Have you ever wanted to see what a website looked like in the past? Most people use the Wayback Machine for that. It’s a tool that saves websites and lets you go back in time to view old versions. But what if the Wayback Machine doesn’t have what you need? Or you want different features?
Here are some of the best tools you can use as a Wayback Machine alternative. Each one has something special to offer.
1. Archive.today (also called Archive.is)
What it does:
Archive.today lets you take a snapshot of any webpage. It saves both a screenshot and the full page code. That means even if a page changes or is deleted, your copy stays the same.
Why it’s good:
It’s fast, simple, and doesn’t change over time. You can save pages on demand without an account, and it’s great for keeping proof of what was on a page.
2. Memento Time Travel
What it does:
Memento doesn’t just store pages. It connects many web archives, including the Wayback Machine, into one tool. You enter a URL and a date, and it finds past versions across different archives.
Why it’s good:
You get more history in one place. There’s also a browser extension that lets you jump to older versions of sites while you surf the web.
3. WebCite
What it does:
WebCite is built for students, researchers, and writers. It helps them save web pages they use as sources in reports and papers.
Why it’s good:
It makes sure your sources don’t disappear later. Each saved page gets a permanent link that will still work years from now.
4. PageFreezer
What it does:
PageFreezer is used by companies to automatically save websites over time. It keeps everything safe and can prove what was on a site at any time.
Why it’s good:
It’s great for businesses that need to follow rules or keep records for legal reasons. Everything is saved and time-stamped securely.
5. Stillio
What it does:
Stillio takes screenshots of websites at regular times, like every day or week. You don’t have to do anything once it’s set up.
Why it’s good:
Perfect for tracking brand changes, ad content, or government pages. You always have a picture of what was online.
6. Perma.cc
What it does:
Perma.cc is for libraries and schools. It helps people save permanent copies of pages they link to in books, papers, or court documents.
Why it’s good:
It prevents “link rot,” where old links break. Every saved page gets a forever link that won’t go away.
7. Fluxguard
What it does:
Fluxguard uses AI to watch websites and save versions when things change. It tracks changes in real time.
Why it’s good:
Very helpful for security teams or people watching competitors. It shows what changed and when, and even sends alerts.
8. MirrorWeb
What it does:
MirrorWeb is used by banks, governments, and big companies. It archives websites in full, including social media, to meet strict record-keeping laws.
Why it’s good:
It’s made for large-scale storage and makes sure all data is safe, backed up, and legally compliant.
Summary
The Wayback Machine is great, but it’s not the only option. Whether you’re a student, a business, or just curious, there’s a Wayback Machine alternative that fits your needs. Tools like Archive.today, Memento, and Stillio can help you save and view websites just the way they were. Try a few and see which one works best for you.