Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners

Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners
Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners

Ahrefs is a very popular SEO tool. It helps people check keywords, backlinks, website traffic, and more. But it is also expensive. And not easy to use for beginners.

If you are new to SEO, Ahrefs might feel hard. Also, you may not want to spend so much money. The good news is — many other tools do similar things. Some are free. Some are cheaper. Some are very easy to use.

In this post, we will share the best Ahrefs alternatives for beginners. These tools are beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and helpful for SEO work.

Why People Look for Ahrefs Alternatives

Let’s first understand: why do people want a different tool?
• Ahrefs is expensive: The lowest plan is not cheap. Beginners or small websites may not afford it.
• Too many features: Ahrefs has many tools. But some people just want simple keyword help or backlink info.
• Not beginner-friendly: It’s made for professionals. New users may feel lost or confused.

So, many people search for easier, cheaper tools. That’s why we created this list of the Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners — tools that are simple, budget-friendly, and easy to use.

Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners

1. Ubersuggest – Best for Keyword Ideas

Ubersuggest is a tool by Neil Patel. It is simple and easy to use. You just type a keyword, and it gives many ideas. It also shows SEO difficulty, search volume, and more.

 Pros

  • Free plan available
  • Very easy for beginners
  • Good keyword suggestions
  • Simple traffic and backlink reports

 Cons

  • Free version has limits
  • Data is not always 100% correct

Best For:

People who want to do basic keyword research and learn SEO slowly.

2. Moz Free Tools – Good for Domain and Link Check

Moz offers some free tools. You can use them for checking backlinks, domain authority (DA), and keywords.

 Pros

  • Domain Authority and Page Authority check
  • Free backlink checker
  • Easy to understand
  • Clean, simple design

 Cons

  • Limited free searches per day
  • Some features only in paid version

 Best For:

Beginners who want to check backlinks and DA score without stress.

3. SE Ranking – Simple and Budget-Friendly

SE Ranking is a full SEO tool like Ahrefs, but easier to use. It has keyword research, rank tracking, site audit, and backlink checker.

 Pros

  • Clean dashboard
  • Easy to understand
  • Cheaper than Ahrefs
  • All-in-one SEO tool

Cons

  • Not 100% free (has a free trial)
  • Some advanced features may take time to learn

 Best For:

People who want a complete SEO tool but also need something simple and affordable.

4. Serpstat – All-in-One Tool for Beginners

Serpstat is another Ahrefs alternative. It is useful for SEO, PPC, and marketing. Many small businesses use it.

 Pros

  • Simple interface
  • Keyword and backlink tools
  • Website audit included
  • Cheaper than Ahrefs

 Cons

  • Free plan is very limited
  • Some data may be hard to understand at first

 Best For:

Beginners who want multiple SEO tools in one place.

5. Google Search Console – Best Free SEO Tool

Google Search Console (GSC) is 100% free. It shows how your website performs in Google Search. It is not exactly like Ahrefs, but very useful.

Pros

  • Free from Google
  • Shows real search queries
  • Tells if Google can read your website
  • Shows which pages get the most clicks

 Cons

  • No keyword research
  • No backlink info from other websites

Best For:

People who want to check their own website’s SEO without paying anything.

6. AnswerThePublic – Best for Content Ideas

AnswerThePublic helps you find questions that people ask on Google. It’s not a full SEO tool, but it helps you write content that people are looking for.

 Pros

  • Shows real questions people ask
  • Easy to use with visual format
  • Helps you get content ideas fast

 Cons

  • Limited free searches
  • No backlinks or keyword difficulty

 Best For:

Bloggers and new website owners who need blog topic ideas that are SEO-friendly.

7. KeywordTool.io – Long-Tail Keyword Helper

If you want more keyword ideas, KeywordTool.io is a good choice. It gives many long-tail keywords from Google, YouTube, Bing, and more.

 Pros

  • Great for long-tail keyword ideas
  • Works for many platforms (Google, YouTube, Amazon)
  • Free version available

 Cons

  • Paid plan needed for full data
  • Doesn’t show keyword difficulty for free

 Best For:

Beginners who want to find many keywords and grow content based on user intent.

8. SEO PowerSuite – Software-Based Tool

SEO PowerSuite is a downloadable SEO tool. You install it on your computer. It gives strong features like site audit, backlinks, rank tracking, and more.

 Pros

  • One-time payment (no monthly fee)
  • Complete SEO toolkit
  • Good for beginners and experts

 Cons

  • Needs download and install
  • Takes time to learn all features

 Best For:

People who want a complete SEO solution without monthly payments and don’t mind using software.

9. Woorank – Website Analyzer for Beginners

Woorank gives a detailed report about your website. It shows problems, tips, and scores to improve SEO. It’s good for beginners who want to fix their websites.

Pros

  • Clean SEO report
  • Shows areas to improve
  • Easy to understand

Cons

  • Limited free usage
  • Not a full SEO tool (missing keyword tool)

 Best For:

New users who want a simple SEO audit report for their website.

10. Screaming Frog (Free Version) – Basic Site Audit

Screaming Frog is a website crawler. It scans your site and shows technical SEO issues like broken links, missing titles, and more.

 Pros

  • Free version for small sites (500 pages)
  • Shows deep SEO problems
  • Good for learning technical SEO

 Cons

  • Interface is not very beginner-friendly
  • Needs download on your computer

 Best For:

People who want to check technical SEO and improve site health.

Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners

Tips to Choose the Right Ahrefs Alternative

You now know 10 great alternatives. But how do you pick the best one? Use these tips:

1. Know Your SEO Goals

  • Do you want to find keywords?
  • Do you want to track backlinks?
  • Do you want to audit your website?

Start by knowing your need. Then pick the tool that helps most with that.

 2. Check Your Budget

  • Free tools like Google Search Console, Moz Free, or Ubersuggest (free plan) are great to start.
  • If you have a small budget, try SE Ranking or Serpstat.
  • If you can invest once, use SEO PowerSuite.

 3. Focus on Ease of Use

  • Choose tools with clean dashboards.
  • Watch tutorials if the tool looks confusing.
  • Try free trials before you pay.

 4. Compare Features

  • Use a table like we showed before.
  • Make sure the tool has what you really need.

What Features Should Beginners Look For?

Here’s what beginners should look for in an SEO tool:

FeatureWhy It’s ImportantKeyword SuggestionsHelps you write content people searchSearch Volume DataShows if people search that topicSEO Difficulty ScoreTells how hard it is to rankBacklink CheckerShows who links to your websiteSite Audit ToolFinds SEO problems on your websiteRank TrackerChecks if your keywords are improving

Not every tool gives all features. That’s why many beginners use 2 or 3 free tools together to get a full SEO picture.

Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners

A Beginner’s SEO Tool Combo (Free)

Here’s a simple combo of free tools that works well for most beginners:

  • 🔍 Google Search Console – for tracking your website’s performance
  • 🔑 Ubersuggest – for finding keyword ideas
  • 🔗 Moz Free Tools – for checking backlinks and DA
  • 📝 AnswerThePublic – for content ideas

This combo is 100% free and gives you a strong start.

How to Start Using These SEO Tools (Step-by-Step Guide)

Many beginners feel confused about how to use SEO tools. Don’t worry. Here is a simple guide to help you get started.

 Step 1: Pick One or Two Tools

Don’t try all tools at once. Start with just 1 or 2 tools. Choose based on your goals:

Your Goal Recommended Tool Find easy keywords Ubersuggest. KeywordTool.io Improve website content Answer The Public. Check backlinks Moz Free Tool See Google ranking Google Search Console. Fix website problems Woorank, Screaming Frog

Step 2: Do Keyword Research

Use Ubersuggest or KeywordTool.io to find the best keywords.

Example:

If you have a website about cooking, search: easy chicken recipes.

You will get many keyword ideas:

  • easy chicken recipes for dinner
  • quick chicken meals
  • chicken curry recipe for beginners

Choose keywords that:

  • Have good search volume
  • Have low or medium SEO difficulty
  • Make sense for your content

 Step 3: Write SEO-Friendly Content

Once you have a good keyword, create a blog post or webpage using that keyword. Here are some tips:

  • Put the keyword in the title
  • Use the keyword in the first 100 words
  • Add the keyword in one subheading
  • Use related words in the content (example: “chicken,” “recipe,” “quick dinner”)
  • Add images with proper ALT text
  • Keep your sentences short and simple

 Step 4: Use Google Search Console

Set up Google Search Console for your website. It’s free and very helpful.

It tells you:

  • Which keywords bring visitors
  • Which pages are popular
  • If your website has any problems (like mobile errors or slow speed)
  • If Google can find and read your website

Tip: Submit your sitemap. It helps Google find all your pages faster.

Step 5: Track Backlinks

Use Moz Free Link Explorer or Ubersuggest to check backlinks.

Why it’s important: Backlinks help Google trust your site. If good websites link to you, your site can rank higher.

How to get backlinks:

  • Write helpful content
  • Share your posts on social media
  • Ask other websites in your niche to link to you
Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners

Common SEO Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

Sometimes, beginners make small mistakes. These mistakes hurt your rankings. Let’s look at some of them and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using Only High-Search Keywords

Many people only go for big keywords like “best laptop” or “SEO tools.”

But these are very competitive. It’s hard to rank.

 Use long-tail keywords like:

  • best laptop for students under $500
  • SEO tools for small business owners

These are easier to rank and bring targeted traffic.

Mistake 2: Not Checking SEO Difficulty

A keyword may look good. But if the SEO difficulty is high, you may never rank.

 Always use tools like Ubersuggest or SE Ranking to check keyword difficulty.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Site Speed and Mobile

Google wants your website to load fast and work well on mobile.

 Use tools like:

  • Google PageSpeed Insights
  • Screaming Frog (to find errors)
  • Woorank (for mobile usability)

Fix slow loading pages and make sure your site looks good on mobile devices.

Mistake 4: Not Updating Old Content

Your old blog posts can become weak over time.

 Go back and:

  • Add new keywords
  • Fix broken links
  • Update old facts or stats
  • Improve titles and descriptions

This helps your rankings improve again.

Mistake 5: Not Using SEO Titles and Descriptions

Search engines show title tags and meta descriptions in results.

If you don’t write them, Google may create one for you — and it may not be good.

 Write clear, simple titles and descriptions for every page.

Bonus: Simple On-Page SEO Checklist

Here’s a basic checklist to follow for every new page or post:

✅ Keyword in Title

✅ Keyword in URL

✅ Keyword in First Paragraph

✅ At least 1000 words

✅ 2–3 internal links (links to your other pages)

✅ 1–2 external links (links to high-quality sites)

✅ At least one image with ALT tag

✅ Mobile-friendly layout ✅ Fast loading speed

You don’t need to use just one tool. Many beginners use 2 or 3 free tools together to get better SEO results.

Combine Free Tools for Better SEO Results

Let’s look at how to combine tools for each task.

 1. Keyword Research Combo

Use this set for keyword ideas:

  • Ubersuggest – Find keyword suggestions, search volume, SEO difficulty
  • AnswerThePublic – Find real questions people ask
  • Google Trends – See which topics are growing or losing popularity

Steps:

  1. Start with a topic idea (e.g., “healthy snacks”)
  2. Check search volume in Ubersuggest
  3. Find questions in AnswerThePublic
  4. Check if the topic is growing in Google Trends

This gives you keywords + user intent + trending ideas.

 2. Website Performance Combo

Use this combo to check your website’s health:

  • Google Search Console – See search data and errors
  • Woorank – Get an SEO report with improvement tips
  • Screaming Frog (free) – Check for broken links and missing tags

Steps:

  1. Connect your site to Google Search Console
  2. Run a full scan using Woorank
  3. Use Screaming Frog to find technical problems

Fix the issues to improve your Google ranking and user experience.

 3. Backlink Checking Combo

Use these tools to look at backlinks:

  • Moz Link Explorer – Check how many sites link to you
  • Ubersuggest – See top backlinks for your site and others
  • SE Ranking (trial) – For deeper link data

Steps:

  1. Enter your domain in Moz and Ubersuggest
  2. Look at the quality of backlinks
  3. Check which content gets the most links
  4. Use this info to create similar content and build more links

Real Examples: How These Tools Work

Let’s walk through an example to see how these free tools help in real SEO.

 Example 1: Keyword Research for a Blog

Topic: “Easy Desserts”

Step 1: Use Ubersuggest

  • Keyword: “easy desserts”
  • Search volume: 33,000/month
  • SEO difficulty: Medium (40)

Related keywords:

  • easy dessert recipes for kids
  • quick 3-ingredient desserts
  • no-bake dessert ideas

Step 2: Use AnswerThePublic

  • what is the easiest dessert to make?
  • can I make dessert without oven?
  • how to make dessert in 5 minutes?

 These questions are great for creating blog subheadings.

Step 3: Use Google Trends

  • “no bake dessert” is rising in interest
  • “chocolate mug cake” is a breakout term

 Write a post titled “7 No-Bake Easy Desserts for Busy People”

 Example 2: Website SEO Check

Website: www.examplecookingblog.com

Step 1: Google Search Console

  • Pages getting clicks: Home, Banana Bread Recipe, No-Bake Cookies
  • Mobile usability error found: “Clickable elements too close”

 You fix the mobile layout issue for better ranking.

Step 2: Woorank Report

  • Page speed: slow
  • Missing meta descriptions on 5 blog posts
  • One broken link found

 You fix all 3 issues. Now your site is faster and more optimized.

Step 3: Screaming Frog (Free)

  • Finds 3 missing title tags
  • Finds duplicate H1 on 2 pages
  • 1 image missing ALT tag

 Fix these for better on-page SEO and Google indexing.

More Free Tools That Can Help You

Besides the main tools already listed, here are extra tools that help with small SEO tasks.

 1. Hemingway Editor

  • Makes your writing simple and clear
  • Helps remove hard-to-read sentences
  • Great for writing blog posts in easy English

2. TinyPNG

  • Compresses images without losing quality
  • Makes your site faster
  • Easy drag-and-drop interface

 3. SEO Minion

  • Chrome extension
  • Lets you check on-page SEO in your browser
  • Helps check SERP previews and broken links

 4. Yoast SEO (WordPress plugin)

  • Helps you add SEO titles, descriptions, and keywords
  • Gives green or red SEO scores for each post
  • Great for beginners using WordPress

Smart Habits for Beginner SEO Users

To improve step-by-step, follow these smart SEO habits:

Do keyword research before writing

Check your posts every 2 months

Update old posts regularly

Track your progress in a spreadsheet

Use one day each week for SEO work

Focus on one small improvement at a time

Final Thoughts: Which Ahrefs Alternative Is Best for You?

You’ve now seen many Ahrefs alternatives. But which one should you pick?
Let’s make it simple.

If You’re Just Starting SEO
Use this beginner-friendly set from the Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners list:
• Ubersuggest – for keyword ideas
• Google Search Console – to track your website
• Moz Free Tools – to check backlinks and domain score
• AnswerThePublic – for blog topic ideas

✅ All of these are free or have free versions
✅ Easy to understand
✅ No credit card needed to start

If You Have a Blog or Small Business Website

Use tools like:

  • SE Ranking – full SEO features, cheaper than Ahrefs
  • Serpstat – all-in-one tool with site audit, keywords, backlinks
  • Woorank – for easy SEO reports and suggestions

✅ These tools are great if you want more features ✅ Still simple enough for beginners ✅ Free trials available

 If You Want to Write Content That Ranks

Use this writing + SEO combo:

  • Hemingway Editor – write in easy words
  • Ubersuggest – choose low-difficulty keywords
  • Yoast SEO (WordPress) – get on-page SEO suggestions
  • AnswerThePublic – find real user questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best free SEO tool for beginners?

 Google Search Console is the best free tool. It tells you how your website performs in Google Search. It shows clicks, keywords, and errors.

You can also add:

  • Ubersuggest (free) for keyword ideas
  • Moz Free Tools for backlink checks

Can I do SEO without Ahrefs?

Yes! You can do SEO without Ahrefs. Many people use free or low-cost tools to:

  • Find keywords
  • Check backlinks
  • Improve content
  • Track progress

You just need to choose tools based on your needs and goals.

Is Ubersuggest better than Ahrefs?

Not exactly. Ahrefs is more powerful and gives more data. But Ubersuggest is cheaper, easier, and better for beginners. For simple SEO tasks, Ubersuggest works well.

What if I don’t understand SEO terms?

Start slow. Use simple guides and tutorials. Also:

  • Use tools with clear explanations
  • Watch YouTube videos in your language
  • Focus on one small topic at a time

Over time, you’ll learn more.

How long does it take to see SEO results?

It depends. Usually:

  • New websites: 3 to 6 months
  • Old websites: 1 to 3 months after changes

Tip: Keep working. SEO is slow but powerful over time.

Can I use multiple tools together?

Yes! Many people use:

  • Ubersuggest for keywords
  • Moz for backlinks
  • GSC (Google Search Console) for tracking
  • Woorank or Screaming Frog for audit

 No single tool does everything. A mix gives better results.

Final Words: Start Small, Grow Steady

You don’t need to buy expensive SEO tools to get started. Use the Best Ahrefs Alternatives for Beginners we shared in this guide.
Start with simple steps:
• Pick 1 or 2 tools
• Learn keyword research
• Improve your pages
• Track your results
SEO is like planting a seed. With time, care, and the right tools — your website will grow.
Thank you for reading! Want more beginner SEO guides in simple English? Let us know!