As somebody who’s been within the web optimization recreation for some time, I’ve used Semrush closely for years. It was my go-to device for key phrase analysis and competitor evaluation. Nonetheless, I relied on Ahrefs for off-page web optimization since I discovered its backlink analysis fairly correct and straightforward to soak up.
Equally, I’ve trusted Clearscope and have used the device for content material optimization for nearly 4 to 5 years. I additionally use varied different web optimization instruments for such particular use instances.
Be it the pricing or function set of Semrush that made you search for an alternate, we’ve got the set of instruments that may tackle your wants. On this article, I’ve examined and lined six instruments that carry one thing distinctive to the desk. I’ll describe my expertise with every device, what I favored (and didn’t), and why you may need to make the change.
Greatest 6 Semrush options for 2025
- Ahrefs is one of the best for off-page web optimization. ($129/month)
- Clearscope is the greatest for optimizing content material for serps. ($189/month)
- Moz Professional is one of the best for all-purpose web optimization. ($49/month)
- Seobility is one of the best amongst reasonably priced, all-in-one web optimization software program. ($50/month)
- SE Rating is one of the best for web optimization reporting and analytics. ($52/month)
- Similarweb is one of the best for evaluating broader web optimization tendencies in the marketplace. ($199/month)
*The merchandise are listed alphabetically and embody web optimization instruments listed on G2. A few of them provide a free trial. I’ve included the beginning value of their paid plan for simple comparability.
What makes one of the best Semrush options?
Semrush is an web optimization device with varied options, together with key phrase analysis, web optimization audit, backlink evaluation, and value-added performance. A substitute for Semrush would have all or a few of these options. They could successfully serve totally different market segments and cater to particular use instances.
Based mostly on my analysis, an excellent Semrush various would:
- Supply key phrase analysis. Recommend key phrases to incorporate to stay aggressive on the search engine outcomes (SERP) web page. Carry out competitor evaluation to showcase gaps in key phrase protection.
- Cater to a selected space underneath web optimization, if not all. An excellent Semrush various will cater to 1 or all focus areas, together with on-page, off-page, or technical web optimization.
- Ship insights to hold out evaluation. The platform delivers insights that customers can use to make focusing on and optimization selections.
Prime 6 Semrush options I discover helpful
Under are the main Semrush options I discovered in the marketplace, which provide aggressive — or, in some instances, higher worth than Semrush.
This listing is predicated on G2 critiques from 2025. We’ll maintain updating it to replicate the most recent and greatest options. Some critiques could have been edited for readability.
1. Ahrefs: Greatest for off-page web optimization
I’ve used Semrush and Ahrefs for a very long time. They appear much like me for the web optimization work we did. Nonetheless, I discovered Ahrefs to help off-page web optimization higher. For on-page parts, Ahrefs and Semrush do an identical job.
Nonetheless, from a usability standpoint, I’d go along with Semrush due to the Ahrefs credit score system. It looks like I’m operating out of credit and have to maintain that thought in thoughts, which doesn’t give me such a fantastic expertise. With out the credit score system, I’d choose Ahrefs.
Though the Ahrefs Lite plan begins from $129 a month, the corporate affords a Starter plan that prices $29 a month. It’s appropriate for professionals who don’t have heavy web optimization wants however want some extent of reference to tell their technique and execution.
Supply: Ahrefs
To listing Ahrefs as a substitute, I in contrast the backlink analysis, key phrase information, web site audits, and varied different functionalities of the 2 software program packages. In my analysis, I discovered that Ahrefs does a greater job at backlink analysis than Semrush. Nonetheless, Semrush’s key phrase information, with its general UI, appears higher and far simpler to know and use.
Supply: Ahrefs
For web site audits, each Semrush and Ahrefs did a fairly respectable job monitoring technical web optimization points, discovering lacking H1s, and recognizing 404 errors.
If you’re okay with the credit score system, Ahrefs appears to be dependable web optimization software program and a good Semrush various.
What I like about Ahrefs:
- Ahrefs’ skill to point out the backlink profile is unparalleled. It provides you a complete listing of referring domains and precise backlinks pointing to your webpage.
- Ahrefs additionally does an excellent job with its key phrase analysis. It reveals key phrase teams, which helps me estimate a ballpark of the overall search quantity, making it simpler to calculate the return on funding (ROI) whereas focusing on.
What G2 customers like about Ahrefs:
“I’m utilizing Ahrefs to do web optimization analysis. The first device I exploit is their Rank Monitoring device. I prefer it greatest as a result of they arguably have the most important crawler community exterior serps.”
– Ahrefs Overview, Cassian Y, Founder
What I dislike about Ahrefs:
The estimated visitors information for a web page that Ahrefs calculates primarily based on rankings, search quantity, and different elements can generally be inaccurate.
What G2 customers dislike about Ahrefs:
“Expensive in contrast with different instruments on the market. It’s not good for small-sized companies and initiatives due to the associated fee.”
– Ahrefs Overview, Ellen C, Advertising and marketing Affiliate
2.Clearscope: Greatest for optimizing content material for serps
Clearscope is a content-first web optimization platform that permits you to optimize content material for higher search engine rankings. I exploit Clearscope often in my writing initiatives. It provides me a complete set of key phrases that enhance on-page web optimization for my blogs and touchdown pages.
Clearscope compares the pages’ rating for a specific key phrase on the SERP. Based mostly on this evaluation and the evaluation of the broader SE tendencies from the key phrases, it suggests phrases to incorporate in a content material piece.
Supply: Clearscope
It comes with a grade evaluation. You get a greater grade or the best A++ once you efficiently embody Clearscope’s key phrase suggestions in your content material. It estimates the readability of your content material and allows you to optimize it to match the competitors on the SERP.
What I like about Clearscope:
- It helps me implement web optimization in my content material items with out going backwards and forwards between an article and an web optimization platform.
- It’s easy to make use of and doesn’t require a author to undergo a steep studying curve.
What G2 customers like about Clearscope:
“I like how Clearscope automates many facets of writing good web optimization content material. It additionally brings some gamification into the sport — I like writing and making an attempt to get as excessive a grade as doable whereas nonetheless maintaining good readability and high quality within the content material itself.”
– Clearscope Overview, Melisa A N, Guide
What I dislike about Clearscope:
A few of its strategies for key phrases appear irrelevant. That is when rivals have lined the identical of their content material. Their content material may not be one of the best to take inspiration from or do one thing related.
What G2 customers dislike about Clearscope:
“Not a lot. The one shortfall I seen is that the house to ‘create report’, crucial space in CL, seems to be like a search bar. So, if I needed to seek for older experiences, I would have unintentionally typed it out into this tab and would have misplaced a credit score. It is only a UX factor, and when you get used to utilizing CL, it will be okay. I hope it quickly brings in an excellent plagiarism function.”
– Clearscope Overview, Ashitha J, Content material Advertising and marketing Supervisor
3. Moz Professional: Greatest for all-purpose web optimization
Moz Professional is power-packed with complete web optimization options and functionalities. It was the primary software program I actively used whereas studying about web optimization and content material advertising and marketing.
It allows you to monitor your web site’s well being and affords hyperlink constructing and key phrase strategies for web optimization wins. Most significantly, it has tons of studying content material for web optimization and inbound advertising and marketing. It provides web site warnings when it detects points in your webpages.
The device takes somewhat effort however produces correct outcomes when figuring out irrelevant and spammy backlinks. You should utilize this information to disavow spammy hyperlinks pointing to your web site. It’s very easy to make use of and useful, because it delivers the steering you want to optimize your web site for serps.
What I like about Moz Professional:
- I like Moz’s key phrase location possibility. It helps me perceive the place we dominate the SERP and the place we will enhance.
- On-page suggestions assist enhance rankings for native searches.
What G2 customers like about Moz Professional:
“Moz is simple to make use of for a novice to the web optimization world. It steps you thru the fundamentals and gives useful instruments and capabilities as you get extra conversant in the total suite. I respect the useful hints on optimizing my websites and having the ability to run checks on key phrases, and so on.”
– Moz Professional Overview, Bar W, Senior Director
What I dislike about Moz Professional:
I can solely have a look at three rivals inside a marketing campaign, and I can not add extra for an in depth comparability.
What G2 customers dislike about Moz Professional:
“Each software program has some drawbacks. The one minor dislike is that generally, when selecting a reporting interval, it appears to be somewhat glitchy, and takes a minute to get the reporting durations appropriate. Not a giant deal, however annoying.”
– Moz Professional Overview, Brian H, Vice President of Advertising and marketing
4. Seobility: An all-in-one web optimization software program at an reasonably priced value
Seobility is an entire bundle of web site crawler, rank tracker, backlink monitor, and competitor evaluation in a single platform. The most effective half is that it affords a free plan for brand new customers, and paid plans arguably provide extra worth than different web optimization instruments.
Though I discovered its skill to investigate technical points superb, the device has a smaller key phrase database than giants like Semrush. It’s a good web optimization device for these looking for an reasonably priced, all-in-one resolution. I like that every function is neatly organized into separate tabs, making it simpler to navigate by way of the device.
It comes with a rank monitoring system that means that you can rank a number of web sites collectively and test those performing one of the best.
What I like about Seobility:
- I just like the web optimization audit device’s element. It delivered clear insights into optimizing my internet pages.
- The key phrase rating function makes it simpler to observe the present rating for my goal key phrase listing.
What G2 customers like about Seobility:
“I like the element it goes into on every space of web optimization: Tech, Meta, Construction, and web site content material. Each web page is damaged down throughout a crawl, providing you with an in depth report of every space that wants fixing and the way to repair it. It is easy to make use of. Crawls are quick, and their options let you evaluate web optimization with different native companies.”
– Seobility Overview, Claire F, Skilled Photographer
What I dislike about Seobility:
I felt it was difficult to implement the technical web optimization suggestions. It might be nice to have precedence in optimizing various things.
What G2 customers dislike about Seobility:
“Whereas Seobility is a robust web optimization device, the free model has some limitations, such because the variety of key phrase checks and crawl pages per day. Moreover, the backlink evaluation might be extra intensive than different web optimization instruments. Nonetheless, its value and ease of use nonetheless provide nice worth.”
– Seobility Overview, Marius B, Administrator
5. SE Rating: Greatest for web optimization reporting and analytics
SE Rating arguably provides extra worth for simply $52 in comparison with paying extensively for utilizing the opposite instruments. The SERP rating checker allows you to monitor 250 key phrases on the bottom plan. They provide a Key phrase Supervisor function that allows you to handle as much as 10,000 key phrases on a listing. When you improve to a Professional plan, you get the performance to obtain round 50,000 key phrases in a single report at simply $95.20/month.
To do that on Semrush, I should be on a plan that prices between $200 and $300. With SE Rating, you get worth for the value you’re paying. You’ll be able to tag key phrases, test content material scores, and combine them with Google Analytics and the Search Console.
Supply: SE Rating
I personally favored the best way I used to be capable of determine rivals and conduct key phrase hole evaluation whereas assessing key phrase issue, cost-per-click information, and key phrase tendencies accessible. SE Rating additionally has Area Belief and Web page Belief scores, much like Area Ranking in Ahrefs.
What I like about SE Rating:
- I favored the backlink monitoring and backlink hole evaluation function of the device. It generated a complete report.
- Utilizing the Website Audit function, I acquired an in depth web site evaluation with points and optimization alternatives.
What G2 customers like about SE Rating:
“I discover SE Rating very simple to make use of, as it is easy to navigate totally different services and products. It feels very intuitive, and even when I’ve any questions or issues, I can discover solutions in a database or contact the help group to get my solutions. In my present place, I exploit SE Rating every day and could not be happier.
When my firm transitioned from the earlier service we used, the SE Rating group helped us migrate all the information we collected, so the combination went easily. Due to the brand new SMM service, we have been capable of cancel one other service subscription and have all of the work carried out on social media channels from SE Rating.
I extremely suggest SE Rating for web site and web optimization specialists or companies and different professionals who need to maintain monitor of their information in a single place.”
– SE Rating Overview, Viktoriia D, Challenge Supervisor
What I dislike about SE Rating:
The training curve is steep. When making an attempt to click on some hyperlinks, prompts to improve the device seem. If the UI showcased what I had entry to, it could have been a a lot better expertise.
What G2 customers dislike about SE Rating:
“The interface is a bit complicated initially as a result of we have to change our habits when switching instruments.”
– SE Rating Overview, Remi B, Head of Digital Technique and AI
6. Similarweb: Greatest for evaluating broader web optimization tendencies in the marketplace
Similarweb is a good device for performing aggressive web optimization analysis. It begins at $125/month. I examined the device and acquired an summary of detailed visitors insights, together with web site visits, visitors sources, and viewers demographics. It’s simple to match our web site visitors with that of our rivals. This evaluation showcases the strengths and weaknesses of our digital technique.
I like how Similarweb reveals tendencies within the broader market. The insights helped me perceive the buyer and the goal market intimately whereas utilizing the benchmarks.
Supply: Similarweb
I may see what different folks have been trying to find in actual time to optimize content material primarily based on present tendencies. It was simple to know how rivals’ paid and web optimization methods impacted our key phrase rankings.
What I like about Similarweb:
- I favored the device’s user-friendly interface, which made it simple to know visitors conduct and different web site actions.
- It provides an excellent overview of how totally different acquisition approaches are performing, serving to companies make strategic selections about web optimization.
What G2 customers like about Similarweb:
“Similarweb is a good information analytics device that may be tailor-made to your online business wants. I like the truth that it’s simple to observe and that customization might be made with the assistance of their glorious help group! The help group is hands-on. I exploit Similarweb on a weekly foundation, and it’s simple to combine into your general workflow. On prime of that, the implementation was additionally actually seamless.”
– Similarweb Overview, Kevin S, Associate Supervisor
What I dislike about Similarweb:
I discovered Similarweb’s information accuracy to be inconsistent generally. The estimates supplied could not all the time replicate real-time adjustments in visitors patterns.
What G2 customers dislike about Similarweb:
“Given my frequency of utilization, I discovered the device a bit costly. Having the chance to pick out some choices could be appreciated. Moreover, I usually spot discrepancies between our inside information and information proven by Similarweb, which may result in confusion and doubts about rivals’ information.”
– Similarweb Overview, Thibault D, Chief Advertising and marketing Officer
Comparability of one of the best Semrush options
Really feel like you may have an info overload? This comparability desk makes it simpler for you.
Semrush various |
Greatest for |
Free model |
Pricing |
Ahrefs |
Greatest for off-page web optimization |
Free trial accessible with restricted entry |
$129/month |
Clearscope |
Greatest for optimizing content material for serps |
Not accessible |
$189/month |
Moz Professional |
Greatest for all-purpose web optimization |
Free-trial accessible |
$49/month |
Seobility |
An all-in-one web optimization software program at an reasonably priced value |
Free-trial accessible |
$50/month |
SE Rating |
Greatest for web optimization reporting and analytics |
Free-trial accessible |
$52/month |
Similarweb |
Greatest for evaluating broader web optimization tendencies in the marketplace |
Free-trial accessible |
$199/month |
Continuously requested questions on web optimization instruments and Semrush options
1. Is it value paying for Semrush?
Semrush is a complete web optimization suite for corporations of all sizes. It is perhaps somewhat pricey for smaller corporations. The software program has strong options and performance that cater to extra superior use instances and are appropriate for medium-sized corporations and enormous enterprises.
2. Is Similarweb higher than Semrush?
When you’re looking for a broader overview of market tendencies, Similarweb may higher fit your wants. Nonetheless, once you’re intensely centered on web optimization progress and want insights to know the market, competitors, and progress tendencies, Semrush is extra appropriate.
3. Which is best, Semrush or Ahrefs?
These two instruments are related in options and performance. I discovered Ahrefs to be higher than Semrush for off-page web optimization. Nonetheless, Ahrefs has credit score limits; due to this fact, in the event you closely use web optimization software program, Semrush could be a greater various.
4. Is Semrush one of the best web optimization device?
On the subject of an web optimization device, the time period “greatest” borrows its definition from the use case, firm measurement, and market phase. Subsequently, primarily based on this issue, Semrush might be one of the best web optimization device for some corporations. Nonetheless, this may not all the time be the case.
5. Is Semrush a US firm?
Sure, Semrush is an American public firm.
Ask the proper questions
Exploring options opened my eyes to how numerous and influential the web optimization device market has turn out to be. Relying on what you want, whether or not it is Clearscope’s content material optimization, Ahrefs’ backlink information, or SE Rating’s reasonably priced all-in-one method, there’s doubtless a greater match on the market to your workflow and funds.
Personally, I’ve ended up mixing and matching instruments primarily based on the duty at hand. For instance, I exploit Clearscope once I’m engaged on content material technique and Ahrefs once I have to dive deep into competitor profiles. No device is ideal, however every one affords a contemporary perspective and a extra tailor-made expertise.
The objective of the article was to provide you a glimpse of the device from the within. Use it to encourage your factors of dialogue in demos and walkthroughs. It will provide help to clear up any confusion round your particular use case for web optimization software program.
Searching for extra choices? Try the highly-rated web optimization instruments on G2.