7 Best Ahrefs Alternatives for AI Search Visibility in 2026

Ahrefs is a world-class SEO tool for backlink analysis and keyword research. But it was built for Google, not AI search. If you want to track and improve how ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity recommend your brand, you need different tools.

Ahrefs has earned its reputation as one of the best SEO tools available. Its backlink index is the largest in the industry, its keyword explorer is fast and accurate, and its site audit tools help teams maintain technical SEO health. For traditional search engine optimization, Ahrefs is hard to beat.

But the way people search is changing. ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini are answering questions that used to go to Google. These AI models don't care about your backlink profile or keyword density the way Google does. They look at content structure, entity relationships, source authority, and citation patterns. Ahrefs does not currently offer AI visibility tracking, AI content creation, or any tools designed for this new search paradigm.

If you're seeing declining traffic and suspect AI is the reason, or if you want to proactively position your brand for AI-powered search, the tools below are designed for exactly that. Some replace Ahrefs entirely, while others pair well with it to cover both traditional and AI search.

Best Ahrefs Alternatives

Semrush

Semrush is the most direct Ahrefs competitor, offering a comprehensive SEO suite with keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and competitive intelligence. Semrush has also started adding AI visibility features through Semrush One and their AI Toolkit, making it the closest thing to an all-in-one solution for both traditional and AI search.

$139.95/mo

Best for: Teams that want a direct Ahrefs replacement with traditional SEO features plus basic AI visibility tracking in one platform.

Pros

Comprehensive SEO suite comparable to Ahrefs
AI visibility tracking available through Semrush One
Larger keyword and advertising database
Established platform with extensive integrations

Cons

AI visibility is an add-on, not the core focus
No AI content creation tools
More expensive when AI features are added
Complex interface with a steep learning curve

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Attensira

Attensira takes a completely different approach from Ahrefs. Instead of backlinks and keywords, it tracks your brand across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, DeepSeek, Copilot, Google AI Mode, and Google AI Overviews. It includes automated content creation — generating blog posts, comparison pages, and LinkedIn content optimized for AI citation — plus on-page SEO analysis.

$129/mo

Best for: Teams that want to complement their existing SEO stack with dedicated AI visibility tracking and automated content creation.

Pros

Tracks all major AI platforms in a single dashboard
Automated content creation for AI-optimized articles and pages
On-page SEO analysis with specific optimization recommendations
Prompt volume data to discover high-value AI search opportunities
Self-serve signup with 7-day free trial

Cons

No backlink analysis or keyword research (Ahrefs' strengths)
No site audit or technical SEO tools
Best used alongside a traditional SEO tool for full coverage

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Profound

Profound is an enterprise AI visibility platform tracking brand mentions across nine AI models including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and Meta AI. It offers the broadest platform coverage in the market and deep enterprise analytics, but requires a sales process to get started.

From $99/mo

Best for: Enterprise organizations that need comprehensive AI visibility across the most platforms and have the budget for premium tooling.

Pros

Broadest AI platform coverage available
Enterprise-grade analytics and reporting
G2-recognized AEO leader
Agent and crawler analytics included

Cons

Requires a demo to access the platform
No traditional SEO features (no backlink replacement)
Enterprise pricing can scale quickly
Not ideal for small or self-serve teams

Peec AI

Peec AI provides AI search analytics with competitor benchmarking and prompt suggestions. It monitors visibility across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews, with additional platforms available as paid add-ons. Peec is focused purely on monitoring and does not include content creation tools.

$89/mo

Best for: Teams that need affordable AI monitoring alongside their existing Ahrefs subscription and don't need content creation tools.

Pros

Clean monitoring dashboard with good competitor data
Affordable entry price for AI analytics
Agency partner program for managing multiple clients
Prompt suggestion features to discover opportunities

Cons

No content creation or page optimization
Many AI platforms require additional fees
Only 25 prompts on the starter plan
No traditional SEO features to replace Ahrefs

Otterly

Otterly tracks AI visibility across major models and provides share of voice data, competitor analysis, and content recommendations. It is a monitoring tool rather than a content creation platform, offering an accessible entry point for teams starting their AI visibility journey.

$79/mo

Best for: Budget-conscious teams that want basic AI visibility monitoring while keeping Ahrefs for traditional SEO.

Pros

Most affordable AI monitoring option
Simple interface focused on core metrics
Includes content recommendations
Good for teams new to AI visibility

Cons

Monitoring only — no content creation
No traditional SEO to replace Ahrefs features
Limited depth compared to more comprehensive platforms
Does not optimize or improve visibility directly

SE Ranking

SE Ranking offers traditional SEO tools similar to Ahrefs — keyword tracking, backlink monitoring, site audits, and competitive analysis — at a significantly lower price. It serves as a budget-friendly traditional SEO alternative with emerging AI visibility features.

$65/mo

Best for: Teams that want traditional SEO features like Ahrefs at a lower price point and are willing to accept a smaller data set.

Pros

Most affordable traditional SEO suite available
Covers backlinks, keywords, and site audits like Ahrefs
Starting to add AI visibility capabilities
Good for teams that need Ahrefs-like features on a budget

Cons

Smaller backlink index than Ahrefs
AI features are still early-stage
No content creation for AI optimization
Less depth in competitive analysis data

Surfer SEO

Surfer SEO is a content optimization tool that analyzes top-ranking pages and provides data-driven recommendations for your content. It helps improve content structure and keyword usage, which can indirectly benefit AI visibility through better-structured pages.

$99/mo

Best for: Content teams that want to improve their writing quality and page structure, complementing both traditional SEO and AI visibility efforts.

Pros

Strong content optimization with NLP-based analysis
Real-time content scoring as you write
Google Docs and WordPress integrations
Helps improve content structure AI models prefer

Cons

No AI visibility tracking or monitoring
No backlink analysis to replace Ahrefs
Content recommendations target Google, not AI models
Limited to content optimization — not a full SEO suite

Quick Comparison

Platform	Starting Price	Best For
Semrush	$139.95/mo	Teams that want a direct Ahrefs replacement with traditional SEO features plus basic AI visibility tracking in one platform.
AttensiraFeatured	$129/mo	Teams that want to complement their existing SEO stack with dedicated AI visibility tracking and automated content creation.
Profound	From $99/mo	Enterprise organizations that need comprehensive AI visibility across the most platforms and have the budget for premium tooling.
Peec AI	$89/mo	Teams that need affordable AI monitoring alongside their existing Ahrefs subscription and don't need content creation tools.
Otterly	$79/mo	Budget-conscious teams that want basic AI visibility monitoring while keeping Ahrefs for traditional SEO.
SE Ranking	$65/mo	Teams that want traditional SEO features like Ahrefs at a lower price point and are willing to accept a smaller data set.
Surfer SEO	$99/mo	Content teams that want to improve their writing quality and page structure, complementing both traditional SEO and AI visibility efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why look for Ahrefs alternatives?

Ahrefs is excellent for traditional SEO — backlinks, keyword research, and site audits. But it does not track AI visibility or help you get cited by ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Gemini. If AI search is becoming important for your business, you need tools specifically built for that.

Does Ahrefs track AI visibility?

As of early 2026, Ahrefs does not offer native AI visibility tracking. They focus on traditional search metrics: backlinks, organic keywords, SERP features, and site health. For AI platform monitoring, you need a dedicated tool like Attensira, Profound, Peec, or Otterly.

Should I replace Ahrefs or use an alternative alongside it?

Most teams use an AI visibility tool alongside Ahrefs rather than replacing it. Ahrefs remains the best tool for backlink research and keyword data. An AI visibility platform handles the AI search side. The two solve different problems.

Which Ahrefs alternative has the best AI content creation?

Attensira is the only platform in this comparison that includes automated AI content creation — generating blog posts, comparison pages, and social content optimized for AI citation. Other alternatives focus on monitoring or traditional SEO.

What is the most affordable Ahrefs alternative?

For traditional SEO features similar to Ahrefs, SE Ranking starts at $65/mo. For AI visibility monitoring, Otterly starts at $79/mo. For AI visibility plus content creation, Attensira starts at $129/mo. The right choice depends on whether you need traditional SEO, AI monitoring, or both.

How we evaluate: Our team researches each platform by testing free trials, reviewing public documentation, comparing published pricing, and analyzing user reviews. Attensira is our product, so we disclose that bias upfront — but we aim to be fair and factual about every platform listed. Pricing and features were last verified in February 2026. If you spot an inaccuracy, please let us know.

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