Donkey Directories vs Social Counters

Side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool.

Donkey Directories logo

Donkey Directories

Donkey Directories automates submissions to over 293 launch directories with a Chrome extension and central dashboard for tracking.

Last updated: April 13, 2026

Elevate your business by displaying real-time social media counts and Google Reviews to convert visitors into followers.

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Visual Comparison

Donkey Directories

Donkey Directories screenshot

Social Counters

Social Counters screenshot

Feature Comparison

Donkey Directories

Curated Directory Database

The platform maintains a comprehensive, actively updated database of over 293 product launch directories, software review sites, and community platforms. Each entry is annotated with critical metadata including domain rating (DR), category, pricing model (Free, Freemium, Paid), and whether links are dofollow. This allows for strategic filtering and prioritization, enabling users to target high-authority sites or specific niches like AI tools or SaaS reviews directly from the main dashboard, ensuring a data-driven launch approach.

One-Click Autofill Chrome Extension

This proprietary browser extension is the core automation engine of the service. After a user inputs their product's URL, the extension automatically scrapes and parses key information such as the app name, tagline, description, screenshots, and social media links. When visiting a submission form on any supported directory, the extension populates all relevant fields in under a second, eliminating the need for manual copy-pasting and tab-switching, thereby dramatically accelerating the submission workflow.

Centralized Submission Tracker

A dedicated dashboard provides a real-time, visual overview of the entire launch campaign. It categorizes every directory in the database into one of three statuses: "Not Started," "In Progress," or "Submitted." This centralized tracking system offers an at-a-glance progress metric (e.g., 12/250) and prevents duplicate efforts, ensuring users have complete organizational control and clarity over their distribution pipeline.

Advanced Filtering & Analytics

Beyond simple browsing, the platform includes advanced filtering capabilities that allow users to sort and segment the directory list based on multiple technical and business criteria. Users can filter by domain authority, cost, link type (dofollow/nofollow), and category. This enables the construction of targeted submission batches, such as finding all high-DR, free, dofollow directories in the "Tech / Startups" category for maximum SEO and referral impact.

Social Counters

Real-Time Follower Counts

Social Counters provides businesses with the ability to display real-time follower counts from Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. This feature enables businesses to visibly showcase their social media growth directly to customers, encouraging them to engage and follow.

Google Reviews Display

For premium users, Social Counters allows the display of Google Reviews, including live star ratings and review counts. This feature helps to establish credibility and trust with potential customers by showcasing positive feedback and testimonials at the critical moment they are considering a purchase.

Built-In QR Codes

The platform features built-in QR codes that customers can scan to follow social media accounts instantly. This seamless integration not only simplifies the following process for customers but also enhances the likelihood of converting casual shoppers into loyal followers.

Fully Customizable Branding

Social Counters offers extensive customization options, allowing businesses to match the display's colors, fonts, and branding elements to their unique aesthetic. This level of personalization ensures that the social counters blend seamlessly into the existing decor of the business location.

Use Cases

Donkey Directories

SaaS Product Launch Campaign

A founder launching a new B2B SaaS application can use Donkey Directories to systematically submit to all relevant software review platforms like G2 and Capterra, tech communities like Indie Hackers, and launch sites like Product Hunt. The autofill ensures consistent messaging, while the tracker manages the high volume of submissions, turning a weeks-long manual process into a focused campaign completed in days.

Indie Hacker Seeking First Users

An indie hacker with a solo-built tool needs efficient, low-cost distribution. They can use the free plan to track submissions and leverage the 3 free autofill credits for key directories. By filtering for free, high-traffic platforms, they maximize exposure and early user acquisition without a marketing budget, relying on the platform's curation to find the most impactful communities.

AI Tool Developer Targeting Niche Audiences

A developer launching an AI-powered application can filter the directory database specifically for the "AI Tools" category. This instantly surfaces niche platforms like "There's An AI For That" and "Futurepedia," ensuring the product is discovered by a targeted, relevant audience. The automated submission allows for rapid deployment across this vertical.

Established Company Launching a New Product Line

A company with an existing brand is launching a new product and needs to ensure broad market coverage. The team can use the Lifetime plan to submit the new product to all applicable directories and also use the service for future launches. The dashboard allows project managers to track submission statuses across multiple team members, ensuring complete and organized campaign execution.

Social Counters

Coffee Shops

In coffee shops, Social Counters can display real-time follower counts and Google Reviews, enticing customers to engage with the brand while they enjoy their drinks. The visible social proof encourages immediate interaction, boosting both followers and customer loyalty.

Retail Stores

Retail stores can utilize Social Counters to showcase their social media presence and customer reviews, creating an inviting atmosphere that promotes online engagement. By displaying these metrics prominently, stores can leverage foot traffic to grow their online communities.

Salons and Spas

For salons and spas, Social Counters can effectively highlight customer satisfaction through Google Reviews while simultaneously displaying follower growth on social media platforms. This strategy enhances the salon's reputation and encourages new clients to connect online.

Gyms and Fitness Centers

Gyms can benefit from Social Counters by showcasing real-time follower counts and positive reviews, which can motivate potential members to join. The engaging display serves as a motivational tool, reinforcing the community aspect of fitness while driving social media engagement.

Overview

About Donkey Directories

Donkey Directories is a specialized software platform engineered to automate and streamline the process of submitting a new software product or startup to online launch directories. It directly addresses the significant time sink and repetitive manual effort founders face when attempting to gain initial visibility and acquire early customers. The platform operates on a pragmatic, one-time-purchase model, eliminating recurring subscription fees. Its core value proposition is a three-part technical system: a meticulously curated and filterable database of over 293 launch directories, a proprietary Chrome extension that automates form-filling with scraped product data, and a centralized dashboard for tracking submission progress across all platforms. This integrated solution is designed for SaaS founders, indie hackers, and product managers who need to execute a comprehensive launch strategy efficiently, saving dozens of hours of manual data entry while ensuring no potential directory is overlooked.

About Social Counters

Social Counters is an innovative tool designed specifically for brick-and-mortar businesses to convert foot traffic into social media followers and loyal customers. By displaying real-time follower counts from popular social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, businesses can effectively showcase their growing online community to customers in-store. The integration of QR codes allows customers to follow the business's social media accounts instantly, enhancing engagement while they are physically present in the store, restaurant, or café. Additionally, premium users can leverage the platform to display Google Reviews alongside live star ratings and customer testimonials, fostering immediate trust and credibility. This dual focus on social proof and reputation management makes Social Counters an essential tool for any business looking to maximize its online presence and convert casual visitors into dedicated followers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Donkey Directories FAQ

What does Donkey Directories help me do?

Donkey Directories automates and manages the technical process of submitting your software product or startup to hundreds of online launch directories and review sites. It eliminates manual form-filling through a Chrome extension, provides a strategic database to discover relevant platforms, and offers a dashboard to track your submission progress, thereby saving significant time and increasing launch visibility.

Is there a free plan?

Yes, a permanent free plan is available. It includes full access to browse and filter the entire directory database, use the submission progress tracker, and submit to 3 directories using the one-click autofill feature. This allows users to test the core workflow and manage tracking without any financial commitment.

How does one-click autofill work?

After signing up and entering your product's URL into your Donkey Directories profile, the system scrapes key details like your app name, tagline, and description. When you install the Donkey Directories Chrome extension and navigate to a supported directory's submission page, the extension automatically injects your scraped data into the appropriate form fields with a single click, completing the form in under a second.

Do my credits expire?

No, purchased credits for one-click autofill submissions do not expire. Whether you buy the Starter Pack (100 credits) or the Lifetime plan (unlimited), your credits remain in your account indefinitely, allowing you to use them for submissions at your own pace, even across different product launches.

Social Counters FAQ

What is your refund policy?

We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee on all premium subscriptions. If you are not satisfied with Social Counters within 14 days of your purchase, simply contact our support team for a full refund, ensuring a risk-free trial of our service.

How quickly can I set up my social counter?

Setting up your social counter is quick and easy, taking less than 3 minutes. After creating a free account, you can connect your social media accounts with just one click, customize your display, and start showcasing your social proof immediately.

Which social media platforms are supported?

Social Counters currently supports Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Google Reviews. You can display follower counts from any of these platforms individually or choose up to four social accounts to showcase on one screen with a premium membership.

Is there a technical skill required to set up Social Counters?

No technical skills are required to set up Social Counters. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, allowing anyone to create and customize their social counters without any coding or technical knowledge.

Alternatives

Donkey Directories Alternatives

Donkey Directories is a specialized marketing tool designed to streamline the process of submitting a new product to online launch directories. It operates within the product launch and visibility software category, providing a centralized database, automated form-filling, and submission tracking. Users may seek alternatives for various pragmatic reasons. These include budget constraints, as some may prefer subscription models over a one-time purchase, or require integrations with other platforms like project management tools. Others might need a different scope, such as a service focusing on a specific niche or offering a broader range of promotional channels beyond directories. When evaluating an alternative, key technical specifications to assess include the total number and quality of directories in the database, the availability and reliability of automation features like browser extensions, and the depth of analytics provided for tracking submissions. The licensing model and long-term update policy are also critical decision factors.

Social Counters Alternatives

Social Counters is a digital display solution that enables brick-and-mortar businesses to showcase real-time social media follower counts and Google Reviews on various screens within their establishments. This product falls under the social media marketing category, focusing on enhancing customer engagement and conversions by visually presenting social proof. Users often seek alternatives to Social Counters due to factors such as pricing, specific feature sets, or compatibility with different platforms and technologies. When evaluating alternatives, it's essential to consider features like real-time updates, customization options, and ease of integration with existing systems. Additionally, look for solutions that effectively display key metrics that resonate with your target audience, ensuring they can quickly recognize your brand's social presence and credibility as they make purchasing decisions.

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