Is there a free alternative to Semrush?

Yes. Screaming Frog offers a genuine free tier, which makes it the easiest Semrush alternative to try before you pay.

Why switch away from Semrush?

Semrush is a strong tool, but interface is busy and takes time to learn. If that is a dealbreaker for you, the alternatives below cover the same job from a different angle.

How do you choose these alternatives?

Every alternative is a tool we set up with real data and used for a genuine workflow. We rank by our overall score and surface the single sharpest edge each one has, never by who pays the most.

Marketing & SEO

Best Semrush alternatives

Q: What is the best alternative to Semrush?

Ahrefs is our top Semrush alternative. Ahrefs starts at $129/mo, undercutting Semrush's $139.95/mo while covering the same core ground. It scores 4.8 in our testing.

We put Semrush head to head with the 6 closest rivals we have tested, so you can switch on evidence, not a hunch.

Read our Semrush review

Why people look elsewhere

Where Semrush can fall short

Interface is busy and takes time to learn

Extra seats and add ons add up fast

Backlink index trails Ahrefs slightly

Ranked by our testing

6 alternatives worth your time

Ahrefs

4.8

The deepest backlink and keyword data on the market.

Lower priceFrom $129/moPaid only

Ahrefs starts at $129/mo, undercutting Semrush's $139.95/mo while covering the same core ground.

Best in class backlink index and crawler
Keyword data that holds up against real rankings

4.8

Our score

Try Ahrefs Read review

Screaming Frog

4.6

The desktop crawler every technical SEO uses.

Ease of useFrom $259/yrFree tier

Screaming Frog is the pick when you want the desktop crawler every technical seo uses., and it leads on ease of use.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.6

Our score

Try Screaming Frog Read review

Clearscope

4.4

Premium content optimization for serious teams.

Ease of useFrom $189/moPaid only

Clearscope is the pick when you want premium content optimization for serious teams., and it leads on ease of use.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.4

Our score

Try Clearscope Read review

Surfer SEO

4.3

On page optimization that turns drafts into rankable pages.

Lower priceFrom $99/moPaid only

Surfer SEO starts at $99/mo, undercutting Semrush's $139.95/mo while covering the same core ground.

Real time content scoring while you write
Clear, actionable on page guidance

4.3

Our score

Try Surfer SEO Read review

SE Ranking

4.3

A full SEO platform that undercuts the big names.

Lower priceFrom $52/moPaid only

SE Ranking starts at $52/mo, undercutting Semrush's $139.95/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.3

Our score

Try SE Ranking Read review

Sitebulb

4.3

Visual technical SEO audits that explain the why.

Lower priceFrom $13.50/moPaid only

Sitebulb starts at $13.50/mo, undercutting Semrush's $139.95/mo while covering the same core ground.

Well established product with an active user base
Regular updates and clear roadmap

4.3

Our score

Try Sitebulb Read review

Side by side

Semrush vs the alternatives

Tool	Our score	From	Free tier	Best for
SemrushYou have	4.6	$139.95/mo	Yes	Marketers who want SEO, ads, and content in one place
Ahrefs	4.8	$129/mo	No	Serious SEO teams who live in the data
Screaming Frog	4.6	$259/yr	Yes	The desktop crawler every technical SEO uses.
Clearscope	4.4	$189/mo	No	Premium content optimization for serious teams.
Surfer SEO	4.3	$99/mo	No	Content teams shipping a lot of articles
SE Ranking	4.3	$52/mo	No	A full SEO platform that undercuts the big names.
Sitebulb	4.3	$13.50/mo	No	Visual technical SEO audits that explain the why.

Our pick

Switch to Ahrefs

Ahrefs starts at $129/mo, undercutting Semrush's $139.95/mo while covering the same core ground. It is the Semrush alternative we recommend first for most people.

Try Ahrefs Compare them side by side

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Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we have tested, and commissions never change our scores or rankings. We currently track 218+ tools, including 12 across Marketing & SEO.