BuiltWith is one of the most established technographic data providers, known for scanning websites to detect frontend technologies. While it excels at identifying client-side tools like analytics scripts, marketing pixels, and JavaScript frameworks, many teams find it lacking when they need deeper technology intelligence — backend tech stacks, buying intent signals, or affordable self-serve pricing. If you're evaluating BuiltWith alternatives, this guide compares the best options in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Starting Price | Free Tier | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 TheirStack | Free / $59/mo | ✅ Yes | Job Data + Technographics | Intent-driven prospecting and enrichment |
 Wappalyzer | $250/mo | ✅ Yes | Website Technology Detection | Quick website tech checks and lightweight API usage |
 HG Insights | ~$25,000/year | ❌ No | Website Technology Detection | Enterprise TAM analysis and install base intelligence |
Why Look for BuiltWith Alternatives?
Limited to frontend technologies
BuiltWith detects technologies by scanning website source code, HTTP headers, and DNS records. This means it's great for identifying client-side tools like Google Analytics or jQuery, but it completely misses backend technologies — databases like PostgreSQL, data warehouses like Snowflake, DevOps tools like Kubernetes, or internal business software like SAP. If your sales or research workflow depends on knowing the full tech stack, you need a different approach.
No buying intent signals
BuiltWith tells you what a company currently uses, but not what they're investing in. For sales teams, knowing that a company is actively hiring Snowflake engineers (a strong buying signal for data tools) is far more actionable than knowing they have Google Tag Manager on their website. Job-based technographic providers fill this gap.
Expensive for what you get
BuiltWith's pricing starts at $295/month for basic access and goes up to $995/month for enterprise features. For teams that primarily need technology-based lead lists, there are more affordable alternatives that offer broader data coverage and better filtering capabilities.
Complex API with limited filtering
BuiltWith's API requires multiple calls with retry logic, lacks webhooks for real-time alerts, and doesn't offer the depth of filtering that modern data platforms provide. If you need to combine technographic filters with company attributes like size, industry, or location, alternatives offer a more streamlined experience.
Top BuiltWith Alternatives in 2026
1. TheirStackJob Data + TechnographicsJob-based technographic and company intelligence platform
TheirStack takes a unique approach to technographic data by analyzing millions of job postings worldwide. Instead of only scanning websites for frontend technologies, it reveals what technologies companies are actively hiring for, implementing, and expanding. This means you get buying intent signals alongside comprehensive tech stack data — including backend technologies that website scanners miss entirely.
Strengths
- ✓Detects backend and internal technologies (databases, DevOps, ERPs) from job postings — not just web-facing tech
- ✓Hiring signals act as buying intent — know what companies are investing in, not just using
- ✓Single fast API with 40+ filters, webhooks, and sub-second response times
- ✓Self-serve transparent pricing starting free, with plans from $59/mo
Considerations
- ℹTechnology detection relies on active hiring — companies not posting jobs may have less coverage — TheirStack's detection method depends on companies publishing job postings that mention technologies. Companies in hiring freezes or very small teams that rarely post jobs may have less coverage compared to website scanning approaches.
- ℹNewer methodology with job-based historical data starting from 2021 — While website scanning tools like BuiltWith have decades of historical data, TheirStack's job-based approach has data from 2021 onwards. For teams that need long-term historical technology adoption trends, complementing with a website scanner may be valuable.
Why choose TheirStack: Choose TheirStack when you want intent-driven technographic data that covers the full tech stack — including backend tools that website scanners miss — at a fraction of enterprise pricing.
2. WappalyzerWebsite Technology DetectionBrowser extension and API for website technology detection
Wappalyzer is a popular technology detection tool known for its free browser extension and developer-friendly API. While it's great for quick website tech checks, many teams outgrow it when they need deeper technology intelligence, backend tech detection, buying intent signals, or more comprehensive company filtering.
Strengths
- ✓Free browser extension for instant website technology identification
- ✓Clean, developer-friendly API with simple integration
- ✓More affordable than BuiltWith for basic technology lookups
- ✓Open-source heritage with active community contributions
Considerations
- ℹSmall technology database — Wappalyzer tracks around 1,800 technologies — significantly less than competitors like BuiltWith (100K+) or TheirStack which covers thousands of technologies including backend tools. If you need comprehensive technology coverage, especially for niche or enterprise software, Wappalyzer's database may leave gaps in your research.
- ℹFrontend-only detection — Like all website scanning tools, Wappalyzer can only detect technologies visible in a site's client-side code. It misses backend databases, data warehouses, DevOps tools, internal business software, and programming languages. For a complete picture of a company's tech stack, you need a different detection methodology.
- ℹLimited filtering and lead generation — Wappalyzer is designed for technology lookups — searching individual domains for their tech stack. It lacks the advanced filtering, company attribute searches, and bulk prospecting capabilities that sales and marketing teams need. Building targeted lead lists by combining technology, industry, company size, and location requires a more full-featured platform.
- ℹNo intent or hiring signals — Wappalyzer provides a static snapshot of what technologies a website uses right now. It can't tell you what companies are investing in, what technologies they're expanding, or which teams are growing. For sales teams, these intent signals are often more valuable than static technology detection.
Why choose Wappalyzer: Choose Wappalyzer when you need a simple, affordable tool for website technology checks or a lightweight API.
3. HG InsightsWebsite Technology DetectionEnterprise technology intelligence and TAM analysis platform
HG Insights is an enterprise technology intelligence provider known for TAM analysis and install base data. While it's powerful for strategic market sizing, many teams find its enterprise-only pricing ($25K+/year), sales-led buying process, and lengthy implementation challenging.
Strengths
- ✓Comprehensive enterprise technology install base data across 15M+ companies
- ✓AI-powered technology spend estimation for budget planning
- ✓Native CRM integrations with Salesforce and Dynamics
- ✓Industry-level technology adoption reports and market analytics
Considerations
- ℹEnterprise-only pricing — HG Insights typically costs $25,000 or more per year, with no self-service option. For startups, SMBs, or teams that need technographic data without a six-figure annual commitment, this pricing is prohibitive. Several alternatives offer comparable technology intelligence starting from free tiers or $59/month.
- ℹSales-led buying process — Getting started with HG Insights requires demos, negotiations, and procurement cycles that can take weeks or months. Modern teams often prefer self-serve platforms where they can evaluate the product, test the API, and start getting value within minutes — not weeks.
- ℹNo real-time intent signals — HG Insights focuses on install base data — what technologies companies have deployed. It doesn't provide real-time buying intent signals like hiring data. For sales teams, knowing that a company is actively hiring Snowflake engineers (a signal they're expanding their data infrastructure) is often more actionable than knowing they have Snowflake installed.
- ℹOpaque data methodology — HG Insights uses proprietary AI and machine learning to detect technology usage, but provides less transparency about its data sources and methodology compared to alternatives. This can make it harder to validate data accuracy for specific use cases or explain results to stakeholders.
Why choose HG Insights: Choose HG Insights when you need enterprise-grade install base data and technology spend estimation for strategic TAM planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Try the Best BuiltWith Alternative?
TheirStack combines job-based technology detection, real-time hiring signals, and 40+ filters — giving you deeper company intelligence than BuiltWith at a fraction of the cost.
Try TheirStack FreeFree tier available — no credit card required.