Semrush API Alternatives in 2026: 8 APIs Compared

DataForSEO is the product, not an add-on, which is why developers like it. You submit tasks for SERP results, keyword data, backlinks, or on-page audits, then retrieve structured JSON. Pricing is per request, with SERP calls listed around 0.0006 dollars each in recent guides, and a minimum deposit around 50 dollars. For a tool that pulls thousands of results a month, that model is often far cheaper than a suite subscription.

The trade-off is that you must build the reporting yourself. There is no ready-made dashboard, and the async submit-and-retrieve flow needs a little code or a no-code connector. Teams that already build internal tools, or that feed data into their own dashboards, will get the most value. If you want charts out of the box, SE Ranking or Serpstat will feel easier.

SE Ranking is the most balanced Semrush API alternative for agencies that also need a dashboard. Its API ships with every plan, covering SERP, keywords, backlinks, domain analysis, audits, and AI search data, with credits included monthly. The Core plan is listed around 129 dollars per month, which buys both the interface and the data feed. That bundle removes the separate metered invoice that surprises teams on other platforms.

Credits still cap usage, so a large rank-tracking job can burn through a monthly allowance. Higher plans raise the cap, but they also raise the bill. SE Ranking suits agencies that want one vendor for reporting and automation, and that can forecast monthly volume. Solo developers who only need raw rows will find DataForSEO cheaper.

Ahrefs is known for backlinks, and its API reflects that strength. It returns link history, referring domains, keyword volumes, rank tracking, and site audit data in structured form, with a large, frequently updated index behind it. Teams that audit competitors, track link growth, or build link reports will find data here that thinner APIs cannot match. The Lite dashboard plan is listed around 129 dollars per month, with API units billed on top for larger use.

That layering is the catch. API access is not a simple add-on for every plan, and enterprise-level API use can cost far more. Small teams should test the dashboard first, confirm which endpoints their plan opens, and model unit cost before building a production job. For backlink depth, Ahrefs remains a benchmark, but it is not a budget pick.

Moz API is best when the question is simple: how strong is this domain, and which sites link to it. Its Domain Authority and Page Authority scores are still widely quoted in pitches and reports, and its Links API returns link rows in a clean format. A free tier with a small monthly row allowance, plus paid plans starting around 20 dollars per month in recent comparisons, makes it easy to test. For a small tool, a Chrome extension, or a light audit, Moz is enough.

It is not a Semrush replacement for keyword research or SERP tracking at scale. Coverage is narrower, rate limits on low plans are tight, and larger plans cost far more. Use Moz when authority scores and link checks are the job, and pair it with DataForSEO or SerpApi when you also need SERP or keyword volume data.

SerpApi does one job well: it returns live search results as structured JSON, handling proxies, captchas, and parsing for you. That makes it ideal for rank monitoring, price checks, local results, and research tools that need fresh SERP data on demand. Plans start around 75 dollars per month in recent listings, with a free tier for testing. Integration is simple, with libraries for common languages and a playground for trying queries.

The limit is scope. SerpApi does not offer a backlink index or a keyword volume database, so it cannot replace a full SEO suite on its own. At very high volume, per-search pricing also beats DataForSEO's per-request model on cost, so model both before committing. Choose SerpApi when freshness and simplicity matter more than historical SEO data.

Bright Data SERP API is built for scale. It draws on a large proxy network to collect search results across countries, languages, and devices, and it charges per successful result, with a free allowance for testing. That design suits price monitoring, large rank trackers, and research projects that pull millions of rows. The infrastructure handles blocking and retries, which saves engineering time on big jobs.

Small teams may find it overpowered. Pricing depends on volume and result type, so a poorly scoped job can cost more than expected, and there is no dashboard to fall back on. Bright Data fits teams that already run data pipelines and need reliable, global SERP collection. For a single dashboard report, a suite API will be simpler.

Serpstat offers a full SEO API at a lower entry price than the largest suites, with plans starting around 50 dollars per month. Its endpoints cover keyword research, domain analysis, backlinks, rank tracking, and site audits, which makes it a workable all-rounder for small agencies. The credit system is straightforward: each request consumes credits, and higher plans raise the allowance. For a team that needs several data types but cannot justify a premium suite, Serpstat is a sensible middle ground.

The entry plan's API credits will not support a large automation job, and its backlink index is smaller than Ahrefs. Teams should also test endpoint coverage for their target countries, since depth varies by market. Serpstat is best for modest, multi-purpose automation, not for the deepest link research.

Similarweb API answers a different question than the rest of this list: how much traffic does a site get, and who visits it. That data helps with competitor benchmarking, market sizing, and media planning, where keyword volumes alone do not tell the story. A limited free tier lets teams test basic endpoints, while full access is sold as an enterprise plan with custom pricing. For strategy work, traffic estimates often matter more than another keyword list.

It is not a Semrush API replacement for keyword or backlink automation. Keyword-level data is limited, and pricing is opaque for most buyers. Use Similarweb when traffic and audience are the core need, and pair it with DataForSEO or SE Ranking for search data. That combination covers both demand and traffic in one stack.