18 Semrush Alternatives for Every Budget

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12-minute read
Author
Arthur Andreyev
Arthur Andreyev is a marketing strategist with 7+ years of experience in digital growth and brand positioning. As the CMO at SEO PowerSuite Ltd, he leads innovative marketing initiatives, helping shape the...
Date
Aug 20, 2025

Semrush is one of the most popular all-in-one SEO platforms — but it isn’t the right fit for everyone. Some find the price too steep, others don’t need the full feature set, and some simply prefer a different workflow or pricing model.

Contents

The good news: there are plenty of Semrush alternatives. From lightweight keyword tools and free rank checkers to full-scale enterprise platforms, you can put together a stack that matches your budget and goals.

In this guide, we’ll cover 18 credible Semrush competitors — what they do best, where they fall short, and who they’re for. Whether you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or running SEO at an agency, you’ll find tools here that can save you money without cutting corners.

TL;DR: Quick picks by budget & use case

  • Best free option: Google Search Console — basic ranking and performance data direct from Google.

  • Best entry-level suite (<$50/mo): Ubersuggest — affordable all-rounder with a generous free tier.

  • Best mid-range ($50–$99/mo): SE Ranking — strong balance of features and clean reporting.

  • Best value for large keyword sets: SEO PowerSuite — desktop-based toolkit with unlimited tracking.

  • Best standalone rank tracker: Rank Tracker (part of SEO PowerSuite) — cost-effective alternative to SaaS rank trackers.

  • Best backlink-focused tool: Ahrefs — industry-leading link database.

  • Best enterprise platform: Similarweb DMI — broad market and traffic intelligence.

  • Best for local SEO: Nightwatch — granular local rank tracking with modern dashboards.

  • Best for agencies needing reports: WebCEO — client portals and white-labeling built in.

How we evaluated Semrush competitors

Not all SEO tools are built the same. To make this list of Semrush alternatives useful, we focused on the criteria that matter most when choosing a platform:

Data sources and freshness
Does the tool provide original keyword and backlink data, or does it rely on third-party APIs? How often are rankings and indexes updated?

International and local tracking
Some SEO platforms only cover global or US search data. Others let you check rankings by country, city, or even ZIP code — a must-have for local SEO.

Keyword research capabilities
How large is the keyword database? Does it include search volume, trends, difficulty scores, or click metrics?

Backlink index size and recrawl speed
Links remain central to SEO. We looked at how many links each tool crawls and how often the index is refreshed.

Reporting and automation
Can you build clear, branded reports? Schedule rank checks and send them automatically? Or are you exporting CSVs and building everything manually?

API and integrations
For teams that need scalability, API access or native integrations (with Google Data Studio, Looker, etc.) can be a deciding factor.

True cost
Finally, we checked pricing carefully. Some tools look cheap upfront but limit keywords, users, or projects — costs add up quickly. We highlighted platforms that give good value without hidden limits.

The 18 Best Semrush Alternatives

1. SEO PowerSuite

Download SEO PowerSuite

A desktop-based SEO toolkit that includes four apps: Rank Tracker, WebSite Auditor, SEO SpyGlass, and LinkAssistant. Unlike SaaS tools, it doesn’t charge per keyword or per project, which makes it cost-effective for agencies or freelancers tracking a lot of data.

  • Best for: Agencies or consultants managing large keyword sets on a budget

  • Pros: Unlimited projects/keywords, one-time license, strong reporting

  • Cons: Desktop software (not cloud-based), requires setup

2. Rank Tracker (SEO PowerSuite)

Download Rank Tracker

If you only need rank tracking, this standalone tool is one of the most scalable alternatives to Semrush’s Position Tracking. It covers Google, Bing, Yahoo, and hundreds of local variations, with customizable reporting.

  • Best for: Freelancers and SMBs who need affordable, accurate rank tracking

  • Pros: Unlimited keywords, deep geo-targeting, competitor tracking

  • Cons: Desktop-based, advanced features take time to learn

3. Ahrefs

Often seen as Semrush’s main competitor, Ahrefs is best known for its massive backlink index. It also offers keyword research, content analysis, and site auditing.

  • Best for: Link builders and content marketers

  • Pros: Largest backlink database, intuitive interface, strong keyword explorer

  • Cons: Expensive, no free plan

4. Moz Pro

Moz has been around for years and still offers solid keyword tools, link metrics, and site audits. Its interface is beginner-friendly, making it a good starting point for small teams.

  • Best for: Beginners who want an easy learning curve

  • Pros: Clear UI, community resources, decent keyword tools

  • Cons: Smaller backlink index, fewer advanced features than Semrush

5. SE Ranking

An affordable cloud-based platform with strong rank tracking, keyword suggestions, and reporting. It’s often praised for its clean interface and balance of features.

  • Best for: SMBs that want an all-rounder without high costs

  • Pros: Affordable, white-label reports, solid keyword rank tracking

  • Cons: Smaller backlink index compared to Ahrefs or Semrush

6. Serpstat

Originally focused on Eastern Europe, Serpstat has grown into a global SEO platform. It’s competitively priced and includes rank tracking, keyword research, and site audits.

  • Best for: Growth teams working internationally on a budget

  • Pros: Good keyword database, affordable tiers, multi-user support

  • Cons: Interface can feel dated, backlink data not as strong

7. Mangools (KWFinder suite)

Known for its user-friendly KWFinder tool, Mangools offers a lightweight SEO suite that also includes SERPChecker, LinkMiner, and SiteProfiler.

  • Best for: Beginners and bloggers

  • Pros: Simple design, clear keyword difficulty scores, affordable

  • Cons: Limited features for advanced SEO, smaller databases

8. Ubersuggest

A low-cost SEO tool backed by Neil Patel, with a generous free tier. It covers keyword research, rank tracking, and site audits, making it a common entry-level alternative.

  • Best for: Freelancers and small business owners

  • Pros: Free plan available, easy to use, growing database

  • Cons: Limited depth in backlink data, daily limits

9. SpyFu

Specializes in competitive research for both SEO and PPC. It’s particularly useful for discovering competitor keywords and ad spend.

  • Best for: Marketers focusing on competitor intelligence

  • Pros: PPC + SEO data, strong competitor keyword insights

  • Cons: UI feels outdated, less comprehensive for audits

10. Majestic

A backlink-focused tool with unique metrics like Trust Flow and Citation Flow. It’s ideal for link builders who want to evaluate link quality.

  • Best for: Link acquisition specialists

  • Pros: Detailed link metrics, large backlink index

  • Cons: No keyword research, clunky interface

11. Sistrix

Popular in Europe, Sistrix is known for its “visibility index” metric. It covers keyword rankings, on-page analysis, and competitor tracking.

  • Best for: European markets and visibility benchmarking

  • Pros: Trusted visibility index, strong historical data

  • Cons: Pricing is module-based and adds up quickly

12. Similarweb DMI

A market intelligence platform rather than a pure SEO tool. It offers competitor traffic data, audience insights, and industry trends.

  • Best for: Enterprises needing broad market intelligence

  • Pros: Great for benchmarking and strategy, traffic source breakdown

  • Cons: Expensive, overkill for small teams

13. CognitiveSEO

Offers content optimization, rank tracking, and link analysis. It’s particularly strong in content audits and unnatural link detection.

  • Best for: Content marketers and link risk analysis

  • Pros: Unique features for content optimization, link audits

  • Cons: Smaller databases, higher learning curve

14. Nightwatch

Focused on modern rank tracking with strong local SEO support. The clean dashboards and visualization tools make it a good fit for agencies.

  • Best for: Local SEO agencies and reporting

  • Pros: Local tracking, integrations, customizable dashboards

  • Cons: Narrower feature set compared to suites

15. AccuRanker

A premium rank tracking tool with an emphasis on speed and accuracy. Supports on-demand rank checks and a strong API.

  • Best for: Enterprise SEO teams that need API access

  • Pros: Very fast updates, robust integrations, accurate local data

  • Cons: Expensive for small teams, rank tracking only

16. Rank Ranger

An SEO platform with customizable reporting and advanced SERP feature tracking.

  • Best for: Agencies needing flexible reports

  • Pros: White-labeling, SERP feature data, integrations

  • Cons: Interface can feel overwhelming, not as polished

17. WebCEO

Agency-focused software with client portals, white-label reports, and collaboration tools.

  • Best for: Agencies managing multiple client accounts

  • Pros: Team collaboration, client dashboards, full SEO toolkit

  • Cons: Outdated UI, steep pricing at higher tiers

18. Screaming Frog (with a keyword tool)

A powerful site crawler often paired with KWFinder, Ubersuggest, or another keyword tool.

  • Best for: Technical SEOs and site auditors

  • Pros: Industry-standard crawler, deep audits, flexible integrations

  • Cons: No built-in keyword or backlink research

Which Semrush alternative should you choose?

The right tool depends less on “what’s best overall” and more on what you actually need. Here’s a simple way to decide:

  • On a tight budget / just starting out → Try a free or low-cost tool like Google Search Console, Ubersuggest, or Mangools. You’ll cover keyword basics without overspending.

  • Need scalable rank tracking → Desktop-based options like Rank Tracker or AccuRanker make more sense than Semrush’s per-keyword pricing. Agencies managing thousands of keywords often save big here.

  • Backlink building is your main focus → Go with Ahrefs or Majestic. Their indexes are bigger and updated faster than most all-in-one platforms.

  • Local SEO is critical → Nightwatch and SE Ranking both offer precise geo-targeted ranking checks down to city or ZIP level.

  • Running an agency / need client reporting → WebCEO and SE Ranking have white-label reports and portals that save hours.

  • Need broad competitive intelligence beyond SEO → Consider Similarweb DMI or Sistrix, which track traffic and visibility on a market-wide level.

  • Want an all-rounder but cheaper than Semrush → SE Ranking and Serpstat are balanced cloud-based suites, while SEO PowerSuite is a strong desktop-based value if you prefer unlimited projects.

In short: if you know your priority — keywords, backlinks, local SEO, or reporting — you can skip the extras and pick the tool that gives you the best ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Semrush alternative?
The best Semrush alternative depends on your needs. For all-in-one SEO at a lower price, SE Ranking and Serpstat are strong choices. For unlimited keyword tracking, SEO PowerSuite’s Rank Tracker stands out. For backlinks, Ahrefs is still the leader.

Is there a free alternative to Semrush?
Yes. Google Search Console is the most reliable free alternative to Semrush for basic keyword and site performance tracking. For broader data, tools like SEO PowerSuite’s free edition or Ubersuggest also offer limited free plans.

What are the main Semrush competitors?
The top Semrush competitors are Ahrefs, Moz Pro, SEO PowerSuite, SE Ranking, Serpstat, Majestic, and Similarweb. Each tool specializes in different areas like backlink analysis, rank tracking, or all-in-one SEO.

Which Semrush alternative is best for agencies?
SE Ranking, WebCEO, and Nightwatch are popular with agencies thanks to white-label reports, client portals, and scalable rank tracking. Rank Tracker is also widely used for handling unlimited keywords at lower cost.

What is the cheapest Semrush alternative?
SEO PowerSuite is one of the most affordable Semrush alternatives because it uses a one-time license model instead of charging per keyword. SE Ranking also offers flexible pricing starting from $39 per month.

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