11 High Ahrefs Alternate options for Smarter SEO Methods | JP

You know the drill: You fire up your SEO tool, plug in a domain, and wait for the insights to roll in. But instead of game-changing data, you’re stuck sifting through the same keyword lists, stale backlink counts, and vague rankings. Sound familiar?

The truth is, Ahrefs is great,but it’s not perfect for every team. 

Maybe you need fresher data. Or a better view of what’s actually driving traffic across organic, paid, and referral. Or maybe you just want to stop switching between five tools to get the full picture.

That’s where this guide comes in.

Whether you’re scaling your SEO program, managing clients, or just starting out, you’ll find a solution that actually fits the way you work. Let’s dive in.

1. Similarweb

Main features and how you use them: 

Website Analysis

One of Similarweb’s biggest strengths is its Web Intelligence. It gives you a full view of any website’s digital performance. Just type in a domain and get a breakdown of its traffic, marketing channels, devices, on-page engagement, and more. 

Traffic overview
See total visits, bounce rate, session duration, and traffic trends over time. Compare sites side-by-side to spot spikes, drops, and where traffic’s coming from.

Audience insights
Break down audiences by country, device, demographics, and interests. Great for uncovering growth areas, or gaps in your current targeting.

Search traffic breakdown
View the split between organic and paid traffic, top keywords, and trends, with no access to their Google Ads needed.

Display advertising insights
See where competitors run display ads, what they look like, and which publishers they’re using. Perfect for planning smarter campaigns.

Market Analysis

Similarweb doesn’t just show you how a single site is doing. It gives you the full market view, so you can spot trends, benchmark performance, and make smarter moves.

• Segmentation: Zoom in on a section of your site and compare it to a specific part of a competitor’s site for a true apples-to-apples analysis.
• Players: Quickly find other sites in your space so you know exactly who you’re up against (and who to watch).
• Geography: See where each site’s traffic is coming from, so you can double down on where you’re winning or expand into new regions.
• Demand trends: Track rising or fading interest in keywords and topics to spot shifts in consumer behavior early.
• Demographics: Break down audiences by age and gender to refine messaging and reach the right people, faster.

Rank Tracker

If you’re serious about SEO, you need to track your rankings. Similarweb’s Rank Tracker makes it easy to monitor keyword performance daily.

Add your keywords and track their position over time, along with who else is ranking and which SERP features appear (snippets, videos, local packs). 

Where does it stand out? The Share of Search quadrant. It visualizes your visibility alongside competitors, making it easy to spot gains, losses, or opportunities.

Keyword Research

Everything you need to find high-impact keywords, fast.

• Keyword Generator: Discover long-tail keywords competitors miss in our keyword generator. Just enter a seed term to get ideas with search volume, CPC, and trend data.
• Search Ads: See the paid keywords, ad copy, landing pages, and campaign history behind what’s working for your competitors.
• SERP Snapshot: Preview the SERP for any keyword, see the content types, SERP features, and decide if it’s worth going after.
• Website Explorer – Keywords: Enter any site to see the organic and paid keywords driving real traffic. Filter by country, device, or search type.

Backlink Analytics

Similarweb’s Backlink Analytics steps in. It gives you more than just link counts. It gives you context.

Referring domains
See how many backlinks each referring domain is driving, and what kind of links they are. Get daily-updated data on total backlinks, dofollow vs. nofollow share, and Domain Trust Score (DTS) for every site linking to you.

Backlinks overview
Get a clear snapshot of any website’s backlink profile. See total backlinks, Domain Trust Score (DTS), and the specific dates when links were added or lost, so you can spot trends and opportunities fast.

Site Audit Tool

Similarweb’s Site Audit tool scans it for hundreds of technical SEO issues, from meta tag problems to broken internal links, crawl errors, and slow-loading pages. 

Better yet, Similarweb prioritizes them based on real-world impact to highlight which problems are actually hurting your visibility the most. That way, you know where to focus.

How Ahrefs Compares to Similarweb

Let’s be clear: Ahrefs is a solid SEO tool. It built its reputation on backlinks and still dominates in that area. But if you’re serious about growth, whether that’s organic, paid, or strategic market positioning, Similarweb gives you a very different level of insight.

Here’s how the two stack up:

1. Search Data: Real Behavior vs. Proxy Rankings

Ahrefs gathers keyword and traffic data primarily through its own web crawlers and partnerships with third-party data providers. That works fine if you’re just tracking rankings. But it doesn’t show what people actually click on.

Similarweb does.
Our data is built on a mix of first-party and panel-based behavioral data, showing you what users are searching for, clicking on, and engaging with across the entire web, not just the SERPs. So instead of guessing which keywords drive traffic, you see the ones that really do.

2. Full-Funnel Competitive Intelligence

This is where Similarweb really distinguishes itself.

Ahrefs shows you which sites rank for a keyword or link to a domain. Similarweb shows you how every competitor in your category is performing across the entire funnel, organic traffic, paid ads, referral partners, social media, display, and more.

Similarweb doesn’t just show you direct competitors. You can analyze any site in your market, globally, in just a few clicks.

3. SEO Features: Yes, We Do That Too

There’s a common myth that Similarweb isn’t a full SEO platform. Not true.

We have:

• A powerful Keyword Generator
  
• A clean, intuitive Site Audit tool with prioritized issues and GSC integration
• A Rank Tracker that includes daily updates, competitor views, and SERP feature breakdowns
• Backlink Analytics with domain-level authority and traffic context (yes, Ahrefs is still leading here, but we’ve got you covered for most needs)

The difference is, we offer all of this in a platform that’s designed for teams, not just SEOs. So your content, PPC, and strategy leads can all work from the same data.

So, which one should you choose?

When you’re managing SEO at scale, supporting cross-functional marketing, or making strategic growth decisions for a company, Similarweb gives you the depth, accuracy, and market context you need to compete.

And that’s what makes the real difference. That’s what turns small businesses into market leaders.

2. JP

JP is a rank-tracking tool built with agencies in mind. Its strength lies in flexible tracking and customizable reporting.

Main features and how you use them

You can track rankings by location, device, and language, plus see which SERP features (like snippets or videos) show up. It supports white-label reporting and integrates with Google Analytics and Search Console.

It’s not trying to be a full SEO suite, and it’s ideal for teams focused on rank tracking and reporting.

How Ahrefs Compares to JP

Ahrefs offers broader SEO features, like backlink analysis, keyword gaps, and site audits. But its reporting isn’t as customizable or client-ready.

Bottom line: If rankings and reporting are your top priorities, JP is built for you.

3. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest started as a simple keyword tool, but now it’s a lightweight SEO platform built for beginners and small businesses.

Main features and how you use them
Its core is keyword research. Enter a term and get related keywords with volume, difficulty, and seasonal trends. The content ideas tool shows what’s ranking and how it performs on social.

You’ll also find basic backlink tracking, site audits, and rank monitoring. Everything is designed to be simple, with no overwhelming dashboards or steep learning curves.

Ubersuggest is affordable, with a free version and low-cost plans. A solid choice for side projects or SEO newcomers.

How Ahrefs Compares to Ubersuggest
Ahrefs offers deeper data, better filtering, and more powerful tools for serious SEO work. Ubersuggest is easier to use, but less accurate and slower to update, especially for trending keywords.

Bottom line: Ubersuggest is great if you’re just starting out. But for scale, precision, or competitive markets, Ahrefs (or Similarweb) is the better bet.

4. SEOptimer

This tool, which is now part of SEOptimer, does exactly what it says: it tracks backlinks and flags anything that could hurt your rankings. It’s best for small businesses and freelancers who want simple, no-fuss link monitoring.

Main features and how you use them
You can track new and lost backlinks, check anchor text, and monitor link status. There’s also a handy disavow tool to help clean up spammy links fast.

It includes light rank tracking and basic competitor monitoring, but its real strength is simplicity,clear reports, and alerts without the clutter.

How Ahrefs Compares to Monitor Backlinks
Ahrefs has a bigger backlink database, stronger filters, and advanced link-building tools. Monitor Backlinks is easier to use but offers less depth and data freshness.

Bottom line: If you just want basic link monitoring, Monitor Backlinks gets it done. But if backlinks drive your strategy,or you’re ready to scale,Ahrefs is the stronger choice.

5. Mangools

Mangools is all about simplicity. It bundles five SEO tools, KWFinder, SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner, and SiteProfiler, into one clean, beginner-friendly platform.

Main features and how you use them
KWFinder helps you uncover keyword ideas with search volume, CPC, and difficulty metrics. SERPWatcher tracks your rankings daily, while LinkMiner gives you backlink data like Citation Flow and anchor text. SiteProfiler shows top content and high-level stats on any domain.

It’s all easy to use, but each feature lives in a separate tool, so you’ll do some switching around. That said, the interface is polished and accessible, great for small teams or solo SEOs.

How Ahrefs Compares to Mangools
Ahrefs gives you more depth: stronger data, richer filtering, and everything in one place. Its backlink and keyword databases are larger, and its competitive insights run deeper.

Bottom line: Mangools is a solid starter suite if you want clarity and ease of use. But for serious analysis and scale, Ahrefs offers far more firepower.

6. Moz

Moz has been in the SEO game for a long time. It’s popular with marketers who want a clean, straightforward platform without diving too deep into technical data.

Main features and how you use them
Moz Pro covers the basics: keyword research, rank tracking, site audits, and backlink analysis. Its Keyword Explorer tool is a standout, helping you uncover long-tail terms with useful metrics like Priority (a blend of volume, difficulty, and opportunity).

The Site Crawl tool organizes technical issues into a checklist, making it easy for non-technical users to take action. You’ll also get metrics like Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA) and simple competitor comparisons.

How Ahrefs Compares to Moz
Ahrefs offers more data, fresher backlinks, and deeper insights overall. Moz is easier to learn and great for teams just starting out, but Ahrefs (and Similarweb) deliver more precision, speed, and scalability.

Bottom line: Moz is solid for SEO fundamentals. But for deeper analysis and faster updates, Ahrefs is the better long-term choice.

7. Majestic

Majestic
Majestic is all about backlinks. If link analysis is your main focus, it brings some serious firepower.

Main features and how you use them
Its proprietary Trust Flow and Citation Flow scores help you assess link quality and authority. You can explore backlink profiles by domain or URL, view anchor text, and analyze link history. The Link Graph tool is helpful for visualizing link networks and spotting patterns.

What you won’t find: keyword research, site audits, or rank tracking. Majestic sticks to what it knows: backlinks.

How Ahrefs Compares to Majestic
Ahrefs also offers a robust backlink index, but goes much further with keyword data, rank tracking, and competitor research. Plus, the interface is cleaner and more modern.

Bottom line: Majestic is great if you only care about links. But for full-funnel SEO and easier usability, Ahrefs is a more complete platform.

8. Serpstat

Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO platform aimed at small teams and agencies that want solid features without the enterprise price tag.

Main features and how you use them
You get the essentials: keyword research, rank tracking, site audits, and backlink monitoring. The Site Audit tool stands out for its speed and simplicity. Keyword and traffic data are useful for planning content, though not as deep as top-tier tools.

How Ahrefs Compares to Serpstat
Ahrefs offers stronger, more accurate data across the board, especially for backlinks and competitive research. It also gives you deeper filters and SERP insights.

Bottom line: Serpstat is a great budget-friendly choice for early-stage teams. But if scale, precision, and data depth are your priorities, Ahrefs is the better investment.

9. Semrush

Semrush is a full-suite SEO and digital marketing platform with tools for everything from keyword research to paid media analysis.

Main features and how you use them
It covers SEO, PPC, content, and even social media. Use the Keyword Magic Tool to find ideas, or dig into Domain Overview to analyze competitors’ traffic, top pages, and ad strategy. The Topic Research tool helps plan content based on what’s trending. It’s especially strong for teams managing both paid and organic channels.

How Ahrefs Compares to Semrush
Ahrefs is cleaner and more focused, ideal if you’re all-in on SEO. You get deeper backlink data, better content tools, and a faster interface. But Semrush is broader, with PPC insights, content ideas, and social tools baked in.

Bottom line:
If you want a digital marketing platform that covers SEO and PPC, Semrush is great. But if your focus is content, links, and organic performance, Ahrefs keeps it tighter.

10. SpyFu

SpyFu is built for one thing: competitive intel on SEO and paid search. It’s not a full SEO suite,but if you want to reverse-engineer what your competitors are doing in Google, it’s a handy tool.

Main features and how you use them
Plug in a domain to see the keywords they rank for, what they’re bidding on, and how their strategy has evolved. The Ad History tool is great for finding long-running, high-converting ad copy. You also get basic backlink and organic ranking data.

How Ahrefs Compares to SpyFu
Ahrefs delivers stronger data and a wider toolkit, deeper backlinks, content gap analysis, rank tracking, and technical audits. SpyFu is more limited, but faster if you’re just after quick PPC insights.

Bottom line:
SpyFu is best for scrappy PPC recon. But for serious SEO and scalable strategy, Ahrefs gives you way more to work with.

11. SE Ranking

SE Ranking is a well-rounded SEO platform that balances usability and affordability. It’s popular with agencies, freelancers, and small teams who want essential tools without the overwhelm.

Main features and how you use them
Daily rank tracking is the standout here, with filters for local and mobile SEO. You also get keyword research, site audits, backlink monitoring, and even a basic social media manager. The interface is clean, and white-label reporting makes it a solid pick for client work.

How Ahrefs Compares to SE Ranking
Ahrefs offers deeper data and stronger tools for backlinks, keywords, and competitive research. But SE Ranking wins on simplicity and price, especially if your focus is local SEO or client deliverables.

Bottom line:
SE Ranking is great for lean teams and client-facing workflows. But if you’re scaling up or need more depth, Ahrefs offers more firepower.

Final thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all SEO tool, and that’s a good thing. Whether you’re just getting started or running a strategy for a larger team, the best platform is the one that fits your goals.

If you need fresh keyword trends, real competitive data, and insights that span SEO, paid, and market research, Similarweb gives you that extra edge. It helps you see what’s really working so you can move fast, stay focused, and grow with confidence.

But, at the end of the day, you need to choose the tool that supports your strategy, not the other way around.

FAQs

What’s the best Ahrefs alternative overall?
If you’re looking for deeper market insights, fresher keyword data, and full digital strategy support, Similarweb is the top choice. It’s the go-to platform for businesses that want more than just SEO, delivering a complete view of competitors, channels, and opportunities.

Is there an Ahrefs alternative with better backlink data?
Tools like Majestic focus exclusively on backlinks and have a massive index too, but you’ll miss out on other SEO features.

Which tools update keyword data the fastest?
Similarweb updates every 3 days. Most other tools, including Ahrefs, update monthly.

That makes a big difference if you want to jump on trending topics before your competitors do.