Best SEO Tools (2 Options Compared)

Best of

Best SEO tools: 2 options compared

Disclosure: we may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our rankings or verdicts. Full disclosure.

Our top pick: Semrush. Semrush combines SEO with advertising, content, local and social toolkits, a free plan and a 7-day trial, which suits teams that want one suite.

Tool	Best for	Free option	Starting price
1. Semrush Our pick	marketers who want SEO plus ads, content and local toolkits	Free plan; 7-day trial	From $139/mo
Ahrefs	link-building and backlink-focused specialists	Free tools available	See official pricing

How we chose

We looked at data coverage, toolkits, free options and published pricing. Facts come from each vendor’s own public pages; where a price or limit was not shown we say so instead of guessing.

The options in detail

Our pick

Semrush

Best for: marketers who want SEO plus ads, content and local toolkits.

28B keywords and 43T backlinks, per the official site
Free plan with 1 demo project
Plans cap tracked keywords and websites

Watch out: Extra users cost from $45/mo.

Read the Semrush review

Also consider

Ahrefs

Best for: link-building and backlink-focused specialists.

41.9B keywords tracked, per its site
Site Explorer, Rank Tracker, Site Audit and Content Explorer
Brand Radar for AI visibility

Watch out: Pricing was not shown on the page we read.

Official site

Verdict

If the points above match your needs, start with Semrush and use its free option or trial to confirm. Choose another option only when a specific limit blocks you.

Start the 7-day free trial

Go deeper: semrush vs ahrefs · Semrush review · Semrush alternatives

Prices and limits can change; always confirm on the official sites. Last verified: 2026-10-13