12 Best Semrush Alternatives and Competitors for SEO Success

In the large, constantly changing world of digital marketing, SEO tools are the cartographers mapping your way through uncharted territories of the internet. Among them is Semrush, standing tall, but is it the only route to success? The question many businesses now find themselves asking is whether there’s a Semrush alternative that might serve them better.
It’s no sweat to find sites like Semrush these days. Whether it be for budgetary concerns, specific feature needs, or even the complexity of the tool itself, there are many solid Semrush competitors ready to take the stage.

Let’s delve into this journey of discovery and find the perfect tool that would bring your SEO strategy to life.

Why Consider Semrush Alternatives?

For long, Semrush has been a beacon in the SEO world; even those who doubted using this tool in the first place, after trying the free version of Semrush, changed their minds.
Still, there are a number of reasons why you might finally want something else. Perhaps it’s because subscription costs are already eating a hole into your wallet, or perhaps the steep learning curve becomes quite overwhelming. Maybe you’re tired of extra costs to add more features or find Semrush falls short in an offering for local SEO and content marketing. Whatever your reasons may be, you may remove from the list the task to find websites like Semrush if you’re reading this article. The world of SEO tools like Semrush is vast, and you are not limited to one. For those seeking expert guidance, SEO consulting can help you navigate these tools effectively and tailor them to your specific needs. Keeping that in mind, here are:

Top 12 Semrush Alternatives and Their Strengths

Here, we unmask the most competitive tools in the market—right next to each other—as leading contenders just perfect for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

1. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a secret, magic weapon in a digital strategist’s utility belt. In fact, as one might well know, this tool is highly appreciated for backlink analysis and competitive research. With Ahrefs, you can discover the hidden links among websites and understand exactly what you need to do in order to outcompete them.

• Pros: Great for backlink analysis and keyword tracking.
• Cons: Lacks great local SEO features.
• Link: https://ahrefs.com/

2. Serpstat

Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO suite that’s great at keyword research, rank tracking, and auditing your site’s health. If you’re looking for a Semrush competitor that will cover many bases, Serpstat might become your new best friend.

• Pros: All-in-one platform with keyword research and site audits in one place.
• Cons: Slower interface and fewer integrations than Semrush.
• Link: https://serpstat.com/

3. Moz Pro

Moz Pro is the go-to tool for every business operating on multiple sites. It is well-liked because of its local SEO possibilities and smooth work with big and complicated projects.

• Pros: Excellent for local SEO; perfect for those managing numerous websites.
• Cons: Sometimes an overcomplicated interface; not all data is as fresh when compared to some other competitors.
• Link: https://moz.com/products/pro

4. Mangools/KWFinder

If you are a newbie in SEO and need something easy to handle, Mangools will give you a soft introduction. Its keyword research tool, KWFinder, is pretty intuitive, especially for small businesses on a really tight budget.

• Pros: Super easy to use and affordable.
• Cons: Limited in advanced SEO features compared to Semrush, for example.
• Link: https://mangools.com/kwfinder/

5. Ubersuggest

For all the penny-pinchers, here it goes: Ubersuggest might not have all the bells and whistles, but it definitely stands out when it comes to the beginners dipping their toes into the SEO waters.

• Pros: Inexpensive, simple, and offering essential features in SEO.
• Cons: Less powerful tool for higher-end users.
• Link: https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/

6. Google Keyword Planner

As for raw data straight from the horse’s mouth, nothing beats Google Keyword Planner. It is reliable, accurate, and free, but its focus is mainly on Google Ads.

• Pros: Free and trustworthy data provided directly by Google itself.
• Cons: Only includes data about Google Ads and does not contain other SEO-specific features.
• Link: https://ads.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/

7. Similarweb

Similarweb is all about traffic analysis and, therefore, the web performance of your competitors. It does not focus on SEO itself, but it may provide some important insights for your overall digital strategy.

• Pros: Great for in-depth traffic analysis.
• Cons: Fewer SEO features compared with Semrush.
• Link: https://www.similarweb.com/

8. BrightLocal

If local SEO is your bread-and-butter business, BrightLocal is what you need. And by focusing on local rankings, they are laser-focused on that aspect for businesses that have a regional focus.

• Pros: Specializes in local SEO; very user-friendly tracking tools.
• Cons: Not for global SEO.
• Link: https://www.brightlocal.com/

9. SE Ranking

SE Ranking will offer a very user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, starting from rank tracking to competitor analysis, at prices that won’t break the bank.

• Pros: Affordable; feature-rich, including website audit and competitor analysis.
• Cons: Advanced functionality is not as in-depth, in some instances, as Semrush or Ahrefs.
• Link: https://seranking.com/

10. Backlinko

Backlinko is so much more than a tool; it’s a repository of SEO knowledge. It will be great for finding out how SEO works through one of the best experts in this field..

• Pros: Detailed SEO guides and tips.
• Cons: Not a tool of analysis, but rather a teaching aid.
• Link: https://backlinko.com/

11. Majestic

Majestic is just for backlink analysis, making it one of the solid choices among digital marketers who want to employ link-building strategies. Although it may look a little behind compared with other tools in the market due to its minimalistic presentation style, what it provides is really great data.

• Pros: Great for link-building strategies.
• Cons: Looks somewhat out of date; not an all-rounded tool for SEO use.
• Link: https://majestic.com/

12. SISTRIX

SISTRIX provides great competitor analysis, and one may say that it is famous for its visibility index and keyword research.

• Pros: Strong visibility tracking and good for competitor analysis.
• Cons: A bit pricey, limited social media toolset.
• Link: https://www.sistrix.com/

Comparison Table

How These Tools Impact SEO and Organic Traffic

All these tools bring with them their respective ways of contributing to an increase in the organic traffic of a business. Be it backlink analysis, keyword research, or technical SEO audits, these tools can change the way one sees their website ranking.
Small businesses rely on budget-friendly solutions such as Ubersuggest and Mangools to handle their SEO management needs, while Ahrefs and Moz Pro will help larger-scale enterprises and agencies with detailed tracking of several clients’ performance. Meanwhile, local businesses find their lifeline for SEO in tools such as BrightLocal and SE Ranking. It’s up to you to decide whether any of these tools are better than Semrush. For businesses looking to scale efficiently, working with a B2B SEO consultant can provide tailored strategies that complement these tools and drive sustainable growth.

In Summary: Which Tool is the Best Semrush Alternative for Your Business?

We hope you enjoyed the list of tools similar to Semrush. Which is the best Semrush alternative for your business? That depends on what your business needs.
Whether you’re a small business on a budget that’s just meant for Ubersuggest or Mangools, an agency managing several clients who will be best served by Moz Pro or Ahrefs, or a business focused on local SEO where BrightLocal or SE Ranking are far and away the best tools for the job, the options are many, each bringing their own to any digital marketing strategy.

Still need guidance? We would love to help you with SEO strategy.
Set a date with us for a free consultation 🙂