I’ve Compared Best 7 Ahrefs Alternatives in 2025 – Based on Real Use

It’s been 6 months since I started using Ahrefs alongside Semrush. Ahrefs has a larger keyword database than Semrush, which is why I rely on it specifically for keyword research.

It also offers features like site audit, content explorer, rank tracking, etc., making it a powerful SEO tool.

Recently, I’ve noticed that Ahrefs’ competitive analysis data, like organic clicks isn’t matching up. I even compared my site’s Ahrefs data with Google Search Console, and there were some noticeable discrepancies.

But Ahrefs toolkit is NOT for everyone, as its features come with a hefty price tag. Also, its basic plan (costs $120/mo) is pretty useless for SEO professionals as it has restrictive limits. I think that with the increased prices and the lack of a free trial, users are feeling like there’s more risk involved.

Anyway, whether your reason for looking at Ahrefs alternatives is the high pricing or something else…

I’ve tested 7 top SEO tools (both free and paid) that I believe can be solid alternatives to Ahrefs.

You can choose the one that fits your needs best. I’ve also shared my hands-on experience with each tool, including their pros and cons.

Disclosure: We get a commission when you buy a product via our affiliate link at no additional cost.

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My Filtered List for Ahrefs Alternatives:

I’ll mostly choose a tool that offers powerful features like backlink analysis, keyword research, site audits, etc. Ahrefs is a SEO suite type tool, hence you should also choose a similar kind of functionality in your next SEO tool.

Above all, I’ll also focus on tools that offer a simple user experience, as I prefer an intuitive interface that’s easy to use. My advice for anyone looking for Ahrefs competitors is to consider your site needs, usability, and overall website needs.

Let’s get straight to the alternatives list.

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1. Semrush – Best Value for Money Alternative

In my opinion, Semrush is a perfect alternative to Ahrefs because it offers 55+ tools in one place, and the pricing is almost similar. Compared to Ahrefs, Semrush has equally bigger databases for keyword and backlink research. That’s the reason over 10 million people are using Semrush.

I also tested the accuracy of Semrush data with Google Search Console and Ahrefs, and I found Semrush’s data more accurate than Ahrefs. You’ll find more info of this test in my Semrush review.

Why do I Prefer Using Semrush Over Ahrefs?

Obviously the data accuracy is the top reason to go with Semrush over any other SEO tool…However, these are some situations where Semrush works for me better than Ahrefs.

1.) I really like the Semrush Organic Research Tool:

For most of the users, This is probably the best tool from Semrush, which is missing in Ahrefs. Organic research tool helps me identify my competitors’ best keywords on both desktop and mobile.

I can simply enter a domain, and the tool will show me a detailed snapshot of its SEO strategies.

As shown above, I can see;

• All the keywords a domain ranks for
• Estimated traffic and cost
• Branded and non-branded traffic
• Organic keywords trends and more

I can also see any of my competitors’ top position changes or lost rankings so I can identify new content ideas;

However, the organic research tool is a part of Semrush, which is quite expensive, especially for beginners. If I only need competitor analysis, I might go for cheaper alternatives like SpyFu.

2.) They Save Me Money on Daily Position Tracking:

Even with the basic plan, I get daily keyword ranking updates from Semrush, so I can act immediately if I see a traffic drop. On the other hand, Ahrefs charges an extra $200/mo per project if I want daily keyword rankings, which is expensive.

Big thanks to Semrush as it overcomes one of the major challenges of Ahrefs.

I also get daily updates on my rankings for both desktop and mobile showing which keywords improved and which went down.

I’ll get precise ranking information on keywords for which my domain ranks in the Google top 3, top 10, top 20, and top 100.

However, if you only need a tool for daily rank tracking, you might opt for cheaper alternatives like SE Ranking.

For more details, you can read my honest review of Semrush with its features.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Bigger keyword database with over 26 billion keywords	It is more expensive than most of its competitors
Bigger backlink database with over 43 trillion links	Huge learning because of too many features
Offers SEO, PPC, and content marketing tools on one platform	Extra costs for additional users
Access to 55+ tools, which makes it a value-for-money toolkit
Excellent site audit & technical SEO features

Pricing: Semrush offers three subscription plans:

• Pro: $139.95 per month or $117.33/mo (if billed annually), suitable for bloggers and startups. This is the most valued plan from Semrush.
• Guru: $249.95 per month or $208.33/mo (if billed annually), ideal for small businesses and growing agencies.
• Business: $499.95 per month or $416.66/mo (if billed annually), best for agencies and high-traffic sites.

You’ll get 17% off on annual plans.

Semrush vs Ahrefs [The Detailed Comparison]

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2. Moz Pro – Best for In-depth Backlink Analysis 

In my research, Moz Pro has the biggest backlink database (bigger than Ahrefs), with 45.5 trillion links. Also, it offers me all the core features, including keyword analysis, link research, site audits, on-page grader, etc, at an affordable price.

Why do I Prefer Using Moz Pro Over Ahrefs?

Budget-Friendly Tool

The primary reason most people prefer Moz Pro over Ahrefs is because of its affordable pricing. At just $39 per month, Moz Pro offers all the essential SEO tools without the high cost of Ahrefs.

Also, it has a simple user interface with core features, so the toolkit doesn’t overwhelm me unlike Semrush (which offers too many features).

Powerful Backlink Analysis

Similar to Ahrefs, Moz Pro offers powerful backlink analysis, as it has the biggest link database with trillions of links.

It helps me track and analyze ANY site’s link profile. 

Here’s what it looks like;

As shown above, it provides essential data like domain authority, linking domains, inbound links, etc.

Also, I can see unique metrics like spam scores and page authority for each and every link.

However, Moz’s backlink data updates are slower than Ahrefs or Semrush’s, so you might miss some link opportunities.

You can read my unbiased Moz Pro review for more details.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
It is cheaper than Ahrefs by almost 3 times.	Its keyword data is not as comprehensive as its competitors.
It offers a comprehensive SEO toolkit	Feature limitations on lower pricing tiers.
It has one of the biggest backlink databases, with 45+ trillion links
Offers industry-leading metrics, including Domain Authority and Page Authority
User-friendly interface, which is simple to use
Offers dedicated local SEO tools

Pricing: Moz Pro offers four subscription plans:

• Starter plan costs $49/mo ($39/mo when you pay yearly) with 1 user.
• Standard plan costs $99/mo ($79/mo when you pay yearly) with 1 user.  This is the most valued plan from Moz Pro.
• Medium plan costs $179/mo ($143/mo when you pay yearly) with 2 users.
• Large plan costs $299/mo ($239/mo when you pay yearly) with 3 users.

You’ll get 20% off on Moz Pro annual plans.

Try Moz 7-Day Free Trial

Verdict: In my opinion, if your primary focus is on local SEO tools and basic keyword and backlink research at a cheaper price point, you can consider Moz Pro. However, its keyword data is really limited compared to Ahrefs.

Recently Updated:

• Moz vs Semrush: My Honest Comparison
• Moz Alternatives: Tools Worth Trying to Improve Your SEO

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3. SE Ranking – Most Affordable Ahrefs Alternative

SE Ranking is known for offering a comprehensive kit of SEO features at a fair price. Its affordability is the reason most people choose SE Ranking over Ahrefs. 

Using their platform, I can do everything from keyword research and rank tracking to competitor analysis and backlink management.

Why do I Prefer Using SE Ranking Over Ahrefs?

Content Idea Finder

I like its “Content Idea Finder” tool, which helps me analyze keywords in my niche and create a solid content strategy. 

Using this tool, I get new topic ideas, pick highly relevant keywords, and create epic content with them.

Here’s what it looks like;

As shown above, I get access to different keyword clusters, ideas, search volume and difficulty for each keyword.

I can also click on “Mind Map” to get a visual overview of related keywords and topics, helping me discover new opportunities for content creation.

The only limitation of the Content Idea Finder tool is that I can only perform three reports daily with the starter plan.

Affordable alternative

Most people choose SE Ranking over Ahrefs primarily because of the value-for-money it offers. I get access to all the core SEO tools and a local marketing kit at an affordable price. SE Ranking offers similar features to Ahrefs, but it’s cheaper.

For example, while Ahrefs gives you a limit of 5 projects for $129/month, SE Ranking allows you to manage 5 projects for half the price (just $65/month!).

However, there are limitations with the low-tier plans from SE Ranking, as it doesn’t offer content & local Marketing toolkits, historical data in keywords research, etc.

Read my SE Ranking review for more details.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
It costs half the price of Ahrefs.	Keyword and backlink databases are smaller compared to Ahrefs.
Access to all the essential SEO/PPC tools in one place.	Data accuracy for keyword & backlink analysis.
It has the simplest user interface, which is easy to use even for beginners.
Access to more users and projects, which gives SE Ranking an edge over its competitors.
Offers unlimited manual reports.

Pricing: SE Ranking offers three subscription plans:

• Essential plan costs $65/mo ($52/mo if billed annually) and offers 1 user seat. This is the most valued plan from SE Ranking.
• Pro plan costs $119/mo ($95.20/mo if billed annually) and offers 3 user seats.
• Business plan costs $259/mo ($207.20/mo if billed annually) and offers 5 user seats.

You’ll get 20% off on annual plans.

Try SE Ranking Free Trial For 14 Days

Verdict: If you want an affordable all-in-one toolkit covering keyword research, rank tracking, competitor analysis, website audit, backlink analysis, and more – Then definitely choose SE Ranking over Ahrefs.

Read: SE Ranking vs Ahrefs [Detailed Comparison]

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4. Surfer – Best for Content Marketing

Surfer SEO is a content marketing SEO toolkit that helps me optimize content for better rankings in Google. It offers me everything from keyword analysis to real-time content suggestions and AI-based tools for content creation.

Why Do I Prefer Using Surfer Over Ahrefs?

Powerful Content Editor

Surfer offers an excellent Content Editor that helps me optimize my blog posts for SEO by providing real-time suggestions.

Here’s what it looks like;

As shown above, I get access to everything, including;

• Guidelines
• Outline
• Content briefs
• Automatic internal links
• Keywords to optimize

The best part is that I can automatically optimize my existing content by using its Auto-Optimize feature. It basically analyzes keywords, structure, and readability to improve content quality.

Automatic Content Creation with AI

I can also automatically create by using the “Write with Surfer AI” feature.

Here’s an example of how it generates high-quality, SEO-optimized article in seconds. 

It generated the above content within a minute. With just a click, Surfer AI analyzes keywords and gives me a well-written article.

For more information, read my in-depth review of Surfer SEO.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Offers a user-friendly content editor, which makes it easy for content creation	It is really expensive because it is NOT an all-in-one tool like Ahrefs.
Provides excellent suggestions for keywords, headings, and word count based on top-ranking pages	Its keyword data is limited, and the data is sometimes inaccurate.
Offers an in-built keyword research tool along with search volume.
Offers a free browser extension called “Keyword Surfer” with keyword suggestions and volume
“Topical Maps” help me find content gaps and new topic ideas in minutes.

Pricing: Surfer SEO offers two subscription plans:

• Essential plan costs $99/mo ($79/mo when you pay yearly) and invite up to 5 teammates. This is the most valued plan from Surfer SEO.
• Scale plan costs $219/mo ($175/mo when you pay yearly) and invite up to 10 teammates.

Try Surfer SEO Today!

You’ll get 20% off on Surfer SEO annual plans.

Verdict: If you need a dedicated toolkit for content marketing, you can try Surfer SEO. But do remember, it’s not a complete SEO tool as its competitors like Semrush or Ahrefs.

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5. Mangools – Best for SEO Beginners With No Prior Experience

My favorite is Mangools. Yes, I always suggest this small SEO tool for new website owners who have never tried an SEO tool. They have all the core features but the tools are not advanced level type. 

For example, they have a keyword research tool which gives enough keywords for a new site but at the same time it doesn’t offer huge data that might be a limitation to the big traffic sites.

I really like how Mangools did the cost cutting for newbies.

Why do I Prefer Using Mangools Over Ahrefs?

Excellent for Keyword Research

Mangools is known for its keyword research capabilities. It offers a tool called “KWFinder” that helps me discover low-competition keywords with high traffic potential.

I simply enter a keyword and it gives me all the essential data I need.

As shown above, I can find;

• Hundreds of keyword suggestions (in the form of related and question keywords)
• SERP overview
• Keyword difficulty metrics
• Overall search volume for the keyword

I can also see the “Trend” for each keyword which tells me the popularity in Google Trends data (last 12 months).

I can easily find highly relevant question keywords which I can target to rank for voice searches.

However, its keyword database is smaller than Ahrefs, so I may miss finding hidden or highly profitable keyword opportunities.

Beginner-Friendly SEO Tool

If you’re on the hunt for a beginner-friendly SEO tool with a simple interface, your top priority should be Mangools. It also comes at a cheaper price starting only at $29.90/mo with essential features like keyword research, link analysis, rank tracking, etc.

However, Mangools lack advanced SEO tools like Site Audit, local SEO, in-depth competitor analysis, etc.

For more details, you can check out my in-depth Mangools review.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
It is one of the most affordable SEO tools in the market.	Mangools has limited data than its competitors due to its smaller database of websites and backlinks.
Offers excellent keyword research capabilities in the “KWFinder” tool.	It is not a comprehensive toolkit for in-depth SEO and PPC strategies.
It has one of the easiest user interfaces, which doesn’t require a learning curve.
Its SERPChecker allows me to analyze competitor websites quickly.
Offers all the essential tools for beginners.

Pricing: Mangools offers three subscription plans:

• Basic plan costs $49/mo ($29.90/mo if billed annually), which is excellent for beginners.
• Premium plan costs $69/mo ($44.90/mo if billed annually), which is excellent for SEO professionals. This is the most valued plan from Mangools.
• Agency plan costs $129/mo ($89.90/mo if billed annually), which is excellent for agencies.

Mangools provides a 35% discount on annual plans.

Try Mangools Today!

Verdict: Overall, If your primary SEO needs are affordable keyword research, Mangools is a great value-for-money product. It’s cheaper, easier to use, and offers key metrics for keyword research, SERP analysis, and rank tracking. 

Read: KWFinder Review 2025: Honest SEO Expert Opinion

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6. SpyFu – Best for In-Depth Competitive Analysis

SpyFu is another good alternative to Ahrefs for competitor analysis. It gives me access to all the tools I need to identify any domain’s best-performing keywords, track their SEO/PPC campaigns, and more.

Why Do I Prefer Using SpyFu Over Ahrefs?

Powerful PPC analysis

SpyFu is known for its powerful PPC analysis, which helps me discover competitors’ ad strategies, paid keywords, and estimated budgets. 

Ahrefs does NOT provide me with comprehensive PPC data. Here’s where SpyFu excels, offering me 12+ years of historical data showing long-term ad trends.

Here’s what its PPC analysis looks like;

As shown above, I’ll get data for the last couple of years including total paid keywords, estimated monthly PPC clicks, PPC budget and more.

I can also quickly identify my competitors’ most successful paid keywords so I can target similar keywords and avoid wasting my budget on keywords that aren’t performing well for me.

Unlimited search capabilities

With SpyFu, I can perform unlimited searches on competitors, keyword research, backlink analysis, etc. On the other hand, Ahrefs has restrictive limits on keyword and competitor analysis.

Also, SpyFu is much more pocket friendly than Ahrefs, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners and solo website owners looking for an essential SEO toolkit.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Unlimited keyword and backlink searches on ALL plans.	It is not an all-in-one SEO toolkit, unlike its competitors, including Semrush or Ahrefs.
It is extremely affordable compared to Ahrefs.	Its data is limited (especially the SEO data).
It gives me in-depth PPC analysis tools to spy on my competitors’ paid ad strategies.
Offers a backlink analysis feature which helps me find backlink opportunities.
Its Kombat feature allows me to compare several sites and quickly identify keyword gaps, content opportunities, etc.

Pricing: SpyFu offers two subscription plans:

• Basic plan costs $39/mo ($33/mo if billed annually), which is a great choice for beginners.
• Professional plan costs $79/mo ($58/mo if billed annually), which is a great choice for SEO professionals.

SpyFu offers up to 30% discount on its annual plans.

Try SpyFu Tool Now

Verdict: If you only want in-depth competitor research for PPC and keyword analysis, You should pick SpyFu. It’s also three times cheaper than Ahrefs. However, please keep in mind that it lacks advanced SEO features such as site audits, content marketing tools, etc.

Read: SpyFu Competitors: Top 6 Top Alternative Tools

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7. Ubersuggest – Cheapest Ahrefs Alternative for Keyword Research

Ubersuggest is from Neil Patel.

If I’m on a tight budget and don’t want to pay a monthly fee for an SEO tool, I’d choose Ubersuggest. 

Why do I Prefer Using Ubersuggest Over Ahrefs?

Sufficient Features & Cost-Effective

While Ahrefs offers bigger databases and more advanced tools for SEO, Ubersuggest gives me sufficient tools. 

It offers enough features for keyword research, competitor analysis, and rank tracking, which are sufficient for most website owners. 

Compared to Ahrefs, it’s extremely cheaper as it offers a lifetime plan for just $120, making it an excellent choice for smaller businesses and bloggers.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Cheapest SEO toolkit in the market.	It has data accuracy issues.
Offers essential SEO features that are enough for most beginners.	Its keyword and competitor data is smaller compared to other tools.
It has an easy-to-use interface.
Offers “Domain Overview” tool for in-depth competitor analysis.
Using its site audit feature, one can audit up to 10,000 pages per week.

Pricing: Ubersuggest offers three pricing plans;

• Business plan costs $12 per month ($120 for a lifetime), which gives access to 1 user
• Individual plan costs $20 per month ($200 for a lifetime,) which gives access to 2 users
• Enterprise plan costs $40 per month ($400 for a lifetime), which gives access to 5 users. This is the most valued plan from Ubersuggest.

Try Ubersuggest Today

Verdict: If I’m looking for an affordable alternative to Ahrefs without a monthly subscription fee, I’d go with Ubersuggest, as it offers lifetime plans with one-time payment. However, I’d avoid Ubersuggest if I need extensive keyword and backlink data.

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Feature Comparison of Ahrefs Competitors

Here’s a comparison table of Ahrefs alternatives based on key SEO features;

Ahrefs Alternative	Keyword Research	Content Marketing	Rank Tracking	Site Audits	Pricing (Annual)
Semrush	Yes, 26 billion keywords.	Yes, a full suite of tools	Yes, accurate	Yes, extensive	Starts at $117.33/mo
SE Ranking	Yes, with 5 billion keywords	Yes	Yes, accurate	Yes	Starts at $52/mo
Moz Pro	Yes, 1.5 billion keywords.	No	Yes	Yes, limited	Starts at $39/mo
Surfer	Yes, 200 million keywords.	Yes	Yes	No	Starts at $79/mo
Mangools	Yes, 2.5 billion keywords.	No	Yes	No	Starts at $29.90/mo
SpyFu	Yes, 7 billion keywords.	No	Yes	No	Starts at $33/mo
Ubersuggest	Yes, but with limited keywords.	Limited	Yes	Yes, limited	Lifetime plans start at $120

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FAQs

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My Recommendation for YOU!

I recommend Semrush and SE Ranking as EXCELLENT alternatives to Ahrefs for SEO.

I’ve been using Semrush for almost everything, including in-depth keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audits. It has huge keyword and backlink databases and helps with PPC and social media too.

SE Ranking is more budget-friendly and easy to use. One thing that I really like about it is that it offers accurate keyword tracking, powerful website audits, and backlink monitoring. 

So, my advice to anyone looking for Ahrefs alternatives is to try either Semrush or SE Ranking. Both these tools offer 14-day free trials, so you can test them out and see which one fits your needs best.

Choosing the right Ahrefs alternative depends on your website needs and budget. So, what tool are you going to try? Have any more questions? Let me know in the comments.