- AppSumo alternatives compared
- Nine AppSumo alternatives to browse
- What rights do you have when you buy software?
- Curated store or deals directory?
- Questions to ask before you buy a lifetime deal
- How to keep track of the deals you buy
- Signs you're buying deals you don't need
- My plain advice on choosing an AppSumo alternative
- Frequently asked questions
The best AppSumo alternatives offer lifetime deals and discounts on software, from small new startups to established products. Some are stores that run their own launches, while others are directories that gather deals from several sites in one place. Nine options follow in no particular order.
Lifetime deals are tempting when you're building a business on a tight plan. Pay once, use a tool for years, and back a young product while it grows. The trick is finding deals worth having, and that means looking beyond one site.
The nine sites below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the site's own pages, read this week. If you're still working out which tools you need at all, my list of AI tools for small business is a good starting point.
AppSumo alternatives compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or open source software. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| DealFuel | Deals for web designers, developers and marketers | Design assets and WordPress deals | Not stated |
| Dealify | Lifetime deals platform | Growth tools for small teams | Not stated |
| DealMango | Lifetime deals directory | Comparing deals from several sites | Not stated |
| DealMirror | Lifetime software deals store | Clear deal breakdowns before you commit | Not stated |
| Lifetimo | Curated lifetime deals for startups | Browsing deals by category | Not stated |
| LTDHunt | Community hub for SaaS lifetime deals | Community reviews of lifetime deals | Not stated |
| Prime Club | Lifetime deal platform for SaaS | Deals on established SaaS products | Yes |
| RocketHub | Lifetime deals on software | Weekly exclusive launches | Not stated |
| SaaSPirate | SaaS lifetime deals and discounts directory | Finding hundreds of deals in one list | Not stated |
Nine AppSumo alternatives to browse
DealFuel
Best for: Web designers and bloggers who want deals on themes, plugins, graphics and marketing tools rather than big SaaS platforms.
Dealify
Best for: Growth-minded founders who want lifetime deals on marketing and productivity software, with flash discounts for newsletter subscribers.
DealMango
Best for: Deal hunters who want lifetime deals from several deal sites gathered in one place and sorted by category.
DealMirror
Best for: Small business owners who want lifetime software deals with plain tier breakdowns so they know exactly what each plan includes.
Lifetimo
Best for: Startups that like browsing curated lifetime deals by category, from chatbots and email marketing to design and finance tools.
LTDHunt
Best for: Deal buyers who want a community view of SaaS lifetime deals, with other buyers sharing what is worth a look.
Prime Club
Best for: Buyers who prefer lifetime deals on SaaS companies that already have customers, with a free membership to join.
RocketHub
Best for: Early adopters who enjoy weekly exclusive launches and want to back new software at the start.
SaaSPirate
Best for: Bargain hunters who want a large directory of SaaS lifetime deals and discounts, plus guides and interviews.
What rights do you have when you buy software?
GOV.UK's consumer rights guidance says the law protects your consumer rights when you buy goods, services or digital content remotely or in person. Software is digital content, so a consumer buying it online has those protections.
Most lifetime deals, though, are bought by businesses, and business purchases don't get the same consumer protections. That makes each deal site's own refund policy and the software maker's terms the things to read carefully before you buy.
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Curated store or deals directory?
Curated stores negotiate deals directly, run launches and handle refunds themselves. Directories list deals from many places, which helps you compare but means the refund terms depend on wherever you end up buying.
Look at how long a store has been running and how it handles a product that shuts down. A lifetime deal is only worth it if the software is still around.
Questions to ask before you buy a lifetime deal
- Does the tool solve a problem I've got right now?
- How long has the software company been running?
- What exactly is included in the lifetime tier?
- What happens if the product closes or changes hands?
- How long is the refund window?
- Will I still be able to export my data?
How to keep track of the deals you buy
Keep a simple spreadsheet with every deal you buy: the tool, the date, the refund deadline, what the tier includes and the login email you used. It takes two minutes per deal and saves hours of hunting through inboxes later.
Add a column for whether you're still using it. Every few months, look down that column and cancel anything that's become shelfware. If a tool's become essential, check the company's still active and export your data regularly, just in case it closes.
Signs you're buying deals you don't need
- You've never logged in. Use it or refund it.
- Three tools do the same job. Pick one.
- You can't name the problem. Skip the deal.
- The refund window passed unused. Test straight away.
Do you make a software deal or lifetime deal site? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing an AppSumo alternative
Only buy deals for tools you'd use this week. A folder full of unused lifetime licences is a very common small business story, and it's money that could have gone on something you needed.
Then make the most of the refund window. Set the tool up straight away, test it on real work and decide before the window closes. If you're a software maker, my take on SaaS marketing tactics covers growth beyond deal launches.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to AppSumo?
Each site has its own mix of products and refund rules. The list above is in no particular order, so compare a few for the tools you want.
Are lifetime deals worth it?
They can be, if the tool solves a real problem now and the company is likely to keep running.
What happens if a lifetime deal product shuts down?
Usually you lose access, which is why the age and track record of the company matter.
Do consumer rights apply to software deals?
GOV.UK says consumer rights cover digital content bought remotely, but business purchases don't get the same protections.
Can I get a refund on a lifetime deal?
Most deal sites have a refund window. Read each site's policy before you buy.
Are there free deals on these sites?
Some sites list free deals or free memberships. The free plan column shows what each site's own pages say.
