Seven Top Ahrefs Free Alternatives

Ahrefs Free Alternatives: A Comprehensive Guide

Ahrefs is one of the most well-known SEO tools, offering in-depth insights into backlinks, keyword analysis, and competitor research. However, its high price tag can be a barrier for small businesses, freelancers, or anyone just starting with SEO. Fortunately, the several free, affordable SEO tools have functionalities similar to those of Ahrefs, allowing users to optimize their websites without a hefty investment.

This guide will explore the best Ahrefs free alternatives, which offer backlink checkers, rank tracking, and other essential features. These alternatives are perfect for those seeking SEO software that fits their budget. Whether you are looking for on-page SEO checkers or tools to monitor your site’s health, we’ve got you covered.

1. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest is one of the best free comprehensive SEO tools available today. It offers keyword analysis, backlink checkers, and essential SEO audits. It provides a free plan, but the data and features are somewhat limited compared to Ahrefs. For beginners or those managing smaller SEO projects, Ubersuggest is an excellent option. Its interface is easy to navigate, making it ideal for rank tracking and keyword research.

Ahrefs, on the other hand, offers more advanced functionalities, with a vast database of backlinks and detailed competitor analysis. However, Ubersuggest provides a more affordable SEO tool for small businesses or startups.

Pros:

• Essential SEO Features: Includes keyword analysis, backlink checkers, and essential SEO audits.
• Easy to Use: User-friendly interface, perfect for beginners.
• Free Plan:  Free plan with essential features like rank tracking and keyword research.
• Affordable: Great value for small businesses and startups compared to expensive tools like Ahrefs.

Cons:

• Limited Free Version: The free plan has limited features and data.
• Smaller Database: This doesn’t offer as much data or detailed insights as Ahrefs.
• Fewer Advanced Tools: Some advanced features are only available in paid plans.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Offers limited access to basic features like keyword research and rank tracking.
• Paid Plans: Start at $29/month for more advanced tools and additional features.

2. SEMrush (Freemium)

SEMrush is another powerful SEO software tool that can serve as an alternative to Ahrefs. SEMrush offers a comprehensive suite of features, including keyword research, backlink tracking, and competitor analysis, which are crucial for search engine optimization. While its free SEO tool is limited to only ten daily queries, its paid version is more extensive, offering access to SEO software for rank tracking, domain analysis, and more.

If you’re looking for a tool that covers SEO, PPC, and social media marketing, SEMrush provides a versatile option. It benefits users who want a broader view of their online marketing strategies. However, for in-depth backlink checkers and SEO analysis, Ahrefs remains a more advanced choice.

Pros:

• Comprehensive SEO Tools: Includes keyword research, backlink tracking, and competitor analysis.
• Versatile: Great for users needing SEO, PPC, and social media marketing tools.
• Broader Marketing View: Offers insights into multiple aspects of online marketing beyond just SEO.

Cons:

• Limited Free Version: The free plan only allows 10 queries per day, which is restrictive.
• Less Focus on Backlink Analysis: Ahrefs offers more advanced features for in-depth backlink checking.
• Expensive Paid Plans: To access the full suite of features, you must choose one of the pricier paid plans.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Allows limited access with only 10 queries per day.
• Paid Plans: Start at $29.95/month for more features, including advanced rank tracking and domain analysis.

3. Moz Link Explorer

Moz Link Explorer offers a solid alternative to Ahrefs, focusing primarily on backlink analysis. This tool provides domain metrics, including Domain Authority, and can also be used for SEO audits. The free plan of Moz Link Explorer is perfect for small businesses or beginners looking to improve their site’s backlink profile without paying for a subscription.

Although Moz does not provide the same breadth of features as Ahrefs, it is an effective SEO software for those focused on link-building and improving their on-page SEO checker performance.

Pros:

• Great for Backlink Analysis: Focuses on backlink checking and provides Domain Authority metrics.
• Suitable for Beginners: Ideal for small businesses and beginners looking to improve their backlink profile.
• Free Plan Available: The free plan is great for those who don’t need advanced features.

Cons:

• Limited Features: Moz offers fewer tools than Ahrefs, especially in keyword research and competitor analysis.
• Not Ideal for Large-Scale Campaigns: Best for link-building and basic SEO, not for extensive SEO campaigns.
• Lacks Advanced Tools: It doesn’t offer the same depth in features as Ahrefs, such as detailed SEO audits or large-scale competitor analysis.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Provides limited access to backlink analysis and domain metrics.
• Paid Plans: StaThese start at $99/month and include access to additional features, such as advanced SEO audits and deeper backlink data.

4. Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a must-have for anyone improving their site’s SEO. It’s completely free. While it doesn’t offer the same depth as Ahrefs, especially regarding backlink checkers and rank tracking, Google Search Console is an invaluable tool for tracking site performance and resolving technical SEO issues. It provides detailed insights into your site’s Google Analytics data, keyword performance, and more.

For those looking to monitor SEO rankings precisely on Google, Google Search Console is indispensable. However, for broader, more detailed analysis, Ahrefs provides a more comprehensive suite of tools.

Pros:

• Completely Free: Offers powerful tools for SEO without any cost.
• Site Performance Insights: Provides valuable data on keyword performance, site health, and Google Analytics integration.
• Great for Technical SEO: Helps identify and fix technical issues that affect your site’s performance.
• Essential for Google Rankings: Ideal for monitoring SEO rankings on Google specifically.

Cons:

• Limited Features: It doesn’t offer in-depth tools like backlink checkers or rank tracking in Ahrefs.
• Focuses on Google Data: Only provides insights related to Google search, not other search engines.
• Not Ideal for Comprehensive SEO: Lacks the broader, more detailed analysis in premium tools like Ahrefs.

Pricing:

• Free: Google Search Console is entirely free with no paid plans.

5. SpyFu

SpyFu specializes in competitive research, making it a valuable tool for search engine optimization. It allows users to track rankings, discover competitor strategies, and gain insights into paid search and SEO ranking strategies.

SpyFu’s free SEO tool provides limited data per search, but its historical data and backlink checker capabilities offer great value for users focused on competitor analysis.

Ahrefs excels in broader SEO functionalities, but SpyFu is a more focused and budget-friendly option for monitoring competitors’ strategies, especially in backlink analysis and keyword research.

Pros:

• Great for Competitor Research: Specializes in tracking competitor strategies and insights into paid search and SEO rankings.
• Historical Data: Offers valuable historical data on competitor performance and keyword research.
• Affordable Option: More budget-friendly compared to other tools like Ahrefs.

Cons:

• Limited Free Plan: The free SEO tool only provides limited data per search, restricting the amount of information you can access.
• Narrow Focus: Primarily focused on competitor analysis, with fewer features for broader SEO tasks.
• Less Comprehensive than Ahrefs: It does not offer the same range of features for general SEO analysis as Ahrefs, especially for things like rank tracking or backlink databases.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Provides basic access to competitor analysis and backlink checking with limited data.
• Paid Plans: Start at $39/month for full access to all features, including detailed historical data and SEO insights.

6. KWFinder (Freemium)

KWFinder is an excellent alternative to Ahrefs for those seeking a keyword research tool, especially for finding long-tail keywords with low SEO difficulty. Its user-friendly interface is perfect for beginners and provides local SEO insights. The free plan is limited to three daily queries, but it’s a great way to discover keywords for SEO ranking and on-page SEO checker strategies.

While KWFinder is great for keyword research, it doesn’t provide the depth of analysis or features that Ahrefs offers in areas like backlink analysis or competitor research. However, it’s an affordable SEO tool that works well for smaller businesses focused on organic keyword strategies.

Pros:

• Excellent for Keyword Research: Focuses on finding long-tail keywords with low SEO difficulty.
• User-Friendly: Easy to use, making it ideal for beginners.
• Local SEO Insights: Provides helpful local SEO data.
• Affordable: A budget-friendly option for small businesses and startups focused on organic keyword strategies.

Cons:

• Limited Free Plan: The free plan allows only three queries per day.
• Lacks Depth: It does not offer the same comprehensive features as Ahrefs, especially in areas like backlink analysis and competitor research.
• Focused on Keywords: Best for keyword research, not a complete SEO solution.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Offers limited access to keyword research, with only three daily searches.
• Paid Plans: Start at $29.90/month for more queries and access to additional features like advanced keyword research.

7. Majestic SEO

Majestic SEO offers a toolset focused entirely on backlink analysis. Its Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics help evaluate the quality of backlinks, which is essential for improving SEO rankings. The free plan provides some backlink data but is more limited than Ahrefs, which offers a more robust backlink database and advanced SEO features.

If you are primarily concerned with backlink research, Majestic is an excellent tool. However, for a more comprehensive SEO software suite that includes rank tracking, keyword research, and competitor insights, Ahrefs offers a more extensive package.

Pros:

• Specialized in Backlink Analysis: Focuses on backlink research, helping evaluate link quality with Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics.
• Great for Backlink Evaluation: Excellent for users focused on improving SEO rankings through backlink quality.
• Useful for Link-Building: Ideal for those primarily working on backlink strategies.

Cons:

• Limited Free Plan: The free plan offers limited access to backlink data compared to more comprehensive tools like Ahrefs.
• Narrow Focus: Focuses mainly on backlinks, with fewer features for other SEO tasks like keyword research and rank tracking.
• Less Comprehensive than Ahrefs: Ahrefs offers a broader suite of SEO features beyond backlink analysis.

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Provides limited access to backlink data and link quality metrics.
• Paid Plans: Start at $49.99/month for full access to advanced backlink analysis and additional features.

Comparison Table: Ahrefs Free Alternatives

Conclusion

Although Ahrefs is a powerful SEO tool, the cost may be prohibitive for many users. Fortunately, the above tools provide excellent alternatives, many with robust free plans or affordable premium options. Depending on your needs—keyword research, backlink analysis, or competitor insights—there are likely suitable free best Ahrefs alternatives for you in the U.S.