Skip to content
TheSoftwarePick
Submit a tool

Best backlink checker tools in 2026

Backlink tools crawl the web to map which sites link to which. Use them to monitor your link profile, find link-building opportunities on competitor sites and spot toxic or lost links.

8 tools compared. Top picks first, then alphabetical. No paid placements.

Ahrefs

PaidTop pick

All-in-one SEO suite best known for its huge backlink index.

Best for: Link building, competitor research and agencies that need reliable backlink data.

  • Site Explorer (backlinks & organic traffic)
  • Keywords Explorer
  • Site Audit
  • Rank Tracker

SE Ranking

Free trialTop pick

Affordable all-in-one suite with accurate rank tracking.

Best for: Freelancers and agencies who need solid features at a lower price.

  • Rank Tracker
  • Website Audit
  • Keyword Research
  • Backlink Checker

Semrush

FreemiumTop pick

The broadest SEO and marketing suite, from keywords to PPC and social.

Best for: Teams that want SEO, PPC and content research under one login.

  • Keyword Magic Tool
  • Site Audit
  • Position Tracking
  • Backlink Analytics

Backlink specialist known for Trust Flow and Citation Flow.

Best for: Link builders who want specialist link data.

  • Site Explorer
  • Trust Flow & Citation Flow
  • Topical Trust Flow
  • Historic index

Free site audit and backlink data from Ahrefs for sites you own.

Best for: Site owners who want a professional audit for free.

  • Site Audit
  • Backlink report
  • Organic keywords
  • Site Explorer for owned sites

Microsoft's free search console, with a site scan and keyword tool.

Best for: Getting extra free audit and link data, and visibility in Bing.

  • Search performance
  • Site scan
  • Keyword research
  • Backlinks

Mangools

Free trial

Simple suite of five tools, led by the KWFinder keyword tool.

Best for: Bloggers and small businesses who want easy keyword research.

  • KWFinder
  • SERPChecker
  • SERPWatcher
  • LinkMiner

Moz Pro

Free trial

Long-standing SEO suite and the home of Domain Authority.

Best for: Beginners and small teams who value clear explanations and simple reports.

  • Keyword Explorer
  • Link Explorer
  • Site Crawl
  • Rank tracking