So, you are using the Business Directory Plugin but feeling like something is not quite right? Maybe it’s hard to customize the design, or perhaps the lack of advanced features.

Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with any limitations as plenty of alternatives are available. You will find plugins that offer more flexibility, better performance, powerful features, and more.

I have listed 7 best Business Directory Plugin alternatives that you can try. Each plugin has been carefully tested and selected to help you find the perfect solution for your. 

1. aDirectory: The Top Alternative

aDirectory is a powerful WordPress plugin designed to help you easily create and manage any type of directory website. Whether it’s for restaurants, real estate, or service listings, aDirectory provides all the tools you need to organize and showcase your content.

With its simple interface, customization options, and advanced features like frontend listing submissions and interactive maps, aDirectory makes building and growing your directory website.

It’s the perfect solution for anyone looking to manage directories and boost online visibility.

Key Features of aDirectory

• Multi-Directory Support: Run separate directories for restaurants, hotels, or niche businesses, all on the same site. No need for multiple plugins.
• Unlimited Custom Fields: Add unique details to listings, like “gluten-free options” for bakeries or “pet-friendly rooms” for hotels.
• Frontend Listing Submission: Let users submit listings directly on your site, no confusing back-end steps required.
• OpenStreetMap Integration: Embed free, accurate maps without relying on pricey APIs. Visitors get clear directions, and you save money.
• Advanced Search Filters: Users can drill down by price, ratings, or even “outdoor seating.” It will help them find their perfect match faster than ever.
• Wishlist/Favorites: Let visitors bookmark listings they love. This will keep them coming back to explore, or finally book.
• Payment Gateway Support: Accept credit cards, PayPal, or even offline payments. Charge for featured listings, subscriptions, or memberships.

aDirectory Pricing

• 5 Sites: $230 (Lifetime access, 10 extensions, 5 themes, future products)
• 20 Sites: $330 (Lifetime access, all benefits of 5-site plan)
• 100 Sites: $497 (Lifetime access)

aDirectory is Best For

Anyone serious about building a high-quality, scalable directory website should consider aDirectory. Its comprehensive feature set, combined with a user-friendly interface and robust support, makes it a top choice.

2. Directorist

Directorist is a cutting-edge, AI-powered WordPress plugin designed to create comprehensive business directories and classified listings. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to manage listings without coding skills.

Trusted by 10,000+ businesses, it combines user-friendly design with professional tools to create business listings, service directories, or niche hubs. Directorist also has advanced features like multi-directory creation, customizable search forms, etc.

Key Features of Directorist

• AI-Generated Directory Creation: Quickly set up directories with AI tools for smarter, faster, and more efficient content creation.
• Multi-Directory Support: Create and customize multiple directories within a single site for different industries or purposes.
• Advanced Search Filters: Enjoy precise searches with 14+ filters, geolocation, and radius search for a user-centric experience.
• Unlimited Custom Fields: Add custom fields for listings and filters, making your site adaptable to any niche or requirement.
• Monetization Tools: Earn revenue through paid listings, featured listings, subscriptions, and claim listing options.
• Frontend Submission & Management: Let users submit and manage listings without accessing the admin panel, enhancing usability.
• Page Builder Integrations: Seamlessly integrate with Elementor, Gutenberg, Bricks, and Oxygen for easy design customization.

Directorist Pricing

• 3-Month Plan: $79 (1 site, all extensions/themes, priority support)
• 6-Month Plan: $129 (Unlimited sites, all features)
• Annual Plan: $179 (Unlimited sites, all features, premium support)
• Lifetime Plan: $979 (Unlimited sites, all features, lifetime access)

Directorist is Best For

Directorist is the ideal choice for anyone looking to create a professional, user-friendly directory website. Its customizable features and integration make it a top solution for various needs.

3. HivePress

HivePress is an adaptable, open-source WordPress plugin tailored for creating directory websites with ease. It’s a comprehensive solution for building business directories, job boards, real estate listings, classified ads, and more.

With its user-friendly interface, customizable tools, and seamless WordPress integration, HivePress lets you design revenue-generating directories without needing advanced technical expertise.

Key Features of HivePress

• Listing Categories: Categorize listings intuitively (e.g., by type, location) to streamline site navigation and help users find what they need faster.
• Custom Fields: Create listing forms with custom fields (text, dropdowns, files) to collect niche-specific details, ideal for specialized directories like equipment rentals or freelance services.
• Search Filters: Convert custom fields into interactive search filters will allow users narrow results by price, date, or custom attributes to reduce time spent scrolling.
• Location Search: Prioritize proximity-based results with integrated maps or address filters. This will help users quickly find nearby services, events, or rentals.
• Ratings & Reviews: Build trust with user-generated reviews and star ratings, showcasing authentic feedback to help visitors evaluate listing quality confidently.
• Private Messages: Enable direct user-to-user messaging for inquiries, bookings, or negotiations to create connections without sharing personal contact details.
• Favorite Listings: Allow users to bookmark listings into personalized collections, simplifying return visits and boosting engagement through saved preferences.

HivePress Pricing

• While HivePress is a free plugin, users can further enhance their platform with premium extensions. These add-ons, priced between $39 and $89.

HivePress is Best For

HivePress is best for anyone looking to create a flexible, easy-to-manage directory website with powerful monetization options. Its customization capabilities and seamless integration make it an ideal choice for everyone.

4. GeoDirectory

GeoDirectory is a robust WordPress plugin that transforms your website into a powerful, location-based directory. Whether you are building a city guide, job board, real estate portal, or any other type of listing site, GeoDirectory provides the tools you need.  

It integrates with popular page builders and offers a wealth of features to create a professional. From its optimized database to its intuitive interface, GeoDirectory allows you to connect people with the businesses and services they need.

Key Features of GeoDirectory

• Comprehensive Listings: Add all your business listings at once and utilize various blocks, shortcodes, and widgets to create intuitive, location-based directories.
• Customizability: Works seamlessly with any WordPress theme or page builder, offering extensive customization options to meet specific needs and preferences.
• Monetization: Monetize your website by selling directory listings and displaying event listings, supporting multi-location directories.
• Widgets and Shortcodes: Offers 40+ widgets, blocks, and shortcodes to enhance the functionality and user experience of your directory.
• Dedicated Themes: Provides dedicated themes specifically designed for directories, ensuring a professional and cohesive look.
• Front-End Submissions: Allows users to submit listings from the front-end, making it easy for them to add and manage their listings.
• Advanced Search: Includes an advanced search feature with filters like Search Autocompleter, GeoLocation, Proximity Search, and Radius for accurate results.

GeoDirectory Pricing

• 4 Months ($115): Unlimited websites, all add-ons, themes, new products.
• 6 Months ($149): Unlimited websites with all features and benefits.
• 1 Year (Unlimited Websites $229): Includes everything for unlimited websites.
• 1 Year (1 Website $139): Access to all products, updates, and support.

GeoDirectory is Best For

GeoDirectory is best for businesses or individuals looking to create scalable, location-based directory websites. It’s ideal for real estate, business listings, job boards, and event directories.

5. Classified Listing

Classified Listing is a robust WordPress plugin designed to create professional classified ads and business directories with ease. It offers a fully responsive design, seamless integration with popular page builders and extensive customization options. 

Whether you are building a job board, local business directory, or real estate listings, this plugin provides the tools to manage listings, payments, and user interactions efficiently.

Key Features of Classified Listing

• Drag & Drop Form Builder: Create custom listing forms effortlessly with 20+ fields, including file uploads and repeater fields, tailored for any directory type.
• Multiple Payment Gateways: Supports PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay, and offline payments, ensuring flexibility for global users and site owners.
• Live Chat Between Buyers & Sellers: Facilitates secure communication without sharing personal contact details, enhancing user trust and engagement.
• Radius Search & Mapping: Utilizes Google Maps and OpenStreetMap for location-based searches, helping users find nearby listings quickly.
• Frontend User Dashboard: Empowers users to manage their listings, account info, and favorites directly from the front end with ease.
• Custom Fields & Filters: Allows unlimited category-wise custom fields, enabling precise filtering and enhanced search functionality.
• Membership & Store Addons: Enables sellers to open stores and subscribe to membership plans, offering monetization opportunities for site owners.

Classified Listing Pricing

• Yearly Plans
  • 1 Site $49/year: Main plugin, updates, and support for 1 domain.
  • 5 Sites $199/year: Full features for up to 5 domains.
  • 100 Sites $499/year: Manage up to 100 domains with all benefits.

• Bundle Plans
  • 1 Site Yearly $149/year: Includes themes, add-ons, future releases, and bonus plugins.
  • 1 Site Lifetime $399: Lifetime access, updates, and support for 1 domain.
  • 100 Sites Lifetime $1099: Lifetime access for 100 domains, all features included.

Classified Listing is Best For

Classified Listing is good for creating versatile classified ad websites, business directories, and service listings with advanced features like payment integration, live chat, and customizable layouts.

6. WP Directory Kit

WP Directory Kit is a powerful WordPress plugin that simplifies the creation and management of any type of directory website. From real estate and classifieds to business directories and job portals, WP Directory Kit provides the tools you need to build a robust and feature-rich online directory. It streamlines listing management, category organization, and custom field creation, all from your WordPress dashboard.

Key Features of WP Directory Kit

• Manage Listings: Effortlessly create, edit, and organize listings with custom fields and multimedia integration.
• Category Management: Structure your directory with hierarchical categories and assign specific fields to each.
• Field Management: Define custom fields of various types (text, images, videos) to capture essential listing details.
• Agent Management: Assign listings to agents, enabling contact and profile display.
• Multimedia Integration: Showcase listings with image galleries, sliders, and even video embeds.
• Advanced Search: Enable users to find listings quickly with multi-category, location, and price range filters.
• Favorites Feature: Let users save their favorite listings for later reference, while also managing their saved items from a personalized frontend dashboard.
• Review System: Enable users to rate and review listings based on multiple configurable criteria, enhancing user interaction and providing credibility to listings.

WP Directory Kit Pricing

• Starter Plan ($19): Single site license, all themes/features, 1 month of support & updates.
• Regular Plan ($49): Single site license, all themes/features, 3 months of support & updates.
• Pro Plan ($99): Single site license, all themes/features, 1 year of support & updates.

WP Directory Kit is Best For

WP Directory Kit is ideal for users needing an easy-to-use solution for managing various directory types, including real estate, car dealerships, classified ads, and business directories.

7. Name Directory

Name Directory is a free WordPress plugin designed for creating simple and effective directories.  It offers a user-friendly interface for building business listings, personal directories, glossaries, or any type of indexed information.  

Even though it prioritizes ease of use, it allows for basic customization and front-end submissions. Users who require a directory solution without advanced features will find this plugin useful.

Key Features of Name Directory

• Multiple Directories: Create and manage multiple glossaries or business directories within a single WordPress installation.
• Customizable Display: Show or hide fields like titles, descriptions, submitter names, search functions, and more.
• Shortcode Support: Easily embed directories on any WordPress page or post using simple shortcodes.
• Front-End Submissions: Allow users to submit entries directly through the website for community-driven content.
• Import & Export: Manage large datasets efficiently with CSV import/export functionality.
• Sorting Options: Display the newest entries at the top to keep content fresh and relevant.

Name Directory Pricing

Name Directory is a completely free WordPress plugin.

Name Directory is Best For

Name Directory is best for users who need to create organized glossaries, business directories, or contact listings with minimal setup and customization options.

Must-Have Features in a Directory Plugin

When selecting a business directory plugin for your WordPress site, there are several key features to consider. Such as:

• User-Friendly Submission & Management: A seamless front-end listing submission process and easy dashboard management are essential for both users and site administrators.
• Advanced Search & Filtering: Powerful search tools with filters (e.g., location, category, rating) help users quickly find relevant listings.
• Responsive Design: Mobile-optimized, responsive layouts ensure your directory looks great and functions well on any device.
• Customizable Templates: Flexible design options allow you to match the directory’s look with your brand, adjusting layouts and styling as needed.
• Monetization Options: Look for features that allow you to monetize your directory, such as paid listings, featured listings, and ad spaces, to generate revenue.

Final Recommendation

After evaluating several alternatives, it’s clear that each plugin has its strengths. However, if you’re seeking a solution that combines advanced features, ease of use, and strong customization options, aDirectory stands out.

Why aDirectory Wins:

• Multi-directory support lets you run hotels, restaurants, and niche services on one site, no clunky workarounds.
• Lifetime pricing (from $230) beats recurring fees of competitors, saving you thousands over time.
• OpenStreetMap integration cuts API costs, while advanced filters (price, ratings, custom fields) ensure users find exactly what they need.
• Perfect for startups and enterprises: From freelancers to agencies managing 100+ sites, it scales effortlessly.

However, you can also consider the following alternative if:

Consider Alternatives If:

• You need AI tools (try Directorist).
• You’re on a tight budget but want basic features (Name Directory).
• You prioritize open-source flexibility (HivePress).

But for 90% of users, aDirectory’s blend of power, ease, and affordability makes it the smartest investment.