30 Free Backlink Checkers: The Ultimate Comparison

Backlink checker tools are essential for any website looking to boost its SEO game.

These tools provide in-depth analysis of backlink profiles, allowing users to::

• Evaluate a potential partner’s authority,
• Analyze a competitor’s backlink strategy.
• Safeguard against spammy backlinks.

However, many of these tools come with a steep price tag. Thankfully, there are free alternatives that can be just as effective.

But with so many options, which free backlink checker is the best?

In this article, we’ve tested 30 free online backlink checkers to determine which one delivers the most value for budget-conscious site owners.

Categories for Comparison

Before proceeding with the best backlink tool showdown, let’s first establish the ground rules.

We believe a tool’s effectiveness goes beyond its basic expected functions.

In this breakdown, we’ll look beyond the standard backlink report and consider other factors that can make a user’s experience with the tool worthwhile. 

Below are the categories where we’ll compare each free backlink checker:

A. User interface and ease of use

Just because something is free doesn’t mean it has to be cheap.

Some free SEO tools may maintain a lifeless and uninspiring interface because they offer no direct benefit.

An intuitive UX/UI not only reflects a company’s principles but also says a lot about how much it cares about its users.

It’s also the first thing people notice the moment they land on a page.

In this context, UX/UI pertains to the layout, navigation, accessibility of features, and overall user experience.

A straightforward and clean interface ensures efficient use and minimizes the learning curve.

B. Sign-up requirements

A backlink database is a treasure trove of information collected from years of experiments and backlink research.

Naturally, some link checkers may require something before sharing valuable data.

While free backlink analysis tools are generally free, some may require users to create an account or sign up to access their features. 

Sign-up requirements can affect ease of access and convenience, influencing user willingness to try and consistently use the tool.

C. Backlink information provided

This category includes the specific backlink information that each tool offers, including:

• The overall number of backlinks
• The number of referring domains
• The anchor texts or keywords used for the backlink
• The rel attribute or link type (dofollow/nofollow)
• The link source 

Comprehensive backlink information helps users understand the quality and relevance of a website’s backlink profile.

D. Site quality metrics

In addition to backlink information, it is also helpful if users have access to the target website’s “authority” metrics, such as:

• Domain Rating (DR) – Developed by Ahrefs, measures the strength of a site’s backlink profile 
• Domain Authority (DA) – Developed by Moz, measures how likely a website will rank on Google’s first page
• Trust Flow (TF) – Measures the trustworthiness of a website based on the quality of its backlinks
• Citation Flow (CF) – Measures how influential a website is based on the popularity of the backlinks pointing to it

These site metrics gauge how authoritative a website is based on the quality of its backlink profile, impacting SEO performance and visibility.

E. Data update frequency

This refers to the frequency at which the backlink data is updated, whether in real-time, daily, weekly, or otherwise.

Regular updates ensure users have the most current information to make informed SEO decisions and track progress accurately.

F. Data export options

While not necessary, data export options are always welcome nice-to-haves.

Data export options allow you to export backlink data into various formats, such as CSV, Excel, or PDF.

This feature is essential for users who need to analyze data offline, share it with team members, or integrate it into other reporting tools.

G. Free version limitations

Of course, users will unlock more data if they opt for the full version. But what sets the free link checker apart from the paid one? 

This section examines the tool’s specific restrictions for the free version. For example, users might have limited daily searches or display only a few backlinks. 

Understanding these limitations helps users gauge whether the free tool meets their needs or if upgrading is necessary.

The Experimental Control: Google Search Console

In this comparison, we’ll be using https://linkody.com as the main entry for each tool.

We will compare results from the backlink report with those from Google Search Console to see how accurately each tool performs relative to Google’s own platform.

There are several properties under Linkody’s domain. We extracted the top linking sites from each property and isolated each unique referring domain and its corresponding backlinks. Here’s what we found:

• Unique referring domains: 1,306
• Total backlinks: 16,310

The numbers above will serve as the control values for comparing the scores found on each free backlink monitoring tool.

However, do remember that no tool is perfect— not even Google. Even if each tool has its own web crawlers, no single tool can find all the links.

This roundup aims to find which free backlink checker tool best serves its purpose and is the most convenient. If you’re in a rush, we also created a table that summarizes the results.

Free Backlink Checker Roundup: Who Wins?

1. Linkody

Linkody takes a rather minimalist approach in their free backlink checker, bearing white and gray colors, with blue accents for clickable buttons.

The interface is pretty straightforward. Users must only paste the link into the search bar and press “See Backlinks” to explore a website’s backlink profile.

After this, a CAPTCHA will appear before you can access the information, as shown below:

Users immediately gain access to the backlinks report after ensuring they aren’t the Terminator.

The tool requires no signups, and people may use Linkody repeatedly without limits.

At the top part of Linkody’s free backlinks report, users are greeted with 6 essential backlink information: domain rating, total number of backlinks, unique referring domains, unique IP addresses, and backlinks from .edu and .gov domains.

Linkody found more backlinks (21,633) than Google Search Console (16,310). 

Meanwhile, GSC only found 1,306 unique referring domains, while Linkody discovered 3,981.

Upon cross-examining Linkody’s referring domains against the data from Google Search Console, we found that GSC has overlooked quite a number of backlinks, which explains the disparity in the numbers.

Linkody’s backlinks report includes even top-level domains such as .edu and .gov, which come from educational and government institutions, respectively.

In link-building terms, getting backlinks from these TLDs suggests a trustworthy and reliable website.

Scrolling down from Linkody’s backlink report, you will see the top 100 referring pages, along with their respective domain rating, anchor text used, target page, and rel attribute.

2. Ahrefs

Ahrefs also has a similar minimalist interface. The screen is mostly covered in a nice pickled bluewood color with a few orange accents.

It is pretty straightforward; users may choose between three free SEO tools: Backlink Checker, Website Authority Checker, and Broken Link Checker.

Simply paste the link into the search bar to explore Ahrefs’ free backlink report.

Users may also select if the report must cover only the exact URL or include its subdomains. In our case, we opted for subdomains.

Ahrefs’ backlink report shows the target website’s domain rating, number of backlinks, and unique referring domains, both rounded off to the nearest thousandths.

According to Ahrefs, Linkody has ~24,000 unique backlinks, which is pretty close to Linkody’s report of 21,633 despite having a margin against GSC’s 16,310.

They also reported around ~2,400 unique referring domains; meanwhile, Linkody reported 3,981 and GSC with 1,306. 

We appreciated that Ahrefs’ report showed the distribution of dofollow links from the backlinks and linking websites. This is an essential detail because only dofollow backlinks transfer SEO value, boosting the authority of target pages.

In addition to the general backlink metrics, Ahrefs provides 20 sample referring pages and their respective DRs, anchors, and target URLs.  

For text anchors, the report displays not only the specific anchor keyword but also the surrounding text. This helps provide more substantial context regarding the backlink.

Ahrefs didn’t mention how frequently the data is updated, but their free backlink checker offers unlimited checks to users, which is always a welcome perk.

3. Semrush

Semrush’s free backlink analytics dashboard takes after their main tool’s interface.

On the left-side panel, you will find various tools to choose from.

Like other tools, simply paste the target URL on the search bar to get a backlink report.

A pop-up window asks users to register for up to 10 free daily requests, unlike Linkody and Ahrefs, which can be used with no limits.

After signing up using Google or creating your account, a comprehensive analysis is shown, bearing essential site metrics and backlink data:

This includes referring domains, total backlinks, monthly visits, organic traffic, and outbound links. All rounded off to the nearest thousandths.

Semrush’s referring domain number is pretty close to Linkody’s (~4.4k vs. ~3.9k). 

The tool also found the most backlinks thus far, at 54.6k, which is more than double the backlinks found by Linkody (~21k) and Ahrefs (~24k) and over three times that of GSC (~16k).

What might explain this unusually high number is that Semrush includes backlinks from the last few months, as shown below:

In other words, the number of backlinks may reflect the total backlinks accumulated over a few months rather than real-time, active links.

Semrush’s Backlink Analytics tool effectively captures a broader historical picture, including links that may have been removed or inactive since the last update.

While this approach provides a comprehensive overview of a site’s backlink history, it may not offer the most current snapshot compared to other tools that update their databases more frequently.

Scrolling down, users will be greeted by tons of graphs related to the target website’s backlink performance, such as the trend of referring domains and backlinks, categories of referring domains, top anchors, TLD distribution, etc.

In fairness with Semrush, its backlink analytics tool provides some of the most insights in this list despite its free-use limitations.

4. WebFX

At the time of writing, WebFX has not yet developed a dedicated backlink monitoring tool.

To monitor backlinks, click the “FREE BACKLINK CHECKER” CTA in their Backlink Checker article. This will take users to the SEO Checker landing page, which gives a complete SEO report for the desired domain. 

As shown below, WebFX’s SEO checker report provides insights into a site’s SEO health and issues, including the backlinks to its website.

They also provide solutions and directions for resolving those problems.

The interface is clean and straightforward. Users only need to paste the URL into the search box to get a detailed SEO report.

After entering the target website and clicking next, WebFX asks for additional details, such as your name and email address, before getting redirected to the SEO report.

At the very top, you will find general details regarding your site’s SEO performance, including the SEO score that explains your site’s health and a breakdown of its performance:

Scrolling down, you will find the complete SEO report for your website.

It’s commendable how WebFX produced such a comprehensive breakdown of the following aspects within 60 seconds:

For the sake of our discussion, we will only be focusing on the “Backlinks” section.

Clicking the tab takes us to their backlinks report, which shows us the backlink score (analyzes the quality and quantity of backlinks).

Unfortunately, WebFX could not provide a tangible score for Linkody’s backlink profile, but below, it says, “Very Good.” 

The right-hand side of the backlink report has the words “High” and “Very hard to solve” highlighted in red, which might alarm some users. 

WebFX did not explain what these gauges mean. However, they provided a few tips and resources on how site owners can improve their link-building strategies.

Unlike other free backlink checkers on the list, WebFX omitted the number of inbound links or referring domains pointing to Linkody. 

Nonetheless, the comprehensive SEO report more than makes up for it.

5. Backlinko

Interface-wise, Backlinko’s free backlink checker is perhaps one of the most intuitive.

They integrated the tool at the top of a dedicated article about backlinks. 

The design is simple too, bearing a purple background that highlights the tool, with white and green accents. 

Input the target URL into the search bar and select whether you want to target the exact URL only or include even its subdomains.

If you’re not a robot, simply complete the CAPTCHA.

This will update the page, revealing results similar to those of Semrush.

Backlinko’s authority score (33), number of referring domains (~4.4k), unique backlinks (~54.6k), and referring IPs (~4.3k) is exactly like Semrush’s, suggesting they obtain their results from Semrush’s database.

The dead giveaway is at the bottom, where they encourage users to view all backlinks using Semrush.

6. SEO Spyglass by SEO Powersuite

SEO SpyGlass is only one of the four tools that SEO Powersuite offers, but it is arguably the most popular. 

The UX/UI is simple and straightforward.

It has both downloadable software and an online tool, the latter of which we’ll focus more on in this comparison.

After writing your domain into the search bar, you can choose between Domain, Exact URL, or Domain and subdomains.

Before accessing the backlink report, a pop-up asks users to sign up with their emails or continue with Facebook (if you prefer that option).

SEO SpyGlass provides the executive summary of the backlink report at the top. This includes the total number of backlinks, unique referring domains, unique IPs, and C-blocks. 

(Note: C-blocks refer to IP addresses where the first 3 bytes are identical. It is believed that interlinks between pages of the same C-block are not as strong.)

Results-wise, SEO SpyGlass gathered even more backlinks (~58k vs. ~54k) and referring domains (~5.4k vs. ~4.4k) than Semrush. 

However, the numbers still deviate greatly from Google Search Console’s 16,310 backlinks and 1,306 referring domains.

Page InLink Rank and Domain InLink Rank measure the page and domain’s backlink profile score based on the quality and quantity of their backlinks.

In other words, Page InLink Rank and Domain InLink Rank are simply SEO PowerSuite’s proprietary terms for Page Rating and Domain Rating, respectively.

The tool shows the distribution between dofollow and nofollow backlinks on the analyzed domain.

Additionally, several graphs are shown to explain the historical trends of backlinks to your website, which you can use to track suspicious backlink activity.

Unlike many tools on the list, SEO SpyGlass does not skimp on giving users hefty results in their free backlink audit.

Users may view up to 10,000 backlinks on their website, which outcompete all other tools.

The table includes the source and target pages, anchor text used, page and domain rating, rel attribute, and date of last crawl.

To access the complete list, users may opt to download the free tool and subscribe for only $299/year to access all backlinks along with SEO PowerSuite’s other tools.

Downloading software might be a hassle for some users, especially those seeking quick results regarding their link profile, so their free tool will suffice.

SEO SpyGlass software is a large file (approximately 571 MB); downloading it will take some time unless you have blazing-fast internet.

Nonetheless, getting 4 tools in one free download? SEO SpyGlass may be worth the effort.

7. SEO Review Tools

Like other tools on the list, SEO Review Tools’ interface is simple and to the point.

However, it leaves much to be desired in terms of its design language.

The entire website’s aesthetic is minimalist, with plenty (I mean plenty) of white spaces in between. The text isn’t as legible, too, which may make it difficult for some visually impaired users.

Insert the URL on the bar and choose whether you want the tool to analyze the page or the entire domain.

When you select the’ domain’ option, it’s unclear whether the tool also considers subdomains in the report.

The report showed similar results to those of Backlinko and Semrush.

Scrolling down, users will find even more in-depth backlink information on the target website.

A table featuring 100 example backlinks is shown. This includes the source and target pages, anchor text, the rel attribute, the source page’s DA, and even traffic information.

Clicking the View Traffic button takes users to SEO Review Tools’ website traffic checker, which is available for free.

Moreover, users may jump from Backlink Results to two other tabs: Most Popular Anchor Text and Most Popular URL.

The Most popular anchor text tab shows the most used anchors across a website’s backlinks, including the count and percentage of use.

On the other hand, the Most Popular URLs tab reveals the site’s most linked pages. 

While the tool displays a comprehensive report on the number and quality of links, their raw backlink data might not be their own.

Clicking on the green CTA at the bottom of the results, “View all anchors →,” takes users to Semrush, suggesting their results were also extracted from the renowned SEO software.

8. Small SEO Tools

Small SEO Tools sets itself apart from the preceding tools by being the only one with ads.

You will immediately notice the swarm of ads when you reach their tool’s landing page.

Personally, I think the ads add some color to the otherwise minimalistic interface, but some might disagree and find them obtrusive, affecting the user experience. 

After writing the target domain on the URL and completing the CAPTCHA, you will be immediately redirected to the backlink report.

Like Backlink, Small SEO tools also extract their results from Semrush.

Scrolling down, users will be greeted by 10 backlink examples from the analyzed domain. 

The table includes the source page’s URL, anchor text used, domain rating, rel attribute, and Semrush URL rating.

Interestingly, the target page of those backlinks is not included in the Small SEO Tools’ results table.

9. The HOTH

The HOTH’s free backlink checker tool interface is clean and simple. 

The tool already informs users that it is powered by Semrush, suggesting results will be identical to those of the SEO powerhouse.

You can proceed to your backlink report by typing the targeted domain into the search bar and choosing Domain & Subdomains from the drop-down menu.

Weirdly enough, you must sign in first via your LinkedIn account to access the report.

Since you have no choice but to sign in via LinkedIn, a pop-up window will open requesting permission to use your LinkedIn details, such as your name, photo, and email address.

Only after allowing will you be redirected to your backlink report. 

As anticipated, the HOTH’s backlink report is similar to Semrush’s.

The executive summary shows the total number of backlinks, unique referring domains, percentage of dofollow backlinks, and unique referring IPs.

Scrolling down, users will see 30 example backlinks, including details on the source and target pages, anchor text, rel attributes, and authority score.

10. LinkMiner by Mangools

Mangools’ LinkMiner follows the same clean, simple, white aesthetic as other tools on the list. Some blue and green accents are used to highlight vital information, like CTA buttons.

In any case, it is straightforward, like the rest.

Input the targeted domain into the search bar, and you can explore the backlinks on your website. 

Upon clicking “Find Backlinks,” users will be redirected to the results immediately. However, a pop-up window requesting users to create a free account will block the view.

Mangools fulfilled their promise to make account registration as painless as possible.

Still, you must open your email first to confirm your account.

After doing all that, you’ll get redirected to your backlink report.

Mangools shows users a watered-down version of their paid Backlink Checker tool, but they didn’t skimp on details.

The tool reveals the site’s citation flow, trust flow, referring IPs, referring domains, and active backlinks. 

Unlike the previous tools on the list, Mangools did not extract their data from Semrush’s algorithm. 

Citation Flow (~42 vs. ~41) and Trust Flow (~19 vs. ~19) data are almost identical to Linkody’s Website Authority Checker results.

Mangools’ estimated active backlinks are almost double those of Google Search Console (~34.2k vs. ~16k) but are still lower than Semrush’s estimation (~54k). 

The closest to GSC’s total backlinks are Linkody and Ahrefs’ backlink checker.

Meanwhile, LinkMiner’s number of unique referring domains is the closest to that of GSC (~2k vs ~1.3k). 

Intuitively, Mangools used a website preview to help users see the content of the source web page without visiting the page. This makes backlink research and management more seamless.

With LinkMiner’s free plan, users can see up to 1000 backlink rows that reset monthly. In addition to the backlink lookup, users also have 5 free keyword lookups, 8 SERP lookups, and 2 site lookups.

11. Seobility

Upon reaching Seobility’s free backlink checker, you will immediately notice a glaring announcement telling you how many free backlink checks you have left. Luckily, I haven’t used any of mine for the day.

The interface is simple. Above, they explain the importance of backlinks for search engine optimization. The tool includes instructions for checking the backlinks of a specific page or domain. You can also use it to analyze competitor backlink performance.

After seeing the results, it becomes clear why Seobility limits the number of times you can use this free backlink checker.

At the top of the results, you see a general breakdown of a domain’s backlink profile. This shows the total number of backlinks, referring domains, domain rating, and the ratio between follow/nofollow links. 

While Seobility’s total number of backlinks greatly deviates from that of GSC (~33.8k vs. ~16.3k), the detected referring domains are among the closest. GSC reports 1,306, and Seobility detected 1,932.

Scrolling down, the tool features 400 backlinks from 400 unique referring domains.

Every backlink shows the source URL, link rating (or how valuable the link is), anchor text, and target URL. Along with the rel attribute, it also indicates whether the backlink is an image or text or if it has been removed.

12. Majestic Backlink Checker

The Majestic free backlink checker’s landing page is intuitive. At the top, the tool explains that Majestic is one of the longest-running SEO toolkits. 

When users scroll down, Majestic lists the key performance metrics they use for their premium backlink checker. These include trust and citation flow, Majestic’s proprietary topical trust flow, link graphs, link profile charts, and more. This is a valuable inclusion for upselling their paid version.

Upon looking at the backlink results, users see a general breakdown of their website’s backlink performance.

Here’s what Linkody’s data look like:

The number of external inbound links (or backlinks) is fairly similar to that of Mangools’ at ~34.4k, which is still more than double that of Google Search Console (~16.3k).

Majestic also shows Linkody’s historic number of backlinks, which has already reached over 1.6 million since the beginning. 

The tool found Linkody’s live referring domains to be 1,907, relatively close to GSC’s 1,306. Meanwhile, according to the tool’s historic referring domains, Linkody has had 10,472. 

Majestic also shows the number of distinct and duplicate backlinks and the projected number of backlinks left after removing low-quality links. In Linkody’s case, 6,636 would remain from the 34,414 backlinks.

Scrolling further, most of the backlink data is blurred and available only upon subscription.

13. Backlink-Tool

At first glance, we’ll immediately notice that Backlink-Tool is powered by Seobility, implying that both free backlink checkers will have similar results.

Upon exploring Linkody’s backlink results, I found that the numbers and presentation of Backlink-Tool’s reports are almost identical to Seobility’s.

According to Backlink-Tool, Linkody’s total number of backlinks is 33.3k (vs. Seobility’s ~33.8k). Both numbers are still higher than GSC’s report of ~16.3k. 

Backlink-Tool also discovered 1,907 referring domains, which is almost similar to Seobility’s 1,932. As expected, Seobility and Backlink-Tool have the same results in the rest of the report.

In addition to the general backlink breakdown, Backlink-Tool shows the same list of backlinks as Seobility arranged in the same order. The list also displays the same information: source domain, referring page, link rating, link anchor text, and target page.

However, Backlink-Tool only shows 200 backlinks instead of Seobility’s 400. Plus, clicking the drop-down menu on the right-hand side lists other backlinks from the source domain.

14. The Upper Ranks

The Upper Ranks’ backlink checker has a straightforward white and indigo color interface.

Scrolling down, users will find information about the backlink checker and how to use it. However, some of the details written there do not reflect the actual results shown by the backlink checker.

Upon analyzing Linkody’s URL, the results are listed in a search engine-like fashion, as shown below:

Unlike other tools on the list, the Upper Ranks backlink checker only shows the number of links that specifically cite “linkody.com” from their content, not all backlinks pointing to the Linkody domain and its web pages. This severely limits the accuracy of its results. 

According to its results, only 1,370 websites point to Linkody, which is significantly lower than the findings of Google Search Console and any other tool on the list.

15. Moz Link Explorer

Moz’s free backlink checker interface looks slick, as you would expect from a household SEO brand. Underneath the text box where users input their links, Moz includes basic step-by-step instructions on how to get free link data.

Unfortunately, users must create and verify their Moz account before they can access the Link Explorer. The number of times you can use their free tool is also limited to 10 free queries per month.  

Here’s how their account creation process looks like:

After completing their verification process, you will be taken to a page (that looks quite similar to Moz Pro) where you’ll be checking your website’s backlinks.

At the top of the results, you’ll find the backlink profile overview, which shows the domain authority, number of referring domains, total backlinks, and top-ranking keywords. They also show the number of backlinks discovered and lost in the last 60 days.

The referring domains (~4.8k vs. ~1.3k) and backlinks (~46.1k vs. ~16.3k) are on the higher side compared to Google Search Console’s data. 

As you scroll down the page, more graphs and tables will appear, including the follow/nofollow link distribution of internal and external links. Users may also explore the target domain’s top pages, top backlinks, and top anchors, similar to the reports found in Google Search Console.

Clicking the blue hyperlinks above the presentations will take users to a more in-depth breakdown of the selected section. For instance, here are the results if you click the “Top followed links to this site” hyperlink:

Moz only shows 50 links for their free tool, along with data on the source URL’s page authority, domain authority, linking domains, spam score, and additional info. To unlock more results, Moz invites users to subscribe to their premium plans.

16. SEOmator

Seomator flaunts a minimalistic yet clean-looking interface with its all-white background and blue and orange accents. The subtle grid lines in the back are a nice touch, too.

Scroll down, and you’ll find some explanation about backlink checkers, the benefits of using one, and some link-building strategies for good measure.  

After submitting your domain URL for analysis, 350 of your website’s backlinks appear, along with essential information like the source page, anchor text used, destination, and rel attribute. The page and domain authority of the linking page and the date the backlink was discovered are also shown.

Unfortunately, unlike the other free backlink checkers on the list, Seomator does not provide a general overview of your website’s backlink status.

17. SEO.AI

Most backlink checkers on this list immediately show the URL input bar when you reach their landing page. In a fast-paced, user experience-focused world, that presentation gives your users the utmost convenience must be a top priority.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said with SEO.AI’s free backlink checker.

Upon reaching the landing page, a glaring headline and a text block greet you. Users still have to scroll before they see the URL input bar.

It seems petty, but this is crucial if you look at it from a UX/UI perspective. 

Moreover, the CAPTCHA verification varies. Sometimes, a simple click is enough, but other times, an image-based CAPTCHA is shown, which adds an additional layer of hassle for users.

SEO.AI’s backlink analysis reveals up to 95 links pointing to your target domain, including their respective URL and domain ratings. Sadly, that’s about the extent of the analysis.

The tool does not show data on the anchor text used or targeted web page, which makes using other tools more sensible than this one.

If there’s one thing I can commend about SEO.AI, it’s the plethora of free SEO and AI tools you can choose from. Sure, their backlink checker leaves more to be desired, but you might have better luck with their staggering 46 other offerings:

18. SE Ranking

SE Ranking is an up-and-coming SEO tool that will soon join the big leagues with Semrush and Ahrefs. Their free backlink checker is proof of that.

The interface is clean and simple. It also allows you to check whether you wish to analyze a domain with or without its subdomains or specific URLs, which is always a welcome feature. 

Upon clicking “Analyse,” a pop-up asks users to create a free account before proceeding. The free backlink analysis is included in your 14-day free trial, which means users will no longer be able to extract any free results when the trial ends.

After creating your free account, SE Ranking will provide a brief overview of the selected website’s total backlinks and unique referring domains. Their data says these are 43,439 and 3,014, respectively. These digits are off compared to Google Search Console’s 16,310 and 1,306.

Clicking the Get Full Report CTA reveals a comprehensive breakdown of the target website’s backlink profile.

What’s commendable about SE Ranking’s backlink checker is all colored texts are clickable and take you to dedicated reports.

SERanking lists a maximum of 9,995 backlinks and 1,414 referring domains. 

The tool shows Linkody’s Domain and Page Trust (basically, SE Ranking’s proprietary terms for Domain and Page Authority), which measures how well a site can rank on SERPs.

You will also find a distribution of the site’s referring domains and backlinks based on their target page.

Moreover, it has a section for toxic backlinks, which segregates backlinks according to their spam level.

The tool’s free version also identifies broken backlinks, which presents a perfect opportunity for broken link building, one of the most popular link-building strategies in today’s SEO landscape.

Scrolling further, you’ll find a graph that shows how the site’s referring domains and backlinks correlate with its domain and page trust.

Finally, at the bottom of the report, users will find additional support information, such as the site’s top backlink anchors, the distribution of referring domains according to domain trust, and the countries where those backlinks originate.

Obviously, they did not cut corners with their free backlink checker, and using this powerful tool is a delight, if not for the 3 usage limit during the free trial.

19. Seodity

Seodity is another all-in-one SEO toolkit that aims to help users improve their search engine rankings.

At the lefthand side of their URL search bar, users can switch between Seodity’s free tools: backlink checker, keyword generator, niche finder, long-tail keywords finder, and YouTube keywords finder. These are helpful companions, especially if you’re doing keyword research on a budget.

On the other end of the search bar, users may also toggle whether they wish to target only the domain or include its subdomains. 

The results of Seodity’s backlink analysis leave much to be desired.

Seodity only lists the top 10 latest backlinks they’ve monitored to your selected website. The table includes the source URL, anchor text, target link, rel attribute, active status, and the date those links were added or last tracked.

Scrolling to the right, you’ll find additional information like Page and Domain Rank (which basically means exactly as Ahrefs’ Page and Domain Rating), which tracks the quantity and quality of backlinks.

But I appreciate that they added a Spam Score column to help site owners disavow the backlinks if needed.

20. SEO.co

Here’s my personal take: I think SEO.co is trying to position its tool as an “advanced” toolkit, but the techy constellation background looks a little tacky. Pair that with the massive block of text that greets users upon reaching the landing page. 

But if there’s one thing I’ll commend about SEO.co, it’s their straightforward approach to gathering email opt-ins.

As seen on the right, they don’t surprise users with account creation pop-ups, like other sneaky tools on this list. Instead, they let you know immediately and tell you how long it will take to fetch your backlink information. That takes boldness. Kudos! 

SEO.co’s results are quite respectable. They apply a grading system to describe how a website performs based on four aspects: On-page SEO, Links, Usability, and Performance.

While a bit generic, SEO.co provides actionable recommendations to help improve your website.

Scrolling further, you’ll find your website’s backlink summary. They found 13.3k backlinks on Linkody, one of the closest to Google Search Console’s 16.3k. However, the tool found 3.8k unique referring domains, far off the 1.3k discovered by GSC.

SEO.co’s backlink report includes additional information such as the website’s domain and page strength and the distribution of its backlinks according to their rel attribute, classification, subnets, and IP addresses.

21. Lookkle

Lookkle chose the bubbly route in their user interface on their landing page with the cyan-avocado gradient colors. Some might love it, some might not.

Scrolling down from the tool, Lookkle explains what its backlink checker does and what kinds of analyses it performs. The addition of a jump link outline on the side helps with user experience.

Overall, the interface and aesthetic are simple. Lookkle adds a dropdown on the right to let users select between analyzing domains or specific URLs.

Unfortunately, Lookkle only analyzes the backlinks pointing to the domain, not including subdomains. Their backlink report shows that Linkody has a measly 642 backlinks from 571 unique referring domains. 

However, when analyzing Linkody’s blog subdomain, we discovered different results, which confirms our initial speculation that Lookkle only analyzes the specific URL.

This bug dramatically limits the accuracy and, frankly, the usefulness of their free backlink checker.

Scrolling further, Lookkle lists 231 backlinks, along with information like source and target URL, anchor text used, rel attribute, domain rank, and approximate monthly organic traffic.

Sadly, the “URL To” column only shows the particular URL you input into their search bar. In other words, the analysis does not consider the subdirectory and paths.

22. Website SEO Checker

Website SEO Checker has arguably the most run-of-the-mill, early 2000s-looking interface among the free tools on the list. Plus, you’ll immediately notice the glaring ad in bright red font about selling backlinks from DA and PA 40+ websites.

To some, this is a massive red flag, as buying and selling links is frowned upon in the SEO world. However, Google recognizes that the sale of links is expected in the digital economy.

What matters to Google is that those links are appropriately qualified with the proper rel attribute (in the case of sold links, they should be rel=”sponsored”). 

Selling backlinks is no problem. Follow Google’s commandments like a Boy Scout and save your website from penalties.

Going back to their backlink checker’s landing page, you’ll find an article of some sort explaining backlinks as you scroll down further. 

After putting your website for analysis, a massive CTA appears underneath even more massive ads.

Clicking that CTA takes you to Semrush’s landing page, offering a free trial.

In other words, Website SEO Checker’s backlink checker is contingent on your trial subscription to Semrush. If you really wish to use Semrush, save yourself the trouble and just head straight to their website.

23. Ryan Robinson

To those wondering, Ryan Robinson is a coach who teaches about blogging and SEO. It only stands to reason that his website would feature a free backlink checker.

RyRob’s interface is simple and intuitive.

Scrolling further down the search bar, you’ll find a blog post on backlink profiles and how users can use his tool to analyze their website’s backlinks.

Unfortunately, RyRob’s free tool doesn’t provide site-wide metrics or a general overview of the website’s backlink profile. Results only show a list of up to 50 backlinks with details about the source and target URL, as well as domain and page ratings.

24. SEOptimer

SEOptimer’s landing page is quite simple. But for some, it will take some getting used to because the headline and subheadlines occupy most of the page, leaving just enough space for the search bar placement.

They also explained right away that their free backlink checker would feature watered-down results from their paid premium tool.

Below the search bar, SEOptimer outlines its features, explains the importance of backlinks, and presents its pricing plans. 

After clicking “Check Backlinks,” a pop-up window shows the results of your backlink analysis.

If you’ve been reading the article intently since the start, you’ll notice that SEOptimer’s results exactly replicate those of SEO.co, from the data to the aesthetic, even the font. The only difference is that SEO.co has an opt-in before getting access to your backlink data.

According to SEOptimer, Linkody has a total of 13.3k backlinks and 3.8k unique referring domains. Meanwhile, Google Search Console reports that Linkody has 16.3k backlinks and 1.6k unique referring domains.

Scrolling further, you’ll discover more information regarding your top backlinks (high-value external pages pointing to your website), the top pages accessed by backlinks, the top anchors used by backlinks, and the top referring domain geographies.

25. RanksPro.io

RanksPro positions its free backlink checker as a useful competitor analysis tool, perhaps to help you ethically steal competitors’ backlinks. Apart from that, nothing much can be said about their interface.

RanksPro offers a collection of free tools in addition to the Backlink Checker, such as SEO Insights, Rank Checker, and Caption Generator. Users may toggle whether they are targeting a domain or a specific URL via the dropdown beside the link search bar.

After submitting your website for analysis, a pop-up will appear bearing your backlink analysis results.

This includes a general overview of your site’s DA, unique referring domains, and total backlinks. It also lists backlinks with additional details like DR, source and target page, and anchor texts.

According to RanksPro’s results, Linkody has 2.91k referring domains and 43.55k total backlinks, which deviates from Google’s findings of 1.3k referring domains and 16.3k backlinks. The free backlink checker also features 100 example backlinks pointing to the target domain.

26. Respona

Like some tools on this list, Respona’s backlink checker is powered by the household SEO tool Semrush. Thus, it’s only natural that the results between the two tools will be identical.

Interface-wise, it blends minimalism, using several shades of blueberry color, which is nice and peaceful.

Compared to Semrush’s comprehensive results, Respona keeps it discreet and simple without revealing site-wide metrics or general backlink profile information.

Respona only lists 9 backlinks, along with some additional information like the source and target pages, rel attribute, anchor text, and authority score.

However, we noticed that their list exclusively features backlinks to Linkody without including other paths or subdomains. This might be the case because Respona is only showing a limited number of backlinks, or it might be a bug they need to resolve.

27. Serpstat

Serpstat prides itself on being an all-in-one SEO platform, competing with Ahrefs, Semrush, and Moz. Their landing page is pretty standard, but adding brand logos at the bottom is a good technique for establishing brand reputation.

After clicking “Check Backlinks,” users are taken to an account creation page. They can also sign in via Google or Facebook if they prefer those options.

After selecting the free trial option, users can access a watered-down version of Serpstat’s premium tool, as shown below. Many other features are locked and may only be accessed upon subscription.

The Backlink Dashboard shows Lnikody’s general backlink profile overview. According to Serpstat, Linkody has a 50 domain rank, around ~12.88K backlinks, and approximately ~1.74K referring domains.

Upon clicking the Backlinks tab on the sidebar menu, a graph shows how many backlinks were lost or gained in a given period. 

Scrolling further, users will discover a list of 20 backlinks, including details on the source and target pages, link type, domain rank, and when the backlink was first indexed.

28. Kwebby

Kwebby allows users to set the number of backlinks shown by their free backlink checker, which can be set to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 100. Naturally, we gravitated toward testing the tool to its utmost potential.

The backlink results take a while to load (I even pressed the “Find Backlinks” button several times before it kicked in).

Unfortunately, Kwebby’s report is anti-climactic compared to what was advertised. The tool only showed a standard list of 45 backlinks pointing to Linkody’s site.

The tool also neglected to include additional details, such as the target pages, anchor texts, DA and PA, and rel attributes, making the results even less helpful for website owners.

If you click the CTA above, users are taken to Semrush’s landing page, hinting that Kwebby might be an affiliate and extracts its data straight from Semrush’s database.

29. AdLift

Based on the interface alone, AdLift’s backlink checker looks more like an afterthought than a dedicated tool. The absence of a high-falutin landing page compared to other tools may throw some people off.

However, upon further inspection, you’ll see that their Backlink Checker is only one of the 29 tools on AdLift’s website, which is an impressive feat. 

Unfortunately, their free backlink checker turned out to be a massive disappointment, as shown below:

The tool did not give any beneficial results in their backlink analysis. It might simply not be working at the time of testing, but even that already tells layers about the tool’s lack of developer support and system maintenance. 

Overall, we cannot really bury the hatchet on the tool since it might just be a bug. Until resolved, AdLift’s free backlink checker is not recommended.

30. Dupli Checker

Ads are absolutely fine, especially for indie tool developers who lack the financial support of angel investors.

However, it’s a different story when you drown your landing page with ads to the point that your tool becomes indistinguishable. Such is the case of Dupli Checker.

As soon as you arrive on their landing page, you will be swarmed with display and video ads, which might cause some users to bounce right off.

It creates a poor user experience, which might hint at the site owner’s fondness for earning over ensuring users receive the best on-site experience possible.

Upon analyzing backlinks, I noticed Dupli Checker’s results interface looks similar to Small SEO Tools. Both tools shared the small padlock icon and Semrush logomark, suggesting Dupli Checker also extracts its data from the household brand’s database.

According to Dupli Checker’s general backlink report, Linkody has 55.15k backlinks, which deviates slightly from Small SEO Tools’ and Semrush’s data but dramatically differs from the 16.3k from Google Search Console.

Meanwhile, Dupli Checker reported 4.45 referring domains, over three times the 1.3k from GSC.

Further, Dupli Checker lists 10 example backlinks, including essential details like source URL, anchor text, domain rating, and rel attribute.

However, they did not include the target page, and the URL rating is only available upon request, which greatly limits their tool’s usefulness.

Summary of Results

Google Search Console’s backlink data was used as the experimental control or benchmark for the study. At the time of writing, GSC found 16,310 backlinks and 1,903 unique referring domains pointing to “https://linkody.com.”

Here’s the tabularized summary of the investigation’s results.

Backlink Checker	No Sign-up	Usage Limit	Total Backlinks	Total Domains	# Backlinks Shown	Anchor Text	Rel Attrib.	Data Export
Linkody	✅	∞	21,633	3,981	100	✅	✅	✅
Ahrefs	✅	∞	~24,000	~2,400	20	✅	N/A	N/A
Semrush		10/day	~54,600	~4,400	8	✅	✅	✅
WebFX		∞	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Backlinko	✅	∞	~54,600	~4,400	5	✅	✅	✅
SEO SpyGlass		∞	58,227	5,470	10,000	✅	✅	N/A
SEO Review Tools	✅	3/day	~54,600	~4,420	100	✅	✅	✅
Small SEO Tools	✅	∞	~54,720	~4,440	10	✅	✅	N/A
The HOTH		∞	54,721	4,442	30	✅	✅	✅
LinkMiner		1000 backlink rows/month	~34200	~2,000	1,500	✅	✅	N/A
Seobility	✅	3/day	33,836	1,932	400	✅	✅	✅
Majestic	✅	2/day	34,414	1,907	N/A	✅	✅	✅
Backlink-Tool	✅	3/day	33,341	1,907	200	✅	✅	✅
The Upper Ranks	✅	∞	1,370	N/A	1,370	N/A	N/A	N/A
Moz		10	~46,100	~4,800	50	✅	✅
SEOmator	✅	∞	N/A	N/A	350	✅	✅	✅
SEO.AI	✅	∞	N/A	N/A	95	N/A	N/A	N/A
SE Ranking		3/day	43,439	3,014	9,995	✅	✅	N/A
Seodity	✅	∞	N/A	N/A	10	✅	✅	N/A
SEO.co		∞	~13,300	3,800	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lookkle	✅	5/day	642	571	231	✅	✅	N/A
Website SEO Checker	✅	∞	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
RyRob	✅	∞	N/A	N/A	50	N/A	N/A	N/A
SEOptimer	✅	3/day	~13,300	~3,800	9	✅	✅	N/A
RanksPro	✅	∞	~43,550	~43,550	100	✅	✅	N/A
Respona	✅	5/day	N/A	N/A	9	✅	✅	✅
Serpstat		until free trial ends	~12,880	~12,880	20	✅	✅	N/A
Kwebby	✅	∞	N/A	N/A	45	N/A	N/A	N/A
AdLift	✅	∞	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Duplichecker	✅	∞	~55,150	~4,450	10	✅	✅	N/A

Which is the Best Free Backlink Checker?

The analysis shows that each free backlink checker is unique and offers a different flavor for analyzing backlinks. Choosing one specific tool out of the pool of 30 is challenging, considering not one tool checks all the boxes.

To that end, we selected several candidates that will compete for the best free backlink checker title:

Runner up: Linkody

Among the tools in the roundup, Linkody offers one of the closest backlink information to Google Search Console: Linkody found 21,633 backlinks, whereas GSC had 16,310. 

In addition to the standard backlink report, Linkody also shows a website’s .edu and .gov backlinks. The tool lists 100 unique backlinks, complete with information on anchor text, source, and target pages.

Plus, users can use Linkody’s free backlink checker with no limits!

Runner up: Semrush

Semrush is an SEO powerhouse that needs no introduction. Most of the tools on this list sourced their data from Semrush. While Semrush’s backlink results significantly deviate from GSC’s, it found the most backlinks.

The tool provides users with many useful graphs and diagrams to help site owners manage their backlink profiles better. However, it requires users to sign up first, and the number of backlinks it shows is less than impressive.

However, unlike other tools that require sign-up, Semrush offers a daily analysis limit of 10.

Runner up: SEO Spyglass

SEO Spyglass offers a perfect balance of backlink insights and a list of backlinks. 

The tool’s general report features various graphs and diagrams to help webmasters analyze their backlink data, such as live backlinks/linking domain history and new-and-lost backlinks/domain trends.

Moreover, SEO Spyglass lists up to 10,000 backlinks, which is always a welcome feature. Sadly, SEO Spyglass is limited by the accuracy of its backlink report data (versus GSC) and its sign-up requirements. 

SEO Spyglass is also offered as a free downloadable software, which does the same as the free online version.

Overall Best: SE Ranking

Among all the tools, SE Ranking is arguably the most comprehensive regarding backlink information and additional insights. 

Aside from the standard metrics, like referring domains and the number of backlinks, SE Ranking introduces a novel concept called Toxic Backlinks, which measures the number of backlinks from spammy or unnatural sources.

The tool also lets users view up to 9,995 backlinks, 1,414 referring domains, and 1,304 anchor texts, complete with all the essential information.

SE Ranking’s only limitations are the sign-up requirement and the daily backlink report limit of 3.

Ready to Monitor Your Backlinks?

Backlink monitoring is a crucial step in SEO that enables site owners to track link quality, identify negative SEO, and measure the progress of link-building efforts, among others. 

While expensive, the benefits of investing in comprehensive backlink monitoring software far outweigh any initial investment.

However, for business owners who are temporarily pressed for budget, free backlink checkers are the next best option. If you know where to look, you may even find free tools that share the same information as paid software.

By using free tools, users might get limited and heavily watered-down data, but it still provides enough insights to maintain and improve a website’s SEO performance.