Finding the right SEO tool can make a big difference in how effectively you optimize your content, track rankings, and study competitors. While Ahrefs has long been a favorite among digital marketers, it’s not the only option on the market.
Many users now search for Ahrefs alternatives that are either more budget-friendly, easier to use, or tailored to specific SEO tasks. Whether you’re focused on keyword research, backlink analysis, or technical audits, there are powerful tools out there that can meet your needs without compromising on features.
This article compares some of the best tools available today, helping you decide which one aligns best with your goals and budget.
Top 10 Ahrefs Alternatives (2025 Edition)
Looking for SEO tools that can match or even surpass Ahrefs in certain areas? Here’s a carefully curated list of the best Ahrefs alternatives in 2025, suited for different budgets, skill levels, and SEO needs. Each option offers strong features for keyword tracking, backlink analysis, site audits, and more.
1. Semrush
Price: From $129/month
Features:
- Keyword Tracking
- Backlink Analysis
- Site Audit Tools
- Competitor Research
Semrush is often the first name that comes up when comparing Ahrefs alternatives. It offers nearly every SEO tool you can think of rank tracking, backlink analysis, technical audits, and keyword research. Semrush also provides tools for content marketing, PPC analysis, and social media tracking.
It’s ideal for agencies and larger teams, though the interface might take some time to get used to. Some users also point out that it’s slightly more expensive than Ahrefs. Still, if you want a tool that covers almost everything, Semrush is hard to beat.
2. SE Ranking
Price: From $44/month
Features:
- Rank Tracking
- On-Page Audits
- Backlink Monitoring
- Local SEO Tools
SE Ranking is a great choice if you’re after a user-friendly and affordable option. It does all the basics right: you can check your rankings, audit your site, and monitor backlinks with ease. Plus, it includes local SEO tools, which are often missing in larger platforms.
For agencies, white-label features and reporting are included in the higher-tier plans. While its backlink database isn’t as large as Ahrefs, it’s enough for small to medium-sized websites.
3. Moz Pro
Price: From $99/month
Features:
- Link Explorer
- Keyword Suggestions
- Site Crawl
- Spam Score Monitoring
Moz Pro has been a long-standing name in the SEO world. Its Domain Authority (DA) and Spam Score metrics are widely used to evaluate backlink quality. For keyword research, Keyword Explorer makes it simple to find terms with the right balance of volume and difficulty.
If you’re just getting started with SEO and want something that’s intuitive and well-supported, Moz Pro is a strong choice among ahrefs competitors.
4. Ubersuggest
Price: $29/month or $290 one-time
Features:
- Keyword Suggestions
- Content Ideas
- Basic Site Audit
- Backlink Data
Ubersuggest is ideal for users who want core SEO data without complexity. It gives access to search volume, SEO difficulty, backlink reports, and even content ideas. The pricing is beginner-friendly, and the lifetime deal makes it very appealing for one-time users.
The downside? Its data is not as updated as tools like Ahrefs or Semrush. But for personal projects, it’s more than enough.
5. Mangools
Price: From $49/month
Features:
- KWFinder
- SERPChecker
- Backlink Tools
Mangools is great for content creators and bloggers. It includes KWFinder for keyword research, LinkMiner for backlink data, and SERPChecker to analyze search results. The interface is minimal and easy to follow.
Though it lacks technical site audits, it’s an excellent tool for those focused on keyword ideas, search trends, and SERP analysis.
6. Majestic
Price: From $49.99/month
Features:
- Trust Flow & Citation Flow
- Backlink History
- Bulk Backlink Checking
Majestic is built almost entirely around backlinks. Its Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics are great for judging link quality. You can check historical backlink data, analyze anchor text, and even see where your competitors are getting links.
However, Majestic doesn’t offer site audits or keyword research, so it works best as a companion tool rather than a standalone SEO platform.
7. Serpstat
Price: From $59/month
Features:
- Keyword Research
- Competitor Analysis
- Rank Tracking
- Team Features
Serpstat is a flexible platform suited for agencies and growing teams. It has keyword tools, competitor insights, site audit capabilities, and excellent reporting features. It even supports keyword clustering, which is useful for content strategy.
While it may not feel as polished as Ahrefs in design, it offers good value for businesses managing multiple websites or clients.
8. SpyFu
Price: From $39/month
Features:
- Competitor Keywords
- PPC Ad History
- Backlink Checker
SpyFu is a top pick if you’re heavily focused on what your competitors are doing. It helps uncover which keywords they’re ranking for, which ads they’ve run, and how their content performs over time.
While it lacks a full audit tool, it provides a treasure trove of competitive intelligence, something many Ahrefs alternatives aim for but don’t execute as well.
9. CognitiveSEO
Price: From $129/month
Features:
- Penalty Risk Monitoring
- Backlink Profile Audit
- Content Optimization
- Keyword Tools
CognitiveSEO stands out for its ability to detect unnatural links and content issues that might trigger search penalties. It’s particularly good for businesses recovering from algorithm hits or dealing with toxic backlinks.
Though it’s priced on the higher end, its link quality audit and content analyzer make it useful for SEO professionals managing sensitive sites.
10. Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Price: Free for 500 URLs, £199/year paid version
Features:
- Broken Link Checker
- Redirect Chains
- Meta Tag Analysis
Screaming Frog is widely respected for technical SEO tasks. It crawls your site and provides reports on errors, redirects, page speed, and on-page SEO issues. It’s not an all-in-one platform, but it pairs well with most Ahrefs alternatives to give you a full picture.
If you manage large websites and care about technical health, this is a must-have tool.
What to Consider Before Choosing an Ahrefs Alternative
Choosing from the many available Ahrefs alternatives can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure which features matter most. To make the right choice, consider these key factors:
- Budget – Different tools come with varying price points. While Ahrefs starts at $99/month, alternatives like Ubersuggest offer plans as low as $29/month. Decide how much you’re willing to invest monthly in your SEO efforts.
- Tool Focus – Not all tools are created equal. Some excel at keyword research, others focus on backlink analysis, and a few specialize in technical SEO audits. Identify your top priorities before committing to a platform.
- Data Freshness & Accuracy – Tools like Semrush and Ahrefs are known for their frequently updated databases. If real-time or near-real-time data is critical to your strategy, avoid tools with limited update cycles.
- Ease of Use – If you’re a beginner, intuitive interfaces like SE Ranking or Moz Pro will make the learning curve less steep. Tools with steep learning curves might offer more depth but may slow down progress for new users.
- Team Collaboration Features – If you work in a team or agency environment, features like user management, white-label reporting, and shared dashboards can be a game-changer. Tools like Serpstat and Semrush offer these capabilities.
Choosing the right tool means aligning its strengths with your business goals. There’s no universal best, just the best for your specific needs.
Who Should Use These Alternatives?
Different SEO tools serve different users better. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you identify which Ahrefs alternatives best fit your role and goals:
- Freelancers & Bloggers:
Tools like Ubersuggest, Mangools, and SE Ranking are budget-friendly, easy to use, and cover essential SEO needs like keyword tracking, content ideas, and backlink monitoring. They’re perfect for solo users who want actionable insights without the complexity or high cost.
- Agencies:
Platforms like Semrush, Serpstat, and CognitiveSEO are ideal for digital marketing agencies and SEO teams. These tools offer robust features such as bulk reporting, team access, white-label branding, and advanced keyword clusters essential for managing multiple client accounts efficiently.
- Content Creators & Marketers:
If content is your main focus, Moz Pro, Mangools, and SpyFu are great picks. These platforms help with keyword optimization, SERP tracking, and competitor analysis, ensuring your content ranks and performs well on search engines.
- Technical SEOs:
For those who live in XML sitemaps, redirects, and crawl errors, Screaming Frog and Majestic are top picks. These tools provide in-depth technical audits and link quality metrics like Trust Flow and Citation Flow that go beyond the basics.
- Ecommerce & Local Businesses:
Businesses that rely on local rankings or product visibility will benefit from tools like SE Ranking and Serpstat. They support local SEO, mobile tracking, and Google My Business integrations to help dominate location-based searches.
By matching your role and SEO focus with the right platform, you can get the best results without overspending or under-utilizing your tool.
Wrapping Up
In today’s competitive SEO landscape, exploring the right Ahrefs alternatives can unlock better value, ease of use, and task-specific functionality. Whether you’re a solo blogger, agency, or technical SEO expert, there’s a tool tailored to your needs and budget. From Semrush’s all-in-one suite to Ubersuggest’s simplicity and Mangools’ user-friendly interface, the options are diverse and powerful. Choosing the best fit depends on your SEO priorities, be it backlink analysis, keyword research, or technical audits. With the right Ahrefs alternative in hand, you can enhance your SEO strategy, scale your efforts, and gain a competitive edge without overspending.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the best Ahrefs alternative for beginners?
SE Ranking and Ubersuggest are excellent options for beginners. They offer user-friendly interfaces, affordable pricing, and cover essential SEO features like keyword tracking, site audits, and backlink monitoring.
2. Are free Ahrefs alternatives any good?
Yes, some tools like Screaming Frog (free for up to 500 URLs) and limited versions of Ubersuggest or Moz offer basic SEO features for free. However, for serious SEO work, a paid tool is usually more reliable and feature-rich.
3. Which Ahrefs alternative is best for backlink analysis?
Majestic and Semrush are strong contenders for backlink analysis. Majestic specializes in link metrics like Trust Flow, while Semrush provides a robust backlink database with advanced filtering.
4. Can I replace Ahrefs completely with one alternative?
It depends on your needs. Tools like Semrush and Serpstat come close to matching Ahrefs in most areas, but others may need to be combined (e.g., Screaming Frog + Ubersuggest) for full coverage.
5. Which Ahrefs alternative is best for agencies?
Semrush, Serpstat, and CognitiveSEO are ideal for agencies due to their white-label reporting, team collaboration features, and bulk project management capabilities.
