The New Kid: How Open Alternative Curates Open Source Alternatives to Popular Software
1.3K
Monthly Visitors
$105K
Traffic Value/yr
DR 51
Domain Rating
828
Ref. Domains
Every proprietary software has an open source alternative. Most people just don't know where to find them.
Screen Studio costs $89. Notion charges $10/month per user. Linear runs $8/seat/month. For every popular commercial tool, open source developers have built free alternatives—but discovering them requires knowing where to look.
Open Alternative solves this discovery problem. Looking for a free alternative to Screen Studio? There's OBS. Notion? Try AppFlowy or Outline. Linear? Check out Plane or Focalboard.
With only 1,288 monthly organic visitors, this is the youngest and smallest directory in our case study collection. But it represents an important lesson: there's always room for new directories that serve specific, underserved needs.
The Challenge
The SaaS pricing ratchet only turns one direction: up. Every year, the tools people depend on get more expensive. Notion raised prices. Figma raised prices. Every productivity app finds reasons to charge more as users become dependent.
This creates a perpetual search: "Is there a free alternative to [expensive tool]?"
Open Alternative answers this question systematically. Instead of hunting through Reddit threads and Hacker News comments, users can find curated open source alternatives in one place.
Directory Overview
| Website | openalternative.co |
| What It Does | Directory of open source alternatives to popular software |
| Target Audience | Developers, privacy-conscious users, open source advocates |
| Model | Curated directory |
| Status | Early stage, growing |
Key Metrics (Ahrefs, January 2026)
Monthly Traffic
1,288
Early stage—growth potential ahead
Traffic Value
$105K/year
$81 per visitor—high-intent "alternative" searches
Domain Rating
51/100
Respectable for a young directory
Referring Domains
828
Open source communities share useful resources
Traffic Sources
What The Numbers Tell Us
Traffic Value Exceeds Raw Traffic: $105K traffic value from 1,288 visitors indicates high-value keywords. The "[product] alternative" search pattern captures users with commercial intent—even if they're looking for free options, they're actively seeking solutions.
Strong Backlink Ratio: 828 referring domains is substantial for a new directory. Open source communities link to useful resources, creating organic backlink growth.
Growing Domain Rating: DR 51 is respectable for an early-stage site. Continued content creation and community engagement should push this higher over time.
Why "[Product] Alternative" Keywords Work
High Intent
Someone searching for "Screen Studio alternative" has already decided to switch. They're not researching—they're shopping.
Clear Problem
The searcher knows what they want (Screen Studio's functionality) but needs a different solution (cheaper, open source, self-hosted).
Product Name = Search Volume
Every popular software tool generates alternative searches. The more successful Notion becomes, the more people search for Notion alternatives.
Potential Monetization Paths
Sponsorships from open source projects, affiliate revenue from premium tiers, newsletter sponsorships from developer tools companies, job board for open source advocates, or premium listings for enhanced visibility.
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SEO & Content Strategy
Branded + "Alternative": Each popular software tool creates a keyword opportunity. "Linear alternatives" (150 searches/month) captures users frustrated with Linear's pricing or limitations.
Open Source Modifier: Adding "open source" to alternative searches attracts a specific, values-aligned audience. These users convert at higher rates because they're philosophically aligned with the directory's mission.
Price Seeker Adjacent: Ranking for "Miro promo code" captures people seeking discounts—who might be even happier discovering a free alternative.
| Top Keywords | Volume | Position |
|---|---|---|
| open alternative | 60 | #1 |
| screen studio alternative | 100 | #2 |
| open source alternatives | 150 | #4 |
| miro promo code | 150 | #6 |
| linear alternatives | 150 | #5 |
Competitive Landscape
| Competitor | Focus | Differentiation |
|---|---|---|
| alternativeto.net | All software alternatives | Open source focus vs. all alternatives |
| G2.com | Software reviews + comparisons | Free/open source vs. commercial options |
| GitHub | Source code hosting | Curated alternatives vs. raw repositories |
| Community discussions | Organized directory vs. scattered threads |
Key Lessons for Directory Builders
1. New Directories Can Still Win
Despite established competitors, Open Alternative found a specific niche (open source alternatives) worth pursuing. The key is focus—not trying to be everything to everyone.
2. "Alternative" Keywords Have Intent
People searching for "[product] alternative" are actively looking for options. This high-intent traffic is more valuable than informational searches.
3. Start Small, Grow Authority
DR 51 is early-stage, but consistent content and backlink earning will compound over time. Patience matters.
4. Serve a Philosophy, Not Just a Need
Open source users have values—privacy, ownership, community, freedom. Directories that align with user values build stronger loyalty.
5. Community Builds Backlinks
Open source communities share useful resources. Creating genuine value for these communities generates organic backlinks.
6. Niche Focus Creates Differentiation
AlternativeTo lists everything. Open Alternative lists only open source. This focus makes it more useful for its specific audience.
Conclusion
There's always room for a new directory if you serve a specific audience with genuine focus.
The open source alternative niche seems crowded—AlternativeTo exists, Reddit discussions abound, GitHub search works. But none of these specifically curate open source alternatives for people who care about open source values.
That specificity creates opportunity.
With only 1,288 monthly visitors, Open Alternative is in its early stages. But the fundamentals are sound: clear niche, high-intent keywords, values-aligned audience, and organic community links.
The core insight: Don't let established competitors discourage you. Find a specific angle they're not serving well. Serve that angle with genuine focus. Build authority over time.
Every established directory was once new and small. The question isn't whether you can compete with established players—it's whether you can serve your specific audience better than anyone else.
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Sources: Ahrefs (traffic data, January 2026), Open Alternative website.