If you’ve been in the SEO world for even a few months, you already know why SEMrush is such a big name. It’s packed with features—keyword research, competitor insights, backlink audits, rank tracking, and content analysis. But for many users, SEMrush is also expensive, overwhelming, or full of tools they don’t actually need.
This is why thousands of bloggers, marketers agencies, small-sized businesses look to find alternative options to SEMrush every year. The good news? in 2026, there will be many SEO platforms that compete with SEMrush. Some even surpass it in certain areas such as keyword research rank tracking, and backlink analysis.
Here’s a friendly, human-first guide to the best SEMrush alternatives worth trying right now.
1. Ahrefs — The Most Powerful All-Around SEMrush Alternative
If SEMrush has a true rival, it’s Ahrefs.
Why SEO pros love it
- One of the largest backlink databases
- Excellent keyword research tools
- Great competitor analysis
- Fast and accurate rank tracking
- Clean and intuitive UI
Ahrefs is perfect if you want deep SEO insights without unnecessary complexity.
Best for:
Agencies, website owners, link builders, and serious SEO professionals.
2. Moz Pro — Trusted, Beginner-Friendly & Reliable
Moz has been around for years, and it remains one of the most trusted SEO platforms.
What makes Moz stand out
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Accurate domain authority (DA) metrics
- Clear competitor insights
- Helpful content optimization tools
- Fantastic customer education
If SEMrush feels overwhelming, Moz Pro feels like the “friendly professor” of SEO tools.
Best for:
Beginners, bloggers, and small businesses.
3. Ubersuggest — Affordable & Surprisingly Strong
Ubersuggest is a budget-friendly option that still offers strong SEO features.
Top benefits
- Very affordable
- Simple keyword research
- Content idea generator
- Site audits
- Competitive insights
It’s not as powerful as SEMrush or Ahrefs, but it’s more than enough for most freelancers, bloggers, or early-stage businesses.
Best for:
New marketers, freelancers, and budget-focused website owners.
4. SERanking — Great Value + Comprehensive Features
SERanking is one of the most underrated SEMrush competitors.
Why people switch to SERanking
- Lower pricing
- Accurate rank tracking
- Deep keyword insights
- Backlink monitoring
- Marketing plan + website audit tools
It’s a solid all-in-one SEO platform, especially for agencies managing multiple client sites.
Best for:
Agencies, small-to-medium businesses, SEO teams.
5. Mangools — The Best UI & Easiest Learning Curve
Mangools (KWFinder, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner) is a beautiful, beginner-friendly SEO toolkit.
Why Mangools is great
- KWFinder has some of the best keyword difficulty accuracy
- Very clean interface
- Affordable pricing
- Easy link analysis
- Useful SERP snapshots
If you want something powerful without overwhelm, Mangools is a fantastic pick.
Best for:
Bloggers, affiliate marketers, and beginners.
6. SpyFu — The Best SEMrush Alternative for Competitor Research
SpyFu focuses heavily on what your competitors are ranking for.
What people love
- Exceptional competitor keyword data
- Easy PPC research
- Historical ranking insights
- Great for identifying content gaps
If competitor intelligence is your #1 priority, SpyFu might beat SEMrush for your workflow.
Best for:
Businesses in competitive niches, PPC managers, SEO professionals.
7. Google Search Console + Google Trends (Free Combo)
If you’re on a tight budget, don’t underestimate free Google tools.
What this combo gives you
- Real search data from your own website
- Keyword performance
- Click-through insights
- Emerging search trends
- Indexing and technical data
You won’t get competitor insights, but for optimizing your existing content, Google’s tools are incredibly powerful.
Best for:
Beginners, small businesses, DIY SEO.
8. Majestic — Best for Backlink Analysis Only
If links are your top priority, Majestic shines.
Why SEOs choose Majestic
- Huge backlink database
- Trust Flow & Citation Flow metrics
- Anchor text breakdown
- Deep link intelligence
Majestic isn’t an all-in-one platform, but as a specialized backlink tool, it can rival (and sometimes beat) SEMrush.
Best for:
Link builders, SEOs focusing on off-page optimization.
9. Rank Math + Analytics (Free + Pro Tools)
If you run WordPress, Rank Math + its Analytics features can replace many SEMrush tasks.
Why it helps
- In-dashboard keyword tracking
- Content scoring
- Schema automation
- Simple SEO audit features
- Affordable upgrades
It’s not a full SEMrush replacement, but it fills in a surprising number of SEO gaps.
Best for:
WordPress site owners and content creators.
Comparison Table: Best SEMrush Alternatives (2026)
| Tool | Best For | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | All-purpose SEO | Backlinks, keyword research, competitor insights | Can be pricey |
| Moz Pro | Beginners & SMBs | Easy UI, strong authority metrics | Smaller backlink index |
| Ubersuggest | Budget SEO | Affordable, simple tools | Less powerful data |
| SERanking | Agencies | Rank tracking, site audits | Interface not as polished |
| Mangools | Bloggers & affiliates | Beautiful UI, great KW data | Limited advanced features |
| SpyFu | Competitor research | PPC + SEO intelligence | Less useful for audits |
| Majestic | Link builders | Deep backlink insights | Not an all-in-one tool |
| Google Tools (Free) | Beginners | Real site data, accurate performance | No competitor research |
Which SEMrush Alternative Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick shortcut:
- Best overall SEMrush competitor: Ahrefs
- Best for beginners: Moz Pro or Mangools
- Best budget pick: Ubersuggest
- Best for agencies: SERanking
- Best for deep competitor intelligence: SpyFu
- Best for backlinks: Majestic
- Best free option: Google Search Console + Trends
Your ideal tool depends on what you prioritize:
Backlinks? Keyword data? Competitor research? Pricing? Simplicity?
FAQs: SEMrush Alternatives
1. Why look for a SEMrush alternative?
Users often switch to save money, simplify their workflow, or get better insights in areas like backlink analysis or competitor research.
2. Which tool is most similar to SEMrush?
Ahrefs and SERanking are the closest full alternatives in terms of features.
3. What’s the cheapest SEMrush alternative?
Ubersuggest offers strong features at a much lower cost, and Google’s tools are completely free.
4. Which alternative is best for keyword research?
Ahrefs and Mangools (KWFinder) both provide accurate keyword difficulty and search volumes.
5. What’s the best alternative for agencies?
SERanking offers agency-friendly pricing, reporting features, and client dashboards.
Final Thoughts
SEMrush is an amazing tool, but it’s not your only choice. Based on your needs and budget as well as your experience level, one of these options could fit your needs better. If you’re looking for deep backlinks, a more simple dashboard, a less expensive cost, or a plethora of competitor analysis There’s a great SEMrush alternative for you.
Select the tool that is compatible to your SEO strategy rather than the one with the most features and you’ll achieve more results and faster.