Comparison · 7 min read
Cheaper Semrush alternatives: 6 tools by use case
Semrush is expensive for a small business. Alternatives by need: audit and priorities, AI visibility, keywords, backlinks, content. With checked prices.
Published October 6, 2026 · by Alexandre
In short
The best Semrush alternative depends on what you really need. To know what to fix and get cited by AI without being an expert: CoolSEO (from $29/month, free audit). For backlinks: Ahrefs. For a cheaper complete suite: SE Ranking. For content optimization: Surfer (from €49/month). To track only AI visibility: Otterly.AI (from $29/month).
Semrush is the benchmark, but its entry plan (SEO, €134 per month as of October 6, 2026) is heavy for a small business that only uses part of its features. Here are the alternatives, sorted by need rather than an arbitrary score.
Summary table
| Tool | Best for | Entry price |
|---|---|---|
| CoolSEO | Knowing what to fix, getting cited by AI, weekly tracking, for non-experts | $29/month (launch); free audit |
| Ahrefs | Backlink and competitor analysis | See ahrefs.com/pricing |
| SE Ranking | Complete, more affordable SEO suite | See seranking.com |
| Ubersuggest | Simple keyword research | See neilpatel.com/ubersuggest |
| Surfer (Discovery) | Content optimization and writing | €49/month |
| Otterly.AI (Lite) | AI visibility tracking only | $29/month |
1. CoolSEO: to know what to do, on Google and in AI
Designed for small businesses: a 7-pillar audit, fixes ranked by impact and explained step by step, a real question asked to Gemini about your market, article writing and weekly tracking. Less raw data than Semrush, much more help to take action. See CoolSEO vs Semrush.
2. Ahrefs: for backlinks
Known for its backlink database and competitor analysis. The right choice if link building is your main topic.
3. SE Ranking: a more accessible complete suite
Covers audit, rankings, keywords and competitors in one tool, with an approach close to the big suites.
4. Ubersuggest: to start with keyword research
A simple interface to explore keyword and content ideas.
5. Surfer: to optimize your copy
Specialized in optimizing content against pages that already rank. Discovery plan at €49 per month as of October 6, 2026.
6. Otterly.AI: to track your AI visibility
Dedicated to tracking mentions in AI answers. Lite plan at $29 per month as of October 6, 2026. CoolSEO also includes this tracking, with the audit and fixes.
How to choose
- You're not an expert and want concrete actions: CoolSEO.
- Link building is your priority: Ahrefs.
- You want a big suite for less: SE Ranking.
- You write a lot of content: Surfer, possibly with CoolSEO for priorities.
- You only want to track AI: Otterly.AI, or CoolSEO which includes it.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest Semrush alternative?
Among the tools whose prices we checked, CoolSEO is the cheapest, with a $29/month plan (launch price) and a free audit with no account.
Is there a free alternative to Semrush?
No free tool replaces the whole suite, but CoolSEO's audit and its 8 tools are free, with no account: they cover most technical SEO and AI visibility needs.
Which Semrush alternative for visibility in ChatGPT and Gemini?
CoolSEO and Otterly.AI measure AI visibility; CoolSEO adds the audit, step-by-step fixes and site tracking.
Go further
Does AI cite your business?
The free audit checks your site on Google and asks Gemini a real question about your market, in a minute.