FutureTools vs Hauntboard
Looking for a FutureTools alternative, or deciding where to launch? Here is how FutureTools compares with Hauntboard, our own launch board for indie makers and solo founders. We run Hauntboard, so we've kept the facts sourced and said where FutureTools is the better pick.
FutureTools facts checked 20 Oct 2026 · comparison updated 20 Oct 2026. See sources
The Short Answer
FutureTools is a hand-curated AI directory with a very large newsletter (250,000+ subscribers, by its own count) and strict standards: its FAQ says over 75% of submissions aren't approved. If your AI tool is strong, that audience is hard to match, and it's free to submit. Hauntboard is smaller, takes any kind of software, and reviews launches in about 72 hours.
Free Hauntboard listings show the Hauntboard badge on your site; while the badge isn't there, the link is nofollow.
Direct Feature Comparison
Pricing, link policy, review times, and the traffic data each platform shows.
| Dimension | Hauntboard | FutureTools |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Data | Each launch page shows its page views and the visits it sent to your site, in public (once per browser per day, known bots filtered) | No published click data found. |
| Link Type | Dofollow link for every approved launch; a free launch's link is nofollow while the Hauntboard badge isn't on its site | Link type unverified: Not verified. Tool links go through futuretools.io/go/ redirects, and we couldn't read a regular listing's attributes; the featured link on the homepage was marked sponsored. |
| Launch Format | Weekly board: one week on the board, and the product page stays up afterwards | A permanent directory listing, with featured pins for a week and a newsletter. |
| Review | Human review: about 72 hours on the free tier, within 24 hours on paid launches | Not published. Its FAQ addresses submissions still waiting after a week. |
| Pricing | Free (next open week, Hauntboard badge required, 20 slots a week) · Launch Now $19 (pick your week, no badge) · Spotlight $49 (pinned top row for the week, 4 a week). One-time payments. | Submitting a tool is free and reviewed by hand. Featured listings (pinned for a week, at most two a week) and newsletter sponsorships are quoted by email. |
1. Traffic Data
Upvotes and comments show interest, but not how many people clicked through to your site. On FutureTools: No published click data found.
On Hauntboard, each launch page shows its page views and the visits it sent to the maker's site, in public. Each browser counts once per launch per day, and known bots are filtered out. Here's exactly how we count a visit.
2. Link Policy
FutureTools: Not verified. Tool links go through futuretools.io/go/ redirects, and we couldn't read a regular listing's attributes; the featured link on the homepage was marked sponsored.
On Hauntboard, every approved launch, free or paid, gets a dofollow link. Free Hauntboard listings show the Hauntboard badge on your site; while the badge isn't there, the link is nofollow.
3. Which One Fits?
Choose FutureTools if:
- • Your product is a polished AI tool and you want a large AI-focused audience.
- • You don't mind a strict review, with no guarantee you'll be listed.
- • You'd consider a featured listing or newsletter slot later.
Choose Hauntboard if:
- • Your product isn't an AI tool.
- • You want a clear review time and a clear reason if a launch isn't approved.
- • You want your launch's page views and visits shown in public.
4. Using Both
Submit to FutureTools if your tool is AI and ready, and launch on Hauntboard either way. A Hauntboard page gives you a reviewed listing and a public visit count whatever FutureTools decides.
5. Common Questions
- Is it free to submit to FutureTools?
- Yes. Each submission is reviewed by hand, and its FAQ says over 75% aren't approved. Featured listings and newsletter sponsorships are quoted by email.
- What won't FutureTools list?
- Its FAQ says it doesn't list custom GPTs, newsletters, aggregators that copy its idea, or links to Discord, Telegram or WhatsApp bots. It wants software tools.
- Are FutureTools links dofollow?
- We couldn't verify it: tool links go through redirects, and we couldn't read a regular listing's link attributes. The featured link on its homepage was marked sponsored.
Ready to unghost your product?
Launch your app on Hauntboard. Free launches get human review in about 72 hours, a dofollow link while the Hauntboard badge is on your site, and public page views and visits.