Capterra Alternative for Collecting Testimonials: Own Your Reviews
Capterra is a software review directory — it’s where B2B buyers go to research tools. If you’ve asked customers to leave you a Capterra review, you know the awkward reality: most small businesses aren’t listed there, the review process is complicated for reviewers, and most importantly, you don’t own those reviews.
If Capterra changes its algorithm or your listing loses visibility, those testimonials are gone — or at least, no longer visible to your customers.
The Problem With Directory Reviews
Reviews on Capterra, G2, or any third-party directory have a fundamental limitation: they’re on someone else’s platform.
- Your potential customers have to navigate away from your website to read them
- Review visibility depends on the directory’s ranking algorithm
- You can’t display them in your own format, on your own site
- The reviewer experience is friction-heavy (create account, rate multiple categories, write detailed review)
Directories serve a purpose for software discovery. They’re not a substitute for social proof on your own website.
What You Actually Need: First-Party Testimonials
First-party testimonials are collected directly from your customers and displayed on your own site. You own them, control how they’re displayed, and they’re always visible to your visitors.
SocialProof handles the full loop:
- Send your customer a simple collection link
- They record a video or type a text testimonial in 2 minutes
- You approve and publish it to your website widget
- Visitors see real customer stories right where they’re making the buying decision
SocialProof vs. Capterra Reviews
| Aspect | Capterra Reviews | SocialProof |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the reviews | Capterra | You |
| Display location | Capterra listing | Your website |
| Collection friction | High (account required) | Low (simple form/video) |
| Visibility control | Algorithm-dependent | 100% yours |
| Cost to collect | Free | Free (1 widget) |
| Best use | B2B software discovery | Any business, any website |
You Don’t Have to Choose One or the Other
Many businesses collect testimonials with SocialProof AND maintain a Capterra listing. They’re not mutually exclusive. But if you’re going to put effort into collecting reviews, prioritize the ones that live on your website — where every potential customer sees them, regardless of any algorithm.