TL;DR
Get 20 customer reviews on Capterra before March 31, 2026. Make sure reviewers rate you 4.5+ on Ease of Use, Value for Money, and Customer Support. If you hit those numbers, you have a real shot at earning Capterra badges this year.
Why Capterra Badges Matter for SaaS Companies
Badges are trust signals that affect how buyers find SaaS products. When someone is comparing five similar tools on Capterra, the one with a "Best Ease of Use 2026" badge stands out. It's third-party validation — not you saying you're good, but Capterra confirming you earned a spot in the top 25%.
Where badges help your visibility posture:
- On Capterra — Badge holders appear more credible in search results and software comparison pages
- On your website — You can embed badge graphics as social proof
- In sales materials — Decks, emails, proposals — anywhere you need quick credibility
- In AI search results — AI systems increasingly use third-party data signals when recommending software; badges indicate quality. (See how directories feed AI and SEO.)
Badges won't transform your business overnight. But in competitive categories where buyers are researching software, they're one more reason to choose you over the alternative. (For more on why directories matter, see What Are Software Directories?)
How to Get Capterra Badges in 2026
If you want to earn Capterra badges this year:
- Check if your category is in Group 3 (see the schedule below) — if yes, you have until March 31, 2026
- Collect at least 20 verified reviews from real customers
- Ask reviewers to rate specific attributes — Ease of Use, Value for Money, Customer Support
- Aim for 4.5+ average ratings on those attributes
If you hit 20 reviews with strong attribute ratings before the cutoff, you're in the running for both Capterra Shortlist badges and "Best of" badges.
If your category is in Group 1 or 2, the 2026 cutoffs have already passed. Focus on building toward 2027 instead.
Why We Wrote This Guide
Capterra has badge requirements spread across eight different pages on two different websites. And they don't all say the same thing.
One page says 10 reviews. Another says 20. One says 12 months. Another says 24. Some pages have no publication date, so you can't tell if you're reading current methodology or something from 2023.
We cross-referenced every official source. The table at the end catalogs all of them — which ones have dates, which ones conflict, and which ones you should trust.
A note on Capterra's family: This guide focuses on Capterra listing optimization, but Capterra is part of Gartner Digital Markets, which also owns GetApp and Software Advice. All three are software directories that share the same review database — one review on Capterra automatically appears on the other two. The badge programs are similar but not identical across platforms. We'll note the differences where they matter.
UPDATE: G2 Acquisition: In January 2026, G2 entered into an agreement to acquire Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice from Gartner Digital Markets. The acquisition is expected to close in 2026. Badge programs, review policies, and platform features may change as a result of this transition. We'll continue monitoring and updating this guide as details emerge. For now, all information below remains current and accurate as of January 31, 2026. (For G2's badge program, see our G2 badges guide.)
The Three Capterra Badge Types
Gartner Digital Markets offers three types of badges:
| Badge Type | What It Shows | Key Requirement | When You Get It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Rating Badge | Your average star rating (e.g., "4.6 stars") | 5+ reviews (all time) | Automatic once you qualify |
| "Best of" Badge | Annual award for specific attributes | 10 reviews in 12 months, 4.5+ rating, top 25% | Annual — you're notified if you win |
| Shortlist Badge | You made the Capterra Shortlist report | 20 reviews in 24 months + U.S. presence | Annual — you're notified if you qualify |
There's also "Best Product Lists." These aren't badges — you can't download or display them. They're labels on Capterra's category pages ("Highest Rated," "Highly Rated for Ease of Use"). They affect how buyers discover your software on Capterra, but you can't use them in your own marketing. We cover them separately.
Badge Type 1: Star Rating Badges
What It Is
The simplest badge. It displays your current average star rating across all reviews. Each Gartner Digital Markets platform (Capterra, GetApp, Software Advice) has its own version.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum reviews | 5 published reviews (all time) |
| Rating shown | Average across all your reviews |
| Updates | Automatically as new reviews come in |
Why It Matters
This is basic social proof for B2B software discovery. Even if you don't qualify for competitive badges, you can display your star rating once you have 5 reviews.
Source: GDM How to Get Badges (Published December 19, 2025)
Badge Type 2: "Best of" Badges
What It Is
Annual awards recognizing products with the highest ratings on specific attributes. These are competitive — awarded to the top 25% of products that meet the minimum threshold.
On Capterra:
- Best Ease of Use
- Best Value
On Software Advice:
- Best Customer Support
- Most Recommended
(Same methodology, different badges per platform. Your reviews count toward both since they share a database.)
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum reviews | 10 published reviews rating the specific attribute |
| Review window | 12 months prior to the cutoff date |
| Minimum rating | 4.5 out of 5 average on that attribute |
| Selection | Top 25% of products meeting the 4.5 threshold |
| Category fit | Confirmed as relevant by Capterra's research analysts |
| Category minimum | Category must have at least 10 qualifying products |
Understanding Cutoff Dates
What's a cutoff date? The deadline for reviews to count toward a specific badge cycle. Reviews published after the cutoff count toward next cycle, not this one.
The cutoff varies by category. Categories are grouped, and each group has its own cutoff:
| Badge Publication | Review Cutoff | Example Categories | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | September 30, 2025 | CRM, Help Desk, HR, Email Marketing, Project Management | ❌ Too late for 2026 |
| April 2026 | December 31, 2025 | Grant Management, Construction Payroll, Chiropractic | ❌ Too late for 2026 |
| July 2026 | March 31, 2026 | Marketing Automation, eCommerce, AI, Cybersecurity | ✅ Still time |
Your product might be listed in multiple categories with different cutoffs. Email Marketing (Group 1) already passed, but Marketing Automation (Group 3) is still open until March 31. Check which categories you're in.
Why You Might Not Get a Badge
From the official FAQ:
- Not enough reviews in the 12-month window (minimum 10)
- Average rating below 4.5 on the relevant attribute
- Not in the top 25% of qualifying products
- Category doesn't have at least 10 qualifying products
If your listing was rejected or you're having issues, see our Capterra rejection and appeal guide.
Sources:
- GDM How to Get Badges (December 19, 2025)
- Gartner "Best of" Badge Methodology
- GDM Reports and Badges FAQs (May 15, 2024)
Badge Type 3: Capterra Shortlist Badges
What It Is
The Capterra Shortlist is a research report — a scatter plot ranking products by Ratings (x-axis) and Popularity (y-axis). When you qualify for the Capterra Shortlist report, you also earn the Shortlist badge.
Software Advice has an equivalent called "FrontRunners" with the same requirements.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum reviews | 20 unique verified reviews |
| Review window | 24 months prior to the cutoff date |
| U.S. presence | Must serve U.S. users (demonstrated through U.S.-based reviews or public info) |
| Industry reviews | At least 5 reviews from users in the relevant industry |
| Cross-industry relevance | Product must serve multiple industries (not ultra-niche) |
| Minimum scores | Must hit minimum thresholds for both Ratings and Popularity (not publicly disclosed) |
A note on "industry" vs. "category": When reviewers submit reviews, they select their industry (Healthcare, Finance, Construction). This is different from software category (CRM, Help Desk). "5 reviews in the concerned industry" means you need reviews from people in the industries your software serves. "Cross-industry relevance" means your product can't only serve one industry.
How the Capterra Shortlist Scoring Works
Ratings Score (X-axis):
- Based on overall user ratings from reviews in the past 24 months
- Normalized for recency and volume of reviews
Popularity Score (Y-axis):
- Average monthly search volume for your product keywords
- Your domain's position on search results for each keyword
- Number and recency of reviews
Each score is scaled to a maximum of 50.
Badge Timeline
Shortlist badges follow the same publication schedule as "Best of" badges:
| Publication | Review Cutoff |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | September 30, 2025 |
| April 2026 | December 31, 2025 |
| July 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
Watch Out for Outdated Information
The page at insights.capterra.com/shortlist-reports shows "10 unique user reviews" and "12 month analysis period." This describes the interactive Shortlist report tool eligibility, not badge eligibility.
For badge eligibility, the current methodology (January 2026) requires 20 reviews in 24 months.
Source: Capterra Proprietary Data & Research Methodologies (Updated June 24, 2025) — methodology version "January 2026 - present"
Best Product Lists (Not Badges)
What They Are
These aren't badges you can download. They're featured labels on Capterra's category pages: "Highest Rated," "Highly Rated for Ease of Use," "Highly Rated & Affordable." Each list features 5-10 products.
These affect how buyers find SaaS products on Capterra, even if you can't use them in your own marketing.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | Must be on the most recent Capterra Shortlist |
| Review window | 24 months (same as Shortlist) |
| Minimum rating | 4.0 out of 5 (lower than "Best of" badges' 4.5) |
| Minimum reviews | 10 reviews rating the specific attribute |
Types of Distinctions
- Highest Rated — Best overall rating (products receiving this can't get other distinctions)
- Highest Rated for [sub-sector] — For products serving a specific market segment
- Highly Rated & Free — Highest rating among products with free version/trial
- Highly Rated & Affordable — Lowest starting price among eligible products
- Highly Rated for [Attribute] — Based on Ease of Use, Value for Money, Customer Support, or Functionality ratings
How It Differs from "Best of" Badges
| Criteria | "Best of" Badges | Best Product Lists |
|---|---|---|
| Shortlist required? | No | Yes |
| Review window | 12 months | 24 months |
| Minimum rating | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Selection method | Top 25% | Products with most reviews prioritized |
| Can you display it? | Yes (badge graphic) | No (on-site label only) |
Source: Capterra Proprietary Data & Research Methodologies — "Best Product Lists" methodology "March 2025 - present"
The 2026 Badge Publication Schedule
This schedule applies to both "Best of" badges and Capterra Shortlist badges.
Group 1: January 2026 Publication
Review Cutoff: September 30, 2025 (already passed)
Accounting, LMS, CRM, Project Management, HR, Help Desk, Email Marketing, Scheduling, Onboarding, Recruiting, Document Management, Time Tracking, Payroll, and 60+ more categories.
Group 2: April 2026 Publication
Review Cutoff: December 31, 2025 (already passed)
Service Dispatch, Grant Management, Construction Payroll, Chiropractic, Fixed Asset, Hotel Management, Medical Spa, and 35+ more categories.
Group 3: July 2026 Publication
Review Cutoff: March 31, 2026 (still time)
Password Management, Marketing Automation, eCommerce, Cybersecurity, Business Intelligence, AI, Live Chat, Data Management, Nonprofit, and 35+ more categories.
Source: GDM Badge Publication Schedule 2026 (Published January 23, 2026)
Quick Reference: The Numbers
Star Rating Badge
- 5+ reviews (all time)
- Automatic
"Best of" Badges
- 10 reviews in 12 months on the specific attribute
- 4.5+ average rating on that attribute
- Top 25% of qualified products
- Cutoff varies by category
Capterra Shortlist Badge
- 20 reviews in 24 months
- U.S. market presence
- 5+ reviews from relevant industry
- Cutoff varies by category
Best Product Lists (not badges)
- Must be on Shortlist first
- 10 reviews rating the attribute
- 4.0+ average (lower than badges)
Cross-Platform Visibility
Reviews on Capterra automatically appear on GetApp and Software Advice. From the official FAQ:
"All reviews are combined across the three sites, measured equally, and pulled from a single global database for the Gartner Digital Markets platform."
One review collection effort improves your third-party visibility across three platforms.
What Changed in 2026
- GetApp Category Leaders discontinued — No longer offered
- Shortlist minimum reduced — From 10 to 5 products per category (more niche categories now eligible)
- Publication schedule formalized — Categories grouped with specific cutoffs instead of one annual cycle
- Earlier cutoffs than expected — Many major categories used September 30, 2025 cutoff for January 2026 badges
Step-by-Step: Optimizing Your Capterra Listing for Badges
Step 1: Find Your Category's Deadline
Check the GDM Badge Publication Schedule 2026. If your category is in Group 3, you have until March 31, 2026. If it's in Group 1 or 2, focus on 2027.
Step 2: Check Your Current Position
Log into your Gartner Digital Markets account and check:
- Total review count
- Reviews from past 12 months (for "Best of")
- Reviews from past 24 months (for Shortlist)
- Ratings by attribute
Step 3: Set Your Target
Tier 1 — Star Rating Badge:
- Need: 5 reviews total
- Timeline: 1-2 weeks of active collection
Tier 2 — Shortlist eligibility:
- Need: 20 reviews in 24 months
- Timeline: 2-6 months depending on starting point
Tier 3 — "Best of" Badges:
- Need: 10 reviews in 12 months with 4.5+ on specific attributes
- Timeline: Requires consistent high-quality reviews
Step 4: Collect Reviews
Running a review campaign takes some coordination. Here's who can leave reviews and how to ask. (For the full rules, see our G2 and Capterra Reviews guide.)
Who can review:
- Current users with direct product experience
- Past users (within the past year)
- Free trial users
- Employees at customer companies who use the product
Best practices:
- Request reviews after positive interactions
- Use direct links to your Capterra review form (if you manage your Capterra listing with Blastra, you can grab your reviews link from your Blastpad)
- Never condition requests on positive reviews — incentivized reviews violate platform guidelines
- Respond to all reviews (it's free)
Related Guides
- How G2 Badges Actually Work — G2 badges require paid subscriptions ($2,999+/year) to display
- How to Get G2 and Capterra Reviews — Best practices for review collection campaigns
- How to Improve Your G2 Grid Position — Understanding G2's ranking algorithm and scoring factors
Source Documentation
We reviewed every official source. Here's what to trust:
Primary Sources (Dated, Reliable)
| Source | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GDM How to Get Badges | Dec 19, 2025 | ✅ Most comprehensive |
| GDM Badge Publication Schedule 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 | ✅ Essential for deadlines |
| Capterra Proprietary Data & Research | Updated Jun 24, 2025 | ✅ Authoritative methodology |
| GDM Reports and Badges FAQs | May 15, 2024 | ✅ Good FAQ |
Secondary Sources (No Date, Use Carefully)
| Source | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gartner "Best of" Methodology | ⚠️ No date, but says "As of 2026" |
| GDM Research Reports | ⚠️ Good overview, lacks specifics |
Outdated Sources (Don't Rely On)
| Source | Issue |
|---|---|
| Capterra Shortlist Reports | ❌ Shows 10 reviews/12 months — describes report tool, not badge eligibility |
Key Takeaways
- Three badge types exist. Star Rating, "Best of," and Capterra Shortlist are distinct programs with different requirements.
- Cutoff dates vary by category. September 30, December 31, or March 31 — check which group you're in.
- Rating thresholds differ. "Best of" badges need 4.5; Best Product Lists need 4.0.
- GetApp Category Leaders is discontinued for 2026.
- Reviews count across all three platforms. Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice share one database.
- 20 reviews before March 31 is your target if you're in a Group 3 category.
About This Guide
This guide was created by Blastra, a SaaS listings management platform. We help software companies manage their third-party visibility across directories like Capterra, G2, and Software Advice.
Get your product listed on Capterra and other high-quality software directories
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This guide reflects publicly available methodology documentation as of January 31, 2026. Gartner Digital Markets may update their programs. Verify against official sources for the most current requirements.