Best SmallSEOTools Backlink Maker Alternatives (2026)
Looking for a SmallSEOTools Backlink Maker alternative? Compare 5 free options on transparency, signup, exports and link quality, and pick the right one.
SmallSEOTools Backlink Maker is one of the most familiar free backlink tools. You enter a URL, click "Make Backlink", and the tool works through a list of sites, showing a green tick or a red cross for each one. It is free and simple, and it is part of a large suite of SEO utilities many people already use.
People look for alternatives for a few common reasons: they want to see each link being created, keep an exportable record, control the run, or try a different set of sources. This guide compares the options fairly.
Disclosure: Backlink Generator is our own product, and we rank it first. We describe the other tools from their own public pages as of October 2026. Check each site for the latest details.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Free | Signup | Creates links automatically | Visible link preview | Export |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backlink Generator | Yes, 100 per run | No | Yes | Yes, live activity log | CSV and TXT |
| SmallSEOTools Backlink Maker | Yes | Not stated | Yes | Status tick per link | Not stated |
| W3era Backlink Maker | Yes | No | No, gives a list to submit | Not applicable | Not stated |
| Sitechecker Backlinks Generator | Link generation is free | Yes | Yes, from a smaller set of sites | Status codes | Tracking in account |
| Manual submissions | Yes | Per site | No | You see everything | Your own sheet |
What SmallSEOTools does well
Before the alternatives, credit where it is due. The SmallSEOTools Backlink Maker is free, needs almost no setup and gives a clear per-link status. If you want a quick one-off run and already use its other tools, it does the job. Like every tool of this kind, it creates discovery-style mentions rather than editorial links.
1. Backlink Generator: best overall alternative
Backlink Generator also submits your URL to public lookup pages such as site statistics, WHOIS, SEO analysis and archive pages. The difference is in visibility and control.
- One free run of 100 backlinks with a free account; Pro for unlimited runs.
- Every link is logged live one at a time, loaded in the background or in a single reusable tab, so you can see exactly what page is being created.
- Pause, resume or stop at any moment, choose slow or normal speed, and shuffle the order.
- Tranco popularity rank shown for each linking domain, so you can see which links come from well-known sites.
- CSV and TXT export or copy all links in one click, useful for client reports.
- Paid plans for heavier use: more sources, YouTube backlinks for watch and youtu.be links, unlimited runs, run history and fast speed. Plans cost ₹99 (Pro), ₹500 (Pro Plus) or ₹1,799 (Coach) for 30 days, one-time, with no auto-renewal and a 7-day refund on your first payment.
As with any generator, most links are nofollow discovery mentions. They help crawlers find a new domain or page; they do not guarantee rankings.
Best for: anyone who wants a transparent run and a report they can keep.
2. W3era Backlink Maker
W3era takes the manual route. It returns a list of directories, profile sites and citation platforms where your business is not yet listed, and you submit to each one yourself.
Good: free, no signup, and hand-made listings on relevant directories can last.
Limitation: it is a checklist, not a generator, so it takes much more time.
Best for: local businesses building citations by hand.
3. Sitechecker Backlinks Generator
Sitechecker generates inbound links from a smaller set of sites, lists them with status codes and can track them over time inside your account.
Good: link tracking within a full SEO platform.
Limitation: you need an account, and the wider platform is a paid product after the trial.
Best for: teams already using Sitechecker.
4. Manual discovery submissions
You can create many of the same kinds of mentions yourself by visiting public website statistics or WHOIS lookup pages and entering your domain. It is free and fully transparent, but slow, and you have to keep your own record.
Best for: people who only need a handful of mentions.
5. A backlink checker to verify results
Whichever generator you use, verify the outcome. Google Search Console's Links report, Bing Webmaster Tools and the Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker show which referring domains search engines have actually found. See our list of the best free backlink checkers.
How to choose
- Want a quick run inside a suite you already use? SmallSEOTools is fine.
- Want to see every link, control the run and export a report? Use Backlink Generator.
- Want lasting local listings? Use W3era's list or build citations manually.
- Already paying for Sitechecker? Use its built-in generator.
For a wider comparison, read our roundup of the best free backlink generators.
FAQ
Is the SmallSEOTools Backlink Maker safe?
It submits your URL to sites that generate pages about domains, which is generally low risk. As with any generator, do not expect these links to improve rankings on their own.
Why use an alternative if SmallSEOTools is free?
Mainly for visibility and records. Backlink Generator shows each link as it loads, lets you pause or stop the run, shows a popularity rank per domain and exports the results.
Do any of these tools guarantee rankings?
No. Generators create discovery mentions. Rankings depend on content quality, relevance and editorial links from real websites.