Backlinks remain one of the most influential ranking factors in SEO, and having the right tool to track, analyze, and improve them is essential Read More
(2,356 User Ratings)
- Features:
- Index Size: 30T+ backlinks
- Update Frequency: Daily
- Historical Data: Since 2013
- Export Formats: CSV, PDF, Excel
- Starting Price: $108/mo
- Free Trial: No
- Support: 24/7 Email Support, Help Center
- Ideal For: Agencies, SEOs
- Integrations: GSC, Data Studio
(2,356 User Ratings)
- Features:
- Index Size: 43T backlinks
- Update Frequency: Daily
- Historical Data: Since 2012
- Export Formats: CSV, PDF, API
- Starting Price: $117/mo
- Free Trial: Yes
- Support: 24/7 Live Chat & Help Center
- Ideal For: All-round SEO users
- Integrations: GSC, GA
(2,356 User Ratings)
- Features:
- Index Size: 40T backlinks
- Update Frequency: Daily
- Historical Data: Since 2004
- Export Formats: CSV, PDF
- Starting Price: $39/mo
- Free Trial: Yes
- Support: Email, Q&A Forum, Guides
- Ideal For: Small Business, Freelancers
- Integrations: GA, GSC
(2,356 User Ratings)
- Features:
- Index Size: 15T backlinks
- Update Frequency: Daily
- Historical Data: Since 2006
- Export Formats: CSV, Excel
- Starting Price: $41.67/mo
- Free Trial: Yes
- Support: Email, Documentation
- Ideal For: Link-focused SEOs
- Integrations: API
(2,356 User Ratings)
- Features:
- Index Size: 2.7T backlinks
- Update Frequency: Daily
- Historical Data: 5+ years
- Export Formats: CSV, PDF, XLSX
- Starting Price: $52/mo
- Free Trial: Yes
- Support: Chat, Email, Help Docs
- Ideal For: SMBs & Agencies
- Integrations: GA, GSC
SEO Tools for Backlink Checking: A Quick Comparison
Quickly compare the top backlink checker tools to find the right fit for your SEO needs. From massive link databases to budget-friendly options, this snapshot highlights features, pricing, and unique strengths so you can choose the tool that matches your link-building strategy.
| Tool | Ahrefs | SEMrush | Moz Pro | Majestic | SE Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index Size | 30T+ backlinks | 43T+ backlinks | 40.7T+ links | 15T+ links | 2.7T+ links |
| Update Frequency | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily |
| Historical Data Range | Since 2013 | Since 2012 | Since 2004 | Since 2006 | 5+ years |
| Export Formats | CSV, PDF, Excel | CSV, PDF, Excel, Google Sheets | CSV, PDF | CSV, Excel | CSV, PDF, XLSX |
| Integrations | Google Search Console, Data Studio | Google Search Console, GA, Zapier | Google Analytics, GSC | API Integrations | GA, GSC, Zapier |
| Starting Price | $99/mo | $129.95/mo | $99/mo | $49.99/mo | $55/mo |
| Free Plan/Trial | No (7-day trial $7) | 7-day free trial | 30-day free trial | No | Yes (14 days) |
| Support | 24/7 Email Support, Help Center | Chat, Email, Knowledge Base | Email, Q&A Forum, Guides | Email, Documentation | Chat, Email, Help Docs |
| Ideal For | Agencies, SEOs | All-round SEO users | Small Biz, SEOs | Link-focused SEOs | SMBs & Agencies |
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is one of the most trusted backlink analysis tools in the SEO industry, built for professionals who need precise and up-to-date link data. With one of the largest live backlink databases, it offers unmatched visibility into a website’s link profile, from the quantity and quality of referring domains to detailed anchor text analysis. SEO specialists can easily monitor new and lost backlinks, spot link-building opportunities, and compare competitors’ link strategies. The intuitive interface makes navigation smooth, while advanced filters allow you to focus only on the most relevant links. Whether you’re auditing your own site, spying on competitors, or planning an outreach campaign, Ahrefs provides the depth, speed, and reliability that serious SEO professionals need to make informed decisions.
Why Ahrefs is Best for Backlinks?
- Largest Live Index: Tracks billions of backlinks with frequent updates for highly accurate data.
- Historical Link Data: View a website’s backlink growth or decline over time.
- Comprehensive Filters: Refine results by type, platform, language, and link quality.
- Competitor Gap Analysis: Identify links your competitors have but you don’t.
- Toxic Link Identification: Spot potentially harmful backlinks before they impact rankings.
- Fast Data Processing: Delivers results quickly, even for large domains.
Why You Should Pick Ahrefs?
- Massive Backlink Database: Ahrefs’ index is one of the largest in the industry, meaning you’ll find more backlinks than with most competitors. This breadth of data ensures you get a complete view of your or your competitors’ link profiles.
- Accurate and Frequent Updates: The backlink index is updated regularly, so you always work with fresh and reliable data. This helps you act on new link opportunities or address lost links quickly.
- Detailed Link Quality Metrics: With proprietary metrics like Domain Rating (DR) and URL Rating (UR), you can instantly gauge the strength of backlinks and prioritize high-value ones for your campaigns.
- Easy Competitor Analysis: Ahrefs makes it simple to see which backlinks are helping your competitors rank. You can use this insight to target similar sources and close the gap.
- Advanced Filtering Options: The tool allows you to filter by link type (dofollow/nofollow), platform, traffic, and more. This means less time sorting and more time building quality links.
- Link Loss & Growth Tracking: Ahrefs tracks when you gain or lose backlinks, helping you monitor the health of your link profile and spot patterns that need attention.
Performance Breakdown: Pros and Cons
- Extensive link database
- Highly accurate & reliable data
- Easy competitor insights
- Advanced Filters to focus on high-value links
- Notifies new or lost backlinks
- No Free Plan
- Learning curve for beginners
- More expensive than some other backlink tools
- Limited integration options
Pricing Plans
Ahrefs offers three pricing tiers for its backlink checker, catering to different SEO needs. The Lite plan ($108/month) is ideal for freelancers and small teams, providing essential backlink analysis tools. The Standard plan ($208/month) adds advanced metrics, historical data, and larger usage limits, perfect for growing agencies. The Advanced plan ($374/month) offers extensive data access, more user seats, and premium features for enterprise-level SEO operations.
Lite – $108/month
Standard – $208/month
Advanced – $374/month
Featured prices and terms can be updated. Free offers may include additional terms.
SEMrush
SEMrush is a powerful all-in-one SEO suite that offers one of the most feature-rich backlink analysis tools on the market. Designed for SEO professionals who need both depth and versatility, it provides detailed reports on referring domains, anchor texts, link authority, and toxicity scores. Its Backlink Analytics and Backlink Audit features allow you to uncover competitors’ strongest links while also monitoring and cleaning your own link profile. You can filter links by type, authority, and country, making it easier to target high-value opportunities. With real-time updates and historical link data, SEMrush ensures you’re always ahead in spotting new backlink trends. Whether you’re planning a link-building campaign, recovering from a penalty, or keeping tabs on competitors, SEMrush delivers actionable data in a clear, intuitive format.
Why SEMrush is Best for Backlinks?
- Comprehensive Backlink Data: Shows referring domains, link types, and link authority.
- Toxic Link Detection: Identifies harmful backlinks with a built-in toxicity score.
- Competitor Backlink Gap Tool: Reveals links your competitors have but you don’t.
- Historical Link Trends: Tracks backlink growth or loss over time.
- Integration with Outreach Tools: Helps manage link-building campaigns directly.
- Real-Time Updates: Ensures data freshness for accurate decision-making.
Why You Should Pick SEMrush?
- Powerful Backlink Audit Tool: SEMrush doesn’t just show backlinks. It evaluates their quality, highlighting potentially harmful links so you can disavow them before they cause ranking issues.
- Competitive Link Gap Analysis: The Backlink Gap feature compares your profile with competitors, showing opportunities they’ve tapped into that you haven’t yet explored.
- Detailed Link Metrics: Every backlink comes with authority scores, anchor text info, and traffic estimates, making it easier to focus only on valuable opportunities.
- Seamless Link-Building Workflow: You can connect SEMrush to your outreach email accounts, turning backlink opportunities into live campaigns without switching tools.
- Historical Data Access: See how your link profile has evolved over time, helping you track the effectiveness of past link-building strategies.
- Easy-to-Use Interface: Despite its depth, SEMrush’s backlink tools are intuitive, with clear visuals and filtering options that save time in analysis.
Performance Breakdown: Pros and Cons
- Large and frequently updated backlink database
- Built-in toxic link detection
- Strong competitor link comparison tools
- Smooth integration with link-building outreach
- User-friendly reports and visuals
- No full-feature free plan (only limited trial)
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
- Higher cost compared to standalone backlink tools
- Data export limits on lower-tier plans
Pricing Plans
The Pro plan ($117/month) is suited for freelancers and startups, giving access to core backlink analytics and auditing tools. The Guru plan ($208/month) adds historical backlink data, extended limits, and reporting features for growing agencies. The Business plan ($416/month) is designed for large enterprises, offering maximum limits, advanced integrations, and full-scale backlink monitoring.
Pro – $117/month
Guru – $208/month
Business – $416/month
Featured prices and terms can be updated. Free offers may include additional terms.
Moz Pro
Moz Pro is a well-known SEO platform that offers a straightforward yet powerful backlink analysis tool, perfect for SEO professionals who value clean data and ease of use. Its Link Explorer feature gives you detailed insights into referring domains, anchor texts, and link authority through proprietary metrics like Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA). The tool makes it simple to track new and lost links, analyze competitor profiles, and uncover link-building opportunities. With a clean interface and intuitive filters, Moz Pro is especially beginner-friendly while still offering the depth needed by experienced SEOs. Its spam score feature helps you spot potentially harmful links, and historical link data lets you track growth over time. Moz Pro strikes a solid balance between simplicity and actionable backlink insights, making it a popular choice for both agencies and in-house SEO teams.
Why Moz Pro is Best for Backlinks?
- Domain Authority (DA) & Page Authority (PA): Industry-standard metrics for quick link quality assessment.
- Clean & Beginner-Friendly Interface: Easy navigation with minimal learning curve.
- Spam Score Detection: Flags suspicious or harmful backlinks.
- New & Lost Link Tracking: Stay updated on changes in your link profile.
- Competitor Link Analysis: Compare your backlinks with key competitors.
- Historical Data: View link growth trends over time.
Why You Should Pick Moz Pro?
- Trusted Authority Metrics: Moz’s DA and PA are widely used in the SEO industry, making it easy to benchmark link quality quickly without digging into complex data.
- Simple Yet Effective Interface: Even with powerful features, Moz Pro’s interface is clean and intuitive, perfect for those who want to avoid tool overwhelm.
- Spam Score for Risk Detection: Moz’s unique spam score helps you identify risky backlinks early, so you can take corrective action before they harm your rankings.
- Competitor Link Insights: Easily compare your backlink profile to that of your competitors, spotting high-value opportunities you might be missing.
- New & Lost Link Alerts: Monitor when you gain or lose links to track the success of link-building efforts or spot sudden drops.
- Affordable Entry Point: Compared to some competitors, Moz Pro offers a friendlier starting price, especially for small agencies and in-house SEO teams.
Performance Breakdown: Pros and Cons
- Industry-trusted DA and PA metrics
- Helpful spam score to detect risky backlinks
- Clear visual reports and simple filtering
- Affordable compared to some all-in-one SEO tools
- Smaller backlink index compared to Ahrefs or SEMrush
- Data updates are less frequent than some competitors
- Limited advanced filtering options
- Historical data depth is shorter than top-tier tools
Pricing Plans
Moz Pro offers four pricing tiers for its backlink checker. The Starter plan ($39/month) is great for individuals or small projects, providing basic backlink insights and essential SEO tools. The Standard plan ($79/month) adds more in-depth backlink data and higher usage limits. The Medium plan ($143/month) includes advanced features, greater historical data, and keyword tracking. The Large plan ($239/month) is built for agencies, offering maximum limits and comprehensive link analysis capabilities.
Starter – $39/month
Standard – $79/month
Medium – $143/month
Large – $239/month
Featured prices and terms can be updated. Free offers may include additional terms.
Majestic
Majestic is a dedicated backlink analysis tool built for SEO professionals who want deep, link-focused insights without the distraction of unrelated SEO features. Known for its proprietary Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics, Majestic helps you quickly measure the quality and influence of backlinks. Its Fresh Index provides recent link data for ongoing campaigns, while the Historic Index offers an in-depth look at link history over several years. With advanced filtering, bulk backlink analysis, and detailed anchor text breakdowns, Majestic is ideal for link audits, competitive research, and large-scale link-building projects. Its interface is designed for data-heavy users, making it a go-to for experienced SEOs and agencies who rely heavily on backlink intelligence to guide strategy.
Why Majestic is Best for Backlinks?
- Trust Flow & Citation Flow: Unique metrics for measuring link quality and influence.
Fresh & Historic Index: Access both recent and long-term backlink data.
Extensive Backlink History: One of the most detailed archives in the industry.
Bulk Backlink Analysis: Evaluate multiple domains at once.
Detailed Anchor Text Reports: See how links are being used across the web.
No Distractions: 100% focused on backlinks, not a mix of unrelated SEO tools.
Why You Should Pick Majestic?
- Unique Flow Metrics: Trust Flow and Citation Flow are Majestic’s proprietary indicators that help you instantly gauge backlink trustworthiness and popularity.
- Fresh vs. Historic Data: Majestic gives you the flexibility to view only recent backlinks for active campaigns or dig into historical link trends for deeper research.
- Large-Scale Analysis Capabilities: With bulk backlink checking, Majestic is perfect for agencies or consultants managing multiple domains.
- Rich Anchor Text Insights: The tool breaks down anchor text usage in detail, helping you spot over-optimization or identify thematic link patterns.
- Completely Link-Focused: Unlike all-in-one SEO suites, Majestic specializes entirely in backlink data, which means every feature is purpose-built for link analysis.
- Industry Longevity & Reliability: Majestic has been around for years, refining its backlink tracking technology and building one of the most respected link datasets.
Performance Breakdown: Pros and Cons
- Unique Trust Flow & Citation Flow metrics
- Detailed Fresh and Historic indexes
- Strong for bulk backlink analysis
- Comprehensive anchor text reporting
- Purely backlink-focused, no tool bloat
- Interface feels dated compared to competitors
- Learning curve for new users
- Lacks other SEO features like keyword tracking
- No free plan, only limited previews
Pricing Plans
Majestic offers three pricing tiers for its backlink checker. The Lite plan ($41.67/month) is ideal for beginners, providing access to core backlink data, Fresh Index, and basic reports. The Pro plan ($83.33/month) adds the Historic Index, advanced backlink metrics, and more detailed analysis for SEO professionals. The API plan ($333.33/month) is tailored for enterprises and developers, offering full API access, bulk analysis, and maximum data extraction capabilities.
Lite – $41.67/month
Pro – $83.33/month
API – $333.33/month
Featured prices and terms can be updated. Free offers may include additional terms.
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is an affordable yet powerful SEO platform that offers a robust backlink checker tailored for professionals who want reliable link data without overspending. Its backlink analysis tool provides insights into referring domains, link authority, anchor texts, and link dynamics including new, lost, and broken links. You can run competitor backlink analysis to identify link-building opportunities and use filters to focus on relevant, high-value links. SE Ranking’s backlink database is refreshed regularly, ensuring accurate and timely data for your campaigns. With an intuitive interface and integration with other SEO features like keyword tracking and site audits, it’s an excellent choice for freelancers, small agencies, and in-house teams who want a cost-effective yet capable solution for backlink monitoring and strategy building.
Why SE Ranking is Best for Backlinks?
- Affordable Pricing: Lower cost compared to premium SEO suites.
- Clean & Easy-to-Use Interface: Beginner-friendly with powerful filters.
- Regular Database Updates: Keeps backlink data fresh and reliable.
- New, Lost & Broken Link Tracking: Monitor link health over time.
- Competitor Backlink Analysis: Spot link opportunities you can replicate.
- Integration with Other SEO Tools: Seamless workflow for complete SEO management.
Why You Should Pick SE Ranking?
- Budget-Friendly Without Cutting Quality: SE Ranking offers backlink insights comparable to bigger tools, but at a fraction of the cost. This tool is perfect for those who need power on a budget.
- User-Friendly Dashboard: The interface is straightforward and visual, making it quick to analyze backlinks without getting lost in overly complex menus.
- Fresh and Accurate Data: Frequent updates ensure you’re acting on current link information rather than outdated reports.
- Complete Link Monitoring: Tracks new, lost, and broken backlinks so you can maintain a healthy link profile with minimal effort.
- Competitor Insights: Easily compare backlink profiles with your competitors to uncover strategies and potential linking domains.
- Part of an All-in-One Suite: Integrated with keyword tracking, site audit, and rank monitoring, making SE Ranking a one-stop SEO solution.
Performance Breakdown: Pros and Cons
- Affordable compared to Ahrefs and SEMrush
- Beginner-friendly interface with clear visuals
- Tracks new, lost, and broken links effectively
- Good competitor backlink analysis features
- Smaller backlink database compared to top-tier tools
- Fewer proprietary link authority metrics
- Less historical data depth than industry leaders
- Slower data updates than tools like Ahrefs
Pricing Plans
SE Ranking offers three pricing tiers for its backlink checker. The Essential plan ($52/month) covers fundamental backlink analysis, new/lost link tracking, and basic competitor research for freelancers and small teams. The Pro plan ($95.20/month) adds expanded limits, historical data, and advanced SEO features for agencies. The Business plan ($207.20/month) delivers maximum limits, white-label reporting, and comprehensive backlink monitoring for large-scale SEO operations.
Essential – $52/month
Pro – $95.20/month
Business – $207.20/month
