7 Sites Like SEMrush for Keyword Research & SEO
SEMrush is powerful but pricey. Here are 7 websites similar to SEMrush that offer excellent keyword research, rank tracking, and backlink analysis—many at lower prices.
If you're searching for sites like SEMrush, you're probably looking for one of two things: something cheaper or something simpler. Maybe both.
Good news: there are several excellent alternatives that deliver similar features without the $140/month price tag or the overwhelming complexity.
What Do Sites Like SEMrush Offer?
All SEO platforms similar to SEMrush share these core features:
- Keyword Research – Find keywords with search volume and competition data
- Rank Tracking – Monitor your position in search results
- Backlink Analysis – See who links to you and competitors
- Site Audit – Identify technical SEO issues
- Competitor Analysis – Spy on competitor strategies
The differences come down to price, user experience, and data depth.
7 Best Sites Similar to SEMrush
1. Keywords.chat – Chat-Based SEO Tool
Price: $59/month
Website: keywords.chat
Keywords.chat takes a radical approach: instead of dashboards, you chat with an AI that has access to real SEO data. No menus, no learning curve—just ask questions.
Best for: Indie hackers and startups who want simplicity
Why it's like SEMrush: Covers all essential SEO tasks (keyword research, rank tracking, backlinks, SERP analysis) but in a dramatically simpler interface. 58% cheaper too ($59 vs $140/mo).
2. Ahrefs – The SEO Professional's Choice
Price: $129/month
Website: ahrefs.com
Ahrefs is SEMrush's main competitor. Many SEO pros actually prefer Ahrefs for its cleaner interface and superior backlink data.
Best for: SEO professionals and agencies
Why it's like SEMrush: Nearly identical feature set with arguably better backlink indexing. The two are often compared head-to-head.
3. Moz Pro – The OG SEO Platform
Price: $99/month
Website: moz.com
Moz created Domain Authority (DA), the industry-standard metric for site strength. It's a comprehensive platform with excellent educational resources.
Best for: Agencies needing client reporting
Why it's like SEMrush: Full-featured platform with keyword research, rank tracking, site audit, and link analysis. Less data than SEMrush but more user-friendly.
4. Mangools – The Beautiful Alternative
Price: $49/month
Website: mangools.com
Mangools offers 5 beautiful SEO tools in one package. Their KWFinder tool is particularly good at finding low-competition keywords.
Best for: Bloggers and content creators
Why it's like SEMrush: Covers all core SEO needs with a much friendlier interface and at 1/3 the price. Perfect for non-technical users.
5. SE Ranking – The Agency Favorite
Price: $65/month
Website: seranking.com
SE Ranking is an underrated all-in-one platform popular with agencies for its white-label reporting capabilities.
Best for: Freelancers and agencies
Why it's like SEMrush: Comprehensive feature set at half the price, with built-in client reporting and marketing plan builder.
6. Ubersuggest – The Budget Option
Price: $29/month
Website: neilpatel.com/ubersuggest
Neil Patel's Ubersuggest is the most affordable professional SEO tool. It's perfect for beginners or those on a tight budget.
Best for: Beginners and budget-conscious users
Why it's like SEMrush: Covers the basics (keyword research, site audit, backlinks) at just 20% of SEMrush's cost. Great for learning SEO.
7. SpyFu – The Competitor Intelligence Site
Price: $39/month
Website: spyfu.com
SpyFu specializes in competitive intelligence, showing you exactly what keywords your competitors rank for and buy ads on—going back years.
Best for: Competitor research and PPC
Why it's like SEMrush: Excels at competitor analysis with historical data showing competitor strategies over time. Particularly strong for AdWords research.
Quick Comparison Table
| Site | Price/Month | Best Feature | Perfect For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keywords.chat | $59 | Chat interface | Indie hackers |
| Ahrefs | $129 | Backlink data | SEO pros |
| Moz Pro | $99 | Domain Authority | Agencies |
| Mangools | $49 | User-friendly UI | Bloggers |
| SE Ranking | $65 | White-label reports | Freelancers |
| Ubersuggest | $29 | Price | Beginners |
| SpyFu | $39 | Competitor intel | PPC marketers |
| SEMrush | $140 | Most comprehensive | Enterprises |
Which Website Should You Choose?
Here's my honest recommendation based on your situation:
- Want the simplest experience? → Keywords.chat or Mangools
- Need the cheapest option? → Ubersuggest at $29/mo
- Running an agency? → SE Ranking (white-label) or Moz (brand reputation)
- Serious about backlinks? → Ahrefs (best backlink index)
- Focused on competitors? → SpyFu (best competitor research)
💡 Pro Tip: Don't just go by features lists. Try free trials and see which one you actually enjoy using. The best SEO tool is the one you'll use consistently.
Do You Really Need Something as Powerful as SEMrush?
Here's the truth: SEMrush is built for enterprises. If you're managing 50+ client sites and need every advanced feature, SEMrush is worth it.
But if you're an indie hacker with 1-3 projects? You're paying for features you'll never use:
- 10+ years of historical data (do you really need this?)
- Social media management tools (you probably use Buffer/Hootsuite)
- PPC tools (unless you run Google Ads)
- Content marketplace (most people write their own)
Most small businesses and startups need just 4 things:
- Keyword research with search volume
- Rank tracking for their top keywords
- Basic backlink monitoring
- SERP analysis to understand competition
All 7 sites listed above offer these features at 40-80% lower cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best SEMrush alternatives for small businesses?
Ubersuggest ($29/mo) for tight budgets, Mangools ($49/mo) for ease of use, or Keywords.chat ($59/mo) for a chat-based workflow. All three provide keyword research, rank tracking, and backlink analysis without SEMrush's complexity.
Is Ahrefs cheaper than SEMrush?
No, Ahrefs costs $129/month vs SEMrush's $140/month—only $11 cheaper. However, Ahrefs is often considered better value because its backlink data is more accurate and the interface is cleaner. If price is your concern, look at Ubersuggest or Mangools instead.
Can I get SEMrush features for free?
Partially. Use Google Search Console (free, your own rankings), Google Keyword Planner (free with Google Ads, search volumes), and Ubersuggest's free plan (3 searches/day). You won't get competitor analysis or backlink data, but it's enough for basic keyword research.
Which site is easiest to use instead of SEMrush?
Keywords.chat—it's literally a chat interface. No dashboards, no menus, just ask questions like "what keywords should I target for project management software?" For traditional dashboards, Mangools has the simplest UI.
Do I need SEMrush if I'm just starting with SEO?
No. SEMrush is overkill for beginners. Start with Ubersuggest ($29/mo) or Keywords.chat ($59/mo) to learn the basics. Upgrade to SEMrush/Ahrefs ($120-140/mo) only when you're managing multiple clients or enterprise sites.
Try the Simplest SEMrush Alternative
Keywords.chat delivers all essential SEO tools through a simple chat interface. No dashboards, no complexity—just ask questions and get answers.
Start 7-Day Free Trial →Final Thoughts
SEMrush is an excellent platform, but it's not the only option. For most indie hackers, startups, and small businesses, a simpler and more affordable alternative will serve you just as well.
The key is finding a tool that matches your:
- Budget – Don't overpay for enterprise features you won't use
- Technical level – Some tools are much more user-friendly than others
- Workflow – Do you prefer dashboards or chat? Desktop or mobile?
Try 2-3 tools with free trials, use them for your actual SEO work for a week, and see which one feels right. That's the only way to know for sure.
Questions about choosing the right SEO tool? Email me at hello@keywords.chat