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📅 November 11, 2025 ⏱️ 8 min read ✍️ Mattia Spinelli

SEMrush Free Alternative: 8 Budget SEO Tools

Can't justify $140/month for SEMrush? Here are 8 free and affordable alternatives that deliver solid keyword research, rank tracking, and SEO insights on a budget.

Let's be honest: SEMrush at $140/month is expensive. Especially if you're just starting out, running a side project, or bootstrapping a startup.

The good news? You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to do effective SEO. There are excellent free and affordable alternatives that cover the essentials.

Can You Really Get SEMrush Features for Free?

Here's the truth: Fully free tools have limitations. You won't get:

But for basic SEO needs—keyword research, rank checking, site audits—free tools can get you surprisingly far. And budget-paid tools ($29-59/mo) often deliver 80% of SEMrush's value at 20-40% of the cost.

Free SEMrush Alternatives

1. Google Search ConsoleFREE

Google's own tool shows you exactly what keywords you already rank for and how many clicks they generate. This is invaluable data that SEMrush can't even see.

What it does:

Limitations: Only shows data for YOUR site (no competitor research). No keyword suggestions or search volume data.

2. Google Keyword PlannerFREE

Part of Google Ads, this tool gives you search volume ranges for any keyword. It's primarily designed for PPC but works for SEO keyword research.

What it does:

Limitations: Requires Google Ads account. Shows broad ranges unless you're actively running campaigns. No rank tracking or backlink data.

3. Answer The PublicFREE (3/day)

Great for finding question-based keywords people are actually asking. Perfect for blog content ideas.

What it does:

Limitations: Free version limited to 3 searches per day. No search volume data. Paid plan required for unlimited use.

4. Google TrendsFREE

Shows you keyword trend data over time. Great for identifying seasonal keywords and rising topics.

What it does:

Limitations: Relative data only (no absolute search volumes). Limited to general trends, not precise competitive analysis.

Budget-Friendly Paid Alternatives

5. Ubersuggest — $29/month

Neil Patel's Ubersuggest is the most affordable full-featured SEO tool. It's perfect for beginners and covers all the basics.

What it does:

Best for: Beginners and budget-conscious solopreneurs. At $29/mo, it's 79% cheaper than SEMrush.

6. Mangools — $49/month

Mangools offers 5 beautiful SEO tools in one package. It's user-friendly and affordable, making it popular with bloggers.

What it does:

Best for: Content creators who want powerful features in a simple interface. 65% cheaper than SEMrush.

7. Keywords.chat — $59/month

Keywords.chat takes a unique approach: instead of dashboards, you simply chat with an AI that has access to real SEO data.

What it does:

Best for: Indie hackers and small teams who want simplicity over complexity. 58% cheaper than SEMrush.

8. SE Ranking — $65/month

SE Ranking is an underrated all-in-one platform that offers similar features to SEMrush at less than half the price.

What it does:

Best for: Freelancers and small agencies who need client reporting. 54% cheaper than SEMrush.

Comparison: Free vs Paid Alternatives

Tool Price Keyword Research Rank Tracking Backlinks
Google Search Console FREE ✅ (Your site only) ✅ ⚠️ Limited
Google Keyword Planner FREE ✅ ❌ ❌
Answer The Public FREE (3/day) ⚠️ Questions only ❌ ❌
Google Trends FREE ⚠️ Trends only ❌ ❌
Ubersuggest $29/mo ✅ ✅ ✅
Mangools $49/mo ✅ ✅ ✅
Keywords.chat $59/mo ✅ ✅ ✅
SE Ranking $65/mo ✅ ✅ ✅
SEMrush $140/mo ✅✅ ✅✅ ✅✅

How to Pick the Right Alternative

Here's how to choose based on your situation:

If You're Bootstrapping (Budget: $0)

If You Have a Small Budget ($29-49/mo)

If You Want Simplicity ($59-65/mo)

💡 Pro Tip: Start with free tools to learn SEO basics. Once you're making money from organic traffic, upgrade to a paid tool. Don't invest $140/mo in SEMrush until you're earning at least $500/mo from SEO.

The Smart Budget SEO Stack

Here's the stack I'd recommend for indie hackers on a budget:

  1. Google Search Console (FREE) — Track your rankings and find keywords you already rank for
  2. Keywords.chat or Mangools ($49-59/mo) — All-in-one tool for research and tracking
  3. Google Trends (FREE) — Validate seasonal trends

Total cost: $49-59/month vs SEMrush's $140/month = Save $972-1,092/year

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a 100% free alternative to SEMrush?

Yes, but it requires using multiple tools: Google Search Console (your own rankings), Google Keyword Planner (search volumes), Google Trends (trends), and Answer The Public (3 free searches/day for keyword ideas). You won't get competitor analysis or backlink data, but it's enough for basic SEO.

What's the cheapest paid SEMrush alternative?

Ubersuggest at $29/month is the cheapest full-featured alternative. It includes keyword research, rank tracking, backlink analysis, and site audits. While it has less data than SEMrush, it's perfect for solo entrepreneurs and small sites.

Can I use Google Search Console instead of SEMrush?

Partially. Google Search Console is free and excellent for tracking YOUR site's performance, but it doesn't offer competitor research, backlink analysis, or paid keyword data. Use GSC for your own site and add Ubersuggest ($29/mo) or Keywords.chat ($59/mo) for competitor insights.

Do free SEO tools give accurate data?

Google's free tools (Search Console, Keyword Planner, Trends) provide 100% accurate data because they come directly from Google. Third-party free tools like Ubersuggest's free plan or AnswerThePublic have limitations but are still useful for early-stage research.

When should I upgrade from free to paid SEO tools?

Upgrade when you're making at least $200-500/month from organic traffic. At that point, investing $29-59/mo in a proper tool will speed up your growth. Don't pay for premium tools ($100+/mo) until you're earning $1,000+/mo from SEO.

Try the Simplest SEMrush Alternative

Keywords.chat delivers all essential SEO tools through a simple chat interface at $59/mo. No dashboards, no complexity—just ask and get answers.

Start 7-Day Free Trial →

Final Thoughts: Free vs Paid

Here's the honest truth: Free tools work if you're willing to do manual work and piece together data from multiple sources.

But if you want to save time and get consistent results, a budget-paid tool ($29-65/mo) is worth it. You'll save 10+ hours per month on manual research.

And compared to SEMrush at $140/mo? Most indie hackers and small businesses will get 80% of the value at 40-60% of the cost with the alternatives above.

The key is to match your tool to your budget and needs. Don't overpay for enterprise features you won't use.

Questions about SEO tools on a budget? Email me at hello@keywords.chat