Alternatives to Ahrefs API in 2026: 8 Providers Compared

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By the Ainotely Editorial Team.
Updated October 2026. 10 min read. Prices and features researched from each vendor's official pages and app store listings at time of writing.
Alternatives to Ahrefs API
Quick picks
  1. 1DataForSEO logo
    DataForSEORaw pay-as-you-go SEO data at scale
    Visit
  2. 2SE Ranking API logo
    SE Ranking APIComprehensive Ahrefs API replacement
    Visit
  3. 3Moz API logo
    Moz APIDomain Authority and link metrics via API
    Visit
  4. 4Majestic API logo
    Majestic APIHistorical backlink and trust flow data
    Visit
  5. 5Semrush API logo
    Semrush APIEnterprise clickstream and market data
    Visit
Short version:
In this guide Quick comparisonThe best optionsHow we picked theseHow to choose an Ahrefs API alternative without breaking your pipelineFrequently asked questionsSources

Quick comparison

ProductIdeal forPrice fromFree version
DataForSEORaw pay-as-you-go SEO data at scaleSee websiteYesVisit
SE Ranking APIComprehensive Ahrefs API replacement$50 per monthYesVisit
Moz APIDomain Authority and link metrics via API$20 per monthYesVisit
Majestic APIHistorical backlink and trust flow data$49.99 per monthNoVisit
Semrush APIEnterprise clickstream and market data$549 per monthNoVisit
SpyFu APICompetitor and PPC history via API$79 per monthNoVisit
SerpApiReal-time SERP data via APISee websiteYesVisit
Seobility APIAffordable audit and ranking dataSee websiteFree trialVisit

The best options

We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews to build this list for alternatives to ahrefs api. Every option below exists and works today, and each one earns its place for a different kind of reader.

DataForSEO logo
#1

DataForSEO

Ideal for: Raw pay-as-you-go SEO data at scale

DataForSEO website
dataforseo.com homepage

Here is the short version. DataForSEO suits engineering teams building custom tools, with modular APIs and consumption-only billing. It fits readers who want raw pay-as-you-go seo data at scale, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. When we weighed it against the rest of this list, the balance of price, scope and support stood out for that group. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of yes. Non-technical teams will miss a dashboard, so use it only when developers own the pipeline. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month.

The good and the bad
  • Pay-as-you-go credits
  • SERP, keyword, backlink and on-page APIs
  • Sandbox testing
  • No dashboard
  • Costs need monitoring at high volume
  • Async workflow
SE Ranking API logo
#2

SE Ranking API

Ideal for: Comprehensive Ahrefs API replacement

SE Ranking API website
seranking.com homepage

Start here if you want the safe default. SE Ranking API is the closest comprehensive replacement, pairing a dashboard with APIs for rank, audit, keyword and backlink data. It fits readers who want comprehensive ahrefs api replacement, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. When we weighed it against the rest of this list, the balance of price, scope and support stood out for that group. The price picture is $50 per month, with a free plan status of yes. Check whether pay-as-you-go or a plan fits your volume, since the two models suit different usage patterns. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month.

The good and the bad
  • Data API plus Project API
  • Rank, audit, keyword and backlink endpoints
  • AI search endpoints
  • Pay-as-you-go and plan pricing needs reading
  • Suite depth may exceed API-only needs
Moz API logo
#3

Moz API

Ideal for: Domain Authority and link metrics via API

Moz API website
moz.com homepage

This one suits a specific kind of reader. Moz API suits teams that need Domain Authority programmatically, at the lowest entry price in this list. It fits readers who want domain authority and link metrics via api, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. When we weighed it against the rest of this list, the balance of price, scope and support stood out for that group. The price picture is $20 per month, with a free plan status of yes. Teams that need full keyword and audit APIs should pair it with another provider or choose SE Ranking. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month.

The good and the bad
  • Domain Authority, Page Authority and Spam Score
  • Link index
  • Free tier
  • Lower tiers limit rows
  • Keyword and audit coverage is thinner than suites
Majestic API logo
#4

Majestic API

Ideal for: Historical backlink and trust flow data

Consider this if the top picks do not fit. Majestic suits link forensics and historical audits, with Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics no rival matches. It fits readers who want historical backlink and trust flow data, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. When we weighed it against the rest of this list, the balance of price, scope and support stood out for that group. The price picture is $49.99 per month, with a free plan status of no. Keyword-focused teams will need a second API, so judge it on link depth, not breadth. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month.

The good and the bad
  • Historical link data since 2006
  • Trust Flow and Citation Flow
  • Deep link intelligence
  • Focus is links only
  • Keyword research is limited
Semrush API logo
#5

Semrush API

Ideal for: Enterprise clickstream and market data

A strong option for a narrower need. Semrush API suits enterprises that need clickstream market data and long history. It fits readers who want enterprise clickstream and market data, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. When we weighed it against the rest of this list, the balance of price, scope and support stood out for that group. The price picture is $549 per month, with a free plan status of no. Small teams should not pay the enterprise entry price when DataForSEO or SE Ranking cover their endpoints. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month.

The good and the bad
  • Multi-year historical data
  • Traffic projections
  • Broad market endpoints
  • High entry threshold
  • API units add cost on top of plan
SpyFu API logo
#6

SpyFu API

Ideal for: Competitor and PPC history via API

Worth a close look before you decide. SpyFu suits teams whose main API job is competitor and PPC history. It fits readers who want competitor and ppc history via api, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. When we weighed it against the rest of this list, the balance of price, scope and support stood out for that group. The price picture is $79 per month, with a free plan status of no. As a general SEO API it is thinner than DataForSEO or SE Ranking, so use it for its strength. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month.

The good and the bad
  • 19 years of historical SERP data
  • Competitor and PPC intelligence
  • Focused on competitor research
  • Broader SEO endpoints are thinner
SerpApi logo
#7

SerpApi

Ideal for: Real-time SERP data via API

This belongs on the shortlist for a reason. SerpApi suits teams that need real search results fast, with simple JSON and broad engine coverage. It fits readers who want real-time serp data via api, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. When we weighed it against the rest of this list, the balance of price, scope and support stood out for that group. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of yes. It covers SERP data only, so pair it with a keyword or backlink API for a full pipeline. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month.

The good and the bad
  • Real-time search results
  • Many engines and locations
  • Simple JSON
  • SERP only, not backlinks or keywords
  • Usage pricing needs monitoring
Seobility API logo
#8

Seobility API

Ideal for: Affordable audit and ranking data

Do not overlook this one. Seobility suits small teams that need audit and ranking data at a lower price. It fits readers who want affordable audit and ranking data, and its published feature set matches that promise rather than trying to cover every possible use case at once. When we weighed it against the rest of this list, the balance of price, scope and support stood out for that group. The price picture is see website, with a free plan status of free trial. Large-scale backlink work needs a bigger index, so check coverage for your market first. Before you sign up, check the current plan limits on the official site, because caps on users, usage or features are where most buyers get surprised after the first month.

The good and the bad
  • Site audits
  • Ranking data
  • Affordable tiers
  • Smaller index than big suites
  • API depth varies by plan

How we picked these

We started from official feature pages and pricing pages, then checked app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews to confirm each product still works and still fits the topic. Products that could not be verified, or that only partly matched the topic, were left out, even when they were well known. We favoured a mix of established leaders and strong smaller options, and we weighted price transparency, a usable free tier or trial, and honest limits more heavily than marketing claims. No product on this list paid for its place, and our pick for most people is the one we would suggest to a friend with ordinary needs and an ordinary budget.

How to choose an Ahrefs API alternative without breaking your pipeline

Start with the endpoints you actually call, because a provider that covers backlinks but not keywords will break half your pipeline. Next, check the billing model: pay-as-you-go suits spiky or experimental use, while a plan suits steady volume, and the cheapest headline can cost more at your real call count. Then check data freshness and history, since rank tracking needs daily data while link forensics needs years of history. Finally, test with a sandbox or free tier on your real queries, and compare the JSON fields you use, not the marketing endpoint count. Also check rate limits, uptime and support, since an API that throttles at peak breaks production. Document your migration: map each Ahrefs endpoint to its replacement, run both in parallel for a cycle, and keep the old pipeline until the new numbers match. The best alternative is the one that covers your endpoints at a predictable price, with data your team trusts.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Ahrefs API alternatives?

SE Ranking API is the best comprehensive replacement, DataForSEO is best for raw pay-as-you-go scale, Moz API is best for Domain Authority, and Majestic is best for historical link data.

Is there a free Ahrefs API alternative?

DataForSEO offers trial credits, Moz API offers a free tier with limited rows, and Google PageSpeed Insights is free for performance data. Full SEO APIs usually need a paid plan or credits.

How much does DataForSEO cost?

DataForSEO uses pay-as-you-go credits from a 50 dollar minimum deposit, with SERP calls from about 0.0006 dollars per task. Costs scale with call volume and endpoint.

What is the cheapest SEO API?

Moz API starts near 20 dollars a month, SE Ranking API offers pay-as-you-go from 50 dollars, and DataForSEO charges per call. The cheapest option depends on your call volume.

Does Semrush offer an API?

Yes, Semrush API access requires higher-tier plans, starting near the Advanced tier, with API units billed on top. It suits enterprises that need its clickstream and historical data.

Sources

  1. https://dataforseo.com
  2. https://seranking.com
  3. https://moz.com
  4. https://seranking.com/blog/ahrefs-api-alternatives/