Ahrefs has gained widespread recognition as one of the most popular SEO tools available, largely due to its extensive dataset, which includes 12 billion keywords and over 500 billion indexed pages. Its comprehensive backlink database has positioned it as a leading choice for SEO professionals focused on link-building strategies. However, recent adjustments to Ahrefs’ pricing structure may make it a less attractive option for businesses that are primarily looking for robust data insights at a lower cost.
For companies and individuals searching for alternative solutions that offer similar functionality without the premium pricing, there are several viable options worth considering. This post will explore a range of alternatives that provide effective SEO tools, such as keyword research, backlink analysis, and site auditing, while offering more flexible pricing models. These alternatives cater to businesses of varying sizes and budgets, allowing users to find the right balance between functionality and affordability in their SEO software.
Why Ahrefs is a Go-To SEO Tool
Ahrefs is widely recognized as a leading tool in SEO, known for its powerful web crawler and dominance in the SEO category. Its extensive index of live backlinks is updated every 15–30 minutes, providing access to accurate, up-to-date information. This frequent data refresh enables more effective SEO strategies compared to other tools.
Ahrefs distinguishes itself by tracking 72 unique data points for each backlink, offering an unparalleled level of insight. Whether sorting by referring page, domain, anchor text, or other metrics, the depth of data provided sets it apart from other tools, which typically offer only a third of the data points. This comprehensive coverage makes Ahrefs a go-to resource for professionals seeking detailed SEO information.
Since its launch in 2010, Ahrefs has become a reliable tool for thousands of professionals. Its features are developed by SEO practitioners, ensuring that they meet practical, real-world needs, unlike tools designed in more isolated, developer-focused environments. Ahrefs’ approach ensures that it addresses the specific requirements of SEO professionals.
Ahrefs has also made significant investments in its infrastructure, building its own datacenter equipped with thousands of servers and CPU cores, as well as one of the fastest supercomputers globally. This infrastructure allows Ahrefs to process massive datasets efficiently, without relying on third-party resources, a key differentiator compared to most other SEO tools.
While Ahrefs is an outstanding tool for comprehensive SEO strategies, those looking for more accessible options might find value in Free SEO Tools by feedthebot. This suite of tools offers essential SEO functionalities, helping users optimize both on-page and off-page elements at no cost.
Is Ahrefs the Right Tool for You?
Ahrefs is ideal for SEO professionals and digital marketers seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one solution.
However, if you’re just starting out in SEO, Ahrefs might feel overwhelming and could exceed your budget. There are other tools that may be a better fit for beginners.
Additionally, if you’re in need of a tool that focuses on a single aspect of SEO, such as keyword research, rank tracking, or backlink analysis, there are more affordable and specialized options available.
That said, for those who want a full-featured SEO tool, Ahrefs is hard to beat.
Ahrefs Pricing: Which Plan Fits Your Needs?
Ahrefs provides four distinct pricing plans designed to cater to a wide range of users, from small businesses and freelancers to large enterprises. Each plan offers a variety of features and resources based on the needs and scale of the user’s SEO efforts. Here’s an overview of the available options:
- Lite Plan ($129/month): Best suited for small businesses or individuals starting with SEO, this plan supports up to 5 projects, 6 months of historical data, and tracking for 750 keywords. It includes access to core tools such as the Dashboard, Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Site Audit, and Rank Tracker.
- Standard Plan ($249/month): Geared towards freelancers or professionals managing multiple clients, this plan includes 20 projects, 2 years of historical data, and tracking for up to 2,000 keywords. Additional tools like Content Explorer and Batch Analysis are also part of this package.
- Advanced Plan ($449/month): Targeted at in-house marketing teams, this plan offers support for up to 50 projects, 5 years of data history, and tracking for 5,000 keywords. It also integrates with tools such as Looker Studio and provides access to advanced features that aid in comprehensive SEO management.
- Enterprise Plan ($14,990/year): Designed for large agencies or businesses handling large-scale SEO operations, the Enterprise Plan includes unlimited historical data, support for 100 projects, tracking for 10,000 keywords, API access, and exclusive features like advanced PDF reporting and customizable widgets.
Each plan is structured to accommodate different levels of SEO activity, making Ahrefs a flexible option for businesses of various sizes. However, as the pricing increases, it becomes a more suitable choice for professionals or organizations with more extensive SEO requirements. While the Lite and Standard plans cater to smaller-scale needs, the Advanced and Enterprise plans are designed to handle larger, more complex SEO operations, offering more advanced tools and broader access to data.
The Best Ahrefs Alternatives You Should Consider in 2024
Semrush
When considering an alternative to Ahrefs, Semrush often emerges as a strong recommendation. Semrush provides a comprehensive suite of SEO tools that closely resemble those of Ahrefs, including features like keyword tracking, backlink analysis, on-page SEO auditing, and competitor research. Additionally, Semrush offers advanced content marketing and deeper competitor analysis options in its higher-tier plans.
One notable downside of Semrush is its slightly higher pricing. While Ahrefs starts at $129 per month, Semrush begins at $139.95 per month, which may feel steep for those seeking a more budget-friendly solution. Furthermore, Ahrefs offers more project support at similar price points, with its Standard Plan supporting 20 projects at $249 per month, compared to Semrush’s Guru Plan, which supports only 15 projects at the same price. This makes Ahrefs a better value for users needing to manage more projects without a significant increase in cost.
Ahrefs simplifies navigation with a sidebar that provides direct links to essential reports like broken links, internal links, and anchor text, allowing users to quickly find specific details. In contrast, Semrush has a more feature-focused sidebar, requiring users to explore individual features to locate the desired reports, which can be time-consuming. However, Semrush recently introduced Semrush Copilot AI, which scans a site and presents the most relevant insights at the top of the dashboard, offering a more streamlined experience.
Preferences may vary, with some users favoring Semrush’s layout over Ahrefs. In terms of raw features, both tools offer similar capabilities, including keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and rank tracking. For those seeking an alternative to Ahrefs with comparable features, Semrush is a strong competitor, offering nearly everything Ahrefs does, albeit with differences in user interaction.
For those in need of an all-in-one SEO solution that balances powerful SEO features with content marketing strategies, Semrush stands as a top contender.
G2 Score: 4.6/5
Ubersuggest
For those prioritizing budget, Ubersuggest is one of the best alternatives to Ahrefs without breaking the bank. It offers a solid range of features, including keyword research, rank tracking, website audits, competitive analysis, and backlink analysis. While it may not provide as many data points as Ahrefs, it is more than sufficient for beginners or those with smaller-scale SEO needs.
Ubersuggest is particularly useful for those starting with SEO or managing a smaller number of websites. It remains one of the more affordable tools, providing valuable insights into website performance. Although it now has a paid plan, many features can still be accessed without cost.
While Ubersuggest is a solid SEO tool, it doesn’t quite match the depth of features offered by Ahrefs. Ahrefs leads with its more comprehensive toolkit when comparing features alone. However, cost is where Ubersuggest excels. With Ahrefs starting at $129 per month, Ubersuggest is much more affordable, priced at $12 per month.
For those working with a larger marketing budget, Ahrefs remains the better option due to its broader functionality. However, for anyone seeking great value at a lower price point, Ubersuggest is a highly competitive option. It provides essential SEO features at a fraction of the cost, making it an excellent budget-friendly alternative.
The paid plan is also reasonably priced, offering unlimited SEO audit reports, which is beneficial for those managing multiple clients or websites. Overall, Ubersuggest is a strong choice for those on a tight budget while still offering access to essential SEO features.
G2 Score: 4.2/5
Monitor Backlinks
Monitor Backlinks, now integrated into the SEOptimer platform, is designed to track keywords and backlinks over time. It also provides features for discovering new backlinks and analyzing competitors’ keyword and backlink strategies. The tool includes useful features such as a disavow tool, which is helpful for managing link profiles. However, most of its data is sourced from platforms like Majestic and Moz, offering little in terms of unique data. While it adds features like a rank tracker, it lacks the comprehensive functionality found in tools like Ahrefs.
Key features, such as dedicated keyword research, competitor analysis, domain comparisons, and organic traffic reporting, are missing from Monitor Backlinks. These are standard in more advanced tools, making it feel limited by comparison.
Monitor Backlinks offers a 30-day free trial, allowing users to test its features. However, its limitations prevent it from being a true alternative to Ahrefs for those needing more robust capabilities.
Pricing starts at $25 per month, which covers tracking for one domain, two competitors, 50 keywords, and 2,500 backlinks, making it a reasonable option for bloggers or small website owners monitoring one or two sites. For SEO agencies or professionals managing multiple clients, a more comprehensive plan is available at $249 per month, covering up to 10 domains, 1,000 keywords, and 62,500 backlinks.
G2 Score: 4.0/5
Moz Pro
Moz Pro is one of the original all-in-one SEO software platforms. While its popularity has declined, particularly among content marketers and SEOs, it remains a solid tool with some unique features. The Moz blog and MozBar (a browser plugin for quick SEO data) are considered valuable resources within the platform.
Moz now offers several product lines, including Moz Pro for general SEO, Moz Local for local SEO, and Stat for enterprise-level rank tracking. Moz Pro is a close alternative to Ahrefs for those seeking an all-in-one solution.
Standout features of Moz Pro include keyword ranking, backlink analysis, competitive research, page crawling, and rank tracking. However, while it shares many of the same core features as Ahrefs, Moz Pro’s basic plan lacks the same level of depth and functionality when compared to Ahrefs or Semrush.
Moz Pro starts at $49 per month, making it more affordable than some competitors. However, in terms of value for money, Ahrefs or Semrush offer more comprehensive SEO insights at similar price points. Moz Pro is a good option for those seeking a basic tool at a lower cost, but for more in-depth SEO insights, other advanced tools may be a better choice.
G2 Score: 4.4/5
Majestic
Majestic SEO, though somewhat dated, continues to rank among the top SEO tools, particularly for those focused on backlink analysis. It is specifically designed for generating detailed backlink reports, making it an ideal option for users whose primary concern is backlinks. However, Majestic may not be the best fit for those seeking an all-in-one SEO solution, as it lacks many broader features offered by competitors like Ahrefs.
Majestic performs well in backlink analysis and, in some cases, has been shown to uncover more backlinks than Semrush, solidifying its position as a strong contender for backlink-focused users. Its data remains reliable, maintaining a competitive edge in backlink checking.
The main drawback, however, lies in the outdated user experience (UX). The interface feels clunky and less intuitive compared to more modern platforms like Ahrefs, which can make navigation challenging.
When it comes to backlink data alone, Majestic is a solid alternative to Ahrefs. However, Ahrefs provides a much broader range of features, including keyword research, technical SEO, and rank tracking. Majestic is more narrowly focused on link-building.
One advantage of Majestic is its pricing, which reflects this focus. Starting at $49 per month, it is about half the cost of Ahrefs. For users focused primarily on backlinks, Majestic offers substantial value at a lower price, but for an all-in-one SEO solution, Ahrefs remains the better choice.
G2 Score: 4.3/5
BuzzSumo
BuzzSumo is not a traditional SEO tool, as it primarily focuses on content marketing. However, given the overlap between content marketing and SEO, it is relevant as an alternative to Ahrefs. BuzzSumo helps improve SEO indirectly by strengthening content through features like content discovery and social media monitoring. These tools assist in identifying trending topics and creating content that resonates with audiences. Additionally, BuzzSumo offers a backlink analysis tool, though this is not its primary focus.
It’s important to note that BuzzSumo and Ahrefs serve different purposes. Ahrefs excels in SEO with features such as site audits, rank tracking, and detailed keyword research, while BuzzSumo focuses on content marketing, offering tools for tracking mentions, discovering highly shared content, and monitoring trends.
Both platforms share some overlap, such as the ability to find content with many social media shares. The key consideration is whether a tool focused on SEO (Ahrefs) or content marketing (BuzzSumo) aligns more with specific goals.
BuzzSumo starts at $199 per month, a price point similar to Ahrefs. However, since BuzzSumo is more content-oriented, those prioritizing SEO might find greater value in Ahrefs. For those heavily invested in content marketing, BuzzSumo offers a strong set of features and is a worthwhile investment.
G2 Score: 4.5/5
Mangools
Mangools is a suitable alternative for beginners in SEO or those seeking a more user-friendly experience. One notable aspect is its excellent customer support and community resources, which can be valuable when navigating the tools. Mangools offers solid features such as keyword lookup, competitor keyword research, backlink analysis, and webpage analysis.
However, the user experience can feel less streamlined compared to Ahrefs. For example, viewing a site’s keywords requires using the KWFinder tool, while switching to backlink analysis involves returning to the dashboard and selecting the LinkMiner tool. This process can feel more cumbersome and less efficient than using platforms like Ahrefs.
While Mangools provides useful features, it does not match the level of depth offered by Ahrefs. Ahrefs excels in areas such as backlink filtering, offering hundreds of filters for more detailed analysis. In contrast, Mangools provides basic options like dofollow vs. nofollow and active vs. deleted backlinks.
That being said, Mangools is significantly more affordable than Ahrefs, with the Basic plan starting at $19.90 per month when billed annually, compared to Ahrefs’ higher pricing. For those on a tight budget, Mangools offers useful features at a lower cost. However, for users seeking a more powerful tool and capable of handling a premium option, Ahrefs or Semrush would be recommended.
G2 Score: 4.7/5
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is an excellent alternative to Ahrefs, particularly for those focused on tracking rankings. SE Ranking offers a well-rounded set of tools, excelling in rank tracking while also providing other essential SEO features such as on-page SEO analysis, website auditing, keyword research, and backlink checking.
One notable feature is the AI integration, which powers tools like the On-Page SEO Checker and SERP Analyzer, delivering precise data and insights that can significantly improve SEO performance. The platform’s keyword database covers 190 countries, and its traffic estimates closely align with data from Google Search Console, providing accurate information.
SE Ranking competes well with Ahrefs in terms of features, offering a comprehensive SEO suite that includes keyword research, competitor analysis, and backlink monitoring. It also offers additional features geared toward agencies, such as unlimited reporting, a lead generation widget, and white-label options—features that are not available in Ahrefs.
SE Ranking’s flexible pricing structure is another advantage, making it easier for businesses to scale without significantly increasing costs. Pricing starts at $44 per month or $52 per month when billed annually. For agencies or businesses seeking a scalable, AI-enhanced platform that covers all essential SEO tasks, SE Ranking is a strong option to consider.
G2 Score: 4.8/5
Spyfu
SpyFu, established in 2005 as a tool for analyzing competitors, has since evolved into a robust platform for keyword research and competitor analysis, offering a budget-friendly alternative to Ahrefs. SpyFu is particularly useful for those seeking detailed insights into competitors’ strategies, especially for PPC campaigns. Its Ad History feature provides a comprehensive view of a competitor’s advertising strategy over time.
SpyFu offers essential SEO tools such as SEO analysis, PPC research, rank tracking, and keyword research. However, for users in need of an all-in-one SEO solution similar to Ahrefs, SpyFu’s limitations become evident. Its technical and on-page optimization tools are not as advanced, and its backlink database is less comprehensive compared to Ahrefs. Nevertheless, SpyFu’s user-friendly interface simplifies navigation, making it efficient and easy to use.
The platform excels in competitor analysis, especially for PPC, positioning it as a strong option in that area. However, it lacks the depth and functionality of Ahrefs for broader SEO tasks like backlink analysis and site audits. In terms of usability, SpyFu scores well with an 8.7 for ease of use, closely trailing Ahrefs’ score of 8.8.
SpyFu offers flexible pricing plans, with the Basic Plan at $39 per month (currently discounted to $9 per month), the Pro Plan at $79 per month (currently $49 per month), and the Professional Plan at $79 per month for unlimited search results. Each plan is tailored to different levels of data access and search results, with the Professional Plan offering the most comprehensive data access.
G2 Score: 4.6/5
SEO PowerSuite
SEO PowerSuite is a comprehensive SEO software package designed to address all essential aspects of SEO, including keyword tracking and backlink analysis. Its white-labeling feature makes it particularly appealing for SEO agencies that require extensive report customization. The platform consists of four separate tools: Rank Tracker, WebSite Auditor, SEO SpyGlass, and LinkAssistant, each serving a specific SEO function, offering flexibility in how SEO tasks are approached.
One of the platform’s standout features is its integration with Google Analytics and its Content Management Dashboard, setting it apart from competitors like Ahrefs. However, unlike most modern SEO tools, SEO PowerSuite is not cloud-based, requiring installation on a computer, which may be a disadvantage for those who prefer the convenience of cloud platforms like Ahrefs.
While SEO PowerSuite provides a solid range of SEO tools, there are some drawbacks. The lack of a cloud-based platform and the need to use four separate applications can result in a less seamless experience compared to Ahrefs. Additionally, the user interface is not as intuitive, and the learning curve is steeper, making it less user-friendly than more streamlined platforms.
SEO PowerSuite offers three pricing plans to accommodate different needs. The Free Forever plan provides unlimited evaluation with basic features at no cost. The Professional Plan, suitable for small businesses, is priced at $24.95 per month (billed annually at $299) and offers advanced SEO tools and reporting features. For agencies and SEO professionals, the Enterprise Plan is available for $41.60 per month (billed annually at $499), providing comprehensive tools, white-label reporting, and additional functionalities. Each plan offers flexibility to suit various user requirements.
G2 Score: 4.6/5
Conclusion
Each Ahrefs alternative has its own strengths and trade-offs. While Ahrefs remains a top pick for its comprehensive features, tools like SpyFu are great for competitor analysis, and SE Ranking stands out for rank tracking with AI support. Ubersuggest and Mangools are good budget options, while SEO PowerSuite offers customizable reports for agencies.
The right tool depends on your needs and budget. Ahrefs is hard to beat for an all-in-one solution, but these alternatives offer solid value if you’re looking for specific features or a more affordable option.