Looking for Semrush alternatives that won’t break the bank?
You’re in the right place. I’ve tested dozens of SEO tools over the years. Found 10 solid options for every budget level.
Some cheaper.
Some better!
Let’s dive in and find the perfect Semrush replacement for your specific needs.
SE Ranking – Best value for agencies
SE Ranking is a comprehensive SEO platform that offers excellent value, especially for agencies managing multiple client accounts.
It provides:
- Keyword tracking: Monitor rankings across multiple search engines and locations
- Website audit: Comprehensive technical SEO analysis
- Backlink monitoring: Track your backlink profile and competitors
- Competitor analysis: Comprehensive competitive research tools
- Local SEO: Specialized tools for local business optimization
- White-label reports: Branded reports for client presentation
What makes SE Ranking special is its flexible pricing model and excellent white-label reporting capabilities.
Pros 👍
- Very competitive pricing with flexible plans
- Excellent white-label reporting for agencies
- Comprehensive feature set covering all SEO needs
- Good local SEO tools and rank tracking
- Daily rank updates on all plans
- User-friendly interface with clean design
Cons 👎
- Smaller backlink database than Semrush or Ahrefs
- Some advanced features require higher plans
- Learning curve for new users
- Limited integrations compared to bigger platforms
SE Ranking offers several pricing options to fit different needs.
The Essential plan ($65/month) works well for individuals managing up to 5 projects, while the Pro plan ($119/month) provides better value for agencies with up to 30 projects.
All plans include white-label reporting capabilities, making it suitable for client-facing work.
🏆 Bottom line: SE Ranking is perfect for agencies and consultants who need comprehensive SEO tools with excellent reporting capabilities at competitive prices. While the backlink database is smaller than premium alternatives, it offers great value for money.
Serpstat – Growing budget-friendly alternative
Serpstat is another popular Semrush alternative, especially if you’re on a budget and want comprehensive SEO features.
You can use Serpstat to grow your site organically, similar to Semrush, but at a fraction of the cost.
It provides:
- Keyword research: Access to 8.62 billion keywords with accurate SERP data
- Site audit: Comprehensive technical SEO analysis with prioritized fixes
- Backlink analysis: Historical backlink data and link building opportunities
- Competitor analysis: Deep insights into competitors using 18 core metrics
- Rank tracking: Monitor keyword positions across different search engines
- Content marketing: Topic research and content gap analysis
While its UI/UX can be confusing for specific SEO tasks like guest post outreach, it excels at keyword research where you can find low-competition keywords that help you rank organically.
Pros 👍
- Very affordable pricing compared to premium alternatives
- Massive keyword database with 8.62 billion keywords
- Accurate keyword difficulty scores you can trust
- Comprehensive site audit with actionable recommendations
- Deep competitor analysis with 18 core metrics
- Good value for money with regular feature updates
Cons 👎
- Interface can be confusing for specific SEO workflows
- Not all data columns are sortable, making analysis harder
- Limited features on the free plan
- Smaller backlink database compared to Ahrefs and Semrush
- Customer support could be improved
The Individual ($69/month) plan offers core keyword research and site audit tools for solo users.
Consider upgrading to higher tiers when needing team collaboration features and more detailed reporting capabilities.
🏆 Bottom line: Serpstat offers better value for money compared to Semrush with more fine-tuned features at a lower price point. While it may confuse users on some specific SEO tasks, it’s an excellent choice for budget-conscious marketers who need comprehensive SEO data.
Ahrefs – Best overall alternative
Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO toolset that rivals Semrush in most areas and often exceeds it in backlink analysis and keyword research.
They recently introduced their updated pricing structure (hiked massively), but it remains one of the most powerful SEO platforms available.
It offers:
- Keyword research: Extensive keyword database with accurate search volume data and 28.7 billion keywords
- Backlink analysis: Industry-leading backlink database with comprehensive link metrics and 380 billion indexed pages
- Site audit: Technical SEO audit tool to identify and fix website issues
- Rank tracking: Monitor keyword rankings across different search engines and locations
- Content research: Find top-performing content in your niche and analyze competitors
What makes Ahrefs stand out is its superior backlink database and more accurate keyword difficulty metrics compared to many competitors.
Pros 👍
- Most comprehensive backlink database in the industry
- Accurate keyword difficulty and search volume data
- Excellent site audit tool with actionable recommendations
- Clean, intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate
- Strong content research capabilities with detailed SERP analysis
Cons 👎
- More expensive than some alternatives, with plans starting at $129/month
- Limited social media monitoring features compared to Semrush
- No built-in rank tracking alerts in lower plans
- Steep learning curve for beginners new to SEO
The Lite plan ($129/month) is ideal for freelancers or small businesses managing a few websites.
For growing agencies, the Standard plan ($249/month) offers capacity for up to 20 projects and valuable 2-year historical data.
Consider annual billing for a 17% discount on any plan.
🏆 Bottom line: Ahrefs is an excellent choice if you prioritize backlink analysis and keyword research accuracy. While it’s not significantly cheaper than Semrush, it often provides better value in core SEO areas and has the most reliable backlink data in the industry.
Mangools (KWFinder) – Cheapest comprehensive alternative
Mangools (which includes KWFinder, SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner, and SiteProfiler) is one of the most affordable comprehensive SEO toolsets available.
Here are the main features:
- KWFinder: Easy-to-use keyword research tool with accurate difficulty scores
- SERPChecker: Analyze SERP features and competitor rankings
- SERPWatcher: Track keyword rankings with beautiful reports
- LinkMiner: Analyze backlinks and find link building opportunities
- SiteProfiler: Website analysis and SEO metrics overview
The interface is clean and beginner-friendly, making it perfect for those who find Semrush overwhelming.
Pros 👍
- Very affordable pricing starting at $19/month
- Beautiful, intuitive interface that’s easy to use
- Accurate keyword difficulty scores
- Good for local SEO research
- No learning curve – easy to use immediately
Cons 👎
- Limited data compared to Semrush and Ahrefs
- Fewer advanced features
- Smaller keyword and backlink databases
- Basic competitor analysis features
The Basic plan at $19/month provides essential keyword research functionality for individual users.
For those managing multiple websites, the Premium plan ($29/month) offers better value with increased limits and features. Most solo marketers and small businesses will find this tier sufficient.
🏆 Bottom line: If you’re looking for an affordable, user-friendly SEO toolset that covers the basics well, Mangools is perfect. While it may not have the depth of Semrush, it offers excellent value for money and is ideal for beginners and small businesses.
Ubersuggest – Most affordable beginner option
Ubersuggest is one of my favorite SEO tools created by Neil Patel. It keeps adding unique features like AI Writer to justify its value and position in the market.
Ubersuggest UI is beginner-friendly, constantly telling the user what to do next. For example, the dashboard lists top SEO opportunities and actionable insights.
Here are the main features:
- Keyword research: Find profitable keywords with accurate search volumes and competition data
- Site audit: Comprehensive technical SEO analysis to fix website issues
- Backlink analysis: Discover link building opportunities and monitor your backlink profile
- Content ideas: AI-powered content suggestions based on trending topics
- Rank tracking: Monitor your keyword positions across search engines
- Competitor analysis: Spy on competitors’ top-performing content and keywords
But at times, you may feel that it lacks depth in its advanced features compared to enterprise tools like Semrush.
Pros 👍
- Incredibly affordable with plans starting at just $12/month
- User-friendly interface perfect for beginners
- Lifetime subscription option available (one-time payment)
- Free plan available to test the waters
- Regular feature updates and improvements
- Chrome extension for quick SEO insights
Cons 👎
- Limited advanced features compared to premium alternatives
- Smaller database compared to Ahrefs and Semrush
- Less accurate keyword difficulty scores
- Basic reporting capabilities
The Individual plan ($12/month) is ideal for basic SEO needs.
For maximum long-term value, consider the lifetime subscription ($290).
Users can start with the free plan to test the platform before committing.
🏆 Bottom line: If you’re looking for an affordable entry point into SEO tools, Ubersuggest is perfect. While it may lack some advanced features compared to premium alternatives, it offers excellent value for money and is constantly improving with new features.
SpyFu – Best for competitor research
SpyFu is a top-tier SEO tool offering keyword research, PPC analysis, interactive reporting, and backlink tracking, making it ideal for digital marketers, advertisers, and small to medium businesses.
What makes SpyFu unique is its focus on competitor intelligence with over 15 years of historical data.
It offers:
- Competitor keyword research: See exactly which keywords competitors rank for and bid on
- PPC analysis: Uncover competitor ad strategies, budgets, and ad copy
- Backlink research: Find link building opportunities from competitor profiles
- SEO and PPC kombat: Compare your performance directly against competitors
- Domain overview: Get comprehensive insights into any domain’s SEO and PPC strategy
- Unlimited data exports: No restrictions on data downloads
Pros 👍
- Affordable pricing starting at $39/month – much cheaper than Semrush
- Excellent for competitive intelligence and research
- Unlimited searches and data exports on all plans
- Historical data going back 15+ years
- User-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate
- Great for both SEO and PPC competitor analysis
Cons 👎
- Not a complete all-in-one SEO solution like Semrush
- Limited technical SEO features and site audit capabilities
- Less reliable data for smaller websites
- No free plan available (though trial is offered)
- Smaller keyword database compared to premium alternatives
The Basic plan ($39/month) offers essential competitor keyword research and PPC analysis capabilities.
For businesses requiring more comprehensive tools, the Professional plan ($79/month) provides additional projects and advanced features.
All plans include unlimited data exports.
🏆 Bottom line: SpyFu is perfect if you need affordable competitor research without breaking the bank. It’s ideal for marketers focused on competitive intelligence rather than comprehensive technical SEO, offering excellent value for small businesses and agencies on a budget.
WebCEO – White-label solution
WebCEO is a comprehensive SEO platform with 23 professional tools, making it an excellent Semrush alternative for agencies and consultants who need white-label capabilities.
It provides:
- Complete SEO toolkit: 23 professional tools covering all aspects of SEO
- White-label reports: Fully branded reports with your logo and styling
- User collaboration: Team features at no extra cost (or just $5/month per user)
- Backlink tools: Comprehensive backlink analysis and monitoring
- Competitor research: In-depth competitive analysis tools
- Site audit: Technical SEO audits with actionable recommendations
What makes WebCEO special is its focus on agencies with unlimited white-label reporting and team collaboration features included in all paid plans.
Pros 👍
- Very affordable team collaboration (first month free, then $5/month per user)
- White-label reporting included in all plans
- Comprehensive SEO API at no extra cost
- Majestic backlink data included for free
- 370+ search engines for rank tracking
- Real monthly search trends for keywords
Cons 👎
- Interface feels outdated compared to modern alternatives
- Learning curve for new users
- Limited integrations with third-party tools
- Smaller user community and resources
WebCEO plans start at $119/month, offering unlimited team collaboration and comprehensive white-label reporting.
This pricing structure provides excellent value for agencies requiring robust SEO tools without additional per-user fees.
🏆 Bottom line: WebCEO is perfect for agencies and consultants who need comprehensive SEO tools with excellent white-label reporting capabilities. While the interface may feel dated, it offers exceptional value for teams and agencies on a budget.
Keywordtool.io – Long-tail keyword specialist
Keywordtool.io is an excellent tool for finding long-tail keywords across multiple platforms, making it a specialized Semrush alternative for content creators and marketers.
It leverages Google Autocomplete and other platform-specific suggestion systems to generate thousands of keyword ideas.
It offers:
- Multi-platform research: Generate keywords for Google, YouTube, Amazon, eBay, and more
- Long-tail focus: Specializes in finding longer, more specific keyword phrases
- Clean data presentation: Results organized in easy-to-read formats
- High-volume platforms: Research keywords across major platforms simultaneously
- Question-based keywords: Find keywords in question format for content creation
- Localized results: Get keywords for specific countries and languages
Pros 👍
- Excellent for discovering long-tail keyword opportunities
- Multi-platform keyword research in one tool
- Clean, readable data presentation
- Good for content ideation and planning
- Reliable data from platform autocomplete systems
Cons 👎
- Relatively expensive for what it offers compared to comprehensive tools
- No free trial available to test before purchasing
- Lacks robust competitive analysis features
- No technical SEO or site audit capabilities
- Limited advanced filtering and analysis options
Professional plans start expensive, and there’s no free trial to test before you buy.
But if you’re a content creator laser-focused on long-tail YouTube, Amazon, and Google keywords, it delivers unique data other tools miss.
🏆 Bottom line: Keywordtool.io is perfect if you need specialized long-tail keyword research across multiple platforms. While it lacks the comprehensive features of Semrush, it excels in its niche and is ideal for content creators focused on keyword discovery.
Majestic – Backlink analysis specialist
Majestic is a leading backlink analysis specialist known for its robust web crawling capabilities and impressive historical backlink index data.
It’s particularly strong for businesses that need deep backlink intelligence and historical data analysis.
It offers:
- Site Explorer: Comprehensive backlink profile analysis for any domain
- Topics Report: Understand the thematic nature of your backlink profile
- Referring Domains: Detailed analysis of domains linking to your site
- Backlinks Report: In-depth analysis of individual backlinks
- Content Explorer: Find linkable content and influencers in your niche
- Fresh Index: Always up-to-date data thanks to continuous crawling
What makes Majestic stand out is its continuous web crawling and massive historical backlink database, providing some of the most comprehensive link intelligence available.
Pros 👍
- Largest backlink database with continuous crawling
- Excellent historical backlink data and trends
- Specialized focus on backlink analysis and research
- Unique metrics like Trust Flow and Citation Flow
- Strong API for developers and advanced users
- Good for link building and competitive analysis
Cons 👎
- Limited features beyond backlink analysis
- No keyword research or site audit tools
- Interface can feel complex for beginners
- More expensive for what it offers compared to all-in-one tools
- Lacks content marketing and social media features
Majestic offers 3 plans with different levels of backlink intelligence access: Lite ($49.99/mo), Pro ($99.99/mo) and API ($399/mo).
Each tier progressively increases data limits and analysis capabilities for more comprehensive backlink research.
🏆 Bottom line: Majestic is the go-to choice if you need the most comprehensive backlink analysis and historical data. While it doesn’t offer the breadth of features that Semrush provides, it’s unmatched in its specialized area of backlink intelligence.
Wrap up
Finding a platform that provides an extensive range of features like Semrush does can be challenging.
In my opinion, if you’re seeking a high-quality alternative to Semrush, you should consider either Ahrefs or SE Ranking.
Ahrefs serves as the closest competitor to Semrush with superior backlink data and keyword accuracy.
On the other hand, SE Ranking provides excellent value for agencies with comprehensive white-label reporting at just $65 per month.
However, both of them doesn’t offer the same depth of marketing features. For instance, they lack Semrush’s content marketing toolkit and social media management capabilities.
Alternatively, if you already have your marketing stack set up, you might want to consider one of the specialized SEO tools like Mangools or Ubersuggest.
