Broken or dead links can create a negative user experience (UX) and lower your website’s CTR. Moreover, search engines dislike websites with too many broken links, and neither do your visitors.
Trying to find every bad backlink manually on a big site is like finding one specific fish in the ocean.
The good news is that website broken link checker make this job much easier. These tools simplify the process by
- Scanning your website for 404 pages
- Checking both internal and external links
- Reporting errors for you to fix
This post compiled a list of free, freemium, and paid broken link finder tools.
Top Broken Link Checkers Compared
Here is a quick look at how these 11 tools compare. Remember, features can change depending on the plan you choose.
| Tool | Platform | Free/Paid | Ideal For | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small SEO Tools | Web-based | Free | Beginners | Simple online scan |
| Google Search Console | Web (Google) | Free | Site owners | Direct Google data |
| Xenu’s Link Sleuth | Windows app | Free | Large sites | Super-fast crawling |
| Online Broken Link Checker | Web-based | Free (3K pages) | Quick checks | Pinpoints code location |
| Dead Link Checker | Web-based | Free + Paid | Site managers | Multi-site + auto reports |
| Screaming Frog | Desktop (Win/Mac) | Free (500 URLs) + Paid | SEO pros | Full SEO audit |
| AIOSEO | WordPress plugin | Free + Paid | WP users | Fix links in-dashboard |
| Dr. Link Check | Web-based | Free (1.5K links) + Paid | SMBs | Security + broken links |
| Ahrefs | Web-based | Paid (limited free) | SEO agencies | Competitor analysis |
| SEMrush | Web-based | Paid (limited free) | Marketing teams | Toxic backlink cleanup |
| SE Ranking | Web-based | Free trial + Paid | Small biz | Budget-friendly SEO suite |
What are Broken Links and Why Do They Happen?
A broken link is a link without a functioning destination. Users see a “404 Not Found error” instead of the intended web page when they click it.
This happens when pages are deleted or moved, harming website accessibility and wasting valuable link equity passed from other sites.
Links can stop working for a few common reasons.
- Typo in the URL: Someone made a mistake when typing the web address for the link.
- The page was deleted: The website owner removed the page you are looking for.
- Website moved to a new domain: The whole website has a new name, so the old address does not work.
- Website is no longer online: The website was taken down from the internet and no longer exists.
- Content was moved to a new URL: The information you want is still there, but on a different page address.
- Changes in website structure: The website’s owner changed how the pages are organized, breaking old links.
- Link points to removed content: The link goes to a picture or file that is now gone.
- Firewall is blocking access: A security wall on the website is stopping you from seeing the page.
- The server is temporarily down: The computer that holds the website is not working right now, but it may be later.
Why is it Essential to Identify and Fix Broken Links?
Finding and fixing broken links improves your website’s performance for visitors and search engines. A good website experience keeps people happy and prevents them from leaving.
Search engines also like clean websites with working links, which can help your site appear higher in search results for others to find.
How to Find Broken Links
The table below explains the different ways to find broken links.
| Process | How the Process Work |
| Manual Inspection | 1. You must click on every single link yourself 2. Check each page to see if it loads correctly 3. Look for any “404 Not Found” error pages 4. This process takes a very long time to finish. |
| Website Backlink Checker | 1. Use a special tool or software to scan 2. You enter your website’s address to start 3. The tool checks your entire website for you 4. You get a full report showing all bad links. |
| CMS Plugins | 1. Add a tool right inside your website system 2. It runs in the background all on its own 3. Automatically and constantly checks your website for you 4. Helps you fix links from your website dashboard. |
Top Website Broken Link Checker Features, Pros, Cons Explained
Let’s explore the top broken link checker tools and their good and bad points.
Free Broken Link Detector
Small SEO Tools
Small SEO Tools is a website that provides many free tools to help improve a website’s performance. The Broken Link Checker from Small SEO Tools automatically searches a website to identify links that no longer work.
The tool provides a report so the dead links can be fixed. This is important because broken links affect search engines, and fixing them can help a website’s ranking. When all links work correctly, visitors cannot abandon the site and find what they need.
How to Use Small SEO Tools to Find Broken Links
1. Find the tool: Go to the Small SEO Tools website and find the page for the Broken Link Checker.
2. Add your website: Put your website’s address into the text box on the page.
3. Begin the check: Click the button to make the tool start scanning your website.
4. See the report: The tool will give you a list of all the broken links that it finds.
Main Features
- Website Scan: Crawl your entire website, searching every page to identify any broken links.
- Detailed Error Reports: This provides a report that lists all the links that are not working and shows where the 404 error is occurring.
- Free and Online: You can use the tool directly on their website without downloading anything.
Pros
- Clean and easy-to-understand user interface.
- Provides excellent documentation to help you use it.
- Scans your site and gives a full report.
Cons
- The free version has too many distracting ads.
Google Search Console (GSC)
Google scans the web continuously, collecting data from every page. When Google’s free SEO Tool GSC crawls your website, it can detect link rot, which is what happens when links stop working over time.
The tool enables you to see these broken links. By analyzing the information, you can audit your website and assess problems that hurt your search engine rankings.
How to Use GSC to Find Broken Link
1. Go to the Coverage Report: In your Google Search Console, open the “Coverage” report found under the “Index” section.
2. Find 404 Errors: Click on the “Error” tab and look for any errors labeled “Not Found (404)”.
3. See Broken URLs: Click on the “404” error type to see a list of all the pages that are broken.
4. Find the Source: Click on a broken URL in the list. This will show you which pages are linking to the broken one.
5. Fix or Redirect: Go to the source page and either fix the link’s URL or set up a 301 redirect to a working page.
Main Feature
- Coverage Report: This report shows you “Not Found” (404) errors, which tell you about your broken links.
- Error Source Pages: It shows you which of your own website pages have the broken link on them.
- Server Error Logs: It also tells you about server errors that a broken link on your site might cause.
Pros
- Data comes directly from Google, so it is accurate.
- It is a powerful tool that costs nothing to use.
- Helps with many other website health issues.
Cons
- It does not find broken external links on your site.
Xenu’s Link Sleuth
Xenu’s Link Sleuth is a free and open-source broken link finder tool for Windows computers. It can check secure websites (SSL) and special file sites (FTP). It also gives you a report that shows every broken link and any links that send you to a different page.
This prevents visitors from seeing 404 pages, which improves the user experience. The reports show the problems, which can assist your link-building work.
How to Use Xenu’s Link Sleuth to Find Broken Link
1. Start the Scan: Open the program. Go to File > Check URL and type in your website’s address to begin.
2. View the Results: After the scan finishes, a report will show all your links. Sort this list by the “Status” column.
3. Find the Source: All the broken links will be grouped together and marked in red. Right-click on any broken link to see which page you need to fix.
Main Features
- Complete Link Checking: The tool checks all links, including images, backgrounds, and scripts.
- Fast Performance: It is designed to work very quickly and can check hundreds of links in just a minute.
- Simple Reporting: After it scans, it gives you a clear report that identifies every broken link it found.
Pros
- Free to download and use on your computer.
- Works well and is fast, even on giant websites.
- Gives you reports that are easy to understand.
Cons
- It does not get automatic updates; you must install changes yourself.
Online Broken Link Checker
Online Broken Link Checker is a free tool you can use online. This website checker helps you find all the links on your site that do not work. You can use the tool on any computer, tablet, or phone without downloading anything from the website.
Bad links can harm your search rankings when people find dead pages. The checker detects these bad links for you. You will get a special link analysis report with the information needed to update your website.
How to Use Online Broken Link Checker to Find Dead Links
1. Enter Your Website: Go to the website and type your site’s address into the main box.
2. Type the Security Code: Enter the security code you see in the image right below the box.
3. Start the Scan: Click the button to begin checking your website for bad links.
Get the Report: A new page will show you a list of all broken links and where to find them.
Main Features
- Full Website Scan: The checker looks at your website and reports every broken link.
- Code Highlighting: A report shows the exact spot where the broken link is in your code.
- Works Everywhere: You can use this free tool on any computer or phone browser.
Pros
- Tells you the exact location of the broken link.
- Works on any website or computer.
- No need to download any software to your device.
Cons
- The free version has a limit of 3,000 pages.
Freemium Website 404 Checker
Dead Link Checker
Dead Link Checker is a free online tool that identifies broken website links. This service scans your webpages to find links that lead to error 404 pages.
When the tool crawls your site, it scans for broken links. The link data in the report enables you to fix them quickly. You can monitor your website’s health to ensure users and search engines do not find dead ends.
How to Use Dead Link Checker to Find 404 Pages
1. Enter Your Website: Go to the tool’s website and type your site’s address into the search box.
2. Start the Check: Click the button to begin scanning your website for bad links.
3. Get the Report: The tool will show you a list of all the broken links it found and where they are.
4. Fix the Links: Go to your website and use the report to either update the broken links or remove them.
Main Features
- Multiple Check Options: A feature called Multi Check lets you scan many websites at the same time.
- Automatic Checking: You can subscribe to a service that automatically checks your site and emails you a report.
- Detailed Reports: Bad links are flagged in a report with their status codes to help you fix them.
Pros
- Check a single page or a whole website.
- The automatic check sends reports to your email.
- You can check multiple websites in one go.
Cons
- Automatic checking requires a paid subscription.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Screaming Frog SEO Spider crawls your entire website like a spider, looking for technical problems. The SEO Spider is great for preventing usability issues. It helps you find all the broken links that point to error 404 pages.
The tool flags these issues and shows you exactly where they are on your site, which is helpful for link building and ensuring a good experience.
How to Use Screaming Frog SEO Spider to Find Broken URLs
1. Crawl Your Website: Open the program, enter your website’s address, and click “Start.”
2. Find Broken Links: Go to the “Response Codes” tab and use the filter to select “Client Error (4xx)”. This will show you all broken links.
3. See the Source: Click on a broken link in the top half of the screen. Then, click the “Inlinks” tab at the bottom to see which page contains the broken link.
4. Export the Report: You can export a list of all broken links and their sources to a spreadsheet to make them easier to fix.
Main Features
- Find Broken Links: You can check a website and get a list of all broken links (404s) and server errors.
- Audit URL Redirects: The program allows you to find and analyze all of your website’s temporary and permanent URL redirects.
- Visualize Site Structure: A feature creates diagrams and trees of your website, showing how your pages are linked.
Pros
- Gives you very detailed information about your site.
- Checks for many different kinds of SEO issues.
- The free version is powerful for small websites.
Cons
- You can only crawl up to 500 URLs with the free version.
AIOSEO
AIOSEO is a popular WordPress tool that helps improve your website for search engines. Its Broken Link Check tool is a feature that finds bad links on your site. AIOSEO is a plugin for your website; it is not a Chrome extension you use in your browser.
The tool examines your content and helps you redirect a bad link to a working page. The process helps streamline your website’s work and provides a better site for visitors.
How to Use AIOSEO to Find Dead URLs
1. Install the Plugin: Add the “Broken Link Checker by AIOSEO” plugin to your WordPress site and activate it.
2. Connect Your Account: Follow the steps to connect the plugin to a free AIOSEO account.
3. See the Report: Go to the “Broken Links” section in your WordPress dashboard menu.
4. Fix from the Dashboard: The report will show all your bad links. You can fix, remove, or redirect them right from that page.
Main Features
- Cloud-Based Scanning: The tool checks your website using its own servers, so it does not slow your site down.
- In-Dashboard Fixes: You can redirect or remove broken links from your WordPress dashboard.
- Multiple Repair Options: The plugin allows you to validate links by editing, unlinking, or creating a redirect.
Pros
- Fix links without ever leaving your WordPress admin area.
- You can fix the bad links from one dashboard
- It saves a lot of time by automatically checking links.
Cons
- Needs a paid account for complete verification of more than 200 links.
Dr. Link Check
Dr. Link Check is a website checker that finds bad links on your pages. The tool monitors your website by crawling through it to find broken and unsafe links.
The process includes finding links that lead to 404 pages. A full report makes finding and resolving these errors easier. The details simplify the job of fixing your website. You will get a clear list of problems and know exactly what needs your attention.
How to Use Dr. Link Check to Find 404 URLs
1. Start a Scan: Go to the homepage, enter your website’s address, and click the button to start checking.
2. Log In: Once the website scan is complete, you will need to log into your account to see the results.
3. View the Report: Find the report for your website and look for the “Broken” or “Issues” section to see a list of all the links that need to be fixed.
Main Features
- Complete Site Check: The tool crawls your site and checks every link, including internal, external, and image links.
- Detailed Link Reports: You get a downloadable report that you can filter to see different types of link problems.
- Security Scanning: Besides broken links, it checks for links that go to unsafe or suspicious websites.
Pros
- Checks for broken links and security issues.
- Provides very detailed reports on all link errors.
- The free check is straightforward to start and use.
Cons
- You must pay to check more than 1,500 links.
Paid Broken URL Checker
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a powerful tool known for performing many different jobs, and its bad links checker is one of the best. The tool helps you understand your website’s health and find problems that need to be fixed for better rankings.
The Ahrefs 404 error checker helps you find links to deleted pages. It can pinpoint these damaging links so you can fix them, performing checks on both your site and others.
How to use Ahref to Find Broken Link
1. Open Site Explorer: Go to the Ahrefs Site Explorer tool.
2. Enter Your Site: Type in your website’s address.
3. Find Outbound Errors: Look under “Outgoing Links” then “Broken Links” to see bad links on your site.
4. Find Inbound Errors: Check under “Backlinks” then “Broken” to find bad links pointing to your site.
Main Features
- Checks Inbound and Outbound Links: The 404 checker finds broken links pointing to and from your site.
- Find Link Building Opportunities: You can check other websites to find their broken links and get new ones.
- Part of a Big Toolset: The checker works with other Ahrefs tools to fully understand your site’s health.
Pros
- Very good for checking your competitors’ websites.
- The tool is swift and gives accurate results.
- Helps you find chances to build new, good links.
Cons
- You must pay to use all of the tool’s features.
SEMrush
SEMrush is a complete toolkit for digital marketing. Professionals use it for many tasks, like identifying 404 page, finding keywords, and checking on competitors’ backlink.
Using a 404 link checker helps you find broken inbound links. When another site links to a page you deleted, SEMrush finds it. You can prioritize fixing these problems. The benefits of a clean link profile often outweigh the work it takes to fix all the errors.
How to use SEMRush to Find Broken Links
1. Go to the Backlink Audit tool to get started.
2. Set up the tool: In the settings, make sure you check the box for “Target URL error.”
3. Run the audit: The final report will show you a list of all the broken links pointing to your site.
Main Features
- Backlink Analytics: The 404 finder checks your site’s backlinks for broken ones.
- Competitor Analysis: You can see your competitors’ broken links to find new link-building chances.
- Toxicity Score: The tool can visualize which of your backlinks might be harmful and need removal.
Pros
- Finds and helps you remove harmful backlinks.
- Part of an extensive and powerful marketing toolkit.
- Let’s help you find link opportunities from competitors.
Cons
- The backlink data may not be as deep as some competitors.
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is an affordable, all-in-one SEO platform. The key part of the platform is its ability to check the backlinks that point to your website from other places on the internet.
You can see when you get new and lose old links. This information enables you to understand your website’s health. You can also look at your competitors’ links to find new ideas for your site.
How to Use SE Ranking to Find Dead Links
1. Open the Backlink Checker: Go to the Backlink Checker tool within SE Ranking.
2. Enter a Domain: Type in the website address you want to check.
3. View the Report: Look in the reports section for a list of all your broken backlinks.
Main Features
- Backlink Monitoring: Tracks all of your new and lost backlinks over time.
- Detailed Graphs: Shows charts of your referring domains and backlinks to see your progress.
- Disavow File Generation: Helps you create a special file to tell Google to ignore bad or toxic links.
Pros
- A very budget-friendly option for many SEO tools.
- The link checker is part of a complete platform.
- Gives you all the essential data you need.
Cons
- The link analysis is not as deep as the competitors.
FAQ
What are broken link checkers?
Broken link checkers automatically scan your website to find non-working links. These can be standalone apps, part of larger SEO suites, or included in some SERP tools.
How do I choose the right broken link finder for my needs?
Choose based on your site’s size and budget. Some tools show a simple list mode of errors, while Webmaster Tools offer more detail, sometimes including page metadata.
Do broken link checker tools work for both internal and external links?
Almost all broken link checkers are designed to find internal links (on your site) and external links (pointing to other websites) to ensure your website is fully functional.
How often should I check my website for broken links?
For most websites, you should check monthly. Check more often if you update content frequently or after a large Content Migration to ensure all your links still work.
Wrap Up
By now you already understand that broken links hurt SEO rankings and website reputation. Also, visitors get frustrated when they see an error page browsing your website.
The above-mentioned website broken link checker helps find 404 error pages so that you can fix to save your SEO. Using a tool to get regular reports is a smart way to ensure your website is always in top shape for everyone.