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Updated 14 Nov 2026 · prices read on vendor pages

9 best SE Ranking alternatives in 2027

Mehmet ElmicenniReviewed by Mehmet Elmicenni, founder of Zekai•Prices checked •How we check

The short answer

The best SE Ranking alternatives in 2027 are Ahrefs (best overall, $129/mo), Semrush (best free plan) and OpenSEO (best open source, MIT). SE Ranking itself starts at $129/mo. Zekai checked these prices on vendor pages on 14 Nov 2026; 6 more are compared below, including 1 with a free plan and 2 open source.

9alternatives compared
3with a free plan
3open source
$39/mocheapest paid · SpyFu
$129/moSE Ranking starts at
01 · Zekai Price Ledger

Which SE Ranking alternatives are worth it in 2027?

The main SE Ranking alternatives are Semrush and Ahrefs for full suites, Moz Pro for a lower entry price, Mangools and SpyFu for budget plans, and OpenSEO if you prefer usage-based billing. SE Ranking Core is $129/mo billed monthly; Moz Standard is $99/mo, Mangools Basic $61/mo, SpyFu Basic $39/mo.

ToolTypeStarting priceFree plan limitBest forCost for your teamChecked
SE Ranking logo
SE RankingThe tool you are replacing
You are here
$129/moCore, $129 billed monthly or $103.20/mo billed yearly
No free plan Agencies tracking many projects daily — 14 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Moz Pro logo
Moz Pro Zekai score 7.6
$99/moStandard, $99 billed monthly or $79/mo billed yearly
No free plan Domain Authority-led reporting for small sites — 14 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Ahrefs logo
Ahrefs Zekai score 9.1Best overall
Free plan + paid
$129/moLite, billed monthly; the page offers annual billing with savings of up to 17% (yearly figure not read)
Ahrefs Free plan listed; its caps were not read Link research and large crawl budgets — 14 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Semrush logo
Semrush Zekai score 8.6Best free plan
Free plan + paid
$139/moSEO plan, $139 billed monthly or $117.33/mo billed yearly
Free plan: 1 demo project, 10 reports per day Free plan plus separate AI Search tiers — 14 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Mangools logo
Mangools Zekai score 8.0Cheapest paid
Free plan + paid
$61/moBasic, $61 billed monthly or $37.70/mo billed yearly ($452.40 a year)
Free account and free mini SEO tools; account caps not read Small budgets and simple interface — 14 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
Conductor logo
Conductor Zekai score 6.3
Not checked
No free plan Enterprise SEO programmes via sales — 15 Nov 2026
SpyFu Not yet reviewed by Zekai
$39/moBasic, $39 billed monthly or $33/mo billed yearly ($399 a year)
No free plan Budget competitor keyword research — 14 Nov 2026 Pricing ↗
OpenSEO logo
OpenSEO Zekai score 8.0Best open source
Open source
Free (self-hosted)
No limit, self-hosted (MIT) Usage-billed SEO with agent access $0 15 Nov 2026 Code ↗
SerpBear logo
SerpBear Not yet reviewed by Zekai
Open source
Free (self-hosted)
No limit, self-hosted (MIT) Unlimited self-hosted keyword tracking $0 15 Nov 2026 Code ↗
Seo Panel logo
Seo Panel Not yet reviewed by Zekai
Open source
Free (self-hosted)
No limit, self-hosted (GPL-2.0) Self-run multi-site SEO control panel $0 15 Nov 2026 Code ↗

Every price was read on the vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. The Cost Finder assumes one entry plan per person, so it multiplies by your team size; yearly prices are shown per month, and team or business plans can cost more per seat. "Not checked" means we could not confirm a public price.

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02 · Free plan

Is there a free version of SE Ranking?

SE Ranking has no free plan. The pricing page offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card, and the FAQ gives starter usage of 750 tracked keywords and 20 AI prompts per day for the trial. Paid Core costs $129/mo billed monthly or $103.20/mo billed yearly.

Source: SE Ranking pricing page, read 14 Nov 2026.

FreeNone

No free plan on the pricing page

Paid from$129/mo

Core, $129 billed monthly or $103.20/mo billed yearly

03 · Free alternatives

What are the best free SE Ranking alternatives?

Semrush is the best free SE Ranking alternative: its $0 plan gives 1 demo project and 10 reports a day. Mangools has a free account and free mini SEO tools (account caps not read). SE Ranking itself has no free plan, only a 14-day trial with no credit card.

Ahrefs logo

Ahrefs

Best overallFree plan + paid
Ahrefs Free plan listed; its caps were not read
Paid from $129/mo
Semrush logo

Semrush

Best free planFree plan + paid
Free plan: 1 demo project, 10 reports per day
Paid from $139/mo
Mangools logo

Mangools

Cheapest paidFree plan + paid
Free account and free mini SEO tools; account caps not read
Paid from $61/mo
04 · Open source

What are the best open-source SE Ranking alternatives?

Open-source SE Ranking alternatives: OpenSEO (MIT) covers keyword research, rank tracking, backlinks, site audits and AI visibility using your own DataForSEO API key; SerpBear (MIT) tracks Google positions for unlimited keywords through a scraper or proxies; Seo Panel (GPL-2.0) is a PHP panel for multi-site SEO.

OpenSEO logo

OpenSEO

MIT★ 27.7k GitHub stars · 14 Nov 2026
To self-host: Run the prebuilt Docker image (Compose platforms such as Coolify work) or deploy to your own Cloudflare account; you must add a DataForSEO API key and pay DataForSEO per use.
Commercial use
Yes (MIT).
Runs on
Any server or computer with Docker, or a free Cloudflare account; no GPU.
Setup
Moderate · Docker or Cloudflare deploy plus a DataForSEO API key.
Last commit
13 Nov 2026
Last release 11 Nov 2026
SerpBear logo

SerpBear

MIT★ 2.2k GitHub stars · 14 Nov 2026
To self-host: Run the Docker image and supply a scraping service key (ScrapingAnt, ScrapingRobot, SearchApi, SerpApi, HasData) or your own proxy IPs so it can read Google results for your keywords.
Commercial use
Yes (MIT).
Runs on
Small server or container with Docker; scraper or proxy credentials needed.
Setup
Moderate · Docker image plus a third-party scraper API or your own proxies.
Last commit
30 Oct 2026
Last release 30 Oct 2026
Seo Panel logo

Seo Panel

GPL-2.0★ 138 GitHub stars · 14 Nov 2026
To self-host: Needs PHP, MySQL and a web server with cURL; install via Softaculous, Installatron, Webuzo or AMPPS, or upload the files and run the web installer yourself.
Commercial use
Yes; GPL-2.0 requires sharing source of any distributed modifications.
Runs on
Web server with PHP, MySQL and cURL enabled; shared hosting is enough.
Setup
Moderate · Upload files, set folder permissions, run the web installer.
Last commit
11 Nov 2026
Last release 11 Nov 2026
05 · Side by side

How does SE Ranking compare with each alternative?

Against SE Ranking Core ($129/mo, 10 projects, 2,000 daily keywords), Ahrefs Lite is $129/mo with 750 keywords, Semrush SEO is $139/mo with 500 daily keywords, Moz Standard is $99/mo with 300 keywords, Mangools Basic is $61/mo with 200 keywords and SpyFu Basic is $39/mo with 5,000 weekly rankings.

01
Moz Pro logo

SE Ranking vs Moz Pro

$99/mo · checked 14 Nov 20267.6
The differenceStandard is $99/mo billed monthly ($79/mo yearly) for 1 user, 3 tracked sites, 300 keywords and 150 tracked prompts, with a $49/mo single-site entry plan; it adds Domain Authority and MozBar Premium.
Switch to Moz Pro ifyou report on one to three sites, want Domain Authority in client decks and prefer a lower starting price
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou need daily tracking for around ten projects and a 14-day trial with no credit card
Pros
  • Yearly billing saves 20%
  • AI visibility tracking built into every plan
Cons
  • No free plan; trial and free tools only
  • Only 3 AI models tracked on every plan

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Moz Pro · Verdict: SEO suite, AI tracking

02
Ahrefs logo

SE Ranking vs Ahrefs

Best overallFree plan + paid$129/mo · checked 14 Nov 20269.1
The differenceLite matches Core's $129/mo and lists 750 tracked keywords, 150 AI prompt checks, 100,000 crawl credits and API plus MCP access; extra users are $40/mo each. Core lists 2,000 daily keywords and 1 manager seat.
Switch to Ahrefs ifbacklink data and the Content Explorer matter most and you will work alone or add paid seats
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou track thousands of keywords across ten projects and want local and content marketing tools included
Pros
  • Built on a massive proprietary web index (170T pages) for deep insights.
  • Integrates traditional SEO with new AI Engine Optimization (AEO) tools.
Cons
  • The vast number of tools and reports can be overwhelming for beginners.

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Ahrefs · Verdict: Data-Driven Marketing Powerhouse

03
Semrush logo

SE Ranking vs Semrush

Best free planFree plan + paid$139/mo · checked 14 Nov 20268.6
The differenceSEO plan is $139/mo for 500 daily keywords on 5 websites; a $0 plan gives 1 demo project and 10 reports a day. SE Ranking Core lists 2,000 daily keywords, trial only.
Switch to Semrush ifyou want a permanent $0 account to explore before paying, or Semrush's AI Visibility reports for any domain
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou want more tracked keywords and projects per dollar and a no-card trial
Pros
  • Vast keyword database (28B+) across 142 geo locations
  • Dedicated Content Toolkit for writers
Cons
  • Steep learning curve for those not specialized in SEO
  • Pricing is not transparent and likely represents a significant investment

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Semrush · Verdict: The Professional's SEO Suite

04
Mangools logo

SE Ranking vs Mangools

Cheapest paidFree plan + paid$61/mo · checked 14 Nov 20268.0
The differenceBasic is $61/mo billed monthly with 200 tracked keywords and weekly rank updates, no extra seats; Agency is $141/mo with daily updates and 5 extra seats. Core lists 2,000 keywords tracked daily.
Switch to Mangools ifyou are a solo marketer who tracks a few hundred keywords and wants to spend under $65 a month
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou manage many client projects and need daily rank checks and website audit capacity
Pros
  • Free account and free mini tools without sign-up
  • Google Search Console import and Looker Studio connector
Cons
  • Daily request limits on lookups and analysis
  • Basic tracks only 200 keywords and has no extra seats

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Mangools · Verdict: Simple SEO tool bundle

05
Conductor logo

SE Ranking vs Conductor

Not checked6.3
The differenceLists Essentials, Growth and Enterprise plans with no dollar prices, limits counted in drafts per year and pages monitored, and usage-based pricing set by sales. SE Ranking prints Core and Growth prices.
Switch to Conductor ifyour site is large enough that an enterprise contract and usage-based limits make more sense than fixed tiers
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou want public prices, a self-serve trial and flat monthly plans for agency work
Pros
  • Focuses on the future of search with Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).
  • Unified platform combines visibility, content creation, and technical monitoring.
Cons
  • Pricing is not transparent and likely represents a significant investment.
  • Complex feature set is overkill for small businesses or individual creators.

Pros and cons from the Zekai review of Conductor · Verdict: Enterprise AEO Powerhouse

06

SE Ranking vs SpyFu

$39/mo · checked 14 Nov 2026
The differenceBasic is $39/mo billed monthly with 5,000 weekly tracked keyword rankings and extra seats at $15 each; Professional adds API access. SE Ranking Core also includes site audits and AI Visibility tracking.
Switch to SpyFu ifyou mainly spy on competitors' keywords and want to spend roughly a third of Core's monthly price
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou need website audits of up to 250k pages a month and AI prompt tracking inside one plan
07
OpenSEO logo

SE Ranking vs OpenSEO

Best open sourceOpen sourceFree (self-hosted)8.0
The differenceMIT-licensed; keyword research, rank tracking, backlinks, site audits and AI visibility run on your own DataForSEO API key with per-use billing, plus an MCP server. Core is a fixed $129/mo subscription.
Switch to OpenSEO ifyou can run Docker or a Cloudflare deploy and want to pay only for data you pull
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou want dedicated support, onboarding on Growth and Data Studio integrations without self-hosting
08
SerpBear logo

SE Ranking vs SerpBear

Open sourceFree (self-hosted)
The differenceTracks unlimited domains and keywords with email alerts and an API, reading Google through a scraper or proxies you supply; no backlink or audit feature is listed. Core caps tracking at 2,000 daily keywords.
Switch to SerpBear ifyou only need rank tracking at large keyword volumes and can manage a Docker container and scraper bill
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou want audits, backlink research and AI Visibility tracking without assembling separate tools
09
Seo Panel logo

SE Ranking vs Seo Panel

Open sourceFree (self-hosted)
The differencePHP, MySQL and cURL control panel managing SEO for multiple websites, installed via Softaculous or a web installer, with no seat fees. Its README intro lists no AI features, unlike Core's AI Visibility.
Switch to Seo Panel ifyou host many client sites yourself and want a free panel you can modify under GPL-2.0
Stay with SE Ranking ifyou rely on a managed data index, API credits and support instead of maintaining a PHP app
06 · What changed

Why do people leave SE Ranking?

  • The pricing page lists AI visibility as an add-on from $71/mo (SE Visible, starting at 75 prompts) on top of Core's 25 daily prompts, so heavier AI tracking costs more. (source)

  • Core allows 10 projects and 1 manager seat; Growth ($279/mo monthly) is needed for 30 projects and 3 seats, and the Agency Pack is a further add-on at $69/mo billed annually. (source)

08 · FAQ

Questions people ask about SE Ranking alternatives

What is the best alternative to SE Ranking in 2027?

Ahrefs is the best overall SE Ranking alternative on this page ($129/mo). For no cost, Semrush has a free plan (Free plan: 1 demo project, 10 reports per day). To self-host, OpenSEO is open source (MIT).

Is there a free version of SE Ranking?

No. SE Ranking has no free plan; paid plans start at $129/mo, checked on 14 Nov 2026.

Is there a 100% free alternative to SE Ranking?

Yes. OpenSEO, SerpBear, Seo Panel are open source and free to self-host. Ahrefs, Semrush, Mangools have a free plan with limits, shown in the table.

What is cheaper than SE Ranking?

Mangools starts at $61/mo, against $129/mo for SE Ranking, as listed on each vendor's pricing page on 14 Nov 2026.

How much do SE Ranking alternatives cost for a team of 5?

If each of 5 people buys the entry paid plan, at the prices Zekai checked on 14 Nov 2026, the monthly cost is SpyFu $195/mo, Mangools $305/mo, Moz Pro $495/mo, against SE Ranking $645/mo for SE Ranking. Team and business plans can cost more per seat. The Zekai Cost Finder on this page recalculates for any team size.

Which is better, Ahrefs or SE Ranking?

Lite matches Core's $129/mo and lists 750 tracked keywords, 150 AI prompt checks, 100,000 crawl credits and API plus MCP access; extra users are $40/mo each. Core lists 2,000 daily keywords and 1 manager seat. Choose Ahrefs if backlink data and the Content Explorer matter most and you will work alone or add paid seats. Stay with SE Ranking if you track thousands of keywords across ten projects and want local and content marketing tools included.

Why are people leaving SE Ranking?

The documented reasons are: The pricing page lists AI visibility as an add-on from $71/mo (SE Visible, starting at 75 prompts) on top of Core's 25 daily prompts, so heavier AI tracking costs more (30 Oct 2026); Core allows 10 projects and 1 manager seat; Growth ($279/mo monthly) is needed for 30 projects and 3 seats, and the Agency Pack is a further add-on at $69/mo billed annually (30 Oct 2026). Each is sourced in the section above.

SE Ranking vs Semrush: which is better?

SE Ranking Core lists more daily tracked keywords and projects for a lower monthly price, while Semrush has a permanent $0 plan and separate SEO + AI Search tiers. Check the limits in the table above against your project count.

09 · Method

How did Zekai check this page?

Zekai independently reviews AI tools. For this page we read each vendor's own pricing and product pages and recorded the starting price, the free-plan limit and the date of the check. Only tools that do the same job as SE Ranking are listed, and sponsors never change the order or the scores.

1 · Same job onlyEvery alternative does the same task as SE Ranking; tools for other jobs are left out.
2 · Vendor pages onlyPrices and free limits come from each vendor's own pricing page, never from blogs.
Zekai score0–10, from four published weights: ease 25%, output quality 30%, value 20%, time saved 25%. How we score
3 · Re-checkedA price older than 35 days is re-read or the page falls back to an older version.
Change log
  • Page rebuilt on v6; all prices re-read on vendor pages.

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