Need a free Ahrefs alternative that actually works? You’re not alone. Many marketers and website owners search for budget-friendly options since Ahrefs’ plans start at $99 per month.
The platform’s power comes from its 28.7 billion keyword database that covers 217 locations and indexes more than 380 billion pages. Ahrefs launched a more affordable Starter plan at $29 in September 2024. The price still feels too high for many users. The good news is that several Ahrefs alternatives exist that won’t empty your wallet.
My tests of 15 free Ahrefs alternatives show similar functionality without the high costs. This list includes detailed SEO tools like Semrush and more affordable options like Ubersuggest at $29 monthly. These tools match different needs and budgets. Some pack impressive features – SE Ranking, for example, has a massive keyword database covering 190 countries.
Let’s head over to these Ahrefs competitors and find the free alternative that fits your SEO toolkit perfectly.
Semrush
Semrush is a powerhouse among free Ahrefs alternatives. This all-in-one marketing platform has 55+ tools for SEO, PPC, social media, and content marketing.
Semrush Key Features
The platform’s keyword database is massive with 27.3 billion keywords across 142 locations. Their Keyword Magic Tool creates thousands of keyword suggestions from your seed terms. The tool gives search intent for every keyword and automatically builds keyword clusters.
The platform offers a complete site audit that sorts issues into errors, warnings, and notices – and suggests fixes. Their backlink analysis reveals deep insights about any domain’s profile. Rankings update daily with position tracking and visibility scores show your brand’s presence compared to competitors.
Semrush Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Daily keyword rank updates
- AI-powered insights tailored to your website
- Complete competitor analysis tools
- Tracks up to 8 keywords for free
- Higher daily reporting limits than Ahrefs
Cons:
- Expensive for beginners
- User interface takes time to learn
- All but one of these users can be logged in at once (unless you pay $45/month extra per user)
- Data presentation needs better organization
Semrush Pricing
The SEO Toolkit Pro plan costs $139.95/month with 5 projects and 500 tracked keywords. The Guru plan at $249.95/month has 15 projects and 1,500 tracked keywords. The Business plan suits larger operations at $499.95/month with 40 projects and 5,000 tracked keywords. You can try Semrush with a 7-day free trial.
Semrush Best Use Case
Digital marketers who manage multiple channels will find Semrush invaluable. Agencies handling many client campaigns get great value and businesses need its complete competitor analysis. The platform works best when you manage both SEO and PPC campaigns because it merges data from both channels.
SE Ranking
SE Ranking provides powerful SEO tools at prices that won’t break the bank. This platform started as a simple rank tracker in 2013 and has evolved into a complete suite with more than 30 SEO tools.
SE Ranking Key Features
The platform’s Keyword Rank Tracker keeps tabs on your positions across Google, Bing, Yahoo, and YouTube for any location with 100% accuracy. Its Backlink Checker dives deep into referring domains, anchor texts, and link values while keeping track of backlink status changes automatically.
The Website Audit tool spots crucial SEO problems and shows you how to fix them. You’ll get insights into your competitors’ organic and paid search strategies through the Competitive Research tool. The Content Editor helps create keywords, titles, and meta descriptions. The platform added AI writing capabilities to this tool.
Local marketing tools let you take control of Google Business profiles and track Google Maps rankings.
SE Ranking Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Better value than competitors
- Complete feature set that shows you everything about your project
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- Quick and helpful support team
- Seamless export to Google Sheets for keyword research
Cons:
- Backlink database isn’t as extensive as premium competitors
- New users might feel overwhelmed by data presentation
- Search volume data across multiple countries needs improvement
- Smaller markets face some keyword data restrictions
- Prices have gone up
SE Ranking Pricing
SE Ranking’s three main plans (prices as of October 2024):
Essential: $65/month (monthly) or $52/month (annual) – You get 500 keywords, 5 projects, 1 user seat
Pro: $119/month (monthly) or $95.20/month (annual) – Comes with 2,000 keywords, 30 projects, 3 user seats
Business: $259/month (monthly) or $207.20/month (annual) – Gives you 5,000 keywords, unlimited projects, 5 user seats
Every plan comes with a 14-day free trial – no credit card needed.
SE Ranking Best Use Case
SE Ranking fits different types of users perfectly. Freelancers and solo SEO professionals will find everything they need in the Essential plan. The Pro plan works best for small teams and agencies that need extra features and team capabilities. Large enterprises should look at the Business plan when they need unlimited projects and maximum data coverage.
Users who need reliable keyword tracking, content optimization, and competitor analysis will find this platform valuable – all at a reasonable price.
Ubersuggest
Acquired by Neil Patel in 2017, Ubersuggest has grown from a basic keyword research tool into a detailed SEO platform that combines keyword research, content analysis, and competitive intelligence tools. This budget-friendly platform processes billions of search queries to help teams understand search intent.
Ubersuggest Key Features
Ubersuggest’s core capabilities offer advanced keyword tools, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, and content gap identification. Users can access detailed metrics like search volume, keyword difficulty, and cost-per-click data. The Site Audit tool examines your website’s ranking errors and focuses on on-page SEO issues.
The Traffic Analyzer reveals organic traffic, backlinks, and keyword ranking analysis for any website. The Content Ideas report shows trending topics in your niche with metrics such as estimated monthly visits, backlinks, and social shares.
Ubersuggest Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Accessible interface that’s easy to use
- Detailed keyword research with accurate trends and volumes
- Quick customer support through chat or email
- Chrome extension that shows data right in Google search results
- Cost-effective compared to competitors
Cons:
- Load times can frustrate users who need quick results
- Free version has daily search limits
- Credit card processing sometimes faces issues
- Lifetime subscription comes with feature restrictions
- Website audit tool misses advanced technical capabilities
Ubersuggest Pricing
Ubersuggest’s pricing structure has three main plans:
- Individual: $12/month or $120 lifetime payment (1 website)
- Business: $20/month or $200 lifetime payment (2-7 websites)
- Enterprise: $40/month or $400 lifetime payment (8-15 websites)
Each plan comes with a 7-day free trial. The lifetime option runs for 50 years – a unique offering in the SEO industry.
Ubersuggest Best Use Case
Small businesses with tight budgets will find great value in Ubersuggest. Solopreneurs, new digital marketers, and bloggers can use it to research keywords for their sites. SEO consultants rely on it for client work and personal projects. Content creators benefit from its keyword suggestions and AI Writer feature during content creation.
Moz Pro
Moz Pro started as a simple community blog and grew into one of the most trusted SEO software suites in the industry. This complete toolkit helps users handle search optimization tasks through an accessible interface.
Moz Pro Key Features
The Keyword Explorer in Moz Pro stands out because it delivers accurate search volume data beyond Google Keyword Planner scraping. The platform uses real user data to provide precise monthly search estimates. Their Link Explorer database contains 44.8 trillion links, which surpasses Semrush by nearly 2 trillion and Ahrefs by 10 trillion.
The platform offers three types of site auditing tools. A full site crawl spots technical problems like missing metadata and redirect chains. Moz’s unique metrics – Domain Authority and Page Authority – help predict ranking potential based on link signals.
Moz Pro Pros and Cons
Pros:
- More affordable than main competitors
- Larger backlink database than rivals
- Easy learning curve for beginners
- Excellent site auditing features
- Very cheap API access starting at just $5/month
Cons:
- Small keyword database (1.25 billion keywords)
- Limited keyword research options (only 1,000 viewable suggestions)
- No site traffic estimates provided
- Slower data updates during peak hours
- Feature limitations affect competitor analysis
Moz Pro Pricing
The Starter plan costs $49/month ($39/month annually) and supports one user and site. Users get three tracked sites and 300 keywords with the Standard plan at $99/month. The Medium plan ($179/month) has two users and ten tracked sites. Large plan users ($299/month) receive three users and 25 tracked sites. Each plan comes with a 30-day free trial.
Moz Pro Best Use Case
Beginners and intermediate users benefit more from Moz Pro than advanced SEO professionals. Small businesses and freelancers appreciate its clean interface and guided features. Teams looking for link analysis, keyword research, and site audits in one place will find the platform valuable. Users who need reliable data backed by Moz’s 20+ years of expertise will find this tool particularly useful.
Mangools
Mangools packs five powerful SEO tools into one easy-to-use package. This compact toolkit gives you everything you need for detailed SEO analysis without being overwhelming.
Mangools Key Features
The Mangools suite has five specialized tools. KWFinder helps you discover long-tail keywords with low SEO difficulty and shows exact search volumes with historical data. SERPChecker looks at search results in 65,000 locations worldwide and keeps track of over 30 million SERPs in its database. SERPWatcher monitors your website rankings daily and checks 900,000 keyword positions. LinkMiner examines backlink profiles from a database of 9.5 trillion backlinks. SiteProfiler assesses domain authority through detailed SEO metrics.
The Chrome and Firefox browser extension lets you analyze SEO on the go with features like SERP snippet previews, keyword density checks, and page speed tests.
Mangools Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Simple, user-friendly interface
- Visual reports that make analysis straightforward
- Complete five-in-one toolkit that covers major SEO tasks
- Clear pricing with similar features across all plans
- SERP analysis for 65,000 locations
Cons:
- Daily keyword limits on simple plans
- No site audit tool to check technical SEO issues
- Smaller backlink database compared to premium competitors
- Uses third-party data from Moz and Majestic
- Web-only platform that needs constant internet connection
Mangools Pricing
The platform offers three main plans. The Basic plan costs $29.90/month annually with 100 daily keyword lookups and 200 tracked keywords. Premium ($44.90/month annually) gives you 500 daily keyword lookups, 700 tracked keywords and 3 extra seats. Agency ($89.90/month annually) provides 1,200 daily keyword lookups, 1,500 tracked keywords and 5 extra seats. Each plan comes with a 48-hour money-back guarantee.
Mangools Best Use Case
Bloggers, small business owners, and freelancers who want budget-friendly SEO solutions will find Mangools perfect for their needs. The platform works great for beginners who want to learn SEO basics without feeling overwhelmed. Users who watch their budget appreciate how it balances features and cost. The tool’s simple interface and quick analysis make it a great addition to other SEO tools.
Search Atlas
Search Atlas combines AI automation with 32 SEO tools to help agencies and content teams. This new alternative to Ahrefs simplifies processes through smart automation.
Search Atlas Key Features
OTTO SEO, an AI assistant, sits at Search Atlas’s heart. It handles website optimizations from technical fixes to content updates. The platform helps you find high-intent opportunities from a database of 5.2 billion keywords. Content Genius enhances semantic content creation with AI-powered editing tools.
The platform shines with its Keyword Magic Tool that quickly finds keywords. Site Auditor scans technical SEO elements, while Domain Power measures authority using verified Google Search Console data. You also get local SEO tools including Google Business Profile management and local heatmaps.
Search Atlas Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface manages core SEO functions
- AI automation cuts down manual data analysis
- More keyword research quotas than competitors
- Every plan includes free OTTO SEO activations
Cons:
- OTTO’s depth takes time to master
- On-page audits sometimes have bugs
- New users might feel overwhelmed by the interface
- Chrome extension faces login issues occasionally
Search Atlas Pricing
Search Atlas offers three main plans:
- Starter: $99/month (1 OTTO SEO project, 2 user seats)
- Growth: $199/month (2 OTTO SEO projects, 3 user seats)
- Pro: $399/month (4 OTTO SEO projects, 5 user seats)
Each plan comes with a 7-day free trial and full feature access.
Search Atlas Best Use Case
SEO professionals, content marketers, and agencies managing multiple sites will benefit from Search Atlas. Teams looking to automate routine SEO tasks find great value in the platform. The AI-driven content tools help brands create content faster and more effectively.
Writesonic
Writesonic is a versatile platform that combines AI content creation with SEO tools. It serves as a free alternative to Ahrefs for content marketers. The platform goes beyond simple keyword tools and connects writing with search optimization.
Writesonic Key Features
The platform has 60+ features focused on content creation and SEO. Its AI Article Writer creates SEO-optimized long-form content in less than 5 minutes. The platform’s GEO Tool (Generative Engine Optimization) keeps track of content visibility in AI platforms like ChatGPT. Users can handle research, keyword clustering, and competitor analysis through natural prompts with the SEO AI Agent. Writesonic also has built-in SEO tools that include up-to-the-minute checkers, optimizers, and readability analyzers.
Writesonic Pros and Cons
Pros:
- One platform for content creation and SEO optimization
- Lower costs by avoiding multiple tools for content and SEO
- Very quick for high-volume content tasks
- Simple, easy-to-use interface compared to competitors
Cons:
- Takes time to learn its many features
- Can be tough for SEO beginners
- AI sometimes misunderstands context in generated content
- New users might find the interface busy
Writesonic Pricing
Users can start with a free plan that offers 25 monthly credits. The Lite plan costs $49/month ($39/month billed annually). Users pay $99/month ($79/month annually) for the Standard plan. The Professional plan runs at $249/month ($199/month annually).
Writesonic Best Use Case
Power bloggers who need quality content quickly will find Writesonic helpful. Marketing teams can save hours creating campaign copy. Small businesses can benefit from its complete toolset instead of paying for multiple expensive subscriptions.
SpyFu
SpyFu helps you uncover your competitors’ SEO and PPC strategies by tracking their organic and paid keywords. This analytical platform helps you enhance your search marketing efforts through detailed competitor analysis.
SpyFu Key Features
SpyFu reveals your competitors’ complete keyword lists with detailed performance metrics. The platform gathers data from the top 100 organic search results and detects competitor content before it reaches top rankings. Its Kombat feature creates visual Venn diagrams that show keyword overlaps and gaps between domains. On top of that, it provides backlink prospecting that focuses on high-ranking pages instead of overwhelming datasets.
SpyFu Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cost-effective plans compared to premium alternatives
- Accessible interface with clean layouts
- Powerful PPC research tools showing ad history and spending
- Unlimited data access across all plans
- Comprehensive competitor research tools
Cons:
- Few backlink analysis options
- Missing technical SEO audit features
- Weekly data updates instead of current
- PPC data estimates lack precision
- Report visualizations need updates
SpyFu Pricing
The simple plan costs $39/month ($33/month annually) and includes 10,000 row search results. The Professional plan costs $79/month ($58/month annually) with unlimited search results and data exports. Both plans give you unlimited access to US and international data.
SpyFu Best Use Case
SEO professionals use SpyFu to analyze their competitors’ performance. PPC campaign managers find it perfect to understand competitor ad strategies and budgets. Small businesses can benefit from its affordable competitive intelligence features.
Serpstat
Serpstat delivers a complete SEO platform that combines detailed tools for website analysis, keyword research, and competitor tracking. Their cloud-based solution helps boost your online visibility through a clean, user-friendly design.
Serpstat Key Features
The platform’s keyword research tool taps into more than seven billion keywords and 4.54 billion suggestions. Their Site Audit tool spots and ranks technical SEO problems by priority. It suggests fixes and calculates an overall optimization score. The backlink analysis helps you learn from your competitors’ successful link strategies. Serpstat also includes AI content tools that help build articles, paraphrase text, and extract keywords.
Serpstat Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly design with natural navigation
- Strong competitor analysis features
- Reports anyone can understand
- Deep keyword value insights
Cons:
- Price runs high despite generous usage limits
- Some sites lack complete crawl coverage
- Training materials need updates
- System bugs pop up occasionally
Serpstat Pricing
The Individual plan runs $50/month ($59 with monthly billing) and includes 100 daily searches. Their popular Team plan costs $100/month ($119 with monthly billing) and adds AI tools plus team management. Larger operations can choose the Agency plan at $410/month ($479 with monthly billing) with white-label features and higher limits.
Serpstat Best Use Case
Content creators find exceptional value in Serpstat’s keyword clustering capabilities. Marketing agencies benefit greatly from the custom reports generator. The platform serves both freelancers and in-house marketing teams who need detailed SEO solutions effectively.
Majestic
Majestic has focused solely on backlink analysis and crawling since 2004. The platform’s index has crawled more than 1.3 trillion unique URLs, which makes it a specialized tool to track your site’s inbound link network.
Majestic Key Features
Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics are Majestic’s core strengths. Trust Flow evaluates link quality based on trustworthy linking sites, and Citation Flow measures link quantity. The platform gives users access to both a Fresh Index with data from the last 90 days and a Historic Index containing all 1.3+ trillion crawled URLs. Users can also benefit from Topical Trust Flow to measure industry-specific authority. The platform includes Backlink History to track link changes over time and Site Explorer to analyze domains in detail.
Majestic Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Superior backlink data with unique quality metrics
- Works well across devices including mobile apps
- Maintains 98% customer satisfaction rate
- Complete context reports help evaluate link value
Cons:
- User interface looks dated and cluttered
- Features remain restricted to link analysis
- Keyword research tools are absent
- On-page SEO optimization features are missing
Majestic Pricing
Users can start with the Lite plan at $49.99/month which includes Fresh Index access and basic analysis tools. The Pro plan costs $99.99/month and adds Historic Index access with advanced reporting. Enterprise users can access Full API plans starting at $399.99/month. New customers receive a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Majestic Best Use Case
SEO consultants and link builders who need detailed backlink information will find Majestic invaluable. The tool works well for businesses that monitor competitor PR activities and domain professionals who evaluate site authority. Small businesses and freelancers with limited budgets will find this affordable solution perfect for focused backlink analysis.
SEO PowerSuite
SEO PowerSuite stands out by choosing a desktop-based approach instead of cloud solutions. Since 2004, this complete toolkit has earned the trust of more than 2 million users worldwide.
SEO PowerSuite Key Features
The platform combines four integrated tools. Rank Tracker watches rankings on more than 400 search engines and provides 20+ keyword research methods. WebSite Auditor scans sites to spot technical problems and make content better. SEO SpyGlass examines backlinks and helps you spot toxic links. LinkAssistant helps you find backlink opportunities through 10 prospecting methods.
SEO PowerSuite Pros and Cons
Pros:
- You can track unlimited keywords without restrictions
- The software works offline without internet
- You get custom reporting options
- A free version with simple functionality is available
Cons:
- Large projects might lag due to Java-based architecture
- The interface looks cluttered and dated
- Data doesn’t sync live
- The backlink database is smaller than competitors
SEO PowerSuite Pricing
The forever-free version gives you simple access but won’t let you save projects. The Professional plan costs about $60/month with unlimited projects. The Enterprise plan runs at $140/month and includes white-label reporting. You can buy each tool separately starting at $129/year.
SEO PowerSuite Best Use Case
This toolkit works well for solo practitioners and small teams who prefer desktop tools. Budget-conscious users who need unlimited keyword tracking without monthly limits will find it perfect. Try the free version first to check if it meets your needs.
Raven Tools
Raven Tools provides SEO professionals a central hub with reporting features at reasonable prices. The platform combines all SEO functions in one easy-to-use dashboard.
Raven Tools Key Features
The Site Auditor reviews 17 different metrics to boost your technical SEO foundations. Their visual report builder integrates backlink data, authority metrics and site crawl scores with Google analytics. Raven pulls data from Majestic to discover up to 50,000 backlinks for any URL. The platform’s rank tracking capabilities extend beyond Google to include Bing, Yahoo, Yandex, and Baidu.
Raven Tools Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Automated reporting saves 5-10 hours each month
- Unlimited reports on all plans
- White-label options included
- Simple, user-friendly interface
Cons:
- Limited site auditing with only 17 checks compared to Semrush’s 150
- Outdated user interface
- Support limited to email only
- System runs slowly
Raven Tools Pricing
The Start plan costs $79/month with annual billing and includes 20 domains and 4 users. Teams can choose the Grow plan at $139/month annually with 80 domains and 8 users. Larger teams might prefer the Lead plan at $399/month annually with 320 domains and 40 users.
Raven Tools Best Use Case
Small marketing agencies that create client reports will find Raven Tools particularly useful. The platform works well for teams that need to track many keywords across multiple search engines, thanks to its higher position tracking limits.
Seobility
Seobility evolved from a simple SEO checker in 2013 to become a powerful all-in-one platform. Today, it serves over 500,000 users worldwide. The platform provides detailed SEO analysis that remains easy to understand.
Seobility Key Features
The Website Audit tool examines over 300 common SEO issues in three categories: Tech & Meta, Structure, and Content. The system prioritizes detected problems based on their severity and impact. Ranking Monitoring lets you track Google positions and SEO performance on both desktop and mobile devices. The Backlink Monitoring feature tracks new, lost, and broken backlinks while analyzing your link profile. The platform also has additional tools like Keyword Research, TF*IDF optimization, Redirect Checker, and SERP Snippet Generator.
Seobility Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface that works well for beginners
- Detailed website scanning with practical fixes
- Free version for simple needs
- Website re-crawls happen regularly
Cons:
- Free version comes with feature restrictions
- Premium plans might stretch smaller budgets
- You cannot ignore unwanted suggestions
Seobility Pricing
The Basic plan (free) lets you manage 1 website project, scan 1,000 pages per crawl, and track 10 keywords. The Premium plan costs €49.90/month (€479.20/year) and supports 3 websites, 25,000 pages, and 300 keywords. The Agency plan at €179.90/month (€1,727.04/year) handles 15 websites, 100,000 pages, and 1,500 keywords.
Seobility Best Use Case
SEO beginners find Seobility perfect for website optimization. The platform’s detailed yet accessible approach helps small businesses improve their search visibility. The higher-tier plans provide excellent value for agencies that manage multiple client websites.
CognitiveSEO
CognitiveSEO helps you take a closer look at link management with a toolkit for serious SEO practitioners. The platform works like your personal SEO consultant to analyze every backlink and keyword.
CognitiveSEO Key Features
The platform’s backlink analysis tracks links really well and helps identify harmful connections through its toxic link detection tool. The keyword analysis feature lets you learn about performance and suggests related terms. Content creators can get optimization suggestions based on SEO best practices. The platform uses natural language processing (NLP) to improve ranking positions. You can monitor your site’s search result performance over time with rank tracking.
CognitiveSEO Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Accessible interface that works well for SEO beginners
- Detailed link analysis with immediate crawling
- Toxic link detection that keeps your site healthy
- Practical content insights that boost rankings
Cons:
- The $129.99 monthly price tag isn’t budget-friendly
- Bulk URL processing has limits
- Advanced features need time to master
- Some optimization advice needs updates
CognitiveSEO Pricing
The Starter Plan costs $129.99/month ($89/month annually) with 5 campaigns. The Premium Plan runs $199/month with 10 campaigns. The Elite Plan at $499/month gives you 25 campaigns for larger operations. Every plan comes with a 7-day free trial.
CognitiveSEO Best Use Case
SEO professionals who need detailed link analysis will find this tool valuable. Medium-sized businesses and agencies that want detailed backlink insights can benefit greatly. Users with SEO experience will appreciate the tool’s analytical capabilities.
SEO Minion
SEO Minion works as a browser extension instead of a standalone platform. This Chrome and Firefox add-on streamlines daily SEO tasks through an accessible interface.
SEO Minion Key Features
The extension packs several useful tools. Its On-Page SEO analyzer gets into HTML elements such as meta tags and headings. A smart link checker highlights issues with color coding – green shows healthy links, yellow indicates 404 errors, and purple marks redirects. Users can also preview SERP results to optimize titles and descriptions, check SERPs across multiple locations, and download People Also Ask data from Google searches.
SEO Minion Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free access with Keywords Everywhere subscription
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Outstanding ratings (5-star on Chrome with 100,000+ users)
- SEO data appears right in your browser
Cons:
- Data access remains limited compared to full platforms
- Access requires Keywords Everywhere subscription
- Larger websites load slowly sometimes
- Interface becomes crowded
SEO Minion Pricing
Keywords Everywhere’s Silver plan or higher unlocks SEO Minion. The Silver plan costs $4.00/month ($48.00 billed annually).
SEO Minion Best Use Case
The tool shines when you need quick on-page analysis before content publication. Bloggers and freelancers love it because they can check meta tags and access SEO tools without switching platforms.
Comparison Table
| Tool | Starting Price | Key Features | Best Use Case | Notable Pros | Notable Cons |
| Semrush | $139.95/mo | – 27.3B keyword database – Daily rank updates – Site auditing – Position tracking | Digital marketers managing multiple channels | – Daily keyword rank updates – Informed insights – Tracks 8 keywords free | – Expensive for beginners – Complex interface – Single user login |
| SE Ranking | $65/mo | – Keyword rank tracking – Backlink monitoring – Website audit – AI writing tools | Freelancers and small teams | – Good value for money – User-friendly – Responsive support | – Small backlink database – Data can overwhelm – Limited search volume data |
| Ubersuggest | $12/mo | – Keyword discovery – Competitor analysis – Site audit – Traffic analyzer | Small businesses with limited budgets | – User-friendly interface – Accurate keyword data – Chrome extension | – Slow loading times – Daily search limits – Simple audit features |
| Moz Pro | $49/mo | – 44.8T link database – Domain Authority metrics – Site auditing | Beginners and intermediate users | – More economical – Large backlink database – Easy learning curve | – Small keyword database – Limited suggestions – No traffic estimates |
| Mangools | $29.90/mo | – KWFinder – SERPChecker – LinkMiner – SiteProfiler | Bloggers and small business owners | – User-friendly interface – Clear visual reports – 5-in-1 toolkit | – Limited daily quotas – No site audit tool – Small backlink database |
| Search Atlas | $99/mo | – OTTO SEO AI assistant – 5.2B keyword database – Content Genius | SEO pros and content marketers | – AI automation – High keyword quotas – Free OTTO activations | – Steep learning curve – Interface bugs – Complex for beginners |
| Writesonic | $49/mo | – AI Article Writer – GEO Tool – SEO AI Agent | Power bloggers and marketing teams | – Fast content creation – Combined SEO tools – Economical | – Feature learning curve – Context mistakes – Cluttered interface |
| SpyFu | $39/mo | – Competitor keyword tracking – Kombat feature – Backlink prospecting | SEO pros analyzing competitors | – Economical plans – Clean interface – Unlimited data access | – Simple backlink analysis – No technical audits – Weekly updates only |
| Serpstat | $50/mo | – 7B keyword database – Site audit – AI content tools | Content creators and agencies | – User-friendly design – Strong competitor analysis – Clear reports | – Relatively expensive – Incomplete site crawls – System bugs |
| Majestic | $49.99/mo | – Trust Flow metrics – 1.3T URL database – Backlink history | SEO consultants and link builders | – Quality backlink data – Mobile compatibility – Context reports | – Dated interface – Limited features – No keyword research |
| SEO PowerSuite | $60/mo | – Rank Tracker – Website Auditor – LinkAssistant | Solo practitioners and small teams | – Unlimited keywords – Offline functionality – Free version available | – System lag issues – Outdated interface – No up-to-the-minute sync |
| Raven Tools | $79/mo | – Site Auditor – Visual reports – Multi-engine tracking | Small marketing agencies | – Automated reporting – Unlimited reports – White-label options | – Simple site auditing – Old interface – Email-only support |
| Seobility | €49.90/mo | – 300+ SEO checks – Rank monitoring – Backlink tracking | SEO beginners and small businesses | – User-friendly interface – Regular re-crawls – Free version | – Limited free features – Expensive tiers – No ignore option |
| CognitiveSEO | $129.99/mo | – Toxic link detection – NLP optimization – Rank tracking | SEO pros needing link analysis | – Beginner-friendly – Up-to-the-minute crawling – Content insights | – High starting price – Limited bulk processing – Complex features |
| SEO Minion | $4/mo | – On-page analysis – Link checker – SERP preview | Quick on-page analysis tasks | – Free with subscription – User-friendly – High user ratings | – Limited data access – Requires subscription – Slow with large sites |
Conclusion
You don’t need to spend a fortune to find a great Ahrefs alternative. Our list of 15 tools has something for everyone – from detailed platforms like Semrush to wallet-friendly options like Ubersuggest.
Your choice should line up with what you need for SEO. Majestic and CognitiveSEO excel at backlink analysis. Mangools and SE Ranking provide great value for keyword research. Writesonic might be your perfect match if you want AI-powered content creation with SEO benefits.
Your budget matters a lot. You can start with free tools like SEO Minion or SEO PowerSuite’s simple version. Mid-range options like Moz Pro ($49/month) and SpyFu ($39/month) give you good features at reasonable prices. Search Atlas and Serpstat offer more features at higher prices.
The best way to decide is to use free trials when they’re available. This lets you see which interface works best for you and which features you’ll actually use in your projects.
Remember, you don’t need to find an exact copy of Ahrefs. Each tool has its own strong points. The right SEO tool is one that works with your process and fits your budget. Pick a couple from this list, try them out, and watch your SEO strategy improve without spending too much.
Which Ahrefs alternative are you planning to try first? Drop a comment below with your choice!
Key Takeaways
Here are the essential insights from testing 15 free Ahrefs alternatives to help you choose the right SEO tool for your budget and needs:
- Budget-friendly options exist at every price point – From free tools like SEO Minion ($4/month) to mid-range solutions like Moz Pro ($49/month), you don’t need Ahrefs’ $99+ pricing to get quality SEO data.
- Match tools to your primary SEO focus – Majestic excels for backlink analysis, Mangools dominates keyword research, while Writesonic combines content creation with SEO optimization.
- Start with free trials before committing – Most alternatives offer 7-14 day free trials, allowing you to test interfaces and features that actually matter for your specific workflow.
- Consider feature depth versus simplicity – Comprehensive platforms like Semrush offer 55+ tools but can overwhelm beginners, while focused tools like Ubersuggest provide essential features with easier learning curves.
- AI-powered automation is becoming standard – Modern alternatives like Search Atlas and Writesonic integrate AI assistants that automate tedious SEO tasks, potentially saving hours of manual work.
The best Ahrefs alternative isn’t necessarily the most feature-rich – it’s the one that delivers actionable insights within your budget while fitting seamlessly into your existing workflow. Test 2-3 options from different price ranges to find your perfect match.
FAQs
Q1. What are some affordable alternatives to Ahrefs for SEO? There are several budget-friendly Ahrefs alternatives, including Ubersuggest starting at $12/month, SpyFu at $39/month, and Moz Pro at $49/month. These tools offer various SEO features like keyword research, competitor analysis, and site auditing at lower price points than Ahrefs.
Q2. Which SEO tool is best for backlink analysis? For comprehensive backlink analysis, Majestic and CognitiveSEO are strong contenders. Majestic offers a vast backlink database and proprietary metrics like Trust Flow, while CognitiveSEO provides in-depth link analysis with real-time crawling and toxic link detection.
Q3. Is there a free alternative to Ahrefs? While there’s no exact free equivalent to Ahrefs, SEO Minion offers a free browser extension for basic on-page SEO analysis when used with a Keywords Everywhere subscription. Additionally, some tools like Seobility and SEO PowerSuite offer limited free versions to get started.
Q4. What’s a good Ahrefs alternative for content creation and SEO? Writesonic combines AI-powered content creation with SEO tools, making it an excellent choice for content marketers. It offers features like an AI Article Writer, SEO optimization suggestions, and keyword research capabilities all in one platform.
Q5. Which Ahrefs alternative is best for beginners? For SEO beginners, tools like Ubersuggest and Mangools offer user-friendly interfaces and straightforward features. They provide essential SEO functionalities like keyword research, site auditing, and competitor analysis without overwhelming users with complex data or steep learning curves.
