12 Best Free Backlink Checker Tools for SEO in 2025
Discover the 12 best free backlink checker tools to analyze your link profile. Uncover competitor strategies and boost your SEO without spending a dime.
Did you know websites ranking #1 on Google have 3.8 times more backlinks than those in positions two through ten? This highlights a crucial SEO reality: a strong backlink profile is essential for top search visibility.
However, understanding your link profile and your competitors' strategies shouldn't require a large budget.
This guide cuts through the noise of paid tools to review the industry's most powerful and genuinely useful best free backlink checker tools, providing a practical analysis of what each platform truly offers at no cost.
1. Ahrefs — Free Backlink Checker
Ahrefs' Free Backlink Checker is the go-to starting point for quick, high-level backlink analysis. It leverages the same powerful, continuously updated index as its premium suite, widely regarded as one of the largest in the industry. This makes it an exceptional tool for gaining an immediate snapshot of a domain's backlink profile without needing an account.
The interface is clean and immediately provides essential metrics like Domain Rating (DR), total backlinks, and the number of referring domains. Users can see a list of the top 100 backlinks, complete with anchor text and DR scores, offering a solid overview for preliminary research.
Key Features and Limitations
What sets Ahrefs apart is the sheer quality and recrawl frequency of its data. While the free version limits the depth of analysis, it's perfect for identifying your most powerful links or a competitor's recent link-building wins.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Top 100 backlinks, top 100 referring domains |
| Key Metrics | Domain Rating (DR), Ahrefs Rank, Backlinks, Ref. Doms |
| Account Requirement | None for a basic check |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Limited; full functionality requires a paid plan |
This tool is one of the best free backlink checker tools available for instant, reliable data.
- Pros: Access to an industry-leading link index, no account required for snapshot data, intuitive user interface.
- Cons: Limited to 100 backlinks, lacks advanced filtering and export features, requires a paid plan for deep analysis.
Website: https://ahrefs.com/backlink-checker
2. Semrush — Backlink Analytics
Semrush's Backlink Analytics tool offers a powerful entry point into competitive analysis. Like its main competitor, it allows for a quick, registration-free check to get an immediate overview of a domain's backlink profile. By creating a free account, users can unlock slightly more data, making it a flexible option.
The interface presents key data points clearly, including Semrush's proprietary Authority Score, total backlinks, and referring domains. Users can view a limited list of backlinks with anchor text and follow/nofollow status, providing essential context for a preliminary assessment.
Key Features and Limitations
What makes Semrush stand out is its seamless integration with a broader suite of SEO tools, even in the free version. The free check provides enough information to spot top referring domains and recently acquired links, offering actionable insights for quick analysis.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Limited sample of backlinks and referring domains |
| Key Metrics | Authority Score, Backlinks, Ref. Doms, Anchor Text |
| Account Requirement | None for basic check; free account for more data |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Not available; full functionality requires a paid plan |
Semrush's tool is one of the best free backlink checker tools for those who want a glimpse into its comprehensive analytics platform.
- Pros: Simple workflow for instant checks, good integration with the wider Semrush suite, provides follow/nofollow data.
- Cons: Free results are heavily capped, full exports and historical data require paid plans, can have a learning curve.
Website: https://www.semrush.com/analytics/backlinks/
3. Moz — Link Explorer
Moz Link Explorer is a powerful tool for backlink research, providing key metrics like Domain Authority (DA) and Spam Score. It's an excellent choice for those who want a clean interface with actionable data. A free Moz community account grants a limited number of queries each month.
The platform presents a comprehensive overview of inbound links, linking domains, and top anchor text. A standout feature is the ability to track discovered and lost links over time, offering valuable insights into a site's link profile dynamics.
Key Features and Limitations
Moz Link Explorer's unique free features include workflow-oriented tools like Link Intersect and Link Tracking Lists. These help streamline outreach and competitive analysis. For SEO professionals, it's one of the best free backlink checker tools for integrating proprietary metrics like DA and Spam Score into their analysis.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Limited results per query, requires a free account |
| Key Metrics | Domain Authority (DA), Page Authority (PA), Spam Score |
| Account Requirement | Free Moz community account required |
| Advanced Tools | Limited access to Link Intersect & Tracking Lists |
- Pros: Access to well-known metrics like DA and Spam Score, clean user interface, useful outreach workflow tools.
- Cons: Limited queries and results in the free tier, index size may lag behind some competitors, full data access requires Moz Pro.
Website: https://moz.com/link-explorer
4. Majestic — Site Explorer
Majestic is one of the original backlink intelligence tools, revered by veteran SEOs for its deep historical data. Instead of a domain authority score, it offers Trust Flow (quality) and Citation Flow (quantity) to evaluate link equity. Its dual-index system—a Fresh Index (last 90 days) and a Historic Index—is a key differentiator.
While Majestic does not offer a true free plan, unregistered users can perform limited searches on high-profile domains. A registered free account unlocks more functionality, including the ability to check your own verified sites, making it valuable for site owners.
Key Features and Limitations
Majestic's strength lies in link qualification through metrics like Topical Trust Flow, which categorizes links by industry relevance. Advanced tools like the Link Graph offer strategic insights unavailable in most free tools. However, accessing this rich data requires a paid subscription.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Limited previews; full analysis only for owned sites |
| Key Metrics | Trust Flow, Citation Flow, Topical Trust Flow, Link Profile |
| Account Requirement | Registration required for most features |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Heavily restricted; requires a paid plan |
Despite its limitations, Majestic's unique metrics earn it a spot among the best free backlink checker tools for those who verify their own properties.
- Pros: Proprietary Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics offer deep link context, powerful competitive analysis tools like Clique Hunter, separate Fresh and Historic link indexes.
- Cons: No robust free plan for analyzing competitor sites, interface can be technical for beginners, full data access requires a subscription.
Website: https://majestic.com
5. Ubersuggest (Neil Patel) — Backlinks Tool
Ubersuggest, developed by Neil Patel, presents its backlink analysis tool as part of a broader freemium SEO suite. It is designed to be accessible for beginners and small business owners. The platform provides a glimpse into a domain's link authority, referring domains, and specific backlink URLs.
The interface is clean and user-friendly, immediately displaying core metrics like Domain Authority, total backlinks, and referring domains. Free plan users get a limited view of backlink data, including anchor text and new or lost links.
Key Features and Limitations
What makes Ubersuggest appealing is its integration into a full suite of SEO tools, including keyword research and site audits. While the free version has strict daily search and data limits, it provides enough information to inform basic link-building strategies based on proven link building best practices.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Limited number of backlink rows and daily searches |
| Key Metrics | Domain Authority, Backlinks, Ref. Doms, New/Lost Links |
| Account Requirement | Required for continued free use with daily limits |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Limited to paid plans; basic sorting available |
This platform is one of the best free backlink checker tools for those who want an all-in-one tool with an easy-to-use interface.
- Pros: Simple interface perfect for beginners, part of a comprehensive SEO tool suite, lower price points than some competitors.
- Cons: Very strict limits on free daily searches and data rows, data accuracy and depth can be a concern for advanced users.
Website: https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/
6. SEO SpyGlass (SEO PowerSuite) — Free Desktop Backlink Analyzer
SEO SpyGlass offers a powerful desktop-based approach to backlink analysis, distinguishing itself from browser-based tools. As part of the SEO PowerSuite, its free edition is remarkably generous, allowing users to analyze up to 1,100 backlinks per URL. This makes it a robust solution for in-depth, project-based audits.
The software must be installed on your computer, but this local setup provides offline access to your saved projects. The interface is comprehensive, presenting a wealth of data including referring domains, anchor texts, and historical link data.
Key Features and Limitations
Its capacity to compare multiple domains side-by-side in the free version is a standout feature for competitive analysis. What makes SEO SpyGlass unique is its one-time payment model for licenses. The free version provides more raw data than many online competitors, making it one of the best free backlink checker tools for desktop-based deep dives.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Up to 1,100 backlinks per URL |
| Key Metrics | Ref. Domains, Anchor Texts, Historical Link Data |
| Account Requirement | Software download and installation required |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Exporting and advanced features like toxic link risk require a paid license |
This tool is an excellent choice for detailed, offline analysis without subscription constraints.
- Pros: Generous free tier with a high backlink limit, ideal for project-based audits, no recurring SaaS fees.
- Cons: Requires software installation on your local machine (Windows/Mac), advanced features and exports are locked behind a paid license.
Website: https://www.link-assistant.com/seo-spyglass/
7. SE Ranking — Backlink Checker
SE Ranking provides a comprehensive, cloud-based backlink analysis tool that bridges the gap between a quick snapshot and a full-scale SEO suite. Its Backlink Checker offers a clean dashboard showing link and referring domain trends over time. The free check provides a solid overview of a domain’s authority and backlink health.
The platform presents data with clear visualizations and time-series charts, simplifying the process of tracking gained and lost links. One of its standout features is the concept of Domain Trust and Page Trust scores, giving users a proprietary metric to evaluate link quality.
Key Features and Limitations
What makes SE Ranking a strong contender is its balanced feature set that includes not just analysis but also risk assessment. The Toxicity Score helps users quickly identify potentially harmful links that could negatively impact their SEO. While its link database might not be as vast as industry giants, it offers more than enough data for small businesses.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Overall domain stats, top backlinks, and referring domains |
| Key Metrics | Domain Trust, Page Trust, Backlinks, Ref. Domains, Anchors |
| Account Requirement | None for basic check; trial required for deeper access |
| Toxicity Score | Overview provided; full analysis requires a paid plan |
This tool is one of the best free backlink checker tools for users who appreciate clear data visualization and built-in risk analysis.
- Pros: Clear visualizations and time-series charts, includes a Toxicity Score for risk assessment, balanced feature set at competitive paid pricing.
- Cons: The free version is a limited snapshot; a paid plan is needed for full data, link index may be less extensive than top-tier competitors.
Website: https://seranking.com/backlink-checker.html
8. Serpstat — Backlink Analysis
Serpstat offers an all-in-one SEO platform where its backlink analysis tool is a key component. It provides a 7-day free trial that unlocks significant functionality. This makes it an excellent choice for short-term, intensive research projects or for users evaluating a comprehensive SEO suite.
The platform is geared towards freelancers and small teams, integrating backlink data with rank tracking, keyword research, and site audits. During the trial, you can analyze a domain’s referring domains, view new and lost backlinks, and inspect anchor text distribution.
Key Features and Limitations
The ability to use filters and export data during the trial period provides a significant advantage for detailed analysis. What makes Serpstat unique is its value proposition as a unified SEO toolkit. Its affordable starting prices offer a budget-friendly alternative to more specialized platforms.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Limited data, with full access to filters and deeper analysis available during a free trial |
| Key Metrics | Referring Domains, Backlinks, Trust Rank, Domain Rank, Anchor Texts |
| Account Requirement | Required for free trial access |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Available during the 7-day free trial; limited on the completely free plan |
This platform is a strong contender among the best free backlink checker tools for those willing to use a trial for comprehensive, short-term analysis.
- Pros: Generous free trial to test premium features, integrated suite for holistic SEO, affordable paid plans.
- Cons: Not a permanently free tool for deep analysis, daily search limits apply, interface can feel complex for new users.
Website: https://serpstat.com
9. Mangools — LinkMiner
LinkMiner, a key component of the Mangools SEO suite, stands out for its user-centric design and powerful data aggregation. Its generous 10-day free trial offers full access without requiring a credit card. This allows for a thorough evaluation.
The platform is designed for efficiency. Its standout feature is the embedded website preview, which lets you see the linking page directly within the tool. Users can easily filter links by attributes like 'dofollow' or 'nofollow' and save promising prospects to a list.
Key Features and Limitations
What makes LinkMiner special is its balance of robust data with an intuitive interface, perfect for beginners and small businesses. It aggregates data from top sources to provide metrics like Citation Flow and Trust Flow. The ability to favorite links directly in the tool streamlines the link-building workflow.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Full access to the backlink index during the 10-day trial |
| Key Metrics | Citation Flow, Trust Flow, Link Strength, Backlinks, Ref. Domains |
| Account Requirement | Required for the 10-day free trial (no credit card) |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Full filtering and list management available during the trial |
For those seeking an affordable yet capable option after the trial, LinkMiner is one of the best free backlink checker tools to start with.
- Pros: Extremely user-friendly interface, helpful website preview saves time, affordable pricing post-trial.
- Cons: Trial is limited to 10 days, smaller index compared to top-tier competitors, usage quotas can be restrictive for heavy users.
Website: https://mangools.com/linkminer/
10. OpenLinkProfiler — Free Online Backlink Analyzer
OpenLinkProfiler is a completely free tool from the creators of SEOprofiler, offering a generous amount of backlink data without a sign-up. It stands out by providing access to advanced filtering options that are often locked behind a paywall. This makes it highly valuable for marketers on a strict budget.
The interface, while a bit dated, is functional and provides immediate access to data on backlinks, referring domains, and link age. Users can analyze the freshest links discovered in the last 90 days and export up to 1,000 links per domain in CSV format.
Key Features and Limitations
What makes OpenLinkProfiler unique is its commitment to providing deep, filterable data for free. You can sort links by industry, context, and other specific attributes. While its link index isn't as vast as premium competitors, it delivers more than enough data for a thorough initial analysis.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Up to 1,000 backlinks exportable per domain |
| Key Metrics | Referring Domains, Anchor Texts, Link Age, Industry |
| Account Requirement | None for basic access |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Export of 1,000 links available; robust filters |
This tool is an excellent choice for those who need more than just a surface-level snapshot without any financial commitment.
- Pros: 100% free access to a large dataset, allows exporting 1,000 links, no sign-up required for immediate use.
- Cons: Link index is smaller and updated less frequently than premium tools, user interface is less modern, advanced features link to the paid SEOprofiler suite.
Website: https://openlinkprofiler.org
11. Google Search Console — Links Report
Google Search Console offers a unique and essential perspective by providing direct, first-party data on your site's backlinks. The data comes straight from Google's index, representing the links the search engine has discovered and is actively considering. This makes the Links Report an indispensable tool for site owners.
The interface provides a clean summary of external links, internal links, top linking sites, and top anchor text. Users can easily see which of their pages are attracting the most links and what anchor text is being used.
Key Features and Limitations
What makes Google Search Console stand out is its data source; it's a direct report from Google, not a third-party crawl. While it lacks competitive analysis features, it's perfect for verifying your link-building efforts, whether through link exchange for SEO or outreach link building campaigns, confirming Google has recognized the new links.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Data on discovered backlinks for verified properties only |
| Key Metrics | Linking Sites, Linking Pages, Top Anchor Text, Internal Links |
| Account Requirement | Requires a free Google account and site verification |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Export up to 100,000 rows; basic filtering available |
This is one of the best free backlink checker tools for getting an accurate, unfiltered look at your own link profile.
- Pros: Direct, authoritative data from Google at no cost, large export limits, ideal for monitoring real links Google associates with your site.
- Cons: Only available for verified properties (cannot check competitors), does not label links as follow or nofollow, data is often sampled.
Website: https://search.google.com/search-console
12. Bing Webmaster Tools — Backlinks Report
Bing Webmaster Tools provides a valuable, often-overlooked source of first-party backlink data completely free of charge. While designed for monitoring your own verified sites, its "Backlinks" feature can analyze any domain. This makes it an excellent secondary data source to complement other tools.
Its utility comes from seeing your backlink profile through the lens of a different major search engine. The interface presents inbound links, anchor texts, and referring domains. For verified sites, the data is regularly updated.
Key Features and Limitations
What makes Bing's tool unique is that it provides direct data from a search engine index other than Google's. The core backlink report remains a solid resource for cross-referencing link data and ensuring a holistic view of your off-page SEO efforts. It is one of the best free backlink checker tools for gaining a secondary perspective.
| Feature | Free Version Details |
|---|---|
| Data Scope | Inbound links, referring domains, and anchor texts |
| Key Metrics | Total referring domains and links |
| Account Requirement | Free Bing Webmaster Tools account is required |
| Export/Advanced Filters | Basic filtering and export options are available |
This tool is a must-have for any SEO professional looking to diversify their data sources beyond the Google-centric ecosystem.
- Pros: Free, first-party data directly from Bing, useful secondary source to GSC, regular updates for verified properties.
- Cons: User interface is different from Google's, external site data may be less comprehensive than dedicated tools, historical disavow tool is no longer available.
Website: https://www.bing.com/webmasters
Top 12 Free Backlink Checker Tools Comparison
| Tool | Core Features & Metrics | User Experience ★ | Value & Pricing 💰 | Target Audience 👥 | Unique Selling Points ✨ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs — Free Backlink Checker | Large fresh index, DR, UR, broken links, filters | ★★★★☆ | Free snapshot, paid upgrades 💰💰💰 | SEO pros & marketers | Largest index, smooth upgrade 🏆 |
| Semrush — Backlink Analytics | Authority Score, top lost/discovered links, URL/domain view | ★★★★ | Free limited, paid full access 💰💰 | Marketers & competitive analysts | Instant no-reg check, suite integration ✨ |
| Moz — Link Explorer | DA, PA, Spam Score, Link Intersect, outreach tools | ★★★★ | Free limited queries, paid plans 💰💰 | Link builders & outreach teams | Clean UI, outreach workflow tools ✨ |
| Majestic — Site Explorer | Trust Flow, Citation Flow, Fresh & Historic indexes | ★★★ | No true free tier, previews only 💰💰💰 | Advanced SEOs | Deep link context, link graph tools 🏆 |
| Ubersuggest (Neil Patel) — Backlinks | Simple UI, anchors, new/lost links, integrates SEO tools | ★★★ | Freemium; lower price tiers 💰 | Beginners & budget SEOs | Beginner-friendly, integrated SEO tools ✨ |
| SEO SpyGlass (SEO PowerSuite) | Desktop app, historical data, bulk analysis | ★★★★ | Generous free offline; paid full features 💰💰 | Agencies & project-based users | Offline analysis, no SaaS fees ✨ |
| SE Ranking — Backlink Checker | Toxicity score, link trends, anchor reporting | ★★★★ | Free trial, competitive pricing 💰💰 | SMBs & agencies | Toxicity risk, clear visualizations ✨ |
| Serpstat — Backlink Analysis | Filters, exports, batch analysis, rank & keyword integration | ★★★ | 7-day free trial, affordable plans 💰 | Freelancers & small teams | All-in-one SEO suite, good value ✨ |
| Mangools — LinkMiner | Large DB, link previews, save prospects | ★★★★ | 10-day trial, budget-friendly 💰 | Beginners & small businesses | Simple UI, preview & save links ✨ |
| OpenLinkProfiler — Free Analyzer | Backlink overview, anchor filters, limited exports | ★★★ | 100% free, no signup 💰 | Basic users & budget SEO | Completely free, export subset ✨ |
| Google Search Console — Links Report | Verified site links, anchor text, export up to 100k rows | ★★★★ | Free for verified sites 💰 | Site owners & SEO pros | Authoritative Google data, large exports 🏆 |
| Bing Webmaster Tools — Backlinks | Inbound links, regular updates, integration with tools | ★★★ | Free for verified sites 💰 | Site owners & SEO pros | Secondary source to GSC, regular updates ✨ |
Turning Data into Dominance: Your Next Steps
You've explored the landscape of the best free backlink checker tools, from Ahrefs' powerhouse overviews to Google Search Console's indispensable first-party data. The key takeaway is clear: you don't need a massive budget to start understanding your backlink profile.
The true value of these tools isn't in the raw numbers they provide. It's in the strategic questions they empower you to answer, turning abstract metrics into a competitive advantage.
From Analysis Paralysis to Actionable Strategy
It’s easy to get lost in spreadsheets filled with referring domains and anchor text ratios. To avoid this, focus your efforts on a specific goal. Your objective will determine the right tool for the job.
Start by defining your immediate priority. Are you conducting a quick competitive analysis, performing a deep audit of your own site, or prospecting for new link opportunities?
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For a quick, high-level competitor snapshot: Ahrefs' Free Backlink Checker is unparalleled. It delivers a fast, accurate, and digestible overview of any domain's top backlinks for immediate strategic insights.
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For a comprehensive audit of your own website: Google Search Console is non-negotiable. Combined with the desktop power of SEO SpyGlass, you get the most accurate and in-depth view of your link profile.
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For rapid and efficient link prospecting: Mangools' LinkMiner shines with its streamlined workflow. The ability to preview sites directly within the tool and save targets to a list makes it a fantastic choice for active outreach.
Selecting Your Go-To Backlink Toolkit
No single free tool does everything perfectly. A savvy SEO professional builds a small, versatile toolkit by combining the strengths of multiple platforms.
Consider pairing the authoritative data from Google Search Console with a third-party tool for competitive research. For instance, use GSC to monitor your own incoming links and use Moz Link Explorer to analyze the link gap between you and a competitor. This multi-tool approach gives you a 360-degree view.
Remember, the limitations of free tools are strategic constraints. They force you to be more focused and deliberate with your analysis, which often leads to more impactful results. The ultimate goal is to transform passive data collection into an active, strategic pursuit of high-quality backlinks.
Feeling overwhelmed with manual outreach after finding the perfect link prospects? Linkyleap automates the tedious parts of link building, from finding contact information to sending personalized follow-ups. Stop spending hours on outreach and start building relationships at scale with Linkyleap.
