What are the Best Tools for Backlink Analysis?

If you’re searching for the best backlink checker tools, you’re in the right place!

There was a time when just one tool could dominate the market, but now, there are plenty of options with massive backlink databases. In this guide, we’ll compare the best tools to help you analyze and find backlinks.

A Quick Heads-Up

This isn’t a post about which tool has the biggest link index. Depending on how they organize their data, different tools could claim the top spot. While database size matters, I’m also considering value for money, extra features, user experience, reliability, and support.

At the end of the day, the best backlink checker depends on your specific needs. What works for me might not work for you. That’s why I suggest testing a few tools—most offer free trials or limited free versions.

Also, some tools perform better depending on your industry, so it’s worth exploring different options.

The Best Backlink Checker Tools – TL;DR

Short on time? No worries—I’ve summarized my thoughts below:

• Semrush – Best overall. It’s packed with SEO tools and has a massive backlink database. It’s a bit pricey, but you get a lot for your money.
• SE Ranking – More than just a rank tracker! It’s an affordable, full-featured SEO tool with a huge link index.
• Ahrefs – A powerful tool with a massive link database, but its pricing and policies leave much to be desired.

#1 – Semrush

Why I Recommend It:
Semrush has come a long way in backlink analysis. A few years ago, its link database wasn’t the strongest, but now, it claims to have the largest backlink database—over 43 trillion links, compared to Ahrefs’ 30.3 trillion.

It also discovers new backlinks faster than competitors, so you’ll always be up to date on changes to your link profile (or your competitors’).

But Semrush isn’t just a backlink checker. It’s a full digital marketing suite covering SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media, competitor research, and more. If you need an all-in-one tool, this is it.

Pros:
✅ Huge backlink database
✅ Fast link discovery
✅ All-in-one marketing toolkit
✅ Free version and trial available
✅ Unique add-ons like Traffic Analytics (SimilarWeb alternative)

Cons:
❌ Can feel pricey at first, but offers great value
❌ The UI can feel cluttered due to its many features

Pricing:
Starts at $129.95/month. Free trial available.

Also Read: How can Guest Posting Improve SEO?

#2 – SE Ranking

Why I Recommend It:
Many people think SE Ranking is just for rank tracking, but it’s actually a full SEO suite with a 2.7 trillion-link database. In some of my tests, it even found more referring domains than Ahrefs.

It includes:

• Backlink Checker – Analyze backlinks for any website with metrics like total links, referring domains, and anchor text distribution.
• Backlink Monitor – Track backlinks daily and get alerts when links are removed.

SE Ranking is also affordable and great for agencies thanks to flexible pricing and an excellent report builder.

Pros:
✅ Large backlink database
✅ Detailed backlink insights
✅ Daily backlink monitoring
✅ Affordable pricing, especially for agencies

Cons:
❌ Pricing system can be confusing
❌ Takes some time to learn

Pricing:
Plans start at $23.52/month (varies based on usage). Free trial available.

Also Read: How can I Improve Website Crawlability?

#3 – Ahrefs

Why I Recommend It:
Ahrefs has long been the go-to tool for backlink analysis. It has one of the largest link databases and the second-most active web crawler after Google.

It updates every 15 minutes and categorizes links as:

• Live (active links)
• Recent (lost within 3 months)
• Historical (all links ever found)

It also offers proprietary metrics like Domain Rating (DR) and URL Rating (UR) to help gauge backlink quality.

However, Ahrefs has some drawbacks. Their new pricing model is expensive and lacks transparency, and they charge overages automatically.

Pros:
✅ Huge and frequently updated link database
✅ Excellent UI and reports
✅ Great filters for in-depth analysis

Cons:
❌ Expensive compared to competitors
❌ Pricing model is unclear and overages add up

Pricing:
Plans start at $99/month, but you’ll need higher-tier plans for full access to historical data.

Also Read: How can I Find Long‑Tail Keywords?

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all backlink checker. It depends on your needs and budget:

• If you want an all-in-one SEO powerhouse: Go with Semrush.
• If you want a budget-friendly but powerful alternative: Try SE Ranking.
• If you want the best historical backlink data: Ahrefs is still a solid choice (despite the price).

I recommend trying a few different tools before deciding—most offer free trials.

Which tool are you considering? Let me know! 🚀