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Alternatives to Ahrefs API in 2026
Key takeaways
- DataForSEO is the strongest pay-as-you-go alternative for developers who need raw SEO data at scale without a large monthly seat fee.
- SE Ranking and Serpstat bundle an API with a dashboard, which suits agencies that want reporting as well as data.
- SerpApi, Serper, and Bright Data suit SERP-only work, while Moz Links API suits teams that mainly need link metrics.
- Ahrefs API access itself sits on higher tiers with metered units, so compare total cost, not just the base plan price.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Great for | Pricing starts at | Free tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 DataForSEO | Pay-as-you-go SEO data | $50 deposit | Free trial | Visit |
 SE Ranking API | Dashboard plus API | $129 per month | Free trial | Visit |
 Semrush API | Teams already on Semrush | See website | Free trial | Visit |
 SerpApi | Live SERP data | $25 per month | Yes | Visit |
 Moz Links API | Link metrics only | $20 per month | Yes | Visit |
 Serpstat API | All-in-one SEO API | $50 per month | Free trial | Visit |
 Serper | Low-cost Google SERP API | $50 for 50,000 queries | Yes | Visit |
 Bright Data SERP API | Large-scale SERP scraping | $1.50 per 1,000 requests | Yes | Visit |
The best alternatives to Ahrefs API
We compared APIs that can replace Ahrefs API work: backlink data, keyword data, SERP results, rank tracking, and site audits, with pricing that developers can actually plan around.
DataForSEO is the closest like-for-like data replacement for many Ahrefs API users. It offers SERP, keyword, backlink, domain, and on-page endpoints as raw JSON, and you pay per request after a $50 minimum deposit. When projects go quiet, the bill drops toward zero, which subscription APIs cannot match.
The trade-off is workflow. There is no polished dashboard or client reporting suite, so you need to build your own storage, reports, or integrations. For developers and agencies with that skill, the cost control and endpoint range make it a strong first alternative.
- Pay per request with no monthly seat fee
- Broad SERP, keyword, backlink, and audit endpoints
- Credits do not expire in published terms
- API only, with no full dashboard
- Minimum deposit applies
- Documentation takes time to learn
SE Ranking suits teams that want both an API and a dashboard. Its plans include API credits, and the platform adds rank tracking, backlink checks, keyword research, and site audits in one subscription. That bundling helps agencies that need client reports without building a full reporting tool.
Plan tiers matter. API credit limits, rate limits, and AI search features vary by tier, so check the tier that matches your monthly volume. If you only need raw data and no dashboard, a pay-as-you-go API may cost less.
- API credits included in plans
- Dashboard, rank tracking, and audits beside the API
- Agency reporting options
- API access is tied to a plan tier
- Pay-as-you-go wallet option needs checking for your use case
Semrush API makes sense when a team already works in Semrush and wants programmatic access to its data. It offers keyword, domain, backlink, and trends endpoints, and it pairs with the platform reporting teams already know. For large teams, that consistency can justify the price.
Small teams should check total cost carefully. Published comparisons note API access on higher tiers with metered units on top, so the base plan price alone understates the bill. If you need only SERP or backlink data, a cheaper specialist API may fit better.
- Very large keyword database
- Domain, backlink, and trends endpoints
- Familiar platform for existing users
- API access requires higher tiers plus units
- Total cost is high for small teams
SerpApi is a clean replacement when your Ahrefs API use was mainly SERP data. It returns live search results from Google and other engines in structured JSON, with location and device options. The free tier offers a small monthly search allowance, which suits testing.
It does not replace backlink or keyword database work. If you need historical link data or large keyword lists, pair SerpApi with DataForSEO or a link API. For rank checks and SERP features, including AI Overviews parsing in published comparisons, it is straightforward and well documented.
- Live Google and other search engine results
- Simple JSON API
- Free tier with monthly searches
- SERP data only, with no backlink index
- Monthly search limits apply on lower tiers
Moz Links API suits a narrow job: checking link metrics for domains and pages. Domain Authority, Page Authority, and link counts are familiar metrics for many SEO teams, and the API is simpler to use than a full SEO data platform. A free tier with a small monthly row allowance helps testing.
Scope is the limit. It will not return SERP results, keyword volumes, or site audit data, so it cannot replace the full Ahrefs API alone. Use it when link metrics are the main need, or pair it with a SERP API for a fuller picture.
- Domain Authority and Page Authority metrics
- Simple link-focused API
- Free tier with monthly rows
- Link data only
- No keyword or SERP endpoints
- Rate limits are tight on free tier
Serpstat offers a broad API that covers keywords, domains, backlinks, rank tracking, and audits, which makes it a plausible all-round Ahrefs API alternative. Mid-tier plans include API credits, and the platform also offers a dashboard for teams that want one. Pricing at entry and mid levels is lower than Semrush API for many teams.
Credit rules need reading. Published comparisons note that lower plans may include no API credits, with API access starting at higher tiers. Confirm the exact plan, credit count, and rate limit before building a workflow around it.
- Keyword, domain, backlink, rank, and audit endpoints
- Plan-bundled credits
- Competitive pricing at mid tiers
- API credits start on higher tiers in published comparisons
- Interface and docs feel less polished than larger rivals
Serper is a low-cost option for Google SERP data inside an app or workflow. Prepaid pricing gives a clear cost per thousand queries, and a free tier lets developers test without a card. For teams that only need Google results, it can be far cheaper than a full SEO platform API.
Engine breadth and expiry are the catches. Serper focuses on Google, so teams that need Bing, Yahoo, or other engines will need another provider. Prepaid credits also expire after six months in published terms, so buy only what you expect to use in that window.
- Low cost per Google query
- Prepaid credits
- Free tier without a card in published comparisons
- Google-focused, with less engine breadth
- Credits expire after six months in published terms
Bright Data SERP API suits teams that need SERP data at scale, including sites that resist scraping. Its proxy infrastructure and SERP endpoints handle high volumes, and published comparisons note free monthly credits for testing. For large data pipelines, that scale matters.
Complexity is the downside. Pricing, wallet options, and setup take more work than a simple subscription SERP API, and it does not provide a backlink or keyword database. Use it for large SERP workloads, and pair it with a data API when you also need link or keyword history.
- Large-scale SERP infrastructure
- Proxy network for hard-to-scrape sites
- Free monthly credits in published comparisons
- Pricing and setup are more complex
- SERP data only, with no SEO database
How we picked these
We compared vendor pricing pages, API documentation, and 2026 API comparisons for endpoint range, pricing model, free tiers, and rate limits. We kept only APIs that are live in 2026 and can replace at least one major Ahrefs API job, such as backlinks, keywords, SERP data, or rank tracking. We did not claim hands-on API testing, and prices should be confirmed on vendor pricing pages, since API units and credit rules change often.
How to choose the right Ahrefs API alternative
Start with the data you actually call. List your Ahrefs API endpoints, monthly call volume, and required freshness, then match that list to an alternative. A SERP-only API will not replace backlink calls, and a link-only API will not replace keyword research. That endpoint list prevents buying a broad platform when a narrow API would do.
Compare total cost, not headline price. Subscription APIs charge a base fee plus units or credits, pay-as-you-go APIs charge per request with a minimum deposit, and prepaid APIs may expire credits. Model your monthly volume at each provider, including peak months, and check rate limits, data history, and support hours.
Migration tips that save time
Run both APIs in parallel for a month and compare results for the same domains and keywords. Backlink counts and keyword volumes differ between indexes, so expect different numbers and judge by trend and coverage, not by exact match. Keep your old Ahrefs queries documented, so you can map each one to the new endpoint without guessing.
Free Ahrefs alternatives, honestly
Free tiers help testing, but no free API matches a full paid Ahrefs API at scale. SerpApi, Moz Links API, Serper, and Bright Data offer free allowances, and DataForSEO offers trial credit, which is enough for small projects and prototypes. For production volume, budget for a paid tier or a pay-as-you-go deposit, and treat free tiers as a trial, not a permanent plan.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free alternatives to Ahrefs?
SerpApi, Moz Links API, Serper, and Bright Data offer free tiers or credits, and DataForSEO offers trial credit for testing. Free allowances suit small projects, prototypes, and evaluation. Production work usually needs a paid tier or deposit, since free limits are small and rate limits are tight.
What is the best Ahrefs API alternative for backlinks?
DataForSEO offers broad backlink endpoints on a pay-as-you-go model, SE Ranking and Serpstat bundle backlink APIs with dashboards, and Moz Links API offers link metrics alone. The best pick depends on whether you need raw link lists, domain metrics, or a dashboard beside the data. Compare index coverage and cost per thousand links for your volume.
Is DataForSEO a good alternative to Ahrefs API?
Yes, for developers who want raw SEO data without a large monthly fee. DataForSEO covers SERP, keyword, backlink, and audit endpoints, with pay-per-request pricing and a $50 minimum deposit. It lacks a full dashboard, so it suits teams that build their own reports or integrations.
What is the best alternative to Ahrefs API for SERP data?
SerpApi and Serper are strong SERP-only picks, with SerpApi offering broader engine coverage and Serper offering low-cost Google queries. Bright Data suits large-scale SERP work, while DataForSEO suits teams that also need keyword and backlink data. Choose by engine, volume, and freshness needs.
Does Semrush offer an API as an Ahrefs alternative?
Yes, Semrush offers an API with keyword, domain, backlink, and trends endpoints, but access requires higher tiers plus metered units in published comparisons. It suits teams already on Semrush that want consistent data and reporting. Small teams should model total cost before choosing it over a pay-as-you-go API.
Can I replace Ahrefs API with a free tool?
You can replace small, specific jobs with free tiers, such as link checks with Moz or SERP tests with SerpApi or Serper. A full replacement at production volume usually needs paid access, since free tiers limit rows, searches, and rate. Start free to test, then move to the cheapest paid model that covers your monthly volume.
Sources
- https://dataforseo.com
- https://www.seranking.com
- https://www.semrush.com
- https://serpapi.com
- https://moz.com
- https://serpstat.com
- https://serper.dev
- https://brightdata.com
- https://ryandoser.com/dataforseo-alternatives/
- https://serpwatch.io/blog/the-8-best-seo-apis-ranked-by-what-they-actually-cost-to-run-in-2026/
- https://dataforseo.com/blog/backlink-api-comparison-dataforseo-ahrefs-semrush
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