Backlinkster and RankChase both match you with site owners for link exchanges, but they work differently. RankChase sends niche and DR matches and charges $19 a month per website to see who they are. Backlinkster runs 1-for-1 in-content swaps, each verified by API, with 5 free swaps a month and $19 covering up to three domains.
You have narrowed it down to two tools and you want the difference in one place, without reading two marketing sites side by side. That is what this page is for.
We make Backlinkster, so read this with that in mind. Every RankChase fact below comes from RankChase's homepage and pricing page, checked on 16 October 2026. Where RankChase doesn't publish something, we say so rather than guess.
Side-by-side comparison
The biggest differences are what the free plan shows you, whether pricing is per site or per account, and how links are checked after they go live.
| Backlinkster | RankChase | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | 1-for-1 in-content swaps | Niche and DR matching; you contact the match and arrange the exchange |
| Free plan | 5 swaps a month, 1 domain | Join the list and receive messages; matched site details hidden |
| Paid plans | Pro $19/month (50 swaps, 3 domains); Backlinkster $49/month (250 swaps, 10 domains) | Premium $19/month per website, 7-day free trial; Agency on request |
| Exchange types | One link each way | Link and content exchanges; ABC (three-way) exchanges on Premium |
| Filters | Matching by related niche | DR and traffic filters, keyword and niche matching, TLD control on Premium |
| Site quality signals | Link must be an article URL on your own domain | Spam score (low, medium, high) per site; high-DR, low-traffic sites flagged |
| Link checking | Each swap is verified by API | Live-link checks not described on the site |
How matching works on each
Both tools match you automatically; they differ in how much control you get over the filter.
RankChase matching
RankChase says it analyses each site's niche and Domain Rating and suggests similarly sized sites, sending new matches by email. On Premium you can filter by DR, traffic, keywords and top-level domain, and expect several matches a week. Free members still appear in the list, so a Premium member can contact them.
Backlinkster matching
Backlinkster pairs members in related niches. Members who have been inactive for more than 7 days are hidden from the match queue, so the partners you see are people currently using the tool. There are no DR or traffic sliders: you judge each partner before you accept.
How a swap actually happens
The order of steps matters, because it decides who carries the risk of a partner who never links back.
On RankChase
You send an exchange request from the dashboard, then agree the details with the other owner. RankChase's pages don't describe a fixed order for who publishes first, so you settle that between you.
On Backlinkster
Whoever starts a swap publishes the partner's article link first, and the request only goes out after that. One published link can't be reused for two live swaps, and each swap is verified by API. See how it works.
Pricing worked out for one, three and ten sites
Per-site pricing and per-account pricing diverge quickly once you run more than one site.
| Sites | RankChase Premium | Backlinkster |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19/month | $0 (5 swaps) or $19 (50 swaps) |
| 3 | $57/month (3 x $19) | $19/month (Pro covers 3 domains) |
| 10 | $190/month at list price, or ask about Agency | $49/month (covers 10 domains) |
RankChase's Agency plan advertises "up to 90% price reduction per domain" but publishes no price, so the 10-site figure above is list price only. The two products also count differently: RankChase sells access to matches, Backlinkster sells a number of swaps.
Which one should you pick?
Choose on the feature you can't live without, not on the headline price.
Pick RankChase if
You want ABC exchanges, fine-grained DR and traffic filters, or content swaps and newsletter swaps alongside links, and you only run one site.
Pick Backlinkster if
You want to try link swaps for free, you run two or more sites, or you want each swap checked and a fixed rule for who publishes first.
When Backlinkster is not the right fit
If three-way exchanges are your plan, Backlinkster doesn't do them. If you want to filter partners by a minimum DR before you see them, RankChase's filters do that and ours don't. If your site has no articles yet, you can't submit a link, because swaps need an article URL on your own domain. And whichever tool you use, Google's spam policies still count "excessive link exchanges" as link spam, so keep the volume moderate and the links relevant.
Frequently asked questions
Is RankChase free?
Partly. You can join and be matched for free, but on 16 October 2026 the free plan didn't show you the details of your matches. Premium, at $19 a month per website, unlocks them after a 7-day trial.
Does Backlinkster do three-way (ABC) link exchanges?
No. Backlinkster swaps are one link each way. RankChase lists ABC exchanges as a Premium feature, and our page on three-way link exchanges explains how they work.
Which is cheaper for several websites?
For three sites, Backlinkster Pro at $19 covers all of them, while RankChase Premium is $19 for each, so $57. For ten sites, Backlinkster is $49; RankChase quotes agency pricing on request.
Can I use both tools at once?
Yes, nothing stops you. Track every link in one sheet so you don't trade with the same partner twice, and keep your total exchange volume moderate.
Related: RankChase Alternatives · What Is a Link Exchange? · How Many Link Exchanges Are Safe?