Tools by Pipeline Stage
Expired domain acquisition follows a clear pipeline: Discovery → Vetting → Analysis → Acquisition. Each stage requires different tools with different strengths. Here's how they break down:
Discovery Tools
ExpiredDomains.net
The most comprehensive free expired domain database. Advanced filters, WHOIS data, backlink metrics, and pending delete lists.
Free (with ads) • Premium: $29.95/mo
Read full review →DomCop
Aggregated expired domain lists with PageRank and authority scoring. Clean interface, fast filters, daily updates.
$49/mo • $99/mo (Pro) • $199/mo (Premium)
Read full review →Vetting & Spam Detection
SpamZilla
AI-powered spam detection with proprietary scoring. Filters toxic domains before you waste time on analysis. Essential for PBN builders.
$79/mo • $149/mo (Pro) • $299/mo (Agency)
Read full review →Backlink & Authority Analysis
Ahrefs
Industry-leading backlink database with Domain Rating (DR) metric. Batch analysis, Content Explorer, and historical data make it essential for serious buyers.
$129/mo • $249/mo (Advanced) • $449/mo (Agency)
Read full review →Majestic
Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics with topical categorization. Excellent for detecting link cliques and niche relevance.
$49.99/mo • $99.99/mo (Pro) • $399.99/mo (API)
Read full review →SEMrush
Authority Score with organic traffic estimates and toxicity detection. Best for competitive analysis and keyword research on expired domains.
$139.95/mo • $249.95/mo (Guru) • $499.95/mo (Business)
Read full review →Tool Comparison Matrix
| Tool | Primary Use | Starting Price | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpiredDomains.net | Discovery | Free | Budget researchers, beginners | ★★★★★ |
| DomCop | Discovery | $49/mo | Time-savers, aggregated lists | ★★★★☆ |
| SpamZilla | Spam Detection | $79/mo | PBN builders, volume buyers | ★★★★★ |
| Ahrefs | Backlink Analysis | $129/mo | DR analysis, batch vetting | ★★★★★ |
| Majestic | Trust Flow/Citation Flow | $49.99/mo | Topical relevance, clique detection | ★★★★☆ |
| SEMrush | Competitive Analysis | $139.95/mo | Organic traffic, keyword research | ★★★★☆ |
Which Tools for Which Budget?
Free/Minimal Budget ($0–$50/month)
Recommended Stack:
- ExpiredDomains.net (Free): Primary discovery tool
- Majestic Lite ($49.99/mo): Basic backlink analysis
- Manual spam checking: Google Search Console, Archive.org, manual WHOIS inspection
Best for: Hobbyists, first-time buyers, low-volume acquisition (1–2 domains/month)
Mid-Range Budget ($200–$400/month)
Recommended Stack:
- ExpiredDomains.net Premium ($29.95/mo): Ad-free interface, faster updates
- SpamZilla Standard ($79/mo): Automated spam detection
- Ahrefs Lite ($129/mo): DR analysis and batch backlink checks
Best for: Regular buyers (5–10 domains/month), SEO consultants, small agencies
Professional Budget ($500+/month)
Recommended Stack:
- DomCop Premium ($199/mo): Aggregated lists for speed
- SpamZilla Pro ($149/mo): Higher API limits, advanced filters
- Ahrefs Advanced ($249/mo): Full batch analysis, Content Explorer
- Majestic Pro ($99.99/mo): TF/CF for secondary validation
Best for: High-volume buyers (20+ domains/month), PBN operators, domain flippers, agencies
Enterprise Budget ($1,000+/month)
Recommended Stack:
- All of the above, plus:
- SEMrush Business ($499.95/mo): Organic traffic estimates, keyword gap analysis
- Majestic API ($399.99/mo): Custom integrations for bulk operations
- SpamZilla Agency ($299/mo): White-label reports for clients
Best for: Large agencies, domain brokers, enterprise SEO teams
Pro tip: Don't pay for overlapping functionality. Ahrefs and Majestic both provide backlink analysis — pick one as your primary tool. Use the other only when you need a second opinion on high-value domains ($1,000+ purchase price).
Tool Selection by Use Case
For PBN Builders
Essential:
- SpamZilla: Non-negotiable. Filters toxic domains at scale.
- Ahrefs: DR validation and backlink profile analysis.
- ExpiredDomains.net: Cheapest discovery layer.
For 301 Redirect Buyers
Essential:
- Ahrefs: Historical DR trends to avoid sudden drops.
- Majestic: Trust Flow validation for topical relevance.
- SEMrush: Organic traffic estimates to gauge pre-expiration value.
For Domain Flippers
Essential:
- DomCop: Fast discovery of undervalued domains.
- Ahrefs: DR as a primary valuation metric.
- ExpiredDomains.net: Monitor pending deletes for auction opportunities.
For Money Site Builders
Essential:
- SEMrush: Historical organic traffic to assess content potential.
- Ahrefs Content Explorer: Find expiring sites with existing rankings.
- SpamZilla: Avoid domains with toxic histories that could hurt new sites.
Key Decision Criteria
When to Use Free Tools Only
- You're buying fewer than 3 domains per month
- You're testing expired domain strategies for the first time
- You have unlimited time and low budget
- You're willing to do manual spam checking via Google/Archive.org
When to Invest in Paid Tools
- You're buying 5+ domains per month
- You're building PBNs and need to avoid spam at scale
- Your time is worth more than $50/hour (manual vetting takes 30+ min per domain)
- You need batch analysis for competitive bidding decisions
When to Use Multiple Backlink Tools
- You're evaluating domains worth $1,000+ (cross-validation reduces risk)
- You operate in highly competitive niches where authority detection matters
- You're building client reports and need multiple data sources
- You're detecting link cliques (Majestic excels here; Ahrefs doesn't)
Read Individual Tool Reviews
Deep-dive reviews with setup guides, pricing breakdowns, and real-world use cases: