Ahrefs remains powerful, but 2025 has brought fresh reasons to look beyond it.
Prices and limits on usage have been sticking points for many SEOs. Whether you need something more budget-friendly or just want features Ahrefs doesn’t offer, you’ve got options.
I’ve tested an array of platforms that can match — or sometimes outdo — Ahrefs in data depth, user experience, and overall value.
Below are my top picks, each with unique strengths worth considering for your SEO strategy.
1. Semrush
Semrush is a heavy hitter that covers everything from keyword research to PPC insights, social media analytics, and content marketing. If you need an all-in-one solution, it’s hard to beat.
Monthly plans start around $129.95, placing it a bit higher than Ahrefs for similar tiers. Still, Semrush offers deep data—particularly for competitive research.
It pulls historical info on your rivals’ Google Ads, organic rankings, and even budget estimates.
Reviews on G2 hover around 4.5 out of 5, with many praising its versatile toolset. Some users do find the interface a bit packed, so there might be a learning curve.
If you’re craving detail-heavy dashboards that can guide your every marketing move, Semrush checks those boxes and more.
2. Moz Pro
Moz Pro is one of the more established SEO suites, known for its intuitive layout and strong community support. It provides keyword research, backlink data, site audits, and rank tracking—similar to Ahrefs’ core features.
Monthly plans start near $99, making it somewhat comparable to the lower tiers of other premium tools. Moz’s keyword difficulty scores and Domain Authority metric are longstanding benchmarks in the industry.
User reviews (4.5 out of 5 on average) often highlight how beginner-friendly the platform is, without compromising on depth.
If you want an alternative that’s both approachable and grounded in sound data, Moz Pro can be a reliable choice. It might lack some of Ahrefs’ raw backlink crawling power, but it compensates with clarity and a consistently improving interface.
3. SE Ranking
SE Ranking is all about affordability and flexibility. Unlike Ahrefs, it lets you adjust how often you need rank updates, which can significantly reduce costs.
Even in 2025, it’s still among the more budget-friendly options, with entry plans often under $50.
The platform doesn’t just track keywords. It also offers site audits, competitor monitoring, and a decent backlink database.
According to users, SE Ranking scores around 4.7 to 4.8 on review sites, showing a loyal following.
One standout benefit is how intuitive the dashboard feels. It guides you through each SEO task in a systematic way.
SE Ranking might not have the monstrous index Ahrefs boasts, but for many businesses, it’s more than sufficient—especially given the cost savings and user-friendly design.
4. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is a leaner tool that covers the basics: keyword research, site audits, and a glimpse into competitor data.
It’s known for a notably lower price point, starting around $29 per month, with options for lifetime deals popping up occasionally.
This tool is straightforward.
You won’t find the same depth of backlink analysis as Ahrefs, but if you’re running a small blog or a tight-budget project, it can be enough to keep you on track.
Reviews hover between 4.2 and 4.4, reflecting steady satisfaction from users who value simplicity.
Ubersuggest won’t bombard you with charts and graphs you never use. It’s stripped down to essential features, making it a strong pick for beginners who want clarity, affordability, and just enough data to make informed SEO decisions.
5. Mangools
Mangools takes a modular approach to SEO. It splits its capabilities into five apps — KWFinder, SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner, and SiteProfiler — so you only focus on one task at a time.
It’s praised for its friendly interface and bright design, which lowers the intimidation factor.
Prices start at about $29 monthly when billed annually, so it undercuts many premium options. Users often highlight a 4.7–4.8 star rating on review platforms.
Despite the simplified design, the data behind Mangools is reliable. It’s especially handy for quick keyword checks and rank tracking.
If you found Ahrefs overwhelming and don’t need enterprise-level depth, Mangools can deliver an easier experience while still helping you find those valuable long-tail opportunities.
6. SpyFu
SpyFu targets your competitors’ secrets by showing their paid and organic search strategies in detail. It has a long history of archiving competitor data, which can reveal a rival’s top-performing keywords and ad budgets.
Plans start near $39 monthly, making it notably cheaper than Ahrefs. SpyFu excels at competitor-driven insights. If that’s your main focus, it does the job well — especially for pay-per-click analysis.
Users generally give SpyFu about 4.6 out of 5 stars, often praising how it surfaces keyword ideas you’d never think of otherwise.
It doesn’t replace a comprehensive SEO tool for every purpose, but if you’ve been using Ahrefs primarily to spy on your niche, SpyFu might be all you need.
7. Serpstat
Serpstat is an all-in-one platform that’s been ramping up its AI-powered features, including ChatGPT-style content helpers.
It checks off most SEO essentials — keyword research, rank tracking, backlink analysis, site audits — and folds in a few extras like advanced competitor data.
Plans begin around $59 per month, placing it in a mid-range bracket. User reviews generally land around 4.6 to 4.7 out of 5, and many highlight the consistent rollout of new updates.
If you’re after an affordable blend of AI-fueled insights and standard SEO tasks, Serpstat has you covered. Its global database is robust, and it’s especially strong if you work in Eastern European markets.
For a balanced tool that keeps pace with tech trends, Serpstat is worth considering.
8. WebCEO
Finally, if you’re part of an agency or collaborative team, WebCEO might stand out. It includes white-label reporting and multi-user workflows by default, so you can brand the interface for client use.
Pricing can match or even undercut Ahrefs if you compare similar user allowances. While WebCEO supports keyword tracking, backlink analysis, and site audits, its emphasis on client-facing features sets it apart.
Review platforms indicate a strong 4.7 or 4.8 average rating. People love how easy it is to present polished reports to clients.
I’m sure that if you’ve been frustrated by Ahrefs’ limited user seats or lack of white-label options, WebCEO might streamline your process without blowing your budget.
Final thoughts
There’s no single “best” Ahrefs alternative for everyone.
Each platform above tackles SEO from a slightly different angle — some emphasize budget, others aim for maximum data, while a few excel in competitor analysis or agency-level solutions.
At the end of the day, pick the tool that aligns with your goals and your style of working. If you want an all-in-one marketing suite, Semrush is hard to beat.
For straightforward rank tracking at a fair price, SE Ranking hits the mark. And if your whole strategy is about outsmarting rivals, SpyFu might be your perfect match.
Take advantage of free trials, experiment with features that matter to you, and go with the option that keeps your focus on growth.
An SEO platform should empower you, not overwhelm you.
Embrace the one that delivers clarity and progress — without the sticker shock or data overload.
Miles is a former growth engineer who once hustled SaaS funnels to eight-figure ARR — then nearly burned out in the process. After a mid-career reboot, he redirected his optimization obsession toward sleep, focus, and sustainable habits. At The Gratified Blog, he distills those A/B-tested life experiments into punchy stories that help readers boost both their conversion rates and their calm. Off-screen, Miles enjoys sunrise runs, manual-brew coffee, and long walks without his phone.
