We’ve used Moz for a few years now, but with SEO more important than ever, we thought we would have a look at the alternative tools available to get your website’s SEO on track.
We’ve compared the 5 biggest SEO tools out there, and we’ve even put together a helpful comparison table at the end of the blog.
Moz
By now, you have probably heard of Moz Pro. It is one of the most well known SEO tools and has kept up with all of Google’s algorithm updates. Moz is a full-service tool that allows you to get an insight into how your website is performing and how to improve this. You can use the keyword research tool to find new keywords to use and combinations to help you target your audience, with a backlink analysis tool to combine metrics.
Key Features
- Keyword explorer
- Keyword research
- Link explorer
- Site crawl
- SEO auditing
- Link building
- Competitor analysis
- Data visualisation
- Custom reports
Benefits
Moz has numerous features available which is what has made the platform so popular. It also offers extra features that its competitors don’t – such as the free MozBar toolbar to see your website’s metrics whilst browsing any page. Moz also has lots of free resources and a community to help you learn more about SEO and to widen your knowledge, as well as an annual conference.
Pricing
Per month
- Standard – £99
- Medium – £179
- Large – £299
- Premium – £599
Free trial? Yes
Thoughts
Although we currently use Moz, we do feel that the interface is a little outdated and clunky, and it is also one of the more expensive tools available.
Find out more on Moz Pro here.
SEM Rush
SEMRush has grown in popularity over the last few years, and we can see why. With the ability to track 500 keywords every month (and 5 campaigns), it means that you can compare your website with your competitors and use the tools to expand your reach.
Key Features
- Keyword research
- On-page audits
- Competitor analysis
- Local SEO
- Rank tracking
- Link building
- Social media management
- PPC keyword research
- Paid advertising tools and many more
Benefits
SEMrush has over 45 tools that you can use, from keyword research to SEO audits to find opportunities for your business. Comprehensive set of tools and lots of data such as 20 billion keywords and 830 million domains. Some have even coined SEMrush as better than Moz. SEMrush doesn’t just focus on SEO (unlike Moz), but it also branches out to other marketing channels, with additional tools such as social media marketing and website monetisation tools. You can even use it to schedule social media posts and manage Facebook Ad campaigns, and analyse Google Shopping ads.
Pricing
Per month
- Free
- Pro – $119 (£104)
- Guru – $229 (£202)
- Business – $449 (£396)
Free Trial? Yes
Thoughts
We’ve used a trial of SEMrush which we’ve really enjoyed, especially with the detailed dashboard that gives you an overview of the important figures at a glance. However, we would recommend the tool only if you’re a expert with SEO – as the features use industry terminology and jargon.
Find out more on SEMrush here.
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is the only free tool that we believe is up to scratch, and it’s great because it is offered free to everyone with a website. You simply have to add code to your website and submit a sitemap for indexing.
Search Console allows you to control which website pages get indexed, and allows you to understand how Google and its users view your website and allows you to optimise your website for better performance in Google.
Key Features
- Page positioning
- Submit pages for indexing
- Errors
- Sitemap submission
- Mobile-first indexing
Benefits
As it is free to use for all websites, Google Search Console is a great tool for beginners, with ready to use metrics and straightforward pages and tools. It is very user-friendly. It gives you valuable information about your website at a glance, and allows you to observe and fix problems on your website.
Pricing
- Free
Thoughts
We think Google Search Console is a great start to SEO, and as it is free for every website, it’s worth taking advantage of. The only set back is that there are no features for search ranking for specific keywords, so we would suggest using Google Search Console alongside another tool.
Find out more on Google Search Console here.
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is a cheap alternative to Moz with great site audit and keyword features. It gives you an in-depth analysis of your website and gives you keyword rank tracking and backlink monitoring. With different price plans, it’s great for in-house marketers and agencies alike.
Key Features
- Website audit
- Backlinks monitor
- Keyword rank tracker
- SEO/PPC Competitor Research
- Custom reporting
- Social media management
Benefits
The on-page SEO checker performs detailed analysis of your website pages and checks them against a number of ranking factors.
We also like the ‘Marketing Plan’ feature that allows you to build a plan for your marketing and SEO strategy, including keyword research ideas, on and off page optimisation suggestions, and social media management ideas. This is great given that marketing as a whole, rather than just focusing on your website, is key for a successful business online.
What’s more, you can brand your SE Ranking account, meaning that it’s easy to give access to your clients, or email them a report, and they will see your logo, domain and brand colours.
Pricing
Per month
- Essential – £26.40
- Pro – £60
- Business – £127.20
Free trial? Yes
Thoughts
Prior to our research, we’d not heard of SE Ranking, however it is certainly in the running for being a top Moz alternative.
Find out more on SE Ranking here.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs SEO is another Moz alternative and is used worldwide. With a wealth of features, it is a great keyword tool to help you find new keywords and phrases to reach your target audience.
Key Features
- Site audit
- Keywords explorer
- Domain comparison
- Batch analysis
- Ahref Rank
- URL rating
- Domain rating
- Broken links analysis
- Content explorer
- Rank tracker
Benefits
Ahrefs offers a tool called Site Explorer which helps you analyse any website. It has one of the world’s largest third-party databases of search queries and index of live backlinks. They have 19.8 billion keywords in their keyword index. Monthly search volumes and other keyword metrics are often more accurate than competitor tools.
Pricing
Per month
- Lite – £79
- Standard – £159
- Advanced – £319
- Enterprise – £799
Free trial? No
Thoughts
We liked the advanced filtering tools that Ahrefs offer, as well as their tutorials and support which also help you to get started. However, it is a shame that they do not offer a mobile app – for optimisation on the go.
Comparison Table
| Moz | SEMRush | Google Console | SE Ranking | Ahrefs | |
| Free trial? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pricing from | £99 | £104 | Free | £26.40 | £79 |
| Keyword Research | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Competitor Analysis | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Website Design
It’s important to remember, that you could do all the SEO work in the world, but if your website doesn’t look good or help customers, your business won’t grow at it’s potential. Building a successful website that helps your customers and sells your brand is key. Contact our team today to see how we can build you an attractive, SEO friendly, responsive website.
