People compare SEMrush alternatives for many practical reasons: a different keyword research style, deeper backlink analysis, a stronger technical audit workflow, or a pricing model that fits a new team size. SEMrush itself is widely known for breadth, and its Keyword Magic database is presented as exceeding 27.8 billion keywords ✅Source while many alternatives focus on one slice of the stack with sharper depth.
This comparison stays neutral and data-oriented. It maps tools by data type, workflow fit, and pricing structure, so readers who want a credible SEMrush alternative can evaluate options without guesswork.
- Data scope: keywords, backlinks, technical crawl outputs, or competitive intelligence
- Update patterns: daily crawling, periodic refreshes, or account-connected data
- Limits: credits, rows, projects, crawl caps, and export ceilings
- Access: UI reports, scheduled reporting, APIs, and integrations
Comparison Table
Below is a high-level map of popular SEMrush alternatives. The table focuses on what each tool is built around and the type of data it tends to surface most consistently.
| Platform | Primary Strength | Data Emphasis | Typical Fit | Commercial Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | Competitive research depth | Keywords, links, content discovery | Teams that want research-first workflows | Subscription with tiered access |
| SE Ranking | Rank tracking + suite | Positions, audits, projects | Agencies needing client-ready reporting | Subscription, plan-based limits |
| Serpstat | Research + audit + tracking | Credits-based queries, audits | Teams that like structured plan tables | Subscription with clear quotas |
| Similarweb | Market and traffic intelligence | Competitive intel, channel insights | Research-heavy orgs and marketing teams | Self-serve + enterprise packages |
| SpyFu | Competitor PPC/SEO history | Ads/keywords, competitive tracking | Teams analyzing search competitors | Subscription tiers |
| Screaming Frog SEO Spider | Technical crawling | Crawl exports, on-site diagnostics | Audits where crawl detail matters | Free crawl cap + annual license |
| Majestic | Link intelligence focus | Backlinks, referring domains, link metrics | Link profile analysis at scale | Subscription tiers |
| Mangools | Lightweight daily SEO toolkit | Keywords, SERPs, link checks | Smaller teams wanting a simple UI | Subscription tiers |
| Google Search Console | First-party search performance | Queries, clicks, impressions, indexing | Anyone who needs Google-side visibility | No paid tiers presented |
| Google Analytics | On-site behavior measurement | Sessions, events, conversions | Teams connecting SEO outcomes to behavior | Standard is presented as free |
Data Coverage and Method Notes
Most SEMrush alternatives differ less in interface and more in how data is collected. Some rely on large-scale crawlers, others connect to your own properties, and several blend sources into a single estimation layer. SEMrush describes a proprietary crawler that processes around 10 billion web pages daily and builds a database of over 43 trillion backlinks ✅Source while competitors may publish different crawl schedules and index sizes.
Keyword depth is a second dividing line. Ahrefs states an extensive keyword database of 28.7 billion keywords with coverage across 226 geographic regions ✅Source. Those numbers can look close across vendors, yet the practical difference often shows up in local coverage, SERP feature parsing, and how quickly new terms appear in the interface.
- First-party datasets (your verified properties) tend to be precise but narrow.
- Crawler-based datasets can be broad, with differences in freshness and coverage.
- Credit systems usually trade “unlimited browsing” for measurable usage.
- Project limits often define day-to-day life more than plan names do.
All-in-One Platforms
When someone searches for a SEMrush alternative, they often mean a single platform that covers research, tracking, and reporting without stitching tools together. The platforms below are commonly evaluated as broader suites.
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is frequently positioned around rank tracking and project-based workflows, with plan tiers tied to usage. Its official pricing page shows an Essential plan at €59.00 per month ✅Source and higher tiers designed for larger monitoring footprints. The general theme is structured limits rather than ambiguous “fair use.”
Visit Seranking Official Page Suite Projects Tracking
Serpstat
Serpstat presents a suite approach with plan tables that list quotas for searches, audits, and exports. On its official pricing page, the Individual plan is shown at $50 per month ✅Source with higher tiers scaling daily searches, audits, and export rows. For many readers comparing SEMrush alternatives, that transparency is the main differentiator.
Visit Serpstat Official Page Credits Audit Rank Tracker
Similarweb
Similarweb is usually shortlisted when the comparison goes beyond SEO into market intelligence. Its self-serve packages include an option labeled Competitive Intel & SEO at $335 per month billed annually (or $399 per month) on the official packages page ✅Source. The platform’s positioning is less “SEO toolkit” and more digital visibility benchmarking.
Visit Similarweb Official Page Market Channels Competitive Intel
Specialized Tools
Many “SEMrush alternatives” searches end with a mixed stack: one product for competitive research, another for technical crawling, plus first-party reporting to verify outcomes. The options below are often used as focused building blocks.
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is the most direct window into Google Search performance for a verified property. Google describes reports that show which queries bring users to your site and lets you analyze impressions, clicks, and position ✅Source. In SEMrush comparisons, this is often treated as a ground truth companion rather than a full replacement.
Visit Search Official Page First-Party Indexing Queries
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is typically paired with SEO tools to connect traffic to behavior and conversion outcomes. Google’s product page states that Google Analytics provides tools “free of charge” to understand the customer journey and improve ROI ✅Source. For readers evaluating SEMrush alternatives, the key point is that this measures on-site activity, not crawler indexes.
Visit Analytics Official Page Measurement Events Conversions
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is commonly evaluated as a research-forward SEMrush alternative, especially for teams centered on competitive discovery. Ahrefs also publishes a $29 Starter plan on its own blog ✅Source, which is notable because it signals an entry tier designed for smaller usage patterns rather than enterprise-level “all you can eat” assumptions.
Visit Ahrefs Official Page Research Keywords Competitors
Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is best understood as a crawler that produces exportable, URL-level audit outputs. The official product page states you can crawl 500 URLs for free, or purchase a license for €245 per year to remove the limit and access advanced features ✅Source. This kind of tooling is often paired with broader SEMrush alternatives because it gives granular technical evidence.
Visit Screamingfrog Official Page Crawler Exports Audit
Majestic
Majestic is frequently shortlisted when the decision is specifically about link intelligence. Its official plans page shows a Lite subscription at €46.99 per month, a Pro option at €94.99 per month, and an API tier at €379.99 per month ✅Source. In a SEMrush alternatives list, Majestic is often treated as a link-specialist rather than a full suite.
Visit Majestic Official Page Backlinks Ref Domains Link Metrics
SpyFu
SpyFu is regularly compared as a SEMrush alternative for teams that want competitor timelines around keywords and ads. Its official pricing page displays a Basic plan at $29 per month ✅Source, with higher tiers expanding exports and access. This appeals to users who prioritize comparative context over deep technical crawling.
Visit Spyfu Official Page Competitors PPC Keywords
Mangools
Mangools is often mentioned as a SEMrush alternative for readers who want a lighter toolkit with a clean interface. The official pricing page states that the subscription starts from $29 per month with annual plans ✅Source. This type of positioning fits users who prefer straightforward daily research rather than large-scale enterprise workflows.
Visit Mangools Official Page Simple UI Keywords SERPs
Pricing and Licensing Patterns
Pricing comparisons among SEMrush alternatives are most useful when you look at the unit of restriction. Some platforms limit by projects, others by crawl size, others by credits. The cards below restate the official entry points that were shown earlier, so the differences are easy to scan.
- Suite With Project Limits
- SE Ranking lists an Essential plan at €59.00/month, which signals a plan-based model rather than usage-by-crawl.
- Visit Seranking Official Page
- Quota Tables and Credits
- Serpstat presents an Individual tier at $50/month with explicit daily and monthly quotas.
- Visit Serpstat Official Page
- Freemium With Annual License
- Screaming Frog highlights a free crawl cap and a €245/year license to remove the limit.
- Visit Screamingfrog Official Page
- Entry Plan for Research
- Ahrefs advertises a Starter option at $29/month, which is a notable on-ramp in the “big database” category.
- Visit Ahrefs Official Page
- Competitive Intelligence Packages
- Similarweb shows a package that includes SEO Intelligence at $335/month billed annually (or $399 monthly).
- Visit Similarweb Official Page
- Competitor Tracking Subscriptions
- SpyFu lists a Basic plan at $29/month, reflecting a tiered model around competitor datasets.
- Visit Spyfu Official Page
Integrations, Exports, and Reporting
Across SEMrush alternatives, “integration” can mean several things: CSV exports, scheduled reports, API endpoints, or native connections to analytics accounts. The most practical comparison point is whether your workflow depends on repeatable reporting and team access, or on deep one-off research with large exports.
If your evaluation is primarily about exports, look for plan notes that mention export rows, report scheduling, and the number of users included. If it is about technical detail, prioritize tools that produce crawl-level outputs you can archive and review later.
- Suite tools often streamline client reports and multi-project dashboards.
- Research tools usually emphasize competitive discovery and dataset browsing.
- Crawlers emphasize audit exports and repeatable diagnostics.
- First-party platforms anchor performance with verified metrics.
Data Ownership and Access
A clean way to frame SEMrush alternatives is by asking where the numbers come from. Tools like Google Search Console report how Google Search sees your verified site, while Google Analytics measures behavior once users arrive, and crawler-based platforms build independent indexes of keywords and links.
This is why many teams keep first-party measurement alongside any paid SEMrush alternative. It is less about “which tool is right” and more about combining different kinds of evidence: search visibility, on-site engagement, and technical crawl outputs.
FAQ
Do SEMrush alternatives publish keyword database sizes?
Some do. For example, SEMrush highlights that Keyword Magic exceeds 27.8 billion keywords, and Ahrefs states 28.7 billion keywords across 226 regions. Those figures are useful as context, yet the everyday difference often shows up in local coverage and refresh behavior rather than one headline number.
Is Google Search Console a full SEMrush alternative?
It is best viewed as first-party visibility into your presence on Google Search, not a crawler index. Google describes query, click, impression, and position analysis plus indexing tools like URL inspection. That makes it a verification layer that complements paid research platforms.
Why do some tools use credits while others use project limits?
Credit systems typically meter data pulls and report generation, while project systems meter ongoing tracking, scheduled audits, and dashboards. Neither approach is “better”; they just define cost in a different unit of value.
Can a crawler replace an all-in-one platform?
A crawler like Screaming Frog can produce highly detailed technical exports, but it does not aim to be a full keyword and competitor index. Many stacks treat crawling as one pillar and pair it with research data from a broader platform.
What is the cleanest way to compare pricing?
Compare the limit you will hit first: tracked keywords, projects, export rows, or crawl volume. This keeps the comparison grounded in real usage rather than plan names.
Do SEMrush alternatives support reporting for teams?
Many do, but the difference is in scope: user seats, report scheduling, and how sharing is handled. When comparing options, treat collaboration as a first-class requirement, not an extra feature.