Work · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to The First CTO - The Job Nobody Explains

Practical playbook for first-time CTOs at startups.

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes.

1. 1
   The Startup Playbook▲545

   How-to guide for building your startup from the ground up

   2018 · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Early Stage Founders Playbook▲313

   Actionable marketing lessons for indie-hackers

   2022 · its alternatives →

3. 3
   First Search▲1,093

   The world's best startup advice, curated and searchable.

   2017 · review.firstround.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   The CTO Field Guide▲151

   A handbook to get tech leaders started

   2022 · its alternatives →

5. 5
   How To Launch▲262

   Startup launch playbook & cost calculator, by The Upstarters

   2017 · its alternatives →

6. 6
   The Hard Thing About Hard Things▲258

   Essential advice on building and running a startup

   2015 · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Thinking Like a CTO▲30

   Establishing and Managing a Technical Team

   2021 · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Product Phases▲243

   Free guide on how to launch a product like a pro 😎

   2019 · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Startup Fundraising Playbook▲207

   The one-stop-shop for early-stage fundraising research

   2021 · its alternatives →

10. 10
    first1K▲211

    Inspirations to take your launch to the next level

    2023 · its alternatives →

11. 11
    How to get your first SAAS customer▲99

    Featuring interviews from over 20 makers

    2020 · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Founder to Product Manager▲104

    How founders can land their first product management jobs

    2022 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    The 2020 Startup Sales Playbook▲321

    The definitive guide for early-stage sales teams 🚀

    2019 · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Playbook on Headless BI▲66

    Startup guide to Headless BI

    2022 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    How to Start a Startup: The Book▲111

    Ultimate insider playbook based on the Y Combinator course

    2015 · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Sales & Onboarding Playbooks by Accord▲177

    Win more deals & launch customers faster, startup playbooks

    2022 · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Enterprise Sales Guide: Hiring Playbook, by Work-Bench▲82

    Playbook to source, onboard & interview top sales candidates

    2018 · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Resources for Early-Stage Founders▲371

    Dozens of templates, articles & videos to help you grow

    2024 · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Top Startup Books▲282

    A collection of must-read books for startup founders.

    2015 · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Clerky Handbooks for Startup Founders▲109

    Concise handbooks for founders, written by startup attorneys

    2023 · its alternatives →

21. 21
    The Startup Playbook 2nd Edition▲211

    Founder-to-founder advice on how to create & build a startup

    2020 · its alternatives →

22. 22
    User Onboarding for Startups (Cheat sheet)▲105

    Cheat sheet style guide to user onboarding for startups

    2016 · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Startup Marketing Playbook▲145

    The how-to guide for new B2B marketing leaders

    2017 · its alternatives →

24. 24
    The Ultimate Startup Hiring Guide▲88

    Data and best practices from hiring for 200+ startups

    2022 · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →