Head-to-head · Business Directories
Yelp vs Brownbook
Yelp leads on 0 checks, Brownbook on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreYelp · 9.4/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresYelp · 4 of 4
Yelp scores higher on our rubric for business directories: 9.4 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #23.
Yelp is the better fit for broad local business discovery. Brownbook is the better fit for free global business listings.
- Yelp fits best
Broad local business discovery
- Brownbook fits best
Free global business listings
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Side by side
| Feature | Yelp 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Brownbook 7.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 7.0 |
| Ranking | #1 in Business Directories | #23 in Business Directories |
| Best for | Broad local business discovery | Free global business listings |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Features Yelp 4/4 · Brownbook 3/4 | ||
| Claim listing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reviews on profiles | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Verified profiles | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Listing submission | Free | Free |
| Audience focus | Local | Local |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Yelp is a local business directory and discovery platform for people researching restaurants, shops, professionals, attractions, and home-service providers. Searches can be filtered by category and location, while business profiles bring… Read the review → |
Brownbook is a global online business directory for people discovering businesses and for organizations managing their public listings. Visitors can search by business type or name and city, while businesses can add new listings for free… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Yelp — where it wins
- Detailed profiles include reviews, ratings, photos, hours, and contact details
- Free listings, claiming, review responses, and business messaging support owners
- Quotes, reservations, waitlists, food orders, and targeted advertising add utility
Where it doesn't
- The experience is centered on local businesses and location-based searches
- Service options such as quotes and reservations apply only in some categories
- Paid advertising and other business services add costs beyond free listings
Brownbook — where it wins
- Free listing submission and profile claiming
- Rich profiles with photos, videos, social links, and reviews
- Publisher API for bulk listing search and management
Where it doesn't
- Web-only access limits platform breadth
- Focused on directory listings rather than broader business tools
- Bio pages use the BLINX format
- Yelp9.4/10 · Free plan
A broad local directory for finding businesses, comparing reviews, and taking action.
Visit YelpFull verdict → - Brownbook7.0/10 · Free plan
A free, web-based directory for finding, managing, and enriching business listings.
Visit BrownbookFull verdict →
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All business directories comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update