For years, Ahrefs was the go-to platform for SEO specialists. But things are moving fast.
AI search, entity-based optimization, and new “all-in-one” workflows are changing how we do SEO, and teams now need tools that can keep up. Something more flexible, more affordable, and less stuck in the old “keywords and backlinks” mindset.
On top of that, Ahrefs has made a few changes that didn’t land well: higher prices and a smaller keyword index. That caused many marketers to look elsewhere. They’re not just trying to save money. They want tools that feel lighter, respond faster, and better reflect how search works today.
In this guide, we’ve tested various Ahrefs competitors to find out which ones are really worth your time (and budget).
Check it out and pick an SEO toolkit that’s built for what’s next, not what used to work five years ago.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table: Which SEO Tool Beats Ahrefs for Your Use Case?
| Tool | Best for (users) | Best for (use case) | Free trial | Starting price (monthly) | Unique features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | Power users, data-driven SEO teams | Comprehensive SEO analysis & backlink intelligence | No | From $29/mo | - Site Explorer - Brand Radar - GBP Monitor - AI Content Helper |
| SE Ranking | SEO pros, agencies, growing teams | Multi-product SEO and digital marketing platform with AI visibility tools | Yes | From $65/mo | - AI Search Visibility Tools - Agency Pack - MCP Server API - Planable Integration (social media management) - Local SEO Suite |
| Majestic | Link-building specialists | Historical backlink intelligence | No | From $49.99/mo | - Trust Flow - Topical Trust Flow - Historic Index - Link Context - Author Explorer |
| Semrush | Large teams, agencies, and enterprises | Multi-channel marketing (SEO + PPC + Social) | Yes | From $199/mo | - AI PR Toolkit - Advertising Toolkit - Social Media Toolkit - Local Toolkit - Traffic & Market Explorer |
| Moz Pro | Small businesses, startups, SaaS teams | Authority metrics & intent-based SEO | Yes | From $49/mo | - Domain/Page/Brand Authority metrics - AI Overviews Tracking - True Competitor - Primary Search Intent Detection |
| Ubersuggest | Beginners, solopreneurs, small businesses | Budget-friendly keyword & content toolkit | Yes | From $29/mo (lifetime option) | - AI Search Visibility Tracker - Predictive Traffic - SEO Training Hub - Content Ideas Generator |
| WebCEO | Agencies with multiple clients | Workflow automation & collaboration | Yes | From $36/mo | - DIY SEO Checklists - SEO Task Manager - Internal Link Builder - Lead Generation Widget |
| Mangools | Freelancers, local SEO, small teams | Simple SEO suite with AI visibility tracking | Yes | From $49.90/mo | - KWFinder (intent-based local keywords) - LinkMiner (live backlink preview) - AI Search Watcher - Free Mini SEO Tools |
How Did We Evaluate the Best Ahrefs Alternatives?
We tested Ahrefs alternatives to find which one is worth considering. Here’s what mattered:
7 Best Ahrefs Alternatives: Which One Is Worth Considering in 2026?
1. SE Ranking
SE Ranking is a reliable, data-focused SEO platform known for accurate rank tracking while keeping pace with the rise of AI-driven search. It continues tracking the top 100 search results even after major Google updates, while many competitors stop at the first sign of volatility. Daily keyword updates pull from a database covering 190 countries, and traffic estimates closely align with Google Search Console data. Though, powerful data processing algorithms aren’t the only reason SE Ranking stands out.
The platform offers more than 35 tools across SEO, AI-driven search optimization, and social media management. Agencies also get practical advantages that Ahrefs either charges extra for or does not provide. It’s designed for digital marketing teams who want reliable insights, intuitive workflows, and smart automation, without paying enterprise prices.
Unique Features
- Rank Tracker: Delivers daily keyword updates with historical trends, tracks 37+ SERP features, including AI Overviews.
- AI Search Toolkit: Tracks and analyzes brand visibility across Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity.
- Local SEO: Tools for grid rank tracking, GBP audits, listing management, and review monitoring.
- On-Page and Content Tools: AI-powered checks for content, structure, and usability, plus a Content Editor that builds SERP-driven briefs and guides optimization in real time.
- Agency Pack: Built-in white labeling, client seats, automated reporting, and lead generation tools designed specifically for agency workflows.
- Social Media Integration: Manage content across YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc., through Planable integration.
- MCP Server API: Connects directly with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini assistants, letting you query your SEO data conversationally and pull instant reports.
Where It Beats Ahrefs
SE Ranking offers clearer guidance, simpler interpretation of data, and built-in AI assistance. The platform covers more parts of the SEO process, including AI search visibility, content creation, social media scheduling (via Planable integration), and client management tools.
SE Ranking also offers full local SEO support with local pack tracking, Google Business Profile audits, listings management, and review monitoring. Ahrefs mentions local SEO as a use case but provides only limited tooling in this area, and the features it offers are basic at best.
The pricing is also more accessible; Pro and Business plans include multiple user seats and high data limits. Agencies also get white-label and lead generation tools, which Ahrefs does not provide.
As one insurance agency owner noted in their G2 review after comparing SE Ranking side-by-side with Ahrefs, Semrush, and Moz: “SE Ranking offers virtually all the tool modules of its competitors, plus additional features that others lack. One significant difference stands out: SE Ranking provides a much more cost-effective monthly subscription.”
Where Ahrefs Still Wins
Ahrefs maintains one of the fastest backlink crawlers in the industry and refreshes some datasets more frequently. Users who rely primarily on backlink depth and crawling speed may prefer Ahrefs for that specific purpose.
Who Should Use It
- Agencies that need client seats, unlimited reporting, WL features, and smoother collaboration
- Teams tracking visibility in AI search alongside traditional SEO
- Marketers looking for accurate data, AI-assisted workflows, and research-driven insights
- Budget-conscious teams that want comprehensive features without enterprise pricing
Pricing
SE Ranking offers three main plans:
- Essential: $65/mo (includes 1 manager seat, up to 5 projects)
- Pro: $119/mo (most popular; includes 3 user seats, historical data, Looker Studio integration, and AI visibility tracking)
- Business: $259/mo (includes 5 user seats, API access, advanced AI research features)
Annual subscriptions save 20% and include free data migration. Pro or Business plans can add the Agency Pack for $50/mo. A 14-day free trial is available.
Verdict
SE Ranking suits SEO agencies and teams who want comprehensive SEO tools, AI search tracking, social management, and agency-friendly features at competitive prices. As one G2 reviewer put it, “The product contains literally everything an agency needs to provide a full service to their clients, and we’ve been able to cancel subscriptions for three other products and saved a lot of money yearly“—and that sums up why it’s a strong Ahrefs alternative for teams managing multiple clients or channels.
2. Majestic
If you’re serious about backlinks, Majestic is worth a look. The tool built its reputation on having one of the largest link databases available. Launched in 2004, it indexes over 21.7 trillion URLs with historical data dating back to 2006. Unlike all-in-one platforms, Majestic focuses almost entirely on link analysis. This narrow focus allowed them to develop proprietary metrics that became industry standards.
Unique Features:
- Trust Flow: Measures link quality by tracking how close you are to a set of hand-curated trusted sites
- Topical Trust Flow: Breaks sites into over 800 topic categories, and helps you see if your backlinks are actually relevant to your niche
- Historic Index: Stores years of backlink data so you can spot long-term trends
- Link Context: Reveals backlink placement on pages, surrounding content, and link density to distinguish editorial links from directory listings
- Author Explorer: Enables research on web authors, including their content, authority, backlinks, and Twitter/X timeline
Where It Beats Ahrefs:
The historical backlink data stretches back further than what you’ll find in most competitors. This matters when you’re analyzing how competitors built their link profiles over time or showing clients the evolution of their backlinks.
Where Ahrefs Still Wins:
With Ahrefs, you get everything: keyword tools, rank monitoring, technical site checks, and content gap finder. Majestic is focused mainly on backlinks. If you need a single tool for your entire SEO workflow, go with Ahrefs.
Who Should Use It:
- Link-building specialists who need deep backlink analysis and historical data
- SEO professionals who want dedicated link intelligence to complement their toolkit
- Agencies focused heavily on link-building campaigns
Pricing:
Majestic is available in three main plans:
- Lite: $49.99/mo (includes 1 million analysis units)
- Pro: $99.99/mo (includes 20 million analysis units)
- API: $399.99 – $1,599.99/mo (includes 100-1,000 million analysis units)
They don’t offer a free trial. First-time buyers get 7 days to request refunds on Lite or Pro plans.
Verdict:
In the words of one G2 reviewer, Majestic is “a complete package for link builders,” and it really excels at this. Link builders who need detailed historical data will find real value here.
3. Semrush
Ahrefs built its reputation on SEO. Semrush handles keyword research, backlinks, and rank tracking well enough. The split happens when you need to manage paid campaigns, schedule social media, or optimize for local search. Semrush treats these as core features, not afterthoughts. That’s why it ranks among the best Ahrefs competitors for teams running multi-channel campaigns.
Unique Features:
- AI PR Toolkit: Helps reach journalists often featured in AI search results, writes custom outreach messages, and tracks new media mentions
- Advertising Toolkit: Helps you run and refine Google and Meta ads, tweak copy, and improve targeting as campaigns evolve
- Social Media Toolkit: Allows you to schedule posts and spot influencers worth partnering with
- Local Toolkit: Keeps your Google Business Profile up to date, automatically syncs listings, and even suggests responses to customer reviews
- Traffic & Market Toolkit: Shows where competitors get their traffic, who their audience really is, and how big their slice of the market has become
- Market Explorer: Analyzes audience behavior to uncover which segments competitors focus on
Where It Beats Ahrefs:
Semrush handles the full marketing workflow, not just SEO research. You can actually launch Google and Meta ad campaigns from the platform, manage social media scheduling and influencer outreach, and handle local SEO with GBP optimization and review management. As one Capterra reviewer noted, “It’s the tool I need for my marketing and blogging business, because it has most of the features I need in one software.”
Where Ahrefs Still Wins:
Ahrefs crawls the web fast, updating backlinks roughly every 15–30 minutes. Semrush updates daily and offers a slightly smaller keyword index, 27.3 billion keywords, compared with Ahrefs’ 28.7 billion.
Who Should Use It:
- Teams managing full digital marketing campaigns
- Agencies handling multiple channels for clients
- Companies needing all marketing tools integrated with one platform
Pricing:
Semrush One is their main toolkit that combines traditional SEO with AI search capabilities. It’s available in three plans:
- Starter: $199/mo
- Pro+: $299/mo
- Advanced: $549/mo
You can save up to 17% with annual billing, and there’s also a free trial if you want to test it first.
If you don’t need access to the entire platform, you can subscribe to individual toolkits such as AI, SEO, Content, Advertising, Social, or Local.
Verdict:
If your day-to-day is just SEO, Ahrefs might be all you need. But teams juggling social, local, ads, and PR will find Semrush’s modular tools hard to beat.
4. Moz Pro
Moz Pro is one of the most established SEO platforms and is often mentioned among the top Ahrefs alternatives. Marketed as an “SEO growth platform,” it’s built for marketers aiming to:
- Boost search visibility
- Attract qualified traffic
- Demonstrate ROI through data-driven reporting
Moz Pro is built around its proprietary metrics: Domain Authority, Page Authority, and Brand Authority, which serve as core indicators of trust and long-term visibility. Over 500,000 marketers now use this alternative to Ahrefs.
Unique Features:
- Authority Metrics: Moz’s proprietary scores (DA, PA, Brand Authority) for evaluating link quality and online credibility
- AI Overviews Tracking: Tracks how search results appear in AI-generated overviews
- True Competitor: Automatically identifies real organic competitors based on shared SERP overlap
- Primary Search Intent Detection: Each keyword includes search intent labels to help you align content with user goals
- Link Tracking Lists: Dedicated lists for managing and monitoring link-building outreach progress
- Simplified Reporting: Intuitive dashboards and branded reports for clients who don’t live inside SEO tools every day
Where It Beats Ahrefs
Moz focuses on clarity over data size. Its reports are easy to interpret and supported by metrics that Ahrefs doesn’t offer.
It’s the best Ahrefs competitor for small teams looking for an easy-to-use SEO tool. As one G2 reviewer noted, “Moz Pro offers one of the most intuitive interfaces in the SEO space, making it easy to navigate even for beginners.”
Where Ahrefs Still Wins
Ahrefs leads in technical depth. Its backlink index updates several times per hour, while Moz refreshes weekly. It also handles more advanced workflows, such as content gap analysis, clickstream traffic estimates, and real-time SERP tracking.
Who Should Use It:
- Small businesses that need core SEO features and guidance, without jumping straight into complex enterprise stacks
- Agencies that want branded, scheduled reporting
Pricing:
Moz Pro is available in four main plans:
- Starter: $49/mo
- Standard: $99/mo
- Medium: $179/mo
- Large: $299/mo
You can try Moz Pro free for 7 days, and annual plans save 20% compared to monthly billing.
Verdict:
Moz Pro keeps things simple: clear metrics, AI help where it counts, and reports you can actually explain to clients. And that’s why for many teams, it’s one of the top Ahrefs competitors.
5. Ubersuggest
Neil Patel built Ubersuggest as a lightweight keyword finder that grew into a full toolkit. It now handles research, audits, tracking, and competitor insights without the usual complexity. If you’re just starting out or don’t need enterprise features, it’s one of the most solid Ahrefs alternatives to get the job done without draining your budget.
Unique Features:
- AI Search Visibility: Lets you see when and how your brand shows up in ChatGPT or other AI-generated results (many alternatives to Ahrefs still don’t track that)
- Content Ideas: Helps spot the competitor pages that actually get clicks, so you’ll see what topics drive their traffic
- SEO Training & Courses: Comes with short tutorials, ready templates, and worksheets
- Predictive Traffic: Gives an early sense of which keywords might bring visits even before your pages start ranking
Where It Beats Ahrefs:
Ubersuggest’s pricing makes it one of the best Ahrefs alternatives for anyone on a budget. Monthly plans start at $29 (far below Ahrefs’ $99 entry-level price), and the lifetime option eliminates recurring payments entirely. For new teams, built-in training materials offer guidance you’d have to look up elsewhere in Ahrefs.
Where Ahrefs Still Wins:
Ahrefs has a much larger backlink index and updates it far more often. Its SERP tracking covers features that Ubersuggest still feels limited. Ahrefs also gives access to deeper historical data and advanced filters that bigger teams need for complex campaigns.
Who Should Use It:
- Solo marketers or small business owners looking for a cheaper alternative to Ahrefs
- Beginners who want a tool that explains things along the way
- Freelancers managing a few client sites
Pricing:
Ubersuggest offers both monthly subscriptions and lifetime plans (a rare option among SEO tools).
Monthly plans:
- Individual: $29/mo
- Business: $49/mo
- Enterprise/Agency: $99/mo
Lifetime plans (one-time):
- Individual: $290
- Business: $490
- Enterprise/Agency: $990
Every monthly plan comes with a 7-day free trial. If you go for the lifetime option, you’ve got 30 days to change your mind and get a full refund.
Verdict:
Ubersuggest isn’t here to outdo Ahrefs; it’s here to make SEO easy. A Trustpilot reviewer wrote, “I undertook the creation of a website without any skills… I was able to move forward thanks to their advice.”
If you want something affordable, easy to grasp, and genuinely helpful, Ubersuggest might be one of the best cheaper alternatives to Ahrefs you’ve been looking for.
6. WebCEO
WebCEO was built for agencies juggling multiple clients who need more than data. It offers workflow management, team collaboration, and reports that don’t require explanation. One G2 reviewer noted that it “has all of the basics to manage SEO campaigns for multiple clients” while staying easy to use day to day.
Unique Features:
- DIY SEO Checklists: Step-by-step guides for every SEO area with tools to complete tasks directly in the platform
- Task Manager: Converts SEO issues into actionable tasks, keeping teams organized and on schedule
- Lead Generation Widget: Lets visitors request free SEO reports, turning your site into a lead magnet
- Internal Link Building Tool: Analyzes link structure and anchor texts to strengthen authority and improve on-page SEO
Where It Beats Ahrefs:
WebCEO is built around agency workflows. It offers DIY SEO checklists for non-experts and includes white-label reporting by default. Additional users cost far less than with Ahrefs, and the Agency Unlimited plan removes limits on projects, keywords, and teammates (something Ahrefs can’t match at a similar price).
Where Ahrefs Still Wins:
Ahrefs is the more powerful platform overall. Its backlink index is larger and updates far more frequently. The data quality and depth across all tools—from keyword research to competitor analysis—exceeds what WebCEO provides.
Who Should Use It:
- Marketing agencies managing multiple client sites
- SEO teams that want to convert technical findings into assigned tasks
- Agencies tired of paying premium rates for additional user seats and white-label capabilities
Pricing:
WebCEO offers four pricing plans:
- Solo: $36/mo (minimum 3 months)
- Startup: $119/mo
- Agency Unlimited: $99/mo + scanning fees
- Corporate: $299/mo
Annual billing saves 16%. All plans include a 14-day free trial.
Verdict:
For teams with multiple clients, it’s one of the best Ahrefs competitors if you care more about collaboration and workflow than chasing every backlink update.
7. Mangools
Mangools positions itself as a straightforward SEO toolkit: simpler to use, enough data to make smart decisions, and an interface that’s easy to work with. This top Ahrefs alternative is used by more than 2.8M SEO agencies, pros, and business owners. If you like the idea of “budget Ahrefs” with a friendlier UX, this is very much that lane.
Unique Features:
- AI Search Watcher: Monitors brand visibility in ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other AI engines
- KWFinder: Finds easy-to-rank keywords with intent data across 65k+ locations
- LinkMiner: Checks 9.5T backlinks from Majestic data, shows link placement, and saves top prospects
- SiteProfiler: Merges Moz and Majestic metrics for quick authority checks
- Free Mini SEO Tools: Simple, useful, and no-signup tools for daily SEO tasks
Where It Beats Ahrefs:
Mangools is the best Ahrefs alternative for teams that want strong SEO tools at a lower cost. Starting below $50 per month, it’s a cheaper alternative to Ahrefs that still includes keyword research, backlink tracking, and local SEO. The clean interface is easy to learn, intent-based keyword data keeps you focused, and over 65,000 location options make local tracking fast and simple.
Where Ahrefs Still Wins:
Ahrefs remains the stronger SEO competitor when it comes to scale and technical depth. It not only crawls faster and holds a larger backlink index but also offers advanced tools that many users overlook. For large sites and data-driven teams, it’s still the most comprehensive platform on the market.
Who Should Use It:
- Small business owners, freelancers, and marketers looking for cheaper alternatives to Ahrefs
- Agencies managing local SEO and client reporting without needing enterprise features
- Teams exploring AI search visibility tracking alongside traditional SEO tools
Pricing:
Mangools offers three plans:
- Basic: $49/mo
- Premium: $69/mo
- Agency: $129/mo
Annual billing saves about 35%. You can also bundle the platform with AI Search Watcher PRO for around $12 more per month, adding AI visibility tracking to your SEO toolkit. A free trial is available.
Verdict
Mangools shows that a cheaper Ahrefs alternative can still be smart and capable. It’s fast, easy to learn, and optimized for modern SEO. One G2 reviewer summed it up: “Mangools combines simplicity with powerful functionality.”
Best Ahrefs Replacements by Use Case
Every SEO team uses Ahrefs in a slightly different way. The right replacement depends on your goals, scale, and budget. Here’s how the alternatives to Ahrefs perform in real-world scenarios.
For Agencies:
- SE Ranking makes client work smoother with white-label reports, lead-generation widgets, and unlimited client exports. It’s flexible, affordable, and easy for teams to navigate daily.
- WebCEO also targets agencies, offering built-in task management and unlimited projects in higher plans. Audit results are automatically turned into tasks, and adding team members costs far less than on most platforms.
For Affiliate Sites:
- Mangools is clean, fast, and built for solo users. KWFinder reveals low-competition keywords, while LinkMiner helps uncover quick backlink wins.
- Ubersuggest keeps things lightweight with a beginner-friendly layout and an optional lifetime plan, making it great for anyone building multiple niche sites.
For Content Teams:
- Semrush shines in content planning, combining keyword research, AI optimization, and PR tracking into a single system.
- SE Ranking matches much of that functionality at a lower price, offering solid AI tools and a straightforward workflow.
For eCommerce and SaaS:
- Semrush is great for online stores, especially those using Shopify. It links SEO, ads, and social campaigns in one dashboard, helping teams track performance, measure results, and manage growth more efficiently.
- SE Ranking suits SaaS teams focused on visibility and steady scaling. It offers AI-powered tracking for Google’s AI Overviews, advanced keyword monitoring, and predictable pricing that keeps costs under control as you grow.
Tool Stack Alternatives: What to Use Instead of Ahrefs
Budget Stack ($0–$50/month)
Ubersuggest: $29/mo
A good fit if you just need the basics. It handles keyword research, simple audits, and rank tracking without overcomplicating things. You can grab a lifetime plan and stop worrying about monthly fees. The built-in SEO lessons are a nice touch for anyone still learning the ropes.
Growth Stack ($50–$200/month)
SE Ranking: $65–$119/mo
This one’s a solid middle ground: full rank tracking, keyword research, backlinks, and even AI visibility tracking. The Essential plan works well if you’re managing just a few projects. When you need more history or deeper data, the Pro plan has you covered. It’s fast, simple to use, and grows with you as your needs expand.
Agency Stack ($200–$500/month)
WebCEO: $299/mo
Designed for teams handling lots of clients. It automates routine work, turns audits into tasks, and includes white-label reports by default. You can scale up projects and users without hitting hard limits, which makes it a comfortable alternative to Ahrefs for agencies that want power without the overhead.
Enterprise Stack ($500+/month)
Semrush Advanced: $549/mo
If you’re managing SEO, ads, and content all at once, this is where Semrush shines. It ties everything together under one dashboard: 40 projects, API access, and plenty of collaboration tools. It’s the go-to Ahrefs competitor for big teams that need a clear view of multi-channel performance.
FAQ – People Also Ask
What is the best alternative to Ahrefs?
If you want something powerful yet affordable, try SE Ranking. It’s got all the essentials: rank tracking, keyword research, backlinks, and even AI visibility. This means you don’t need a week to figure out how it works.
Is Ahrefs still worth it in 2026?
Ahrefs is fast, accurate, and great for link data; no question there. But it’s pricier than ever, and the keyword index isn’t what it used to be. Tools like SE Ranking give you more for less now, with AI tracking and better teamwork options. If you live and breathe backlinks, though, Ahrefs still delivers.
Which free tool replaces Ahrefs?
There’s no single free replacement, but you can mix a few options to cover the basics. Google Search Console and Analytics will help you monitor visibility and traffic. Ubersuggest gives you a free plan for quick keyword checks.
If you want something a bit more, Mangools offers several mini SEO tools (no sign-up needed).
What’s better for backlink analysis?
Majestic wins for long-term link history. Ahrefs is fresher and updates more often. SE Ranking sits nicely in between. It’s simpler to use, yet still detailed enough for most users.
Can you do SEO without Ahrefs?
Of course you can. SE Ranking, Semrush, and Moz Pro have everything you need. And if you’re just starting out, free tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and free tools provided by Ubersuggest and Mangools will easily get you moving.
Verdict
Choosing the best Ahrefs alternative depends on what you actually do day to day.
- If you’re handling a small website or just starting out on your own, Ubersuggest and Mangools are both solid picks. They’re simple, not too pricey, and you can get real results without spending days figuring things out.
- As your projects grow, SE Ranking becomes a more practical choice. It’s got all the main SEO tools in one place and doesn’t take long to get used to.
- For agencies that work with a few clients at once, WebCEO and SE Ranking are good Ahrefs alternatives. They make reports easier to share and help everyone stay on the same page, so you don’t end up buried in spreadsheets or long message threads.
- If you’re already running SEO together with ads and social campaigns, Semrush pulls everything together nicely. It’s powerful, smooth, and made for bigger setups that need a single dashboard for all their data.
Liked this post? Check out the complete series on Competitors
