Directory and Listing Website Templates: 7 HTML, React and PHP Picks Compared
By Manob Editorial ·
A directory website template needs listing pages in grid and list views, a detail page for each entry, search and category pages, and a way for owners to add listings. We compared 7 options on Manob: 4 HTML front ends, 1 React template and 2 PHP scripts that run subscription-based directories with vendors.
What does a directory or listing site need?
A directory looks simple, but it has more moving parts than a brochure site. Before you pick, decide which of these you need:
- Browsing. Category pages, grid and list views, and a sidebar for filters.
- Detail pages. One page per listing, with description, contact details and ideally a map.
- Search. A search form and a results page. Location search matters for local directories.
- Add-listing flow. Where owners submit and manage their entries.
- Money. Paid plans for featured listings, if you want revenue.
The big split is between a front end and a working system. An HTML template gives you the pages and layouts only. It has no database, so submitting a listing needs a developer to connect a back end. A script such as Carlist or Bulistio ships with the back end. If you are not sure which side you are on, read HTML templates vs WordPress themes for the general trade-off.
How we chose: we kept templates and scripts on Manob that name directories, listings or classified ads in their listings. Where a listing doesn't say something (for example whether search actually works), we say so. Open the live demo first; our guide on how to preview a template before buying shows what to test.
Directory template comparison
| Template | Type | Built with | Price from | Live demo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulistio - Business Listing / Directory Subscription Based Website (AI Powered) | Template | — | $44 | Demo |
| Carlist - Multivendor Car Listing / Dealer / Directory Website (Subscription Based) | Template | — | $44 | Demo |
| ListOn - Directory & Listing React Template | React template | Bootstrap 5, React | $20 | Demo |
| Direct- Directory & Listing Website Template | Template | — | $23 | Demo |
| Turner - Directory and Listing Bootstrap HTML5 Website Template | HTML template | — | $19 | Demo |
| Listy - Listing & Directory Solutions HTML Template | HTML template | — | $24 | Demo |
| Furious - Car Listing HTML Template | HTML template | — | $18 | Demo |
Working directory scripts with subscriptions
These two are PHP applications, not just page designs. They run on Laravel 9.x and PHP 8.3, so you need hosting that supports them. Read our PHP website templates roundup if you are new to that route.
Bulistio: best for a business directory that sells listing plans
Bulistio is a subscription-based business directory. Admins create packages, and businesses choose one to get listed. Featured businesses appear in search and on the home page for a set period. Listings can show as a list, a grid or on a map, and the listing says it ships 4 directory templates. A claim-listing workflow lets the real owner of a business take control of an entry. The country and state options can be switched off, so it works for a single city as well as a global directory. Vendors get generative AI help for profile text and images, and there is a multivendor product shop. Payment options cover 19 online methods plus offline ones. Pick it if you want a revenue-producing directory without writing the back end. It needs Laravel hosting, so it isn't a drop-in for cheap static hosting.
A business listing and directory platform with subscription packages, claim listing and a multivendor shop. Listings can appear in list, grid or map views, and it suits global o…
Carlist: best for a car dealer or vehicle listing marketplace
Carlist is the same idea for vehicles. Dealers choose a subscription plan and post cars with full specifications. Visitors search by specs and location, with location and radius filters shown as lists, grids or maps. It has 3 car listing templates, an advanced search page, a vendor dashboard tied to subscription packages and an admin shop with coupons, tax and shipping. Payments cover 19 automated gateways, and the front end and vendor dashboard are multilingual with RTL layouts. The listing notes that not every image on the demo homepage ships with the download, so plan to supply your own pictures. Choose it only if your directory is about cars.
Carlist is a plan-based multivendor car listing site with 3 car templates. Vendors subscribe to post cars, and location-based search with list, grid and map views helps shoppers.
Directory front ends in HTML and React
These five give you the design and page structure. They are good starting points if you have a developer, or if you plan to connect the pages to your own back end later. For editing help, see how to edit a Bootstrap template.
ListOn: best for a directory that also needs a dashboard
ListOn is a React template, built on React 19 and Vite with Bootstrap 5, React Router, and Formik with Yup for forms. It pairs a public site with an admin dashboard: analytics, listing management, bookings, messages, feedback moderation, bookmarks, wallet and settings screens. It has eight homepage variations with dark and light themes and Google Maps support for location-based listing pages. Its listed pages include Blog, Contact, Profile, Bookings, Messages, Reviews, Bookmarks, Wallet and Settings. It suits property portals, restaurant guides, travel listings and booking platforms. It's a front end only, so the data is yours to connect. Read our React templates roundup if you want to compare it with other React options.
ListOn is a React template for directory, listing and marketplace websites. It pairs a public site with an admin dashboard for managing listings, bookings and messages, and it i…
Direct: best for a local business directory with many homepage choices
Direct is a Bootstrap HTML5 template for local business directories, online directories and classified services. It has 5+ home page layouts, including a particle version, and grid, list and vertical listing views. The page list includes Listing, Listing Detail, Add Listing, Search Listing, Listing With Sidebar, Top Author, Category and Profile Detail pages. The listing mentions Google Maps integration, a blog page and Font Awesome icons. The listing also says it does not mention a database, an admin panel or a submission system, so the "Add Listing" page is a design to wire up yourself.
Direct- Directory & Listing Website Template is a Bootstrap HTML5 template for local business directories, online business directories and listing sites. It includes 5+ home pag…
Turner: best for classified ads and listing portals
Turner covers classified ad sites, directory listings and advertising gateway businesses. Category pages show entries in a grid or a list, and each entry opens on a separate post details page. The demo has three homepage versions, plus Explore, Top Author, Category, Profile Detail, Listing, Listing Detail, Add Listing and Search Listing pages, and a listing with sidebar. It includes a blog and integrated Google Maps. It is a static build, and the listing doesn't mention a back end, user accounts or working search. Pick it for the listing layouts, then connect them to your own system.
Turner - Directory and Listing Bootstrap HTML5 Website Template is a Bootstrap template for classified ad sites, directory listings and advertising gateways. It offers 3+ home p…
Listy: best for city guides and restaurant listings
Listy is an HTML template for local business directories, city travel guides, restaurant listings and house rental pages. It's built with Bootstrap 5 and Sass, and it includes 3 home pages, 16+ HTML pages, a blog grid, single article pages, advanced search form options and a multi-level dropdown menu. The SCSS files are included, which makes restyling easier for a developer. The listing doesn't say whether the search form works against real data, so treat it as a front end. Support and updates run for 6 months from the date of sale.
Listy is an HTML template for listing and directory sites, including local business guides, city travel guides, restaurant listings and house rental pages. It has 03 home pages,…
Furious: best for a car dealership listing front end
Furious is an HTML template for car listings. It has 3 unique homepage layouts and 21 HTML files, and it's built on Bootstrap 5 with RTL support. The file list includes car grid, car list and car details pages, plus a shop, cart, wishlist, checkout, blog, FAQ, login and sign-up pages. That makes it a better fit for a dealership or car marketplace than a general directory. It is front end only. Choose it when cars are the only thing you list and you want shop-style pages too.
Furious is an HTML template for car dealers and vehicle listing sites. It includes 3 unique home pages and 17+ HTML files, with car grid, car list and car details pages.
How do you choose a directory template?
- You want paid listings and no custom back end: Bulistio (any business) or Carlist (cars). Check that your hosting runs Laravel and PHP 8.3.
- You have a developer and your own data source: ListOn if you want a React app with a dashboard, or one of the HTML templates for a lighter front end.
- You want the most layout variety: ListOn has eight homepages, Direct has 5+, Turner and Listy have three each.
- You list one thing: Furious or Carlist for cars; Listy for restaurants and city guides; ListOn for property and travel.
Whichever you choose, the content decides whether a directory works. Plan how you will collect the first few hundred listings before you build. See also our HTML5 templates roundup, and browse the HTML site templates category for more.
Regular vs Extended license
Each product has a Regular and an Extended license. If your directory charges its users, for example through paid listing plans, read Regular vs Extended license before you buy, since the Extended license is for an end product whose users are charged. Every item can be previewed before purchase and is manually reviewed before it goes live.
When to look elsewhere
- You want a ready WordPress directory. WordPress has directory plugins and themes. Search WordPress.org plugins for "directory" to see free options.
- You don't want to host anything. A hosted directory or listing service avoids servers entirely, at the cost of control.
- You need a large-scale marketplace. If you expect heavy traffic and complex search, you may need custom development rather than a template.
- You want more choice. A larger marketplace will have more directory designs than these seven.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best template for a business directory website?
For a full system with paid plans, Bulistio. For a design to connect to your own back end, Direct, Turner or Listy. Which one fits depends on whether you need the back end included.
Do the HTML directory templates include search and submissions?
They include pages designed for search and add-listing, but the listings do not describe a working back end. A developer needs to connect a database and form handling.
Can I make a car dealer directory with these?
Yes. Carlist is a full car listing script with dealer subscriptions, and Furious is an HTML front end for car listings. Carlist runs on Laravel; Furious is static files.
Can I charge businesses to be listed?
Bulistio and Carlist are built around subscription packages. The HTML and React templates have no payment system in their listings, so you would add one yourself.