11 Best link building tools (Reviewed)

Link building isn’t a “nice-to-have” – it’s essential for improving your Google rankings. And with the right tools, you can scale your efforts without the guesswork.

Of course, sometimes it’s not just about the tools; tapping into quality link building services can be the game-changer you need.

But finding the right link building tools to assist with the entire link building process can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Should you use premium link building tools, or are free link building tools enough? Stick with manual outreach, or automate with link building software?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the 11 best link building tools you should be using in 2025. Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned SEO pro, these tools will save you time, improve your results, and help you build backlinks that actually make a difference.

Let’s dive in!

The best link building tools (and what makes them great)

Let’s dive into the good stuff. Here’s a rundown of the 11 best link building tools you should consider for your SEO toolkit. From automated link building tools to ones that let you focus on manual outreach, there’s something for everyone.

1. Ahrefs: Your backlink detective

As the top link building tool, Ahrefs is Sherlock Holmes in the SEO world, known for its massive backlink index- over 35 trillion backlinks, to be exact. Ahrefs bot is the most active web crawler in the industry, crawling about 420 million pages daily.

If you’re serious about building a powerful backlink profile, Ahrefs is like having a personal assistant dedicated to tracking down your next great link-building opportunity.

Key features:

• Backlink analysis: Dive deep into your backlink profile and uncover high-quality link opportunities to strengthen your strategy.

• Competitor backlink research: Reverse-engineer competitor link strategies to spot new opportunities that you might have missed.
• Link Intersect Tool: Find websites linking to multiple competitors but not you, giving you low-hanging fruit for outreach.
• Content explorer: Provides a searchable database of 15.6 billion pages to find link prospects and discover trending content.
• Mention Monitoring: Track unlinked brand mentions and turn them into backlinks by reaching out to sites mentioning you without linking.

Pros:

• Massive database means you’ll never run out of link opportunities.
• Reverse engineering competitor strategies helps uncover untapped link prospects.
• Unique tools like Link Intersect and Mention Monitoring make outreach easier and more effective.

Cons:

• Pricing might be a bit high for smaller businesses or SEO beginners, but totally worth it for pros.
• There’s a bit of a learning curve if you’re new to SEO tools.

Pricing:

Starts at $99 per month for the Lite plan, with higher-tier options available for more advanced features.

Why I recommend Ahrefs:

Ahrefs is more than just a link building tool – it’s a complete SEO powerhouse. Its ability to offer granular insights into your backlink profile and competitors’ link strategies is unmatched.

If you’re aiming for an efficient, data-driven approach to link building, Ahrefs delivers on both scale and depth, making it essential for any serious SEO professional.

2. SEMrush: The SEO Swiss Army Knife

SEMrush is the ultimate all-in-one tool – perfect for SEO pros who want a reliable way to build backlinks, track their progress, and monitor competitors.

It’s perfect for building backlinks, tracking your efforts, and even spying on your competitors – basically, everything you need to crush your link-building game.

You know the old saying, “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight”? SEMrush is the SEO gun you want in your arsenal.

Key features:

• Backlink audit tool: Quickly find toxic links and get rid of the bad ones that could hurt your rankings.
• Link building tool: Discover the high authority websites to reach out to, making your outreach more effective.
• Competitor research: See where your competitors are getting their backlinks from and snatch those opportunities for yourself.

• Backlink gap analysis: Find the links your competitors have that you don’t – and then go get them.
• Outreach module: Manage your entire outreach email campaign in one place – track emails, responses, and even link placements.

Pros:

• A complete SEO toolkit for serious link-building and SEO strategies.
• Deep competitor insights that let you steal the best quality link opportunities.
• Syncs effortlessly with Google Analytics and Search Console for tracking everything in one place.

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming for beginners, with a bit of a learning curve.
• Premium features can be pricey, especially if you’re just starting out.

Pricing:

Semrush is priced between $139.95 and $499.95 per month.

Why I recommend SEMrush:

If you want a tool that handles everything – from link building to tracking your campaigns, SEMrush is a total game-changer. It’s not just a backlink tool – it’s an entire SEO powerhouse that’ll help you build, track, and grow your backlinks faster.

3. Hunter.io: The outreach tool you didn’t know you needed

Let’s face it: outreach is often the most frustrating part of link building. You need the right email addresses, and it’s always a chore to hunt them down.

That’s where Hunter.io comes in to save the day. It’s a tool that makes your outreach process quick, easy, and efficient – so you can focus on what really matters: building backlinks.

Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

Key Features:

• Domain search: Find email addresses linked to a specific domain, so you can connect with the right people – no more generic inboxes or spammy links.
• Email finder: Locate emails of specific individuals within a company (goodbye, “[email protected]”).
• Email verifier: Ensure you’re only emailing active addresses with Hunter’s built-in verification feature.

• Signals: A newer feature that uses intent data to identify outreach targets actively interested in what you offer – perfect for discovering relevant link building opportunities.
• Campaigns: Send cold emails and track your link building outreach – all from one platform.
• Integrations & browser extension: Easily integrates with top SEO tools and offers a browser extension and Google Sheets add-on for hassle-free outreach.

Pros:

• Simple interface makes link building outreach easier than ever before.
• Free Plan offers 25 searches and 50 email verifications- great for small-scale projects.
• Excellent for finding relevant link building opportunities quickly and efficiently.
• Built-in email editor and inbox to track all your outreach efforts in one spot.

Cons:

• Not always 100% accurate – sometimes a little detective work is needed to find the right person.
• Smaller businesses may lack detailed contact info, making it trickier to find the perfect link building opportunities.
• The free plan is limited, and the paid plans can get pricey fast.

Pricing:

Hunter.io offers pricing from free to $399 per month.

Why I recommend Hunter.io:

Hunter.io is a must-have outreach tool for anyone serious about link building. It’s straightforward, easy to use, and integrates seamlessly with top SEO tools.

Whether you’re building a few links or running a full-scale campaign, Hunter.io will save you tons of time – and headaches – along the way.

The free plan is definitely worth a try if you’re just starting out.

4. Majestic: A deep dive into backlink analysis

When it comes to backlink analysis, Majestic is one of the best link building tools you’ll ever come across.

While other tools try to do it all, Majestic sticks to what it does best: providing in-depth insights into backlinks and link profiles.

If you want to know the true quality of your backlinks (and those of your competitors), Majestic is like your personal SEO detective.

Key features:

• Backlink database: A massive database for all your backlink research needs, giving you access to countless link building opportunities.
• Trust Flow & Citation Flow: These two metrics are your best friends. Trust Flow measures how trustworthy your backlinks are, while Citation Flow tracks the quantity of backlinks you have. Together, they help you understand the full scope of your backlink profile.
• Topical Trust Flow: Categorizes backlinks by domain topics – super helpful when you’re looking for relevant link building opportunities.

• Link context: Provides insights into whether links are follow/nofollow, new/old, and where they’re placed – vital for assessing the effectiveness of your links.
• Anchor text analysis: Visualizes anchor text to make your link building strategy even more effective.
• Compare domains: Compare backlink profiles across different sites to identify link building opportunities.
• Clique Hunter: See which websites share backlinks – perfect for finding new link building opportunities.

Pros:

• Deep insights into your backlink profile and link building methods.
• Competitive analysis helps you understand how other sites are building their backlink profiles.
• Easy-to-use tools for competitive analysis and link building.
• Customizable reports to track your backlink analytics.

Cons:

• Limited keyword research features compared to all-in-one SEO tools.
• The interface can be overwhelming for beginners – so it’s a better fit for those with a bit of SEO experience.

Pricing:

Starts at $49.99/month. Higher tiers unlock more advanced features and larger datasets for those who want to dive deeper into their backlink analysis.

Why I recommend Majestic:

Majestic is a link building software designed specifically for those serious about their link-building efforts.

If you want to get granular with your backlink analysis and uncover high-quality opportunities, Majestic is a must-have in your SEO toolkit.

It’s not flashy, but its insights are invaluable.

5. Pitchbox: The key to automate your outreach efforts

Pitchbox is one of the best link building tools for scaling your link building and outreach campaigns.

If you’re tired of juggling outreach emails and chasing links, Pitchbox does the heavy lifting for you, so you can focus on what matters most: growing your backlink profile.

With its advanced automation and powerful features, Pitchbox is the go-to choice for SEO pros who want to build high-quality links at scale.

Key features:

• Custom campaigns: Build tailored outreach workflows with 20+ customizable templates to suit your strategy.
• Prospect management: Easily track and manage link prospects with Pitchbox’s CRM-style dashboard.
• Automated follow-ups: Stay on top of every lead with Chasebox, Pitchbox’s automated follow-up tool.
• Smart outreach: Use advanced SEO filters to target the best link prospects based on Domain authority, Trust Flow, and more.
• Real-time backlink monitoring: Get notified if any backlinks go missing, so you can take immediate action.

Pros:

• Customizable outreach strategies tailored to your link building goals.
• All-in-one platform – no more juggling tools for different tasks.
• Allows multiple team members to participate in the same campaign.
• Excellent reporting and team management features that make link building feel less like a hassle.

Cons:

• The learning curve is a bit steep, especially for newbies to the link building world.
• It can be a little on the pricey side for smaller businesses or solo marketers.

Pricing:

Pitchbox costs between $550 and $1500 per month.

Why I recommend Pitchbox:

If you want to build links faster, smarter, and at scale, Pitchbox is the tool you need. It’s perfect for anyone serious about automating their outreach process while securing high-quality links.

With customizable workflows, automated follow-ups, and real-time link monitoring, Pitchbox is an indispensable tool for link building success.

6. Moz: The all-in-one link building and SEO tool

Let’s talk about Moz – it’s one of the best link building tools out there when it comes to backlinks. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all things SEO – backlink analysis, rank tracking, competitor spying – Moz is your tool.

Moz’s Open Site Explorer is the real MVP here. It gives you an in-depth look at your backlink profile and domain authority, helping you identify the links that matter and find new opportunities.

Key Features:

• Open site explorer: Your go-to tool for understanding your backlink profile and finding the best opportunities to build links.
• Competitive link research tool: See where your competitors are getting their backlinks from, then steal those opportunities for yourself. No shame in the SEO game.
• Link acquisition assistant: This little helper generates a list of potential link-building sites for you, so you won’t have to scroll through endless lists like a mad scientist.
• Link building tools & resources: Moz offers a ton of resources to help you get better at link building, even if you’re just starting out.

Pros:

• Domain Authority & Page Authority metrics to gauge quality links.
• Competitive Link Research Tool is perfect for finding fresh opportunities by analyzing where your competitors are getting their links.
• The Link Acquisition Assistant takes the grunt work out of finding new sites to reach out to.
• Regular updates to stay current with SEO changes.

Cons:

• The learning curve can be a little steep for beginners.
• Some features, like the Link Acquisition Assistant, require a bit of manual effort.

Pricing:

Moz starts at $99/month for the PRO plan. Higher-tier plans unlock more advanced features if you’re ready to take your SEO game to the next level.

Why I recommend Moz:

Moz is one of the most reliable tools for tracking your backlinks and improving your SEO. The Open Site Explorer will help you spot opportunities you never knew existed. It’s a bit of a learning curve at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.

7. BuzzStream: Secret to scalable, personalized outreach

If you’re tired of digging for contact details and sending follow-up emails one-by-one, BuzzStream is about to become your new best friend.

It’s a powerful outreach tool that automates the tedious parts of link building, so you can focus on what really matters: securing quality backlinks.

Key features:

• Link discovery: Find the best link building opportunities by identifying the right influencers and bloggers to reach out to.
• BuzzMarker: A handy Chrome extension that grabs contact details in a flash – no more manual website searches.
• Outreach templates: Create personalized outreach email templates to make outreach faster and more effective. Better emails = better response rates.
• Automated follow-ups: Follow up like a pro. Set up email sequences to ensure you never miss a backlink opportunity – on autopilot.
• Tracking & reporting: Keep an eye on your link building campaign’s success with detailed reports on how your outreach is performing.

Pros:

• Cuts down hours of manual outreach work.
• Manage outreach efforts across teams and projects, keeping everyone on the same page.
• Get valuable insights into what’s working (and what’s not) so you can optimize your strategy in real-time.
• Simple templates and reports make outreach a breeze.

Cons:

• Might take a bit to get the hang of, especially if you’re new to outreach.
• Some prospects might have missing contact info (about 20%).

Pricing:

BuzzStream’s pricing ranges from $24 to $999 per month.

Why I recommend BuzzStream:

If you want to scale your link building efforts and secure quality backlinks without the manual grind, BuzzStream is the tool you need.

It automates the boring stuff, gives you the tools to manage your outreach efficiently, and lets you track every detail – making it easier to focus on what really matters: building backlinks that move the needle.

8. Respona: Your automated outreach assistant for link building

Link building can feel like a daunting task when you’re juggling spreadsheets, emails, and follow-ups. Enter Respona.

This automated link building tool takes care of everything, from finding the right contacts to sending personalized outreach emails and tracking your campaigns.

Perfect for link builders looking to save time and get better results.

Key features:

• Built-in Search Engine & Backlink Extractor: Find link building opportunities from tools like Moz, Ahrefs, and Google – your very own treasure map for link building.
• Contact Finder/Verifier: Automatically find and verify email addresses to make sure you’re reaching out to the right person (no more bouncing emails!).
• Shared email inbox: Manage all your outreach replies in one place – no more wasting time hunting through your inbox.
• Campaign & email sequence templates: Get pre-designed templates for outreach campaigns, including the Skyscraper Technique and Guest Post templates. Customize with just a few clicks!
• Automated follow-ups: Set it and forget it. Follow-ups are automatically triggered, so you don’t need to worry about missing out on replies.

Pros:

• Supercharged outreach, streamlining the process from start to finish.
• Seamless integrations with Moz, Ahrefs, and Google, making link prospecting effortless.

• Campaign templates to kickstart outreach and ensure you’re targeting the right websites.

Cons:

• The Starter Plan is on the pricier side, especially for smaller teams.
• Some features require third-party subscriptions (but they do integrate well).

Pricing:

Respona is priced between $99 and $399 per month.

Why I recommend Respona:

If you’re looking for a tool that automates your link-building outreach, Respona is the answer. It’s perfect for saving time while scaling your outreach campaigns and ensuring you’re reaching out to the right person at the right time. It might be a bit pricey, but the time saved and the quality of backlink opportunities it brings are well worth it.

9. ProfNet: The Secret to Quality Media Exposure and Backlinks

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting backlinks from top publications like Forbes, The New York Times, or Entrepreneur (just to name a few), ProfNet is your golden ticket.

It connects you with journalists who need expert quotes for their articles. Respond to their queries, and boom—you just landed a high-authority backlink. No PR firm needed.

Key features:

• Exclusive queries: Say goodbye to generic requests. ProfNet connects you with journalists looking for real experts.
• Top-tier backlinks: With fewer users in the game, you’ve got a better chance of earning those high-authority backlinks from major outlets.
• Tailored outreach: Choose queries that match your niche, so you’re always pitching to the right audience.

Pros:

• Exclusive opportunities that you won’t find on free platforms.
• Higher chance of scoring backlinks with a smaller pool of competitors.
• Top-notch placements from high-quality media sources (hello, authority).

Cons:

• It’s pricey—this is premium quality, so expect a premium price.
• The interface feels old-school, like you’re in a time machine that takes you back to the ‘90s.

Pricing:

ProfNet keeps its pricing under wraps— you`ll need to reach out directly for a quote.

Why I recommend ProfNet:

If you’re serious about quality over quantity, ProfNet is your secret weapon. Sure, it’s not free, but the return on investment (ROI) can be worth it, especially if you’re looking for those high-impact backlinks from credible sources. It’s the platform that says, “Hey, you’re not just anyone—you’re an expert!

10. CognitiveSEO: A comprehensive backlink and SEO solution

CognitiveSEO is an all-in-one SEO tool with a heavy emphasis on backlink management. This tool is designed to give you deep insights into your site’s backlink profile, helping you track, analyze, and improve your SEO link building efforts.

Plus, it integrates with Majestic’s OpenApps API to give you even more backlink data to geek out over.

Key features:

• Inbound link analysis: Get a detailed breakdown of your site’s backlink profile, including anchor text, link positioning, and other valuable insights.
• Link management: Bulk import links and keep your backlink profile organized.
• Rank tracking: Monitor keyword rankings across Google, Bing, and Yahoo to track your SEO performance.
• Campaign management: Effortlessly run your link building campaigns, with clear progress tracking.
• Competitive analysis: Compare your backlinks against competitors and find new opportunities.

Pros:

• Deep insights into backlink management and performance.
• Intuitive interface with real-time updates.
• Competitive analysis to identify all the backlink opportunities from rivals.
• Comprehensive campaign management for tracking link-building efforts.

Cons:

• The sheer volume of data can be overwhelming for beginners.
• Pricing is not clearly available upfront, so you may need to dig for details.

Why I recommend CognitiveSEO:

For the SEO pros who want to get granular with their backlink strategy, CognitiveSEO is the way to go. While it’s not the simplest tool, it’s a gem for those looking to level up their backlink strategy.

11. Serpstat: Affordable link building and SEO management

Not everyone needs a top-tier tool with a hefty price tag. Serpstat is a great budget-friendly alternative.

It started as a keyword research tool but has expanded into an SEO suite that includes powerful link-building features.

It’s ideal for smaller businesses that want to get serious about their backlink strategy without spending too much.

Key features:

• Backlink analysis: See exactly what your backlink profile looks like and how to improve it.
• Competitor backlink research: Spy on competitors backlinks and steal their best opportunities to improve your own link building strategy.
• Rank tracking: See how your backlinks are impacting your rankings over time and track the keywords that matter to your business.

Pros:

• Affordable pricing makes it perfect for small businesses.
• It’s easy to use, even for beginners.
• Also, provides tools for keyword research, content analysis, and on-page SEO, giving you everything you need in one platform.

Cons:

• Keyword research could use some improvement compared to premium tools like Ahrefs.
• Not as feature-packed as other premium tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, but it’s a great choice for most small businesses who don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Pricing:

Respona is priced between $69 and $499 per month.

Why I recommend Serpstat:

Serpstat is an excellent link building tool for small businesses looking to boost their backlink profile and SEO efforts on a budget. It may not have the advanced features of the big players, but it offers solid functionality and insightful data at a price point that’s hard to beat.

How to choose the right link building tool for your needs?

Choosing the right link-building tool is straightforward once you know what you need. Here’s the quick framework to find the perfect fit for your needs.

1. Know your SEO goals: Are you focused on backlinks, content marketing, or local SEO? The right tool should align with your objectives.
2. Consider your team: Think about your team’s size and whether you need multi-user access and collaboration features.
3. Set a budget: Choose a tool that fits within your budget while allowing for future growth. Balance cost with the features you need.

Key Considerations:

• SEO focus: Some tools excel at backlink analysis, while others offer a full suite for SEO.
• Industry needs: Certain tools are tailored for specific industries (e.g., e-commerce, local SEO).
• Team size: Larger teams may need tools with collaboration and multi-user features.

Wrap-up

The world of link building doesn’t have to be overwhelming, when you have the right tools in your arsenal.

Whether you’re after in-depth backlink analysis, automated outreach, or top-tier media exposure, the tools we’ve covered here are up for the task.

From the heavy hitters like Moz and Respona to the simple, effective choices like Linkody and Serpstat, there’s something for every budget and skill level.

Remember, successful link building is a marathon, not a sprint, so choose the tool that fits your needs.

Which tool caught your eye? Ready to give it a shot? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear which one you’re excited to dive into!

Happy link building, and here’s to seeing those SEO rankings climb!