Which SEO Tool Wins in 2025?

Ahrefs is one of the most popular and widely-utilized SEO tools with a massive dataset of 28.7 billion keywords and over 380 billion indexed pages. Extensive backlink databases make Ahrefs top the list of the best SEO link building software. However, this tool sits on the pricier side of SEO solutions, making Ahrefs less appealing for businesses looking for the most extensive data insights.

So if you’re exploring budget-friendly Ahrefs alternatives, this article is for you. Let’s dive into these options together.

Best Ahrefs alternatives to try in 2025

To hand-pick the best alternatives to Ahrefs, we evaluated multiple popular SEO tools paying attention to their functional capabilities, usability, user feedback on popular review platforms, and pricing plans. And here come the winners. 

1. SE Ranking
2. SpyFu
3. Semrush
4. Majestic
5. Mangools
6. Moz Pro
7. SEO PowerSuite
8. Raven Tools
9. Seobility
10. cognitiveSEO
11. Ubersuggest

They all vary by the amount of features offered, and the price range is also broad to let you choose the perfect match for your SEO needs.

1. SE Ranking

SE Ranking is a comprehensive SEO suite designed for agencies and in-house teams. It is praised for the balance between cost and functionality, but it’s not just the price tag that’s appealing. SE Ranking goes the extra mile to keep up with the latest trends by integrating AI into its tools and algorithms to further enhance data quality.

Functionality

SE Ranking will assist you with every essential SEO task: keyword rank tracking, website auditing, keyword & competitive research, backlink analysis & monitoring, content creation and optimization, local SEO, and custom reporting. Unlike Ahrefs, it provides AI-based tools like On-Page SEO Checker and SERP Analyser for deeper insights. And to help you navigate the rise of AI in search, SE Ranking has also introduced the AI Results Tracker that allows you to monitor and analyze your presence in AI Overviews, explore featured sources, review cached copies, and more. The result is users who have given SE Ranking’s product direction a 9.5 out of 10, edging out Ahrefs’ score of 8.8.

SE Ranking also caters to SEO agencies’ needs with features like unlimited reporting, lead generation widget and white label (all not available in Ahrefs as of now). The platform boasts a massive keyword database (190 countries) with traffic estimates that mirror Google Search Console data with up to 100% accuracy.

SE Ranking also constantly fine-tunes its keyword search volume calculating mechanism and enhances other data processing algorithms. For instance, thanks to the update to the backlink database, SE Ranking can now calculate Domain Trust and Keyword Difficulty with sharper accuracy. This helps the platform prioritize more quality keyword opportunities than other SEO tools like Ahrefs.

Interface

SE Ranking’s user interface is modern, straightforward, and easy to navigate. 

Its ease-of-use also outperforms that of Ahrefs’ both on the G2 and TrustRadius scoring 4.8 out of 5 and 9.4 out of 10 as opposed to Ahrefs rated of 4.5 and 9.1, respectively.

User reviews

SE Ranking’s collective user review score is high, with an overall rating of 4.8/5 stars on G2, and 4.7/5 stars on Capterra. Users have applauded SE Ranking for its range of features, data accuracy, and fair pricing.

Pros

✅ Comprehensive suite with 30+ SEO tools 

✅ Continuously expanding databases

✅ AI-powered data processing algorithms 

✅ Agency-level functionality

✅ Integrations with Google Analytics, Search Console, Looker Studio, Google Business Profile, and more

✅ Flexible pricing plans with generous limits

Cons

❌ Steeper learning curve for advanced features

❌ Extra fees for advanced agency tools

Price 

Unlike Ahrefs, SE Ranking offers a flexible pricing structure allowing businesses to scale without pushing their operational costs to the limits.

Pricing starts at $65/month or $52/month (if billed annually).

2. SpyFu

Launched in 2005 as a ‘spy’ tool, SpyFu has progressively evolved into a comprehensive platform for keyword research and competitor analysis for SEO and PPC specialists. It’s a budget-conscious Ahrefs alternative offering a user-friendly interface. 

Functionality

SpyFu stands out for its advanced competitor analysis capabilities, especially its Ad History tool, which gives detailed insights into competitors’ PPC strategies. It’s particularly helpful in tracking how competitors’ strategies evolve over time. Many users would call SpyFu a top contender when it comes to ranking the best competitor research tools. Another worthy SpyFu’s feature is Rival Flow AI helps you analyze and rewrite top-performing content for better SEO results.

However, SpyFu falls short for SEO-focused users – it lacks tools for technical and on-page optimization, and its backlink database is limited compared to Ahrefs. While it does offer basic rank tracking and solid keyword research, it may not cover all your SEO needs.

Interface

SpyFu offers a relatively user-friendly interface that allows for seamless navigation. Its visually appealing dashboard is designed for swift and efficient access to critical data, such as SEO Research, PPC Research, Keyword Research, Backlinks, Reports, and more.

Regarding ease of use, SpyFu and Ahrefs are pretty comparable. Both tools scored 8.8 out of 10 in this category.

User reviews

SpyFu, while not as widely recognized as Ahrefs, is praised highly by its dedicated user base. SpyFu holds a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Capterra. It also enjoys a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on G2 and 6.9 out of 10 stars on TrustRadius.

Pros

✅ Access to 10+ years of historical data with the Professional plan

✅ Extensive insights on competitors (both organic and paid strategies)

✅ Low price tag, which makes it a good option for startups and small businesses

✅ User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate

✅ 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

❌ Limited features for technical and on-page optimization

❌ Limited data scope on organic keywords and backlinks

Price

Pricing starts at $39/month or $33/month (if billed annually), unlike Ahrefs’ initial plan, which is priced at $129 monthly. 

3. Semrush

Being one of the long-established SEO software suites, Semrush boasts a rich set of features similar to Ahrefs. Still, these tools appeal to different people: users tend to choose Ahrefs because of its excellent backlink indexing feature, whereas Semrush is mostly valued for its extensive functionality.

Both Ahrefs and Semrush are appreciated for reliable datasets, though many users would still question their data accuracy. Nonetheless, Semrush has plenty of loyal advocates.

Functionality

In addition to its standard SEO and PPC tools, Semrush continuously evolves with new features. Similar to other tools like SE Ranking, it now employs AI-powered data processing algorithms for some of its functionalities (e.g., AI-powered traffic predictions, AI content generation, and AI toolkit for LLM optimization). 

Keep in mind that most of the advanced features are accessible only with higher-tier pricing plans, which forces users on a tighter budget to look for Semrush alternatives. If you do have a budget in place, and your choice of an SEO tool depends on the breadth of its feature set, Semrush blows Ahrefs out of the water. Still, some users have mentioned that Semrush’s many features can make navigation and tool discovery difficult.

Interface

Based on user reviews, the platform’s complex interface is often challenging to navigate. Not surprisingly, Ahrefs generally outperforms Semrush in terms of user-friendliness (8.8 vs 8.4 on G2).

User reviews

Semrush holds its own, with 4.5 out of 5 stars on G2, 4.4 out of 5 stars on Gartner, and an 8.5 out of 10 rating on TrustRadius. Keep in mind again that there are tons of reviews that point out its lack of user-friendliness.

Pros

✅ Advanced SEO capabilities

✅ Large dataset of keywords and backlinks

✅ Powerful Social Media Toolkit

✅ Effective PPC advertising tools

Cons

❌ Data accuracy issues 

❌ Steep learning curve for navigation

❌ Expensive pricing plans

❌ Additional payment for extra users

Price

Semrush comes at a significant cost, and recent price hikes make it even less budget-friendly.

As of now, pricing for the most affordable plan starts at $139.95/month. 

4. Majestic

Established in 2004, Majestic has since become a powerful tool for backlink analysis. Its database spans over 21.7 trillion URLs from 4.5 trillion crawled pages, providing a highly comprehensive resource with records dating back to 2006.

While not an all-in-one SEO solution, Majestic is often considered a strong alternative to tools like Ahrefs, especially for users focused on detailed backlink insights.

Functionality

Majestic is primarily a backlink checker tool that is mainly used to identify referring domains, track new and removed backlinks, as well as detect broken backlinks. 

Unique metrics like Trust Flow and Citation Flow are crucial to Majestic’s offering. Trust Flow measures link quality, while Citation Flow focuses on link quantity. Another key feature is the Link Graph—a visual map of your backlink profile, created by analyzing links from the Fresh Index to show how sites connect and interact. It helps identify valuable backlinks and flag potential issues like spammy links from specific networks.

The Keyword Checker, in turn, allows users to search Majestic’s database for specific keywords, providing metrics such as search volume and other key details. The Keyword Generator is another useful tool, allowing users to enter a keyword along with a subdomain or root domain to generate top keyword suggestions for SEO campaigns.

Interface

The Majestic interface is pretty clear and well-structured but still feels a bit outdated. Some users report that the UI is less “polished” than what users came to expect nowadays.

The interface has a navigation menu on the left side with options for Site Explorer, Compare, Keywords, and other analysis tools. 

In general, it features a clean layout with charts and graphs for easy visualization of data. Still, some users have also mentioned that the interface can be slow to load, which can be frustrating.

User reviews

Although Majestic isn’t as well-known as Ahrefs, it still receives solid user feedback. On platforms like G2, it has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, and on Capterra, it scores 4.4 out of 5 stars. Common drawbacks mentioned by users include a less intuitive interface and its focus primarily on backlink-related features.

Pros

✅ Huge backlink index (21.7 trillion URLs from 4.5 trillion crawled pages)

✅ The historic index provides a long-term view of data, going back to 2006

✅ Advanced backlink analysis features

✅ Unique metrics like Trust and Citation Flow

✅ Link Graph feature providing a visual map of the backlinks in the network 

Cons

❌ Lacks a free trial option

❌ The cost of some plans may not justify the value

❌ Outdated interface that may be challenging to navigate

❌ Does not offer a comprehensive suite of SEO tools

Price

Pricing for the Lite plan starts at $49/month or $41.67/month (if billed annually). 

5. Mangools

If both Ahrefs and Semrush are too complex and costly for your needs, we have an affordable alternative for you. Mangools is tailored primarily to small businesses, evidenced by its friendlier pricing structure. It also has a unique and striking design that is sure to leave a lasting impression!

Functionality

In terms of functionality, Mangools offers essential SEO features, including KWFinder for keyword research, SERPChecker for SERP analysis, SERPWatcher for rank tracking, LinkMiner for backlink research and analysis, and SiteProfiler for domain SEO metrics and insights. At the same time, the data limits Mangools offers are quite modest—the most extensive Agency plan comes with only 1200 keyword lookups per day. Some users also called attention to Magool’s limited database, especially when compared to Ahrefs.

Mangools currently does not offer tools for crawl analysis, site speed, or technical audits, which may be too restrictive for certain users looking for feature-rich Ahrefs alternatives.

Interface

If having a simple user interface is high on your priority list, then look no further than Mangools.

Its “comprehensive range of features and user-friendly interface truly set it apart” according to most user comments about Mangools. Users often laud it for its simplicity, ease of use, and its accessibility for beginners. Mangools stands at a remarkable 9.7 out of 10 for its ease of use on the G2 platform. 

User reviews

While Mangools is not as popular as Ahrefs, it doesn’t lag behind in quality. It boasts a 4.7/5 star rating on G2 and a 4.8/5 on Capterra.

Its user interface and customer service elements continue to receive a good chunk of the praise from its users. 

Pros

✅ Five basic SEO tools in one package

✅ SEO extension for a quick website analysis 

✅ Affordable pricing making it a great fit for freelancers and SEO newbies

✅ User-friendly interface with data presented in an easy-to-understand format

✅ 48-hour money back guarantee

Cons

❌ A narrow range of SEO capabilities (e.g., lacking features for technical SEO audits, content optimization, local marketing strategies, etc.)

❌ Limited internal data with dependence on external sources (e.g., Moz, Majestic)

Price

Pricing for the Basic plan starts at $49/month or $29.90/month (if billed annually). 

6. Moz Pro

Moz Pro is another industry veteran and a viable alternative to Ahrefs. While Moz has powerful functionality under its belt, many SEOs claim its days of glory are gone. The interface looks outdated and new feature releases have become a rare occasion. 

However, with a loyal community, loads of useful educational materials, and all the core SEO tools, it still remains one of the big names in the SEO industry.

Functionality

Moz Pro offers every essential SEO tool from keyword research and rank tracking to website audits and even custom reporting. Reporting features are not standard in the SEO suites, so if you’re on the hunt for the best SEO report tool to keep your clients in the loop, your options are quite limited.

Moz Pro’s keyword database is not that ample if you compare its size with other tools, but its backlink database (with 40.7 trillion links in its index) exceeds that of Ahrefs. Still, many users prefer Ahrefs’ data due to its highly active crawler.

Finally, many users admit that Moz Pro’s tech auditing capabilities are rather basic and resort to other more advanced website audit tools.

Interface

While Moz Pro has refreshed the outdated interface it used to have, it isn’t as smooth and sleek as interfaces of Mangools or SE Ranking. Many users still complain that it lacks easy-to-read graphs.

User reviews

While Moz Pro has received plenty of user reviews over the years, it doesn’t top the charts compared to other top Ahrefs alternatives. On G2, it scores 4.3 out of 5 stars. On Gartner, it’s rated 3.8 out of 5 stars. TrustRadius gives it a score of 8.1 out of 10.

Pros

✅ Comprehensive set of SEO tools

✅ Large database of keywords, indexed links, and analyzed SERPs

✅ AI-powered search intent analysis and domain overview

✅ Extensive 30-day free trial

✅ MozBar SEO Chrome extension

Cons

❌ Complex navigation structure

❌ Generous data limits come at an additional cost

❌ Only weekly ranking updates are available, with no option for daily updates at an additional cost

Price

Pricing starts at $49/month or $39/month (if billed annually). 

7. SEO PowerSuite

SEO PowerSuite is an extensive SEO software acclaimed for its ability to automate, personalize, and generate SEO reports. It’s a solid Ahrefs alternative for users with  comprehensive report customization needs.

Functionality 

SEO PowerSuite includes four desktop applications covering basic SEO needs: Rank Tracker  for keyword tracking and analysis, WebSite Auditor for technical and on-page optimization, SEO SpyGlass for backlink analysis, and LinkAssistant for link prospecting and outreach.

It also offers personalized white-labeling and a content management dashboard that analyzes competitors and suggests content improvements. It also integrates with Google Analytics, a feature still not present in Ahrefs. Unlike the majority of modern SEO tools, SEO PowerSuite is not cloud-based and runs onWindows, Linux, and Apple users.

Interface

User feedback suggests that SEO PowerSuite can be difficult to navigate. While robust and comprehensive, it requires installing four separate applications on your computer. The tool has a steep learning curve and its interface is less intuitive than competitors like Ahrefs.

User reviews

While being a dependable tool, it still ranks among the lesser-rated options on our list of Ahrefs alternatives. With ratings of 4.5 out of 5 on Capterra, 9.7 out of 10 on TrustRadius, and 4.5 out of 5 on G2, SEO PowerSuite’s aggregate score based on reviews is relatively consistent.

Pros

✅ Suite of four comprehensive SEO tools

✅ No daily credit limit for SEO data (keywords, backlinks, etc.)

✅ Integrations with Google Search Console, Analytics, and Keyword Planner

✅ Custom, white-label, automated SEO reporting

✅ Free forever plan with a basic set of features

Cons

❌ Limited functionality for in-depth analysis and optimization

❌ The lack of payment flexibility (no monthly payment option)

❌ Desktop software only (no cloud-based accessibility)

Price

Pricing starts at $179/year for the Professional pricing plan. This seems a relatively high price for an SEO tool not available in the cloud.

8. Raven Tools

Raven Tools, despite being underrated, is a complex SEO and reporting tool that offers integrated solutions for managing your digital marketing and advertising data. 

Functionality

Just like Ahrefs, Raven Tools has all the essential features for effective SEO strategy, including site auditing, SERP and keyword rank tracking, keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink checking, and link monitoring with the Link Spy Tool. Its flexible SERP Rank Tracker lets you choose between daily, weekly, or monthly tracking – unlike other tools that limit you to weekly updates. 

It also offers more than 20 integrations with platforms such as Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and Google/Bing/Facebook ads. This gives it a competitive edge against dozens of tools like Ahrefs and makes it a strong SpyFu, Mangools, and Moz alternative.

Nonetheless, users often report technical issues with third-party integrations, requiring frequent support to fix backend errors.

Interface

Some users find Raven Tools overly complex and time-consuming. There are even reports of Raven Tools lacking fundamental data, particularly from Google Ads.

Other clients also report technical issues, suggesting a potentially difficult user experience. This has contributed to the tool’s lower ease-of-use rating in comparison to Ahrefs on G2 (8.3 vs. 8.8 out of 10 points).

User reviews

Raven Tools stands its ground with good ratings, sporting 4.4 out of 5 stars on Capterra, 4.2 on G2, and 4.1 on Gartner. On TrustRadius, its rating is somewhat lower, with a score of 7.6 out of 10. 

Pros

✅ A wide range of SEO tools—all bundled into a single platform

✅ Integrations with 20+ platforms like Google Analytics, Search Console, Google Ads, Bing Ads, and more

✅ Comprehensive white-label reports for SEO and marketing

✅ Social media management & reporting for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn

✅ Affordable pricing plans that start with a free trial

Cons

❌ Fewer advanced SEO features compared to other Ahrefs competitors

❌ Occasional technical issues with third-party software connections

Price

Pricing starts at $49/month or $39/month (if billed annually). 

Yet, users have given Raven Tools a lower rating for its value for money. This is important to note if you plan on selecting this tool instead of other Ahrefs alternatives.

9. Seobility

Seobility is an entry-level SEO toolkit designed to enhance website rankings. While the tool’s feature set is more basic compared to industry leaders like Ahrefs, its user-friendly interface is perfect for novices in SEO.

Functionality

Although not as popular as Ahrefs, Seobility still offers essential SEO features including on-page SEO audits, backlink analysis, link-building tools, and rank tracking. It also provides additional tools like the TF*IDF tool to enhance SEO content creation and optimization. Its on-page SEO audit function scans all website pages, identifying optimization issues or errors. 

Despite its wide set of offerings, some beginner users have mentioned that the tool’s reports occasionally lack detailed explanations, making it harder to act on the insights.

Interface

While viewpoints on Seobility’s user interface vary, its ease-of-use score is higher (9.0 out of 10 on G2), surpassing Ahrefs’ score at 8.8. Users regard the platform highly for its simplicity, although some say its aesthetics are pretty outdated. 

Users also criticize the Seobility for its inconvenient navigation, as users must go from page to page to create a comprehensive to-do list.

User reviews

Despite its lower profile and fewer reviews compared to Ahrefs, Seobility has earned positive feedback from its users. It has performed well with an average score of 4.6 out of 5 stars on G2 and 4.6 out of 5 stars on Capterra. One user hailed it as “A great service that delivers everything you’d anticipate from an SEO analysis, and a few unexpected features as well.”

Pros

✅ Powerful yet simple set of SEO tools

✅ Comprehensive on-page optimization and technical SEO analysis

✅ TF*IDF functionality

✅ Free plan to test out the software before upgrading

Cons

❌ Less in-depth data and advanced filtering options compared to competitors

❌ Outdated design & inconvenient navigation

Price

Pricing for the Premium plan (designed for small to mid-sized businesses) starts at $50/month or $40/month (if billed annually). 

These prices make Seobility a much more affordable option compared to Ahrefs.

10. cognitiveSEO

сognitiveSEO is a lesser-known but excellent Ahrefs alternative that stands at the higher end of the pricing scale. This comprehensive digital marketing strategy tool offers a wide range of SEO functionalities and excels in its capabilities for team collaboration and project management.

Functionality

With features for on-page SEO analysis, content optimization, tech site auditing, backlink analysis, rank tracking, shareable SEO dashboards, marketing reports, and API, CognitiveSEO caters to a variety of digital marketing needs.

Its penalty recovery feature may seem unique at first glance, but in fact, all it does is unnatural link detection, which many different tools similar to Ahrefs offer. The tool is focused solely on the decade-old Penguin algorithm.

CognitiveSEO supports team collaboration through shared workspaces, real-time dashboards, and customizable white-label PDF reports.

Interface

CognitiveSEO is rated 8.1 out of 10 by users on G2 for its ease of use, which puts it slightly behind Ahrefs. User reviews suggest that cognitiveSEO’s interface may not be the most intuitive and its performance could be improved. Its keyword research tool is especially lacking in this area.

User reviews

cognitiveSEO didn’t earn the same level of recognition as Semrush or Ahrefs, but has a solid reputation backed by favorable user reviews. It has received a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on G2 and 4.5 out of 5 stars on Capterra. The most common drawbacks cognitiveSEO users mention are the tool’s complex interface and frequent technical problems. On the other hand, they praise cognitiveSEO’s top-notch customer support.

Pros

✅ A comprehensive suite of SEO features

✅ Free SEO tools like Site Explorer, Keyword Tool, and Google Algorithm Changes

✅ Google Analytics integration for tracking website traffic and user behavior

✅ White-labeling features for Premium and Elite pricing plans

✅ Scheduled customized PDF reports

Cons

❌ Lack of some of the advanced features offered by other SEO tools

❌ A little old-school and clunky interface

Price

Pricing starts at $129.99/month or $89/month (if billed annually).

11. Ubersuggest

Created by Neil Patel as a basic keyword research, Ubersuggest has over the years transformed into a full-fledged SEO platform. Ubersuggest cannot compete with Ahrefs when it comes to advanced features or database sizes. Still, thanks to the user-friendly interface combined with an extensive training and support package, it is one the best Ahrefs alternatives to date for SEO novices.

Functionality

Ubersuggest is equipped with basic SEO features, including technical SEO auditing, rank tracking, link building, competitor analysis, and report generation. The comprehensive keyword research tool remains Ubersuggest’s core function, offering keyword recommendations and content ideas that are on par with the other tools on our Ahrefs alternatives list.

Ubersuggest’s AI tools are also worth noting. It includes an AI Writer for full-length article drafts, AI Meta Tag Generator, AI Social for crafting SEO-friendly content across platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, etc., and AI Paid Ads for generating ad headlines and copy. Beginners will also appreciate the platform’s step-by-step SEO tutorials, templates, and worksheets.

Interface

If ease of use is your primary consideration when choosing an SEO tool, then Ubersuggest is a top contender. Ubersuggest stands out for its user-friendly interface, effectively simplifying and distilling complex information, unlike Ahrefs which can have a steeper learning curve.

Ubersuggest features a minimalist aesthetic combined with a straightforward and easily navigable layout, offering a wealth of information. The main dashboard immediately offers optimization suggestions for your site, enhancing the overall user experience.

User reviews

Ubersuggest has received user ratings that are somewhat similar to the other tools we listed as the best Ahrefs alternatives. It has achieved a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on G2, 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, and 8.8 out of 10 stars on TrustRadius.

Interestingly, the slightly lower ratings seem to be less connected to the tool’s functionality or user interface and more connected to issues encountered in the billing process.

Pros

✅ Variety of key SEO tools

✅ Free plan with basic features

✅ Affordable paid plans

✅ Free Chrome extension 

✅ User-friendly interface and clear data visualizations

Cons

❌ Not as technical and in-depth as other SEO tools

❌ Limited keyword data

❌ Lack of integrations

Price

Pricing for monthly plans starts at $12. Lifetime deals start at $120 per 1 website. 

Why would people seek Ahrefs alternatives?

Ahrefs has maintained a loyal user base over the years, but the jury is still out whether these users are truly satisfied with the tool. Though many reviews suggest that a significant number of people continue to pay a premium price for Ahrefs, this is namely because users have grown accustomed to its interface.

And what shortcomings are we referring to here? Well, we’ve highlighted the most frequently mentioned issues reported by users of this tool.

When considering these points collectively, it may serve you well to join the many users who are eyeing Ahrefs alternatives, ones that better suit their specific needs and budget.

FAQs

Summary

The eleven alternatives to Ahrefs in this review all offer core SEO tools, but each stand out with unique features and user experience. If you need a premium SEO solution without Ahrefs’ complex and expensive pricing, you have several options: 

As it normally goes in SEO, it depends. Your optimum choice depends on your specific needs, expertise, and budget.