unlock seamless community building and monetization capabilities.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
