12 Best Free Backlink Checker Tools of 2025 (Reviewed)

Building a strong backlink profile is a cornerstone of effective SEO, but premium tools can be costly. High-quality backlink data is essential for analyzing competitors, finding new opportunities, and tracking your site's authority. The main challenge for many SaaS founders, bloggers, and agencies is accessing this data without a large budget.

This guide solves that problem. We've tested and compiled a list of the 12 best free backlink checker tools available. We'll show you how to get the most value from each tool's free version, explain their data limits, and provide a clear workflow for cost-effective analysis.

You'll learn not just what these tools do, but how to use them for real results. Understanding your competitors' link strategies is a critical first step. To gain an edge, knowing how to use competitor analysis tools for SEO is as important as mastering backlink analysis. This article gives you the resources to do both without breaking the bank. Each review includes screenshots so you can immediately put these platforms to work and turn free data into a competitive advantage.

1. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a leader in the SEO industry, known for its massive and frequently updated backlink index. Its free Ahrefs Backlink Checker is an excellent starting point for any link analysis. It offers a public checker for quick competitor snapshots and the more powerful Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT) for site owners.

The public checker shows the top 100 backlinks, top 5 anchors, and top 5 pages for any domain, perfect for a high-level overview of a competitor’s strategy. The real power for your own site lies in the free AWT. By verifying your site, you unlock your entire backlink profile, a full site audit for over 170 technical issues, and keyword analytics. This level of access from an industry-leading tool, for free, is unmatched.

Key Features & Limitations

• Free Public Checker: Shows the top 100 backlinks, Domain Rating (DR), and URL Rating (UR) for any website.
• Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT): Unlocks the full backlink profile for your verified sites, including all referring domains, anchor text, and link types. Understanding the difference between backlinks and referring domains is crucial for accurate analysis.
• Data Quality: Ahrefs' massive, constantly crawled index ensures data is fresh and comprehensive.
• Limitations: The public checker is a small sample. Full competitive analysis and historical data require a paid plan. While Ahrefs excels at backlinks, a Semrush vs Ahrefs comparison for keyword research can provide broader context.

Best For: Site owners wanting a complete, ongoing audit of their own site's backlink profile via AWT, and agencies needing quick, high-level competitor insights.

2. Semrush

Semrush is another all-in-one SEO powerhouse with a compelling free backlink checker. Its strength is providing an instant snapshot of any domain's backlink profile without requiring a sign-up, making it one of the quickest tools for an initial competitive peek. While it serves as a gateway to its paid suite, the free offering is a valuable tool on its own.

The public-facing Semrush Backlink Analytics tool displays key metrics like Authority Score, total backlinks, and referring domains. It provides a sample of backlinks with source URLs, anchor text, and a new/lost status. For marketers needing a rapid assessment of a competitor’s link velocity or top content, Semrush delivers actionable data without any commitment.

Key Features & Limitations

• Instant Free Snapshot: Analyze any domain or URL without an account, showing a sample of backlinks and key metrics.
• Authority Score: Provides Semrush’s proprietary metric for measuring a domain's overall quality, useful for quick comparisons.
• Comprehensive Data (Paid): Upgrading unlocks network graphs, historical data, auditing tools, and deep competitor tracking.
• Limitations: The free view is a small sample of the total backlink profile. Accessing the full list of links and advanced filters requires a free account sign-up (with more limits) or a paid subscription.

Best For: Marketers and agencies who need to perform rapid, on-the-fly competitor checks and founders who want an accessible entry point into a powerful SEO ecosystem.

3. Moz (Link Explorer)

Moz is a respected name in SEO, and its Link Explorer tool is a cornerstone of its offerings. The free version is valuable for its proprietary metrics, Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA), which are industry benchmarks for estimating ranking potential. The platform's clean interface simplifies backlink analysis for all skill levels.

With a free Moz Community account, you get 10 Link Explorer queries per month, ideal for periodic health checks or targeted competitor research. You can view top linking domains, anchor text, and discover new and lost links. The "Link Intersect" feature is especially powerful, allowing you to find sites linking to competitors but not to you, revealing immediate link-building opportunities.

Key Features & Limitations

• Proprietary Metrics: Access Domain Authority (DA), Page Authority (PA), and Spam Score to quickly gauge link quality.
• Link Intersect Tool: A standout free feature that finds competitive backlink gaps by showing who links to your rivals but not to you. A solid understanding of what a complete backlink profile is essential to maximize this tool's value.
• Top Pages & Anchors: Shows which pages have the most links and the most common anchor text, offering insights into content strategy.
• Limitations: The free plan is limited to 10 queries per month across all of Moz's free tools. Full reports showing all backlinks are gated behind a Moz Pro subscription.

Best For: Marketers who rely on Domain Authority for prospecting and reporting, and those who want to perform targeted competitive gap analysis without a paid plan.

4. Majestic

Majestic is a pioneer in link intelligence, offering a specialized and focused analysis of backlink data. It is respected for its proprietary metrics, Trust Flow and Citation Flow, which measure link quality and quantity. The platform's free public checker provides a glimpse into its powerful capabilities, making it a valuable tool for specific link analysis.

The free tool summarizes any domain, showing key metrics and a sample of top backlinks. Majestic’s standout feature is its dual-index system: the Fresh Index covers links from the last 120 days, while the Historic Index is a massive archive of older link data. This makes Majestic uniquely suited for historical research and understanding a competitor’s long-term link strategy.

Key Features & Limitations

• Trust Flow & Citation Flow: These metrics help assess link quality and influence, a key differentiator from tools that focus only on authority scores.
• Fresh vs. Historic Index: Allows for analysis of both recent campaigns and deep historical research, a rare free feature.
• Referring IPs/Subnets: Provides data on link profile diversity at the network level, helping to identify potential private blog networks (PBNs).
• Limitations: The free version offers a limited sample of backlinks and no data exports. Full access to the Historic Index and advanced reports requires a paid subscription.

Best For: SEO consultants and agencies needing to perform in-depth link quality audits and marketers wanting to analyze the historical strength of a domain’s backlink profile.

5. SE Ranking

SE Ranking provides a robust, user-friendly suite of tools, and its free Backlink Checker is a standout for small businesses seeking a balance between depth and affordability. SE Ranking offers a surprisingly comprehensive initial analysis for any domain, making it an excellent platform for quick competitive reconnaissance or a check of your own site's health.

The platform presents data cleanly, showing key metrics like Domain Trust alongside a clear dofollow versus nofollow link breakdown. This clarity is perfect for founders and bloggers who need actionable data without a steep learning curve. While its most powerful features like toxicity scoring are part of its paid plan, the free offering is sufficient for high-level analysis, making SE Ranking a strong contender for those on a budget.

Key Features & Limitations

• Free Domain/URL Analysis: Check any website to see its top backlinks, referring domains, anchor text distribution, and proprietary Domain/Page Trust scores.
• Clear Dofollow/Nofollow Ratio: Instantly view the percentage of dofollow and nofollow links, providing a quick signal of a backlink profile's quality.
• Integrated Workflow: The free checker is a gateway to a complete SEO suite. Upgrading gives you access to toxicity monitoring, broken link detection, and automated reporting.
• Limitations: The free version provides a snapshot. Continuous monitoring, historical data, and advanced features like the backlink gap analysis tool require a paid plan.

Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses, agencies, and bloggers who need a cost-effective tool for regular competitive checks and want an affordable, all-in-one platform to upgrade to.

6. Seobility

Seobility offers a straightforward and user-friendly free Backlink Checker designed for quick analysis. Its standalone tool is accessible without registration, making it an excellent choice for immediate spot-checks on a competitor’s domain. The tool provides a clean interface, presenting key backlink data in a digestible format.

For a fast overview, Seobility delivers a summary of a site's top backlinks, a proprietary link rating score, and anchor text distribution. Its strength lies in simplicity and speed. Unlike more complex platforms, Seobility gets straight to the point, providing the essential metrics for a high-level assessment. This makes it a valuable bookmark for quickly evaluating a potential link partner or sizing up a new competitor.

Key Features & Limitations

• Public Checker: Instantly analyzes any domain or URL to show a snapshot of the most significant backlinks.
• Link Rating Score: Provides a proprietary score to help you quickly gauge the quality of incoming links.
• Data Summaries: Includes clear visualizations for follow/nofollow ratios and the most frequently used anchor texts.
• Limitations: The free version has daily usage limits and provides only a sample of the total backlink profile. Accessing historical data and deeper analysis requires a premium subscription.

Best For: Bloggers and content creators needing a fast, no-signup-required tool for quick competitor spot-checks or evaluating potential guest post opportunities.

7. Linkody

Linkody positions itself as a user-friendly and affordable tool focused on backlink monitoring. Its free Backlink Checker serves as an accessible entry point, offering a quick glimpse into the strongest links pointing to any domain. It's a practical choice for small teams and solo entrepreneurs who need straightforward data without a steep learning curve.

The free tool is simple: enter a domain to receive a list of up to 100 of its most potent backlinks. Unlike some competitors, it provides valuable metrics with each link, including the source URL, anchor text, relationship (dofollow/nofollow), and Domain Authority. This makes it one of the more insightful quick-check tools. Linkody’s paid plans shine for continuous tracking, offering email alerts and deeper analytics.

Key Features & Limitations

• Free Backlink Snapshot: Instantly check the top 100 strongest backlinks for any domain without an account.
• Comprehensive Link Data: The free check includes important details like anchor text, source URL, link type, and a domain authority score for each backlink, useful for strategies similar to link building for e-commerce.
• Affordable Monitoring: Paid plans are budget-friendly and include a generous 30-day free trial without a credit card.
• Limitations: The free tool is limited to 100 backlinks, providing only a high-level overview. Advanced competitive analysis and historical data are reserved for paying customers.

Best For: Bloggers and small e-commerce store owners who need a simple, no-cost way to identify their most important backlinks and are considering an affordable monitoring solution.

8. SEO Review Tools (Fresh Backlink Checker)

SEO Review Tools offers a suite of individual SEO utilities, with its Fresh Backlink Checker standing out for its focus on recency. This tool is designed to show you the newest links pointing to a domain as they are discovered, making it a valuable complement for monitoring the immediate impact of your link-building campaigns or tracking recent competitor activity.

To use the tool, you need a free member account, which also unlocks other SEO and content analysis tools. The checker provides essential data for each new backlink, including the source URL, anchor text, an authority estimate, and its dofollow/nofollow status. This focus on "what's new" helps you quickly verify if your latest guest post or digital PR mention has gone live and been indexed.

Key Features & Limitations

• Fresh Link Focus: The tool’s primary function is to report on recently discovered backlinks, providing the crawl date for context.
• Core Link Metrics: Displays the source page, anchor text, follow/nofollow status, and an estimated Page Authority for each link.
• Free Member Access: Requires a simple free registration, which also grants access to dozens of other single-purpose SEO tools.
• Limitations: The free version has a daily cap on results and checks. It requires a login and is not designed to provide a comprehensive, historical overview of a site's entire backlink profile.

Best For: SEOs who want to monitor the immediate results of recent link-building efforts or keep a close eye on the latest links their competitors are acquiring.

9. OpenLinkProfiler

OpenLinkProfiler is a completely free backlink analysis tool, making it a valuable supplemental resource. While its index may not be as vast or fresh as paid leaders, its strength is offering a different data perspective at no cost. It is an excellent tool for cross-referencing data to uncover unique links that primary tools might have missed.

The platform provides a straightforward list of inbound links and referring domains with basic filters. For those on a tight budget, OpenLinkProfiler offers a solid overview of a backlink profile without the restrictive limits of freemium tools. Its user interface is simple, prioritizing function over form, and it gets the job done for basic analysis.

Key Features & Limitations

• Completely Free: No usage limits, paid tiers, or registration requirements to access its core backlink data.
• Supplemental Data Source: Its unique index can help identify links that other, more mainstream tools might not report.
• Basic Filtering & Export: Offers filters for link context, industry, and date. Some views allow for free CSV exports, a rare feature for a no-cost tool.
• Limitations: The user interface can feel dated. Data freshness and index size may lag behind premium services like Ahrefs or Semrush, so it should not be used as a primary source.

Best For: Bloggers and developers looking for a no-cost secondary tool to cross-check their primary backlink data, or for students and beginners needing a free platform to learn backlink analysis.

10. SEO PowerSuite (SEO SpyGlass)

SEO PowerSuite offers a different approach with its SEO SpyGlass tool, a desktop application with a permanently free version for backlink analysis. Unlike web-based platforms, SpyGlass operates from your computer, aggregating data from its own index and allowing integrations with Google Analytics and Search Console. This makes it a powerful and budget-friendly option for those who prefer an offline workflow.

The free version is surprisingly robust, allowing you to analyze up to 1,100 backlinks per project. It includes unique features like a Penalty Risk analysis to assess the toxicity of your link profile and live link verification. For those managing a few key projects, the free tier offers more than enough data to conduct a thorough initial audit and identify harmful links without any financial commitment.

Key Features & Limitations

• Generous Free Tier: Analyze up to 1,100 backlinks per project and compare two domains, making it highly suitable for detailed audits.
• Penalty Risk Analysis: The tool calculates a "Penalty Risk" score for each backlink, helping you quickly identify potentially toxic links.
• Desktop-Based Workflow: Runs locally on your machine (Windows, Mac, or Linux), appealing to users who prefer dedicated applications.
• Limitations: The free version does not allow you to save projects or export data, a major restriction for ongoing tracking. Advanced features are reserved for paid editions.

Best For: Freelancers and small business owners who need a powerful, free backlink checker for occasional deep-dive audits and prefer a one-time software purchase model over recurring SaaS fees.

11. Google Search Console

While not a competitive analysis tool, Google Search Console (GSC) is an essential resource for understanding your own backlink profile. The data comes directly from Google, providing the most definitive view of the links Google has discovered and considers for your site's rankings. It’s the ultimate source of truth for confirming which links are "seen" by the search engine.

This first-party data is crucial for any serious SEO effort. GSC's "Links" report helps you identify your most linked-to content, understand how other sites are referencing you via anchor text, and diagnose potential issues. Exporting this data allows for deeper analysis and cross-referencing with third-party tools, providing a complete picture of your site's authority.

Key Features & Limitations

• First-Party Data: The report shows external links that Google knows about, providing an authoritative list of your top linking sites and pages.
• Anchor Text Analysis: The "Top linking text" report reveals the most common anchor text used to link to your domain, crucial for understanding brand perception.
• Export Functionality: Easily export link data to CSV or Google Sheets to conduct deeper audits or merge it with data from other tools.
• Limitations: GSC only provides data for sites you own; you cannot use it for competitive research. The data is also subject to sampling and may not display every single backlink.

Best For: All website owners who need the definitive, free source of truth for their own website's backlink profile directly from Google.

12. Bing Webmaster Tools

While Google Search Console is the default for many, Bing Webmaster Tools provides a crucial, often overlooked data source. As the official portal for Microsoft's search engine, it offers first-party data on how Bing sees your website's backlink profile. This makes it an essential free tool for a more holistic view of your off-page SEO.

After verifying your site, you gain access to a detailed "Backlinks" report showing referring domains, specific linked pages, and the most common anchor texts. This is invaluable for ensuring your link-building efforts are recognized beyond the Google ecosystem. The platform also includes a unique "Similar Sites" feature, which can reveal potential competitors and their backlink sources within Bing's index.

Key Features & Limitations

• First-Party Data: Provides direct access to the backlink data used by the Bing search engine for your verified sites.
• Comprehensive Reporting: The backlinks report details referring domains, linked pages, and anchor text distribution.
• Disavow Tool: Includes an integrated tool to disavow spammy or low-quality links directly with Bing.
• Limitations: The data is exclusive to Bing's index, which is smaller than Google's. Indexation can sometimes lag, and competitive analysis features are not as robust as dedicated SEO suites.

Best For: Site owners and SEO professionals who want to cross-reference their backlink profile against a major search engine other than Google for a well-rounded strategy.

Top 12 Free Backlink Checkers — Comparison

Tool	Core features	Key metrics & freshness	Value / USP	Target audience	Price / free limits
Ahrefs	Large, fast-updating backlink index; filters; Ahrefs Webmaster Tools; site audit	DR/UR, referring domains, frequent updates	Industry-leading index + AWT for verified sites	SEO pros, agencies, competitive researchers	Paid plans; free Backlink Checker (sample); AWT free for verified
Semrush	Backlink Analytics, competitor tracking, network graphs	Authority Score, top links, new/lost tracking (paid)	Instant account-free snapshot; scales into full SEO suite	Marketers, agencies, product teams	Free top-25 snapshot; paid tiers for full data
Moz (Link Explorer)	DA/PA metrics, Spam Score, Link Intersect	Domain/Page Authority, link trends; moderate freshness	Widely recognized authority metrics; clean UI	Consultants, SEOs doing gap analysis	10 free queries/month; Moz Pro for exports
Majestic	Trust Flow / Citation Flow; Fresh & Historic indexes; IP/subnet views	Trust/Citation metrics, historical depth	Deep link-centric analysis and historical index	Link analysts, researchers, technical SEOs	Free samples; subscription for full access
SE Ranking	Free backlink lookups; toxicity scoring; broken link checks	Trust-style metrics, new/lost tracking in paid tiers	Strong value for SMBs with integrated monitoring	SMBs, small agencies, in-house SEOs	Free lookups; paid plans for monitoring & connectors
Seobility	Fast top-backlinks snapshot; on-page & rank integration	Domain-style score, follow/nofollow ratios	Simple, fast public checks; easy UI	Small site owners, beginners	Free checks with daily limits; paid upgrades
Linkody	Free top-100 backlinks view; monitoring, alerts, disavow support	Source URL, anchor, DA estimates, link location	Affordable ongoing monitoring with alerts & exports	Small teams, publishers, site owners	Free top-100 view; paid monitoring (30-day trial)
SEO Review Tools (Fresh)	Fresh backlink checker focused on recent links; many free tools	Crawl date / recency, PA estimates	Good for tracking newly discovered links; multi-tool access	SEOs monitoring link recency	Free member account required; limited rows
OpenLinkProfiler	Fully free backlink lists with basic filters	Referring domains, topical insights; variable freshness	Completely free supplemental data source	Anyone needing extra index cross-checks	Free to use
SEO PowerSuite (SEO SpyGlass)	Desktop backlink analysis; GA/GSC import; penalty risk checks	Aggregated index, live verification, anchor cloud	Generous free desktop tier; one-time license option	Users preferring desktop workflows, budget agencies	Free version; paid one-time/annual licenses
Google Search Console	First‑party external links report; anchor text; CSV export	Links Google sees for verified properties; variable sampling	Essential first‑party backlink data for your site	Site owners, webmasters, developers	Free (requires site verification)
Bing Webmaster Tools	Backlinks report, similar sites, disavow tool	Bing's referring domains/pages, anchor text	Free Microsoft-first backlink view to complement Google	Site owners, SEOs cross-checking Bing	Free (requires site verification)

From Data to Action: Building Your Link Strategy

Navigating the best free backlink checker tools can feel overwhelming, but each platform offers a unique window into off-page SEO. The journey from raw data to a dominant backlink profile isn't about finding one magic tool; it's about building a strategic workflow that leverages the strengths of each.

Your strategy starts with a solid foundation. Combining the first-party data from Google Search Console with the robust analysis of Ahrefs Webmaster Tools gives you an unparalleled, accurate baseline of your own backlink profile. This is your non-negotiable starting point.

Next, layer in targeted competitive analysis. This is where the limited free tiers of Semrush and Moz become invaluable. Use your daily queries with surgical precision to uncover specific link gaps, identify competitors' most authoritative referring domains, and pinpoint repeatable link-building patterns. This focused approach ensures every free query delivers maximum strategic value.

Creating a Sustainable SEO Workflow

A one-time analysis isn't enough; consistent monitoring separates successful SEO campaigns from fleeting gains. Integrating tools like SEO Review Tools' Fresh Backlink Checker into a weekly or monthly routine helps you keep a pulse on your niche. You can track new links earned by competitors, spot emerging content trends, and identify new outreach opportunities.

Remember, the limits of these free tools are strategic guides. They force you to be deliberate and prioritize.

• For SaaS Founders: Focus on competitor analysis to find high-authority product review sites and industry blogs. A tool like Majestic is excellent for assessing the topical relevance of potential link targets.
• For Bloggers: Use the data to discover "link-worthy" content formats that attract natural links. Let the data from your competitors' top-linked pages guide your content calendar.
• For Agencies: A combination of SEO PowerSuite (for deep, project-based analysis) and quick-check tools allows you to manage multiple clients efficiently without committing to expensive subscriptions for every project.

Moving Beyond Manual Outreach

As you use these tools, you'll gather a wealth of data on link opportunities, but the manual process of outreach becomes a bottleneck. The low success rates and time investment of cold emailing can diminish your return on effort.

This is where a strategic shift is required. The insights gathered from the best free backlink checker tools become fuel for a more scalable system. Instead of just knowing what links you need, the next step is to streamline how you acquire them. Platforms like link-building marketplaces can bridge this gap. The knowledge you've gained makes you a smarter buyer, able to identify high-quality opportunities and turn your analytical efforts into tangible ranking improvements.

Ultimately, mastering these free tools empowers you to control your SEO destiny. You can diagnose your own backlink profile, reverse-engineer competitor success, and build a strategic roadmap for growth. Start with a simple, consistent workflow, and let the data guide you from analysis to action.

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