Ahrefs
Backlink and keyword data that SEOs trust most
Ahrefs is the tool SEOs pick for backlink data and its Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer and content tools are excellent. The $29 Starter plan finally…
Semrush
The all-in-one SEO and marketing suite most agencies run on
Semrush covers keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, rank tracking, content and now AI-search visibility, all in one account. It is expensive, but for agencies and in-house teams it replaces a stack of tools.
Best for: agencies and full-time SEOs
What works
- Largest keyword and competitor database
- Site audit and rank tracking included
- Regular new toolkits (AI visibility, local)
What to know
- Pricey for a single site
- Toolkit pricing is confusing
Alternatives
Surfer SEO
Content editor that scores drafts against the top-ranking pages
Surfer analyses what ranks for a keyword and gives you a live content score as you write: terms to include, headings, length. Its AI writer produces…
Rank Math
WordPress SEO plugin with schema, redirects and Content AI
Rank Math is the WordPress SEO plugin many sites picked over Yoast: on-page analysis, schema markup, redirects, sitemaps and rank tracking, with a…