Linkwatcher alternative — the apibacklinks backlink API
A developer-first, 10× cheaper Linkwatcher alternative: backlinks, referring domains, anchors and Domain Rating as one JSON API. $100 free, DR & counts keyless.
If Linkwatcher is the map, what you actually need is the API behind it — same territory, a tenth of the toll. Linkwatcher: #1 Backlink Management and Monitoring Tool
Between seat limits, row caps and “contact sales” API tiers, pulling raw link data at scale turns into a procurement project.
apibacklinks was built for exactly this: referring domains, backlinks, anchors and a 0–100 Domain Rating, delivered as JSON over a web-scale link graph. Domain Rating and link counts are free and keyless; the heavy backlink and referring-domain lists cost about a tenth of what Linkwatcher and the incumbents charge.
The numbers for linkwatcher.io above come straight from that index — proof it works on the brand you’re comparing. Grab a key, pass ?key=, and you're migrated — with $100 of credit and no monthly minimum waiting on you.
apibacklinks vs Linkwatcher
| apibacklinks | Linkwatcher | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | JSON API | Dashboard-first |
| Price | from $0.10 per 1,000 calls | Subscription / higher |
| Free sign-up credit | $100 | Limited / trial |
| DR & link counts | Free, keyless | Paid / limited |
From Linkwatcher to apibacklinks in one call
curl "https://apibacklinks.com/api.php?action=backlinks&q=linkwatcher.io&key=YOUR_KEY"
Linkwatcher alternative — FAQ
Is there a free Linkwatcher alternative?
How is apibacklinks cheaper than Linkwatcher?
Where does the data come from?
Backlink data for the price of a rounding error
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