Finding the right SEO tool is crucial for improving search rankings, analyzing competitors, and optimizing content.
While Ahrefs is a popular choice, several alternatives offer similar features at different price points.
Whether you need in-depth backlink analysis, keyword tracking, or PPC insights, various platforms provide powerful solutions tailored to different budgets and needs.
This guide explores top Ahrefs alternatives, helping you choose the best option for your SEO strategy.
List of Best Ahrefs Alternatives for SEO in 2025
Here is a list of the top Ahrefs alternatives to help you with SEO analysis, keyword research, and backlink tracking.
These tools offer various features to improve your search rankings and online visibility.
SEMrush
Semrush is a leading all-in-one SEO and digital marketing tool used for keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, PPC research, and content optimization.
It is widely preferred by SEO professionals, digital marketers, and businesses looking to improve their online presence
Key Features
- SEO & PPC Tools – Includes keyword research, site audits, and Google Ads analysis.
- Competitor Analysis – Tracks organic and paid strategies of rivals.
- Backlink & Rank Tracking – Monitors backlinks and keyword positions.
- Content & Social Media Management – Optimizes content and schedules social posts.
- Local SEO Optimization – Enhances Google My Business and local search rankings.
Pros:
- Comprehensive all-in-one marketing solution.
- Excellent competitor research and keyword tracking.
- Strong backlink analysis and site audit tools.
Cons:
- Expensive for small businesses.
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Limited free version.
Moz Pro
Moz Pro is a powerful SEO tool-set designed to help businesses improve search rankings, track website performance, and analyze competitors.
It is widely used for keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and rank tracking, making it a strong alternative to Ahrefs and SEMrush.
Key Features
- Keyword Research – Finds high-ranking opportunities with search volume and difficulty analysis.
- Site Audit – Detects technical SEO issues like broken links and duplicate content.
- Rank Tracking – Monitors keyword rankings across search engines.
- Backlink Analysis – Tracks backlinks and helps with link-building strategies.
- Page Optimization – Provides insights to improve on-page SEO.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface, ideal for beginners.
- Strong domain authority and backlink analysis.
- Accurate keyword difficulty and search volume metrics.
Cons:
- Limited PPC and social media features.
- Backlink database smaller than Ahrefs.
- Slower updates compared to competitors.
Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is an affordable SEO tool by Neil Patel that helps businesses with keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, and site audits.
It’s designed for beginners and small businesses looking for an easy-to-use SEO solution.
Key Features
- Keyword Research – Finds high-ranking keywords with search volume, CPC, and difficulty analysis.
- Competitor Analysis – Tracks organic and paid strategies to identify SEO gaps.
- Backlink Analysis – Monitors inbound links and discovers link-building opportunities.
- Site Audit – Detects technical issues like broken links and slow-loading pages.
- Content & Rank Tracking – Provides content ideas and monitors keyword positions over time.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly compared to other SEO tools.
- Simple and beginner-friendly interface.
- Good keyword and content research features.
Cons:
- Limited backlink database compared to Ahrefs.
- Lacks advanced PPC and competitor tracking tools.
- Slower data updates than premium SEO tools.
Serpstat
Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO tool offering keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, and site audits. It is a budget-friendly alternative to Ahrefs and SEMrush, popular among SEO professionals, businesses, and agencies.
Key Features
- Keyword Research – Analyzes search volume, difficulty, and competition.
- Competitor Analysis – Tracks rivals’ organic and paid search strategies.
- Backlink Analysis – Monitors inbound links and finds link-building opportunities.
- Site Audit & Rank Tracking – Detects technical SEO problems and tracks keyword positions.
- PPC & Content Optimization – Analyzes Google Ads campaigns and improves website content.
Pros:
- Affordable compared to SEMrush and Ahrefs.
- Strong keyword and competitor research tools.
- Useful for both SEO and PPC campaigns.
Cons:
- Smaller backlink database than Ahrefs.
- Interface can be complex for beginners.
- Limited social media tracking features.
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is an affordable, all-in-one SEO platform designed for businesses, agencies, and freelancers.
It offers keyword tracking, site audits, competitor analysis, and backlink monitoring, making it a strong alternative to SEMrush and Ahrefs.
Key Features
- Keyword Tracking – Provides real-time updates across different locations and devices.
- Site Audit – Detects technical SEO issues like broken links and duplicate content.
- Competitor & Backlink Analysis – Tracks rivals’ keyword rankings and backlink profiles.
- On-Page SEO & PPC Research – Offers optimization suggestions and improves paid ad strategies.
- White-Label Reporting – Ideal for agencies with customizable SEO reports
Pros:
- Affordable pricing compared to SEMrush.
- Accurate rank tracking with historical data.
- White-label reporting for agencies.
Cons:
- Smaller backlink database than Ahrefs.
- Limited advanced PPC features.
- UI can be overwhelming for beginners.
Mangools (KWFinder, LinkMiner)
Mangools is a suite of beginner-friendly SEO tools, including KWFinder for keyword research, LinkMiner for backlink analysis, SERPChecker for SERP analysis, SERPWatcher for rank tracking, and SiteProfiler for website insights.
It’s a great alternative to expensive tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs, offering a simple interface and affordable pricing.
Key Features
- Keyword & Backlink Analysis – KWFinder identifies low-competition keywords, while LinkMiner tracks lost and new backlinks.
- SERP & Rank Tracking – SERPChecker evaluates ranking difficulty, SERPWatcher monitors keyword positions, and SiteProfiler provides competitor insights.
Pros:
- Affordable and user-friendly.
- Excellent keyword research tool (KWFinder).
- Simple interface with easy navigation.
Cons:
- Smaller backlink database than Ahrefs.
- Lacks advanced PPC and content marketing tools.
- Limited features compared to all-in-one SEO platforms.
Majestic
Majestic is a specialized SEO tool focused on backlink analysis, making it a top choice for link-building professionals.
Unlike all-in-one platforms like SEMrush and Ahrefs, Majestic primarily provides deep insights into backlink profiles, trust flow, and citation flow to evaluate website authority.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Backlink Analysis – Examines historical and live link data.
- Trust Flow & Citation Flow – Measures link quality and domain authority.
- Site Explorer – Provides in-depth insights into backlink profiles.
- Bulk Link Analysis – Allows checking multiple URLs at once.
- Topical Trust Flow – Categorizes backlinks based on industry relevance.
Pros:
- One of the largest backlink databases.
- Unique Trust Flow & Citation Flow metrics.
- Strong historical link data for deep analysis.
Cons:
- Limited keyword and rank tracking features.
- No PPC or content marketing tools.
- Outdated interface compared to competitors.
SpyFu
SpyFu is an SEO and PPC competitor analysis tool that helps businesses track competitors’ keywords, backlinks, and ad strategies.
It is widely used for uncovering hidden opportunities in both organic and paid search campaigns, making it a strong alternative to SEMrush and Ahrefs.
Key Features
- Competitor Keyword Research – Reveals organic and paid keywords competitors rank for.
- PPC & Backlink Analysis – Tracks Google Ads strategies and finds link-building opportunities.
- SEO Reporting – Provides insights into domain performance, keyword rankings, and site health.
Pros:
- Excellent competitor keyword and PPC research.
- Unlimited search results with all plans.
- Affordable compared to SEMrush and Ahrefs.
Cons:
- Smaller backlink database than Ahrefs.
- No site audit feature for technical SEO.
- Interface can feel outdated.
CognitiveSEO
CognitiveSEO is an advanced SEO toolset designed for backlink analysis, content optimization, rank tracking, and site audits.
It helps businesses and agencies improve search rankings by providing deep insights into technical and on-page SEO.
Key Features
- Backlink Analysis – Focuses on link quality and spam detection.
- Content Optimization – Provides real-time SEO improvement suggestions.
- Site Audit – Identifies technical SEO errors like broken links and duplicate content.
- Rank Tracking – Monitors keyword positions across search engines and locations.
- Google Penalty Recovery – Helps recover from algorithmic penalties.
Pros:
- Strong backlink and content optimization tools.
- Google penalty recovery insights.
- AI-powered content audits for better rankings.
Cons:
- Smaller database than Ahrefs and SEMrush.
- Lacks social media and PPC tracking.
- Pricing is high for small businesses.
Rank Tracker by SEO PowerSuite
Rank Tracker by SEO PowerSuite is a powerful keyword tracking tool that helps businesses and SEO professionals monitor search rankings across multiple search engines.
It provides detailed insights into keyword performance, competitor rankings, and search visibility trends.
Unlike cloud-based tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs, Rank Tracker is a desktop-based software.
Key Features
- Competitor Keyword Research – Identifies organic and paid keywords competitors rank for.
- PPC Analysis – Tracks Google Ads strategies, including ad history and budget estimates.
- Backlink Analysis – Finds link-building opportunities by analyzing competitor backlinks.
- SEO Reporting – Offers insights into domain performance, keyword rankings, and site health.
Pros:
- One-time payment option (no monthly fees).
- Tracks unlimited keywords.
- Supports multiple search engines.
Cons:
- Requires installation (not cloud-based).
- Can be slow for large-scale projects.
- Lacks PPC and backlink analysis tools.
Ending Lines
Choosing the right SEO tool depends on your specific needs, budget, and feature preferences.
Whether it’s backlink analysis, keyword tracking, or competitor insights, these Ahrefs alternatives offer strong capabilities to enhance your SEO strategy.
Evaluate each option carefully to find the best fit for your goals.
Most Asked Questions:
Is there a free alternative to Ahrefs?
Yes, free alternatives like Ubersuggest, SEO PowerSuite (Free Version), and Google Search Console provide basic SEO features.
They offer keyword research, rank tracking, and backlink analysis but lack the depth and accuracy of Ahrefs.
While useful for small projects, serious SEO professionals often need a paid tool for advanced insights.
Who is Ahrefs’ competitor?
Ahrefs’ main competitors include SEMrush, Moz Pro, Serpstat, SE Ranking, and SpyFu.
These tools offer similar features such as keyword tracking, backlink analysis, and competitor research.
SEMrush is known for its PPC and content tools, while Moz is beginner-friendly, and Serpstat is a budget option.
Can I use Ahrefs for free?
Ahrefs offers Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, a free version that provides site audits and backlink insights but lacks full keyword research and competitor analysis.
It’s useful for basic SEO monitoring, but for deeper insights, a paid plan is required. Ahrefs also occasionally offers limited free trials.
Is Ahrefs better than SEMrush?
Ahrefs is best for backlink analysis, offering a vast link database and accurate link tracking. SEMrush provides a more comprehensive SEO and marketing suite, including PPC, content optimization, and social media tools.
If your focus is technical SEO and links, go for Ahrefs; for broader digital marketing, SEMrush is better.
Which SEO tool is best?
The best tool depends on your needs. Ahrefs excels in backlinks, SEMrush offers all-in-one SEO and PPC, Moz is user-friendly, and Ubersuggest is budget-friendly.
For agencies, SEMrush or Ahrefs are great, while freelancers may prefer Moz or Serpstat for affordability.
Why is SEMrush so expensive?
SEMrush is priced higher due to its large database, advanced PPC research, content tools, and AI-driven analytics.
It combines SEO, social media, and paid marketing features, making it a complete digital marketing suite.
Businesses and agencies benefit from its depth, but smaller users might find it costly.
