7 Best Monitor Backlinks Alternatives in 2026
Tracking links is half the job. Building them is the other half.
MentionAgent finds blogs, looks up contacts, writes pitches, follows up. $99/mo flat.
Monitor Backlinks was acquired by SEOptimer in August 2023. It now starts at $39/mo as part of a white-label SEO bundle. Closest cheap replacement: Linkody at $14.90/mo. Want to build backlinks instead: MentionAgent at $99/mo.
Free monitoring on your sites: Google Search Console plus Ahrefs Webmaster Tools.
If you needed white-label client PDFs: stay on SEOptimer.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Backlink Monitoring | Outreach Built In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MentionAgent | Earning new backlinks via outreach | $99/mo | No | Yes (automated) |
| Linkody | Cheap dedicated backlink monitor | $14.90/mo | Yes | No |
| Ahrefs | Deep backlink & SEO data | $129/mo | Yes | No |
| Semrush | All-in-one SEO suite | $139.95/mo | Yes | No |
| Majestic | Backlink-focused SEO | $49.99/mo | Yes | No |
| Moz Pro | Domain & Page Authority | $49/mo (Starter) | Yes | No |
| Google Search Console + AWT | Free monitoring on your own sites | Free | Yes | No |
1. MentionAgent
Best for: founders who want to earn more backlinks, not just track lost ones
Monitor Backlinks tells you which links you lost. It does not help you replace them. MentionAgent automates the opposite half of the workflow: it finds relevant blogs in your niche, looks up the right contact, writes a personalized pitch, and follows up. You approve before it sends.
- AI finds and qualifies prospects automatically
- Every email is personalized to the recipient’s actual content
- Built-in deliverability handling
- Flat monthly price, no credits
- Pricing: From $99/mo
2. Linkody
Best for: the cheapest dedicated backlink monitor
Linkody is the closest direct replacement for the original standalone Monitor Backlinks: a focused, affordable backlink monitor without the broader white-label reporting layer SEOptimer adds. Starts at $14.90/month for two domains and 500 monitored links. See our Linkody review.
- 24-hour link status checks with email reports
- Lost link alerts and disavow file builder
- Domain Authority, Trust Flow, Citation Flow per link
- Pricing: Webmaster $14.90/mo, Advanced $24.90/mo, Pro $49.90/mo, Agency $99.90/mo
3. Ahrefs
Best for: the deepest backlink data on the market
Ahrefs has one of the largest, most-frequently-updated backlink indexes in SEO. Catches new and lost links for any domain plus anchor text and referring domain growth. Far more powerful than Monitor Backlinks ever was, with pricing to match. See our Ahrefs review and pricing.
- Site Explorer for any URL on the web
- Domain Rating (DR) and URL Rating
- Free Ahrefs Webmaster Tools for verified sites
- Pricing: Lite $129/mo, Standard $249/mo
4. Semrush
Best for: backlink monitoring inside a full SEO suite
Semrush combines Backlink Analytics with keyword research, rank tracking, and content tools. If Monitor Backlinks felt too narrow and you want SEO data alongside link tracking, Semrush is the broader option. See our Semrush review.
- Backlink Analytics with new and lost link reports
- Backlink Audit for spotting toxic links
- Bundled with keyword and competitor research
- Pricing: Pro $139.95/mo, Guru $249.95/mo
5. Majestic
Best for: backlink-first SEO with Trust Flow
Majestic is the SEO tool most focused on backlinks. Trust Flow and Citation Flow are widely cited in link building. Smaller scope than Ahrefs or Semrush but more affordable for backlink-heavy work. See our Majestic review.
- Trust Flow and Citation Flow
- Historic and Fresh Index for different time horizons
- Backlink history charts
- Pricing: Lite $49.99/mo, Pro $99.99/mo
6. Moz Pro
Best for: Domain Authority context and small SEO teams
Moz Pro’s Link Explorer gives you backlink monitoring with Domain Authority and Page Authority built in. Smaller index than Ahrefs but the DA score is still one of the most-quoted SEO metrics. See our Moz Pro review.
- Link Explorer with DA and PA
- Spam Score for evaluating link quality
- Site audits and rank tracking included
- Pricing: Starter $49/mo, Standard $99/mo
7. Google Search Console + Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
Best for: free monitoring on sites you own
Both are free and unlimited for verified sites. Search Console shows Google’s view of your backlinks. Ahrefs Webmaster Tools exposes the full Ahrefs index for your verified properties. The combination covers most of what Monitor Backlinks did at $0, with the trade-off that you can’t monitor competitor backlinks. See our free backlink checkers guide.
- Unlimited monitoring for verified sites
- Two independent indexes for cross-checking
- Pricing: Free
You used standalone Monitor Backlinks for cheap, dedicated link monitoring and don’t need agency reporting features. What’s the closest replacement?
Right. Linkody is the closest spiritual successor: a focused, affordable monitor without the white-label reporting layer SEOptimer adds.
If you don’t need white-label PDFs, Linkody at $14.90/mo replaces standalone Monitor Backlinks more cleanly than the SEOptimer-bundled version.
How to choose, step by step
- Are you trying to grow your backlink count? If yes, no monitor will get you there. Use MentionAgent for automated outreach.
- Tracking only: do you need white-label client PDFs? If yes, stay on SEOptimer (Monitor Backlinks) at $39/mo. If no, go to step 3.
- Do you need full SEO data (keywords, content, rank tracking)? If yes, Ahrefs ($129/mo) or Semrush ($139.95/mo). If no, go to step 4.
- Sites you own only, on a tight budget? Free: Google Search Console plus Ahrefs Webmaster Tools. Paid: Linkody at $14.90/mo for a clean dashboard plus email alerts.
Your old Monitor Backlinks subscription was $25/mo for one site. SEOptimer’s entry tier is $39/mo for 3 sites. You only have one site. Best replacement?
Right. Linkody Webmaster is built for exactly your case: 1-2 sites, dedicated monitoring, email alerts. At $14.90/mo it’s actually cheaper than your old subscription.
SEOptimer’s $39/mo is overkill for one site (you’d be paying for the audit and reporting bundle). Linkody Webmaster at $14.90/mo fits your scale and is cheaper than your old plan.
You like the idea of monitoring backlinks but realize what you really want is more backlinks. Best move?
Right. No monitor (cheap or expensive) earns links. MentionAgent ($99/mo) automates the outreach side.
Monitoring tools track existing links, no matter the price. To earn new ones you need outreach. MentionAgent ($99/mo) automates it.
Stop watching, start building
MentionAgent finds blogs in your niche, looks up the right contact, writes the pitch, and follows up. You approve the email. That’s it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Monitor Backlinks still available?
Yes, but indirectly. SEOptimer acquired Monitor Backlinks in August 2023. The original domain redirects to SEOptimer, where backlink monitoring is offered as part of a white-label SEO platform starting at $39/month.
What is the best alternative to Monitor Backlinks?
For cheap dedicated monitoring, Linkody at $14.90/month. For deeper data, Ahrefs or Semrush. For earning new backlinks, MentionAgent at $99/month.
What is cheaper than Monitor Backlinks?
Linkody at $14.90/month is well below SEOptimer’s $39/month entry tier. Free options include Google Search Console and Ahrefs Webmaster Tools.
Does Monitor Backlinks help build new backlinks?
No. It tracks links you already have. MentionAgent ($99/mo) automates outreach to earn new ones.
What happened to my subscription after the SEOptimer acquisition?
Existing subscriptions migrated to SEOptimer’s platform. The original domain redirects, the dashboard and historical data remain accessible. New signups follow SEOptimer’s pricing starting at $39/mo.
Is Linkody better than Monitor Backlinks for solo SEOs?
For solo SEOs without client reporting needs, yes. Linkody Webmaster is $14.90/mo vs $39/mo for SEOptimer’s entry tier (a ~$217/year difference). For agencies that need white-label PDFs, SEOptimer fits better.