Backlink checkers
We put 5 backlink checkers through the same test. Ahrefs came out on top with 4.5 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
Backlink checkers we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
Ahrefs
4.5/5Read our review →
LinkResearchTools
2.5/5Read our review →
Monitor Backlinks
2.5/5Read our review →
Majestic
2/5Read our review →
SEO SpyGlass
2/5Read our review →Test results compared
Every tool got the same test, between September 28, 2026 to October 27, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Keyword volume and ranking data compared with Google Search Console | Backlinks found versus links we know exist | Planted technical issues found out of 40 | Data freshness (how fast new links and rankings appear) | Price at 1 and 5 projects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | 4.5/5 | N/A: backlink discovery test | Known backlinks found 90/100 | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 21 h to reflect updates | – |
| LinkResearchTools | 2.5/5 | N/A: backlink discovery test | Known backlinks found 57/100 | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 52 h to reflect updates | – |
| Monitor Backlinks | 2.5/5 | N/A: backlink discovery test | Known backlinks found 63/100 | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 53 h to reflect updates | – |
| Majestic | 2/5 | N/A: backlink discovery test | Known backlinks found 56/100 | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 52 h to reflect updates | – |
| SEO SpyGlass | 2/5 | N/A: backlink discovery test | Known backlinks found 53/100 | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 54 h to reflect updates | – |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What backlink checkers do
Backlink checkers show which sites link to a domain or page, with metrics such as referring domains, anchor text, authority scores and new or lost links. Many also audit risky links for disavow files, compare competitors and monitor links over time.
Who uses them: SEO specialists and link builders, Agencies auditing client link profiles, Site owners recovering from link penalties or spam links, Content and PR teams tracking earned links, Freelancers who need a low-cost link report.
Price range: Entry prices vary widely. SEO SpyGlass is free with paid editions at 129 and 259 USD a year; Majestic Lite is 49.99 USD a month (41.67 yearly) and Pro 99.99; Ahrefs starts at 29 USD (Starter) with Lite at 129 a month; Monitor Backlinks standalone tiers are listed by third parties at roughly 20 to 100 USD a month but its official price could not be read; LinkResearchTools starts at 599 USD a month and goes to 2,499 for Plus. Cancellation without refund is common.
What to check before you buy
Index size and freshness. Different tools crawl different link sets, so counts disagree.
Link risk and disavow tools. Needed after penalties or spam; LinkResearchTools builds around Link Detox, SEO SpyGlass shows penalty risk, Monitor Backlinks builds a disavow list.
Monitoring and alerts. Lost-link alerts protect link-building work; Monitor Backlinks is built around this.
Metrics and history. Majestic offers Trust Flow, Citation Flow and a historic index; Ahrefs and others use their own authority scores.
Price and billing terms. Entry prices range from 129 USD a year (SEO SpyGlass) to 599 USD a month (LinkResearchTools); several vendors state no refunds and auto-renew.
How we test backlink checkers
The test for this category: Compare links found with the known backlinks of our 3 test sites; freshness of new links.
A fixed set of 3 test websites we control (with Google Search Console access) and 200 tracked keywords. Technical tools crawl a test site with 40 planted issues. Link tools run the same 50-site outreach list.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for SEO and search visibility tools.
What we measure
- Keyword volume and ranking data compared with Google Search Console
- Backlinks found versus links we know exist
- Planted technical issues found out of 40
- Data freshness (how fast new links and rankings appear)
- Price at 1 and 5 projects
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What is a backlink checker?
A tool that lists sites linking to a domain or page with metrics such as referring domains, anchors and authority; some also monitor changes and flag risky links.
Is there a free backlink checker?
Yes: Google Search Console for your own verified site, OpenLinkProfiler per one list, a free SEO SpyGlass edition (1,100 backlinks, 1 competitor), Majestic's free sign-up tools and Ahrefs Free for verified sites.
Which backlink checker has the biggest index?
Vendors claim the largest index.
Which tool is best for toxic link audits?
LinkResearchTools centres on Link Detox; SEO SpyGlass shows penalty risk; Monitor Backlinks builds a disavow list.
How much do backlink checkers cost?
From free to 129 USD a year (SEO SpyGlass), about 50 to 100 USD a month for Majestic, 29 to 1,499 USD a month for Ahrefs and 599 to 2,499 USD a month for LinkResearchTools.
More in SEO tools
Page updated November 4, 2026.
Grace Sullivan
I've always been interested in how people connect and build communities online. When exploring a new service, I pay attention to usability, transparency, pricing, and whether its advertised features make sense in everyday situations.
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