Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a strong fit for backlink-focused and organic competitor research, with inactive affiliate CTAs routed to internal alternatives.
Quick answer
Quick answer
The best backlink checker depends on whether backlink research is the whole job or one part of a broader SEO workflow.
Semrush
Semrush is a strong fit when backlink research sits inside a broader keyword, audit, content, competitor, and reporting workflow.
Moz
Moz can suit approachable link and authority research for smaller teams, with current exact pricing marked as needing verification.
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is practical when backlink monitoring belongs inside rank tracking, reporting, and agency operations.
Serpstat
Serpstat is worth considering for budget-conscious keyword, competitor, and backlink workflows.
Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest can suit simpler basic link and competitor checks when budget and ease are the main constraints.
Backlink shortlist
Recommended backlink checker tools by workflow
Backlink tools are not interchangeable. Some are research platforms, some are broad SEO suites, some are practical agency-workflow tools, and some are simpler options for lighter checks.
The order is based on backlink workflow fit, not affiliate availability. Ahrefs remains included even though its public CTA falls back to internal alternatives.
Backlink-focused research
Backlink-focused researchAhrefs
Link-building specialists, affiliate publishers, organic competitor researchers, and SEO teams that spend meaningful time in backlink data.
Why it may work
Ahrefs is a strong choice when backlink and organic competitor research are central to the SEO workflow rather than occasional checks.
Strongest workflows
- Backlink research
- Competitor backlinks
- Referring-domain review
- Organic competitor research
- Content opportunity research
Important limitations
- No backlink database sees every link on the web.
- Client reporting, agency workflow, or pricing preferences may make a broader platform or alternative stack more practical.
Pricing context$29/mo Starter; core plans start at $129/mo
View alternativesFreemium · Verified · Reviewed 2026-06-24
Pricing, discounts, taxes, limits, credits, and plan names can change. Verify current terms on the official pricing page before subscribing.Broader SEO suite
Broader SEO suiteSemrush
Teams that want backlink research connected to keyword research, site audits, competitor analysis, content planning, PPC context, and reporting.
Why it may work
Semrush can reduce tool sprawl when backlinks are one piece of a broader SEO and marketing command center.
Strongest workflows
- Backlink analysis
- Keyword research
- Competitor analysis
- Site audits
- Reporting
Important limitations
- If backlink research is the only job, a focused research platform may feel more direct.
- Plan, add-on, report, and export context should be verified before subscribing.
Pricing contextCheck current Semrush SEO and AI Search plans
Check Semrush fitMixed · Partially verified · Reviewed 2026-06-24
Pricing, discounts, taxes, limits, credits, and plan names can change. Verify current terms on the official pricing page before subscribing.Beginner and simpler workflows
Beginner and simpler workflowsMoz
Small teams and beginner-friendly SEO workflows that need understandable link context and authority research without a complex operating system.
Why it may work
Moz can be easier to discuss with non-specialists when link context needs to support client or stakeholder education.
Strongest workflows
- Link and authority context
- Beginner-friendly reporting
- Smaller SEO campaigns
- SEO education
Important limitations
- Current exact pricing and limits are marked as needing verification.
- Advanced link-building teams may want deeper specialist research workflows.
Pricing contextVerify current Moz Pro pricing
Check Moz fitVerify · Needs verification · Reviewed 2026-06-18
Pricing, discounts, taxes, limits, credits, and plan names can change. Verify current terms on the official pricing page before subscribing.Beginner and simpler workflowsUbersuggest
Bloggers, small businesses, and solo site owners who need basic backlink or competitor context before investing in a deeper stack.
Why it may work
Ubersuggest can be enough when the goal is to learn, check basic competitors, and avoid overbuying.
Strongest workflows
- Basic competitor checks
- Simple keyword context
- Budget-sensitive research
Important limitations
- Current exact pricing and limits are marked as needing verification.
- Advanced link-gap, export, and monitoring workflows may require another platform.
Pricing contextVerify current Ubersuggest pricing
Check Ubersuggest fitVerify · Needs verification · Reviewed 2026-06-18
Pricing, discounts, taxes, limits, credits, and plan names can change. Verify current terms on the official pricing page before subscribing.Agency workflow
Agency workflowSE Ranking
Agencies, freelancers, and teams that want backlink monitoring to sit near rank tracking, reports, projects, and client workflows.
Why it may work
SE Ranking is practical when backlink checks support recurring visibility and reporting rather than a dedicated link-research department.
Strongest workflows
- Backlink monitoring
- Rank tracking
- Agency reporting
- Project organization
Important limitations
- It may not replace a backlink-first research workflow for specialists.
- Backlink allowances, exports, reports, and project limits should be verified before purchase.
Pricing contextCore shown at EUR 87.20/mo on annual billing; monthly option listed at EUR 109.00/mo
Check SE Ranking fitMixed · Verified · Reviewed 2026-06-20
Pricing, discounts, taxes, limits, credits, and plan names can change. Verify current terms on the official pricing page before subscribing.Budget-conscious all-in-one
Budget-conscious all-in-oneSerpstat
Teams comparing broad SEO workflows where backlink research, keyword research, and competitor checks all matter but budget pressure is real.
Why it may work
Serpstat may be worth testing when the buyer wants a broad SEO workspace without defaulting to a premium subscription.
Strongest workflows
- Keyword research
- Competitor research
- Backlink context
- Budget-conscious SEO workflows
Important limitations
- Exact current pricing and limits are marked as needing verification.
- Specialists should validate export, link-gap, and reporting requirements.
Pricing contextVerify current Serpstat pricing
Check Serpstat fitVerify · Needs verification · Reviewed 2026-06-18
Pricing, discounts, taxes, limits, credits, and plan names can change. Verify current terms on the official pricing page before subscribing.Complementary technical workflow
Complementary technical workflowScreaming Frog
Technical SEOs that need to crawl a site, inspect internal links, redirects, canonicals, and technical issues that may affect link equity.
Why it may work
Screaming Frog complements backlink research by helping inspect the site receiving links, but it is not a backlink database replacement.
Strongest workflows
- Technical crawling
- Internal link analysis
- Redirect checks
- Audit exports
Important limitations
- It should not be treated as a competitor backlink checker.
- Use it alongside a backlink database when external link discovery is the goal.
Pricing contextFree up to 500 URLs; paid licence EUR 245/year
Check Screaming Frog fitAnnual licence · Verified · Reviewed 2026-06-18
Pricing, discounts, taxes, limits, credits, and plan names can change. Verify current terms on the official pricing page before subscribing.Backlink comparison
Compare backlink checker fit without fake database claims
This matrix uses qualitative workflow labels. It does not claim which database is largest, freshest, or most complete.
| Decision point | Ahrefs | Semrush | Moz | SE Ranking | Serpstat | Ubersuggest | Screaming Frog |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backlink discovery | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Basic | Not primary |
| Referring domains | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Basic | Not primary |
| Competitor backlinks | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Basic | Not primary |
| Link-gap workflow | Strong | Strong | Depends | Depends | Depends | Basic | Not primary |
| New/lost link workflow | Strong | Strong | Depends | Moderate | Depends | Basic | Not primary |
| Top linked pages | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Depends | Depends | Basic | Internal links only |
| Anchor text | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Depends | Depends | Basic | Internal context |
| Export and reporting | Depends | Strong | Depends | Strong | Depends | Depends | Strong exports |
| Keyword/content research | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Basic | Not primary |
| Site auditing | Moderate | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Depends | Strong |
| Agency reporting | Depends | Strong | Moderate | Strong | Depends | Basic | Specialist |
| Beginner ease | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Technical |
| Pricing model | Verified public plans | Partially verified mixed | Needs verification | Verified public plans | Needs verification | Needs verification | Verified annual licence |
| Focused or broad platform | Research-focused | Broad platform | Approachable platform | Agency workflow | Budget all-in-one | Simple platform | Technical complement |
Ahrefs
- Backlink discovery
- Strong
- Referring domains
- Strong
- Competitor backlinks
- Strong
- Link-gap workflow
- Strong
- New/lost link workflow
- Strong
- Top linked pages
- Strong
- Anchor text
- Strong
- Export and reporting
- Depends
- Keyword/content research
- Strong
- Site auditing
- Moderate
- Agency reporting
- Depends
- Beginner ease
- Moderate
- Pricing model
- Verified public plans
- Focused or broad platform
- Research-focused
Semrush
- Backlink discovery
- Strong
- Referring domains
- Strong
- Competitor backlinks
- Strong
- Link-gap workflow
- Strong
- New/lost link workflow
- Strong
- Top linked pages
- Strong
- Anchor text
- Strong
- Export and reporting
- Strong
- Keyword/content research
- Strong
- Site auditing
- Strong
- Agency reporting
- Strong
- Beginner ease
- Moderate
- Pricing model
- Partially verified mixed
- Focused or broad platform
- Broad platform
Moz
- Backlink discovery
- Moderate
- Referring domains
- Moderate
- Competitor backlinks
- Moderate
- Link-gap workflow
- Depends
- New/lost link workflow
- Depends
- Top linked pages
- Moderate
- Anchor text
- Moderate
- Export and reporting
- Depends
- Keyword/content research
- Moderate
- Site auditing
- Moderate
- Agency reporting
- Moderate
- Beginner ease
- Strong
- Pricing model
- Needs verification
- Focused or broad platform
- Approachable platform
SE Ranking
- Backlink discovery
- Moderate
- Referring domains
- Moderate
- Competitor backlinks
- Moderate
- Link-gap workflow
- Depends
- New/lost link workflow
- Moderate
- Top linked pages
- Depends
- Anchor text
- Depends
- Export and reporting
- Strong
- Keyword/content research
- Moderate
- Site auditing
- Moderate
- Agency reporting
- Strong
- Beginner ease
- Moderate
- Pricing model
- Verified public plans
- Focused or broad platform
- Agency workflow
Serpstat
- Backlink discovery
- Moderate
- Referring domains
- Moderate
- Competitor backlinks
- Moderate
- Link-gap workflow
- Depends
- New/lost link workflow
- Depends
- Top linked pages
- Depends
- Anchor text
- Depends
- Export and reporting
- Depends
- Keyword/content research
- Moderate
- Site auditing
- Moderate
- Agency reporting
- Depends
- Beginner ease
- Moderate
- Pricing model
- Needs verification
- Focused or broad platform
- Budget all-in-one
Ubersuggest
- Backlink discovery
- Basic
- Referring domains
- Basic
- Competitor backlinks
- Basic
- Link-gap workflow
- Basic
- New/lost link workflow
- Basic
- Top linked pages
- Basic
- Anchor text
- Basic
- Export and reporting
- Depends
- Keyword/content research
- Basic
- Site auditing
- Depends
- Agency reporting
- Basic
- Beginner ease
- Strong
- Pricing model
- Needs verification
- Focused or broad platform
- Simple platform
Screaming Frog
- Backlink discovery
- Not primary
- Referring domains
- Not primary
- Competitor backlinks
- Not primary
- Link-gap workflow
- Not primary
- New/lost link workflow
- Not primary
- Top linked pages
- Internal links only
- Anchor text
- Internal context
- Export and reporting
- Strong exports
- Keyword/content research
- Not primary
- Site auditing
- Strong
- Agency reporting
- Specialist
- Beginner ease
- Technical
- Pricing model
- Verified annual licence
- Focused or broad platform
- Technical complement
Backlink scenarios
Choose by backlink research situation
Backlink decisions should follow the task. A blogger checking a site does not need the same workflow as an agency doing competitor link-gap research.
UbersuggestMozBlogger reviewing links
Priority: Understand basic referring domains and avoid overbuying a complex stack.
Ubersuggest can cover lighter checks; Moz may be more approachable for link and authority context.
Verify exact limits before relying on a free or entry workflow.AhrefsSemrushAffiliate publisher
Priority: Research competitors, content gaps, and backlink patterns across organic pages.
Ahrefs fits backlink and organic research; Semrush adds broader marketing and reporting coverage.
Do not treat any link metric as absolute truth.AhrefsSemrushLink-building specialist
Priority: Investigate competitor links, prospects, anchor context, and top linked pages.
Both are strong backlink research candidates, with different broader workflow strengths.
Verify links manually before outreach.SE RankingSemrushSEO freelancer
Priority: Balance backlink checks with reports, rank tracking, and client work.
SE Ranking fits recurring operations; Semrush fits broader research and marketing context.
Exports and reports can matter as much as link research depth.MozUbersuggestSmall business
Priority: Check links without building a specialist SEO department.
Moz and Ubersuggest can be easier starting points for simpler link context.
Growing needs may justify a broader platform later.SemrushSE RankingSEO agency
Priority: Combine backlink checks with client projects, reports, and recurring visibility work.
Semrush is broad; SE Ranking can support agency reporting and tracking operations.
Make sure backlink workflows fit the reports clients actually need.SemrushAhrefsContent-led team
Priority: Use backlinks to understand pages, competitors, topics, and content promotion opportunities.
Semrush connects backlinks to broader content workflows; Ahrefs fits deeper organic and backlink research.
Link prospects still require editorial judgment and manual verification.SemrushScreaming FrogEcommerce SEO team
Priority: Review linked categories, technical issues, redirects, and competitor acquisition patterns.
Semrush covers external research; Screaming Frog helps inspect the technical receiving side of the links.
Large sites should plan export, crawl, and reporting workflows carefully.Ahrefs
SimilarwebOrganic competitor-research team
Priority: Understand competitor link patterns beside keyword and content strategy.
Ahrefs fits backlink research; Similarweb can provide strategic traffic context but is not a backlink checker replacement.
Use Similarweb for market intelligence, not as a substitute backlink database.Backlink workflow
A practical backlink-checking workflow
Use backlink tools to guide judgment, not to chase raw link counts. This workflow avoids manipulative shortcuts and keeps link research tied to business outcomes.
- Review referring domains and identify patterns that look relevant to the site's topic.
- Identify important linked pages and compare them with pages that drive business value.
- Compare competitors to find realistic link gaps, not random high-volume targets.
- Review link relevance, page context, and whether the opportunity makes editorial sense.
- Track newly found and lost links when the workflow requires recurring monitoring.
- Export and document prospects with clear notes for outreach or PR review.
- Avoid treating any authority metric as an absolute truth.
- Verify links manually before outreach or reporting.
- Measure outcomes such as qualified traffic, rankings, conversions, and brand visibility, not link count alone.
- Avoid manipulative link schemes and keep outreach aligned with editorial value.
Pricing context
How to compare backlink checker pricing
Backlink-tool value depends on more than an entry plan. Compare reports, export rows, projects, users, historical data, competitor limits, API access, and whether the tool also replaces keyword, audit, or reporting software.
Cost drivers to count first
- Projects, sites, or campaigns.
- Rows, reports, exports, and backlink monitoring allowances.
- Users, seats, and client-reporting needs.
- Historical data, competitor comparisons, and link-gap workflows.
- API access and bulk data workflows.
- Whether backlink research is a specialist subscription or part of a broader platform.
Backlink-first research
Use this frame when organic competitor and link research are core jobs.
Ahrefs$29/moSemrushPartially verifiedAgency and reporting workflow
Use this frame when backlink checks need to support client reporting and recurring operations.
SE Ranking€87.20/moSemrushPartially verifiedSimpler or budget-conscious checks
Use this frame when the buyer needs approachable link context before a deeper stack.
MozNeeds verificationUbersuggestNeeds verificationSerpstatNeeds verificationNo custom quote is estimated.
Missing pricing remains unknown rather than zero.
Exact amounts only appear when centralized pricing records are verified.
Open full pricing comparisonEditorial methodology
How this backlink checker guide makes recommendations
The guide evaluates backlink workflow fit and avoids unverifiable database superiority claims.
Criteria reviewed
- Backlink discovery and referring-domain workflow.
- Competitor backlink and link-gap research.
- New/lost link, anchor text, top linked page, export, and reporting context.
- Broader keyword, content, audit, and agency workflow fit.
- Pricing verification state and public-price availability.
- Complementary technical crawling role.
Trust notes
- No backlink database is treated as complete.
- No star ratings, fake scores, or database-size claims are used.
- Affiliate availability does not affect order or inclusion.
- Ahrefs inactive affiliate status uses internal fallback links.
Editorial source records
Product capabilities and pricing structures were reviewed against available official product documentation. Editorial source URLs are stored internally and are not rendered as public service CTAs. Read the editorial policy.
Public plans, Backlink and organic research positioning, Project and keyword context
Checked 2026-06-20Pricing structure, Backlink research inside broad toolkit, Trial path
Checked 2026-06-18Plan pricing, Backlink monitoring context, Projects and reports
Checked 2026-06-20Exact current pricing marked needs-verification where central records are not verified
Checked 2026-06-24Technical crawler positioning, Annual licence model
Checked 2026-06-18FAQ
Backlink checker questions
Answers are intentionally cautious because pricing, limits, and product packaging can change.
There is no universal best backlink checker. Ahrefs is a strong fit for backlink-focused organic research, Semrush is strong when backlinks sit inside a broader SEO workflow, Moz can suit approachable link context, and SE Ranking can fit agency reporting workflows.
This guide does not make largest-database claims. No backlink database sees every link on the web, and different tools may discover different link sets.
Ahrefs is a strong backlink and organic competitor research option, but it is not automatically the best choice for every buyer. Reporting, budget, projects, broader SEO workflows, and internal fallback status may change the recommendation.
Semrush is a strong candidate when backlink analysis is part of a broader SEO suite that also supports keyword research, competitor analysis, audits, content, PPC context, and reporting.
Moz can be used for approachable link and authority context, especially for smaller teams or beginner-friendly workflows. Current exact pricing and limits should be verified before buying.
Similarweb is better framed as traffic and market intelligence. It can support strategic competitor research, but it should not be treated as a replacement for a backlink database.
Screaming Frog is a technical crawler. It can inspect internal links and technical issues on a site, but it is not a competitor backlink database replacement.
Check projects, exports, report rows, users, competitor comparisons, historical data, API access, and whether the tool replaces other SEO software or adds another subscription.
No. Backlink tools help research and monitor links, but rankings depend on many factors. Link quality, relevance, content, technical health, competition, and search behavior all matter.
No. Affiliate availability does not affect inclusion or order. Ahrefs remains recommended where it fits even though its commercial CTA uses internal fallback pages.
Next step
Compare backlink tools without chasing fake scores
Start with the research job: competitor links, link gaps, monitoring, exports, reports, or technical validation. Then choose the backlink workflow that fits.