Side by side
Brownbook vs Business Directory Plugin
Both stand on business directories. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APIWeb
Brownbook offers free business profiles, reviews, and profile management, plus a separate API for bulk listing work. Commercial users should review the submission limit and API access requirements before using it at scale.
Visit Brownbook
Free plan Self-hosted
Business Directory Plugin provides a broad set of directory tools, including unlimited listings in its free core. A self-hosted WordPress site is required, and customers should account for Stripe’s additional fee and the limits on custom-code support.
Visit Business Directory PluginThe facts
| Brownbook | Business Directory Plugin | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Web | Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | See the plans | Basic: $99 a year |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | brownbook.net | businessdirectoryplugin.com |
| On business directories | #2 of 30 | #6 of 30 |
Brownbook: what it does well
- Free listing submission and claiming.
- Profiles can include text, photos, and videos.
- Businesses can receive review alerts.
- BLINX provides a short URL and QR code.
- Publisher API supports listing operations in volume.
What to know first
- Bulk API access requires a signed agreement and OAuth authorization.
- Commercial submissions for gain are limited to five listings without an API agreement.
- API price is $0.10 a month, billed per listing per month.
Business Directory Plugin: what it does well
- Free core supports unlimited listings.
- Includes customizable fields, payments and CSV import/export.
- Listings remain in the site's database after deactivation.
- Paid plans add maps, reviews and claim listings.
What to know first
- Requires a self-hosted WordPress website.
- Stripe adds a 3% transaction fee until license upgrade.
- Custom code and troubleshooting are the customer's responsibility.
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