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Head-to-head · Directory Software

Brilliant Directories vs HivePress

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Brilliant Directories #3 in Directory Software 5.0/10 From $40/mo · 7-day trial ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit site
Higher score HivePress #8 in Directory Software 9.0/10 Free plan · paid from $29 Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit HivePress

Brilliant Directories leads on 0 checks, HivePress on 7, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHivePress · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly HivePress
  • Most featuresHivePress · 6 of 6

HivePress scores higher on our rubric for directory software: 9.0 against 5.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #8 and #3.

HivePress offers free plan; Brilliant Directories doesn't. HivePress offers custom listing fields; Brilliant Directories doesn't publish it. HivePress offers search and filters; Brilliant Directories doesn't publish it. HivePress offers location features; Brilliant Directories doesn't publish it. HivePress offers public submissions; Brilliant Directories doesn't publish it.

Brilliant Directories is the better fit for membership communities and gated directories. HivePress is the better fit for low-cost open-source directory foundations.

  • Brilliant Directories fits best

    Membership communities and gated directories

  • HivePress fits best

    Low-cost open-source directory foundations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Brilliant Directories 5.0/10 Visit ↗ HivePress 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 5.0 9.0
Ranking #3 in Directory Software #8 in Directory Software
Best for Membership communities and gated directories Low-cost open-source directory foundations
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $40/mo Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Money-back guarantee 7 days 30 days
Deployment Cloud Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Live chat, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 5,000+ integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features Brilliant Directories 0/6 · HivePress 6/6
Custom listing fields Not published ✓ (best)
Search and filters Not published ✓ (best)
Location features Not published ✓ (best)
Public submissions Not published ✓ (best)
Paid listings Not published ✓ (best)
Import and export Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Listing limit Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Recurring billing, coupons, trials, and prorated upgrades
  • Gated pages, member permissions, and searchable profiles
  • REST API, webhooks, MCP, and no-code integrations
  • Free open-source core with custom fields and search filters
  • Front-end submissions, moderation, geolocation, and monetization
  • CSV import/export with WooCommerce payment integration
Cons
  • Starts at $40/month with no free plan
  • Advanced analytics and developer tools require the Pro plan
  • Annual pricing is shown as 50% discounted without regular amounts
  • Requires a self-hosted WordPress website
  • Paid extensions and themes are separate products
  • All-extension access requires a $99 annual license
Our verdict

Brilliant Directories is a hosted platform for membership websites, online directories, communities, and premium-content sites. It brings together member profiles, dashboards, permissions, recurring payments, searchable listings,…

Read the review →

HivePress is an open-source, self-hosted WordPress plugin for creating directories and listing websites. It fits business directories, classified-ad sites, job boards, real-estate listings, and other projects where users need to submit and…

Read the review →
  1. Brilliant DirectoriesDirectory Software 5.0From $40/mo · 7-day trial
  2. HivePressDirectory Software 9.0Free plan · paid from $29

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Brilliant Directories — where it wins

    • Recurring billing, coupons, trials, and prorated upgrades
    • Gated pages, member permissions, and searchable profiles
    • REST API, webhooks, MCP, and no-code integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Starts at $40/month with no free plan
    • Advanced analytics and developer tools require the Pro plan
    • Annual pricing is shown as 50% discounted without regular amounts

  • HivePress — where it wins

    • Free open-source core with custom fields and search filters
    • Front-end submissions, moderation, geolocation, and monetization
    • CSV import/export with WooCommerce payment integration

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a self-hosted WordPress website
    • Paid extensions and themes are separate products
    • All-extension access requires a $99 annual license
  • Brilliant Directories5.0/10 · From $40/mo · 7-day trial

    A hosted directory platform for gated memberships, payments, content, and email.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • HivePress9.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $29

    A flexible, low-cost foundation for WordPress directories and listing sites.

    Visit HivePressFull verdict →

More comparisons

All directory software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on directory software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026