Best Ahrefs Alternative: 10 Cheaper Tools Compared (2025)
Ahrefs is incredible—but at $129/month, it's expensive. If you're an indie hacker, solo founder, or small team, you're probably thinking: "Do I really need to pay this much for keyword research and backlink data?"
The answer: Probably not.
While Ahrefs has the best backlink database and a clean interface, most users only need 20% of its features. You're paying for enterprise-level data when you just need keyword research, rank tracking, and basic competitor analysis.
I've tested 10+ Ahrefs alternatives over the past year. Here's what I found: you can get 80% of Ahrefs' functionality at 40-70% of the cost—saving you $500-1,500 annually.
Why Look for an Ahrefs Alternative?
Ahrefs is a premium tool, but it's not the right fit for everyone. Here's why people search for alternatives:
- High cost – $129/month ($1,548/year) is steep for solo projects
- Feature overload – Most users only need keyword research + rank tracking
- Steep learning curve – Powerful, but takes time to master
- No PPC features – If you run Google Ads, you need a separate tool
- Overkill for small sites – Enterprise features you'll never use
The good news? There are excellent alternatives that give you everything you need at a fraction of the price.
Top 10 Ahrefs Alternatives (Ranked by Value)
1. Keywords.chat – Best for Indie Hackers
Price: $59/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: 54% ($70/mo, $840/year)
What is it? Keywords.chat is a chat-based SEO tool built specifically for indie hackers and founders who want results without complexity. No dashboards, no menus—just ask questions in plain English.
Key Features:
- Chat-based interface (no learning curve)
- Keyword research with search volume + difficulty
- Rank tracking with automatic monitoring
- Backlink analysis and monitoring
- Competitor analysis
- Technical SEO audits
Who it's for: Solo founders, indie hackers, and small teams who want simplicity over complexity.
Pros: Easiest to use, affordable, all-in-one tool
Cons: Smaller backlink database than Ahrefs
2. Ubersuggest – Best Budget Option
Price: $29/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: 78% ($100/mo, $1,200/year)
Ubersuggest by Neil Patel is the cheapest full-featured Ahrefs alternative. It covers all the essentials: keyword research, rank tracking, and backlink analysis.
Key Features:
- Keyword research with volume + CPC
- Site audit (technical SEO)
- Backlink checker
- Rank tracking
- Content ideas based on competitors
Who it's for: Beginners and bootstrapped founders on a tight budget.
Pros: Extremely affordable, simple interface, good for beginners
Cons: Less data than Ahrefs, limited reports per day
3. Mangools (KWFinder) – Best for Keyword Research
Price: $49/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: 62% ($80/mo, $960/year)
Mangools is a suite of 5 SEO tools (KWFinder, SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner, SiteProfiler) with the cleanest interface in the SEO world.
Key Features:
- Keyword research with accurate difficulty scores
- SERP analysis with detailed metrics
- Rank tracking with daily updates
- Backlink analysis (LinkMiner)
- Competitor research
Who it's for: Bloggers, content creators, and anyone who wants beautiful UX.
Pros: Gorgeous interface, affordable, great keyword difficulty scores
Cons: Smaller backlink database, limited API access
4. SE Ranking – Best All-in-One Platform
Price: $65/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: 50% ($64/mo, $768/year)
SE Ranking offers everything Ahrefs does (and more) at half the price. It's a full-featured platform with white-label reporting, making it popular with agencies.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive keyword research
- Rank tracking (desktop + mobile)
- Backlink checker and monitoring
- Site audit with technical SEO checks
- Competitor analysis
- White-label reports
Who it's for: Agencies and businesses that need white-label reporting.
Pros: Feature-rich, affordable, white-label option
Cons: Interface less polished than Ahrefs
5. Moz Pro – Best for Domain Authority
Price: $99/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: 23% ($30/mo, $360/year)
Moz invented Domain Authority (DA)—a metric trusted by millions of SEO professionals worldwide. If you care about DA/PA, Moz is the only option.
Key Features:
- Keyword research with accurate volume data
- Domain Authority and Page Authority metrics
- Link Explorer (backlink analysis)
- Rank tracking
- On-page optimization recommendations
Who it's for: SEO professionals who rely on Domain Authority metrics.
Pros: Trusted DA/PA metrics, solid data, good support
Cons: Smaller backlink database than Ahrefs, slower updates
6. SEMrush – Best for PPC + SEO
Price: $140/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: -9% (slightly more expensive)
SEMrush is Ahrefs' main competitor—similar price, but includes PPC and social media tools that Ahrefs doesn't have.
Key Features:
- Keyword research with Google Ads integration
- Rank tracking
- Backlink analysis
- PPC competitor research
- Social media management
- Content marketing toolkit
Who it's for: Marketers who need both SEO and PPC tools in one platform.
Pros: Comprehensive, includes PPC tools, excellent training
Cons: Slightly more expensive, complex interface
7. SpyFu – Best for Competitor Research
Price: $39/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: 70% ($90/mo, $1,080/year)
SpyFu specializes in spying on competitors—see every keyword they rank for and every ad they've run in the past 16 years.
Key Features:
- Competitor keyword analysis
- AdWords competitor history
- Backlink tracking
- SERP analysis
- Historical data (16 years!)
Who it's for: Competitive intelligence and PPC research.
Pros: Incredible competitor insights, affordable, historical data
Cons: US-focused, weaker international coverage
8. Serpstat – Best for International SEO
Price: $59/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: 54% ($70/mo, $840/year)
Serpstat offers international database coverage across 230+ countries at an affordable price.
Key Features:
- Keyword research (30+ country databases)
- Site audit
- Backlink analysis
- Rank tracking
- Missing keywords finder
Who it's for: Businesses doing SEO in multiple countries.
Pros: Great international coverage, affordable
Cons: Smaller backlink database, less polished UI
9. Majestic – Best for Link Building
Price: $49/month
Savings vs Ahrefs: 62% ($80/mo, $960/year)
Majestic is a backlink-only tool with unique Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics that many link builders swear by.
Key Features:
- Massive backlink database
- Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics
- Link context analysis
- Historical backlink data
- Bulk backlink checker
Who it's for: Link building specialists.
Pros: Best backlink database, unique metrics, affordable
Cons: No keyword research tools
10. Sistrix – Best for European Markets
Price: €99/month (~$105)
Savings vs Ahrefs: 19% ($24/mo, $288/year)
Sistrix is huge in Europe (especially Germany) with a unique Visibility Index that European SEOs trust.
Key Features:
- Visibility Index (European focus)
- Keyword research
- Backlink analysis
- Rank tracking
- Competitor monitoring
Who it's for: European businesses and agencies.
Pros: Strong European data, trusted by EU agencies
Cons: Less useful outside Europe
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Price/mo | Best For | Savings vs Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | $129 | Premium backlink data | — |
| Ubersuggest | $29 | Tight budgets | $1,200/year |
| SpyFu | $39 | Competitor research | $1,080/year |
| Mangools | $49 | Beautiful UX | $960/year |
| Majestic | $49 | Link building | $960/year |
| Keywords.chat | $59 | Indie hackers | $840/year |
| Serpstat | $59 | International SEO | $840/year |
| SE Ranking | $65 | Agencies | $768/year |
| Moz Pro | $99 | Domain Authority | $360/year |
| Sistrix | $105 | Europe | $288/year |
| SEMrush | $140 | PPC + SEO | -$132/year |
How to Choose the Right Ahrefs Alternative
Picking the right tool depends on your specific needs. Here's how to decide:
If You're Bootstrapping ($29-49/mo budget)
- Use: Ubersuggest ($29) or Mangools ($49)
- Pro: All essential features at lowest cost
- Con: Less data than premium tools
If You Want Simplicity ($59/mo budget)
- Use: Keywords.chat ($59)
- Pro: Chat interface, zero learning curve, all features
- Con: Smaller backlink database than Ahrefs
If You Need White-Label Reports ($65/mo+)
- Use: SE Ranking ($65)
- Pro: Professional reports for clients
- Con: More expensive than budget options
If You Only Need Backlinks ($49/mo)
- Use: Majestic ($49)
- Pro: Best backlink database, Trust Flow metrics
- Con: No keyword research tools
💡 Pro Tip: Most tools offer 7-14 day free trials. Test 2-3 alternatives with your actual projects before committing. The "best" tool is the one you'll actually use every week.
Do You Really Need Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is worth $129/month if you:
- Manage SEO for 10+ client sites
- Build links professionally and need the best backlink data
- Have a team of 3+ people using it daily
- Need the most accurate keyword difficulty scores
- Can afford enterprise-level tools
But if you're a solo founder, indie hacker, or small team... you'll get 80% of the value from a cheaper alternative at 40-70% of the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest Ahrefs alternative?
Ubersuggest at $29/month is the cheapest full-featured alternative with keyword research, rank tracking, and backlink analysis. For even tighter budgets, combine free tools like Google Search Console + Google Keyword Planner.
Is there a free alternative to Ahrefs?
Not with all features, but you can use Google Search Console (free, your own rankings), Google Keyword Planner (free with Google Ads account, search volumes), and Ubersuggest's free plan (3 searches/day) for basic keyword research.
Which tool has better backlink data than Ahrefs?
None—Ahrefs has the largest and most frequently updated backlink database. Majestic comes closest with unique Trust Flow metrics, and SEMrush is also competitive, but Ahrefs is generally considered #1 for backlink data.
Can I switch from Ahrefs without losing my data?
Yes! Export your tracked keywords and rankings from Ahrefs (CSV format), then import them into your new tool. Most alternatives like SE Ranking, Moz, and Keywords.chat support CSV imports for rank tracking projects.
Which Ahrefs alternative is best for beginners?
Keywords.chat (chat-based, zero learning curve) or Ubersuggest (simple dashboard, affordable). Both are designed for non-technical users, unlike Ahrefs which assumes you're already an SEO expert.
Try the Simplest Ahrefs Alternative
Keywords.chat gives you all the essential SEO tools through a simple chat interface. No dashboards, no complexity—just ask questions and get answers. Save $840/year compared to Ahrefs.
Start 7-Day Free Trial →Final Thoughts
Ahrefs is an excellent tool—but for most indie hackers and small businesses, it's overkill. You're paying for enterprise features you'll never use.
The right Ahrefs alternative depends on your:
- Budget – Ubersuggest ($29) vs Moz ($99) is a huge difference
- Use case – Need backlinks only? Get Majestic. Need simplicity? Try Keywords.chat.
- Experience level – Beginners benefit from simpler tools with less overwhelming interfaces
Start with a free trial, test it for a week with your actual SEO work, and see if it fits. The best tool is the one you'll actually use consistently—not the one with the most features.