Smart Directory Pro vs Listee: the verdict
Listee is a budget marketplace theme. SDP is a directory product line. Pick on what your buyer actually wants to see.
The fast read: pick Listee if your buyer wants a marketplace look (closer to airbnb than yelp). Pick Smart Directory Pro if you need theme and plugin bundled, AI features built in, no annual renewals, and a directory product purpose-built for local SEO agencies.
What is Listee?
Directorist pricing breakdown 2026: Starter $97/yr, Pro $110/yr, Agency $142/yr (or $284/$376/$412 lifetime). 30+ extensions bundled in each tier. 5-year total $485-$710. Hidden costs, alternatives, and verdict on whether the annual model is worth it.
For the full breakdown including customer quotes, pros, cons, and our verdict on whether Listee is worth buying in 2026, see the full Listee review.
What is Smart Directory Pro?
Smart Directory Pro is a WordPress directory product built for local SEO agencies. It ships a theme and a plugin together in one download, with 7 AI features in the box: AI SEO audit, AI semantic search, AI categorisation, AI FAQ generator, AI meta generator, AI tag suggestions, and AI content enricher.
Pricing is annual at $99 (Basic), $199 (Pro), and $399 (Agency) per year, with a 14-day refund window and cancel anytime. No per-listing pricing, no extension stack to assemble.
Pricing compared
The headline numbers, then the full picture.
For most buyers the line that matters: Smart Directory Pro is annual subscription at fixed pricing with all features in the base plan. Listee is No (one-time).
Feature comparison
The features that actually differentiate the two products, side by side.
| Smart Directory Pro | Listee | |
|---|---|---|
| Theme + plugin bundled | Both, single download | Theme only |
| AI features included | 7 in core | None |
| Programmatic SEO pages | Yes (Agency tier) | No |
| Business claim with email verification | Built in | Limited |
| Bulk import + duplicate detection | Yes | Varies; check vendor docs |
| Last major update | Monthly | Active, dreamstechnologies |
| Best for | Local SEO agencies running niche directories | Marketplace + directory hybrids with a Bootstrap-modern design |
What customers say about Listee
Real quotes pulled from public reviews. Smart Directory Pro is new enough that our customer quote set is smaller; we publish what we have on the product page.
"We have sent several messages needing support. Not sure if you guys are seeing them."
— empyreansky (Purchased), ThemeForest comment (November 2025)
"Dude, your theme has been hacked. Did you see that?"
— Dabetic, ThemeForest comment (April 2026)
Pros and cons head-to-head
Decision framework, two columns.
- Your buyer wants a marketplace look (closer to Airbnb than Yelp)
- You like the dreamstechnologies design system across their other themes
- Budget is $49 and you accept the trade-off of no AI / no programmatic SEO
- You need a single download with theme and plugin together, not a stack to assemble
- AI SEO audit, semantic search, programmatic SEO pages, and an email-verified claim flow are on your must-have list
- You want a single annual price with every feature in the base plan and no addon stack to assemble
Frequently asked questions
Is Smart Directory Pro better than Listee?
Listee is a budget marketplace theme. SDP is a directory product line. Pick on what your buyer actually wants to see.
How much does Listee cost compared to Smart Directory Pro?
Listee costs $49 one-time on ThemeForest. Smart Directory Pro costs $99 to $399 per year across three tiers, with auto-renewal and a 14-day refund window.
Does Listee include AI features?
None. Smart Directory Pro ships 7 AI features in core: SEO audit, semantic search, categorisation, FAQ generator, meta generator, tag suggestions, and content enricher.
Can Listee handle programmatic SEO pages?
No. Smart Directory Pro generates city by category landing pages automatically at the Agency tier.
Does Listee have a business claim flow with email verification?
Limited. Smart Directory Pro ships an email-verified claim flow built in.
When was Listee last updated?
Active, dreamstechnologies.
Who is Listee best for?
Marketplace + directory hybrids with a Bootstrap-modern design. Smart Directory Pro is best for local SEO agencies running niche directories.