Ahrefs Alternatives: Find the Best SEO Tool for You

Are you searching for the best Ahrefs alternatives? Maybe you want a tool that’s easier to use, fits your budget, or offers extra features. You’re in the right place. Let’s explore the top Ahrefs alternatives, compare their features, and help you pick the best fit for your SEO needs.

Why Look for Ahrefs Alternatives?

Ahrefs is a powerful SEO tool. It helps with keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and more. But it isn’t perfect for everyone. Some users find it expensive. Others want features Ahrefs doesn’t offer, like daily rank tracking or advanced content tools. Maybe you just want to try something new.

What Makes a Good Ahrefs Alternative?

When searching for an Ahrefs alternative, consider:

• Features: Does it cover keyword research, backlink analysis, rank tracking, and site audits?
• Ease of Use: Is the interface simple or overwhelming?
• Price: Does it fit your budget?
• Extras: Does it offer reporting, content tools, or PPC data?
• Trial or Free Plan: Can you try before you buy?

Let’s look at the best options.

Top 7 Ahrefs Alternatives for 2025

1. Semrush – Best All-Around Alternative

Semrush is the most recommended Ahrefs alternative. It matches Ahrefs in most features and often goes beyond. You get tools for keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, rank tracking, competitor research, and even social media management.

Key Features:

• 55+ marketing tools in one platform
• Keyword Magic Tool for thousands of keyword ideas
• Daily rank tracking (even on the basic plan)
• In-depth competitor analysis
• Social media scheduling and analytics
• Content optimization and writing assistant
• PPC (Google Ads) analysis

Pros:

• Huge database for keywords and backlinks
• Free plan and 14-day trial available
• More daily reports than Ahrefs (3,000 vs. 500)
• Extra tools for agencies and large teams

Cons:

• Can feel overwhelming for beginners
• Higher monthly cost, but more value per report

Pricing: Starts at $129–$139/month. Free trial available.

Case Study: Many SEO pros have switched to Semrush and found no drop in quality. One user noted the Keyword Magic Tool helped them find profitable keywords faster, leading to a 30% increase in organic traffic in three months.

2. SE Ranking – Best for Affordability

SE Ranking is a budget-friendly, all-in-one SEO platform. It covers all the basics: keyword research, backlink analysis, rank tracking, competitor research, and site audits.

Key Features:

• Daily rank tracking
• Automated site audits
• White-label reporting (great for agencies)
• Content marketing tools
• User-friendly dashboard

Pros:

• Plans start at less than a third of Ahrefs’ cost
• 4.8/5 user rating on G2
• Cloud-based, so no downloads needed

Cons:

• Smaller database than Ahrefs or Semrush
• Fewer advanced features

Pricing: Starts under $40/month. Free trial available.

Example: A small agency used SE Ranking to track 50+ client keywords daily and saved over $500/month compared to Ahrefs.

3. Moz Pro – Best for Authority Metrics

Moz Pro is a long-standing SEO suite. It matches Ahrefs in keyword research, site audits, and link analysis.

Key Features:

• Keyword Explorer with suggestions and SERP analysis
• Link Explorer with a large backlink database
• Page Authority (PA) and Domain Authority (DA) metrics
• On-page optimization suggestions
• MozBar browser extension

Pros:

• Trusted authority metrics (DA/PA)
• Large, active community
• 30-day free trial

Cons:

• Interface less modern than competitors
• Weekly rank updates (not daily)

Pricing: Starts at $49/month. 30-day free trial.

Example: A blogger used Moz’s Link Explorer to find new backlink opportunities and grew their DA from 20 to 35 in six months.

4. Mangools – Best for Beginners

Mangools offers a suite of five simple SEO tools: KWFinder, SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner, and SiteProfiler.

Key Features:

• Intuitive interface
• Keyword research and SERP analysis
• Backlink checker
• Rank tracking

Pros:

• Very easy to use
• Affordable plans
• Clean, uncluttered design

Cons:

• Smaller data sets than Ahrefs or Semrush
• Fewer advanced filters

Pricing: Starts at about half the price of Ahrefs. Free trial available.

Example: A new affiliate marketer used Mangools to target low-competition keywords and ranked their first site in Google’s top 10 within four months.

5. Ubersuggest – Best Free Alternative

Ubersuggest is a budget-friendly tool with a generous free plan.

Key Features:

• Keyword research and suggestions
• Backlink analysis
• Domain overview
• Content ideas

Pros:

• Free plan for limited daily searches
• Paid plans are affordable (lifetime deals available)
• Simple interface

Cons:

• Smaller database than Ahrefs or Semrush
• Limited advanced features

Pricing: Free plan. Paid plans start at $29/month.

Example: A freelancer used Ubersuggest’s free plan to research keywords for client blog posts and landed three new contracts.

6. SpyFu – Best for Competitor PPC Analysis

SpyFu focuses on competitor research for both SEO and PPC.

Key Features:

• Competitor keyword and ad analysis
• Historical data on rankings and ads
• Backlink research

Pros:

• Deep insights into competitor strategies
• Affordable pricing

Cons:

• Not as strong for site audits or content optimization

Pricing: Starts at $39/month. Free trial available.

7. Surfer – Best for On-Page SEO

Surfer specializes in on-page SEO and content optimization.

Key Features:

• Content editor with real-time SEO suggestions
• SERP analysis and comparison
• AI-powered content outlines

Pros:

• Helps create content that ranks
• Great for writers and content teams

Cons:

• Not a full SEO suite (lacks backlink tools)

Pricing: Paid plans only.

Comparison Table: Ahrefs Alternatives

Tool	Best For	Starting Price	Free Trial	Key Feature
Semrush	All-in-one SEO	$129/mo	Yes	55+ tools, daily tracking
SE Ranking	Affordability	<$40/mo	Yes	White-label, daily tracking
Moz Pro	Authority metrics	$49/mo	Yes	DA/PA, 30-day trial
Mangools	Beginners	~$30/mo	Yes	Simple UI, 5 tools
Ubersuggest	Free use	Free/$29/mo	Yes	Keyword ideas, easy use
SpyFu	PPC analysis	$39/mo	Yes	Competitor PPC data
Surfer	On-page SEO	$59/mo	Yes	Content optimization

How to Choose the Right Ahrefs Alternative

Ask yourself:

• What’s my budget?
• Do I need daily rank tracking?
• Am I focused on backlinks, keywords, or content?
• Do I want all-in-one, or a tool for a specific task?
• Do I need a free plan or trial?

Try out a few tools. Most offer free trials. See which fits your workflow best.

Real-World Example: Agency Success Story

A digital agency switched from Ahrefs to Semrush and SE Ranking. They used Semrush for deep competitor research and daily rank tracking. For client reports, they used SE Ranking’s white-label features. The result? They saved $400/month and improved client satisfaction by delivering more frequent, detailed reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Semrush better than Ahrefs?
A: Semrush matches Ahrefs in most areas and offers more daily reports, social media tools, and PPC data. Many users find it a better value.

Q: What’s the cheapest Ahrefs alternative?
A: SE Ranking and Ubersuggest offer the lowest prices, with SE Ranking starting under $40/month and Ubersuggest offering a free plan.

Q: Which tool is best for beginners?
A: Mangools is the easiest for beginners, thanks to its simple design and clear tools.

Conclusion: Find Your Best Ahrefs Alternative

You have many options for replacing Ahrefs. Whether you want the power of Semrush, the savings of SE Ranking, or the simplicity of Mangools, there’s a tool for you. Try a few and see which one helps you grow your traffic and business.

Ready to take your SEO to the next level? Contact us for more expert advice and tailored solutions!