9 Affordable and Cheaper Ahrefs Alternatives in 2024

Ahrefs Alternatives: Budget-Friendly SEO Tools That Pack a Punch

Ahrefs is a fantastic SEO tool, but let's face it - that price tag can make your eyes water. At $129 to $1249 a month, it's not exactly pocket change.

But don't worry, there's a whole world of tools out there ready to boost your rankings without requiring a second mortgage. Let's explore some Ahrefs alternatives that'll keep both your SEO game and your bank account healthy.

Before we dive in, let's quickly recap why you might be shopping around:

1. The cost is outside your budget.

2. Half of Ahrefs' features are gathering digital dust.

3. You're an SEO newbie and Ahrefs feels like overkill.

4. You need something more focused on your specific needs.

Alright, let's check out these alternatives!

For a detailed analysis of each tool, read below.

Ahrefs Alternatives: In-depth Analysis 

1. Inpages

Imagine having an SEO expert who works 24/7, never gets tired, and actually speaks human. That's Inpages in a nutshell. While Ahrefs casts a wide net, Inpages laser-focuses on making bloggers' lives easier with its AI-driven approach.

What it's great for:

• Automated keyword research powered by AI

• Site performance analysis with hidden opportunity discovery

• Google Search Console integration for comprehensive insights

• Clear, actionable content improvement tips

• User-friendly interface designed for bloggers

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• Less comprehensive backlink analysis

• Fewer advanced technical SEO features

• May not be suitable for large-scale enterprise needs

Pricing: Beta version

2. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest brings Neil Patel's SEO expertise to the masses, offering a more wallet-friendly alternative to Ahrefs without sacrificing essential features.

What it's great for:

• Comprehensive keyword research and content ideas

• Site audit functionality to identify SEO issues

• Competitor analysis to uncover strategic opportunities

• Backlink data to inform link-building strategies

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• Smaller keyword database

• Less frequent data updates

• Limited historical data

Pricing: Starts at $12/month for individuals, with higher tiers for businesses and agencies

3. Mangools

Mangools offers a suite of five interconnected SEO tools, providing a user-friendly alternative to Ahrefs that's particularly suitable for SEO beginners and small businesses.

What it's great for:

• Intuitive keyword research with KWFinder

• SERP analysis and rank tracking

• Backlink analysis and link prospecting

• On-page SEO optimization suggestions

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• Less extensive backlink database

• Fewer advanced features for technical SEO

• Limited API access

Pricing: Starts at $29.90/month when billed annually, with higher tiers offering more features and data

4. SE Ranking

SE Ranking provides a wide range of SEO tools in a more affordable package, making it an attractive Ahrefs alternative for businesses of all sizes.

What it's great for:

• All-in-one platform for keyword research, rank tracking, and site audits

• White-label reporting for agencies

• Competitive research and analysis

• Social media management integration

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• Smaller keyword database

• Less robust content explorer tool

• Fewer advanced features for enterprise-level users

Pricing: Starts at $52/month when billed annually, with custom plans available for larger organizations

5. Google Search Console

While not a direct Ahrefs competitor, Google Search Console offers invaluable data about your website's performance in Google search results.

What it's great for:

• Direct insights into how Google sees your site

• Identification of technical issues affecting search performance

• Basic keyword performance data

• Mobile usability reports

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• Limited to your own website data

• No competitor analysis features

• Basic keyword research capabilities

• No backlink analysis tools

Pricing: Free

6. Google Trends

Google Trends offers a unique perspective on search behavior, complementing other SEO tools with its focus on trending topics and comparative search volume.

What it's great for:

• Identifying emerging trends in your industry

• Comparing search interest across different topics or keywords

• Analyzing seasonal trends to inform content strategy

• Geographical insights into search popularity

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• No specific keyword difficulty or volume metrics

• Limited to trend analysis, lacks other SEO features

• Data is relative, not absolute

Pricing: Free

7. Google Keyword Planner

Originally designed for Google Ads, Keyword Planner can be a useful free tool for SEO keyword research, especially when combined with other resources.

What it's great for:

• Discovering new keyword ideas related to your products or services

• Getting search volume data and trends

• Forecasting potential traffic for selected keywords

• Budget planning for paid search campaigns

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• Primarily focused on paid search, less tailored for organic SEO

• Broad search volume ranges rather than exact figures

• Limited competitor analysis features

• No backlink analysis or site audit tools

Pricing: Free with a Google Ads account

8. Answer the Public

Answer the Public specializes in generating content ideas based on questions people are asking online, making it a unique tool in the SEO landscape.

What it's great for:

• Discovering question-based keywords for content creation

• Understanding user intent and common queries in your niche

• Generating ideas for FAQ pages and blog posts

• Visual representation of search queries

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• Focused solely on question-based queries

• Limited to idea generation, lacks other SEO features

• No rank tracking or site audit capabilities

• Restricted number of searches in the free version

Pricing: Free for limited use, paid plans start at $5/month

9. Screaming Frog

Screaming Frog's SEO Spider is a powerful desktop program that crawls websites to provide detailed technical SEO analysis.

What it's great for:

• Comprehensive site audits to identify technical SEO issues

• Analyzing site structure and internal linking

• Identifying duplicate content, broken links, and redirect chains

• Extracting data for large-scale SEO projects

Limitations (compared to Ahrefs):

• Primarily focused on technical SEO and site audits

• No built-in keyword research or rank tracking features

• Steeper learning curve for beginners

• Limited to 500 URLs in the free version

Pricing: Free for up to 500 URLs, £239/year for the full license

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Ahrefs remains a powerhouse in the SEO world, these alternatives offer compelling features at various price points. Whether you're a blogger looking for AI-powered assistance, a small business owner on a budget, or a technical SEO pro in need of specific tools, there's an option out there for you. 

Remember, the best tool is the one that fits your specific needs and budget – so don't be afraid to try out a few before settling on your go-to SEO companion.