Ahrefs vs SEMrush vs JSONREPO - which is the best SEO tool?

In this comparison guide we'll help detail the differences between the various SEO tool providers in order to help you figure out which one suits your needs the best. The format is pretty straight forward. We'll provide you with a summary table followed by a short description of each tool and when you should consider using it. So, let's jump right in!

Comparison Table

JSONREPOSEMrushAhrefs About A suite of comprehensive keyword research tools with multi-vendor backlink aggregation systemAll-in-one SEO tool for keyword research and backlink analysisA suite of tools with a strong focus on backlinks and inter-domain relationships. Keyword Research Uses Google's index for higher data accuracy 10+ algorithms & SEO trained AIs making it one of the best keyword research tools onlineOne of the largest keyword DBs Uses traffic estimatesUses traffic estimates Backlinks Aggregated backlink indexes that combines data from multiple vendors into one single tool **Fourth largest backlink crawler with detailed charting and domain information **The largest SEO backlink index second only to Google's own crawler ** SERPs Real-time SERP scraping with DR + PR as well as other search-phrase metricsSERP scraper with DR + PR dataSERP Scraper with computed DR + PR data Rank Tracking NoFully supportedFully supported Competitor Analysis Partial Allows for competitor domain lookupsMulti-domain comparative analysis system One of the best in the industryOrganic competitor analysis using keywords and domain ranking Reporting Allows for data exports in JSON or CSV formatYesYes Pricing $10 gives 4000 credits and each credit is 1 keyword lookup Offers subscription or one time payment as options$139/mo$29/mo for very limited access $129/mo for smallest plan Free Tier Provides 100 free credits upon signing upLimited to a few searches per day on a limited set of toolsNo Pros One of the most affordable and easy to use options in the industry Continous updates based on customer requests Keyword data gathered directly from Google APIs for higher accuracy Access to a feature complete API for developersOne of the largest keyword databases Detailed domain vs. domain comparisons Deep technical SEO audits AI content writing and backlink outreach systemLargest backlink repository Long term domain and keyword tracking AI Writer for content generation Cons No rank tracking or access to historical dataSteep pricing making it inaccessible to beginners and early stage startupsSteep pricing making it inaccessible to beginners and early stage startups Best For SEO beginners, professionals or developers looking to integrate with an API for programmatic SEOSEO professionals, agencies and established businesssSEO professionals, agencies and established businesss

** Backlink size: Cloudflare Bot Scanner

JSONREPO

Description:

JSONREPO is one of the most affordable SEO tools around. The platform aims to provide its users with comprehensive keyword, backlink, SERPs, and content recommendation tools. Compared to most other vendors, JSONREPO gets its keyword data directly from Google rather than estimating the traffic which tend to result in higher accuracy. Its backlink index is also based on an aggregated composite of multiple other services making it extremely reliable.

Shortcomings:

No Rank Tracking: JSONREPO does not currently offer rank tracking features which may be a deal breaker for certain users.
Limited Historical Data: Access to historical data that dates back many years is currently not provided, making historical trend analysis impossible.
Limited Site Audit Features: The platform currently only offers a limited number of site audit features which certain users may find limiting.

Target Audience:

JSONREPO is aimed at beginners to intermediate-level SEO professionals. It boasts some of the most accurate keyword and backlink data while also implementing a large number of algorithmic options for keyword research and discovery. The platform leverages AI to automate a lof of the tedious work making it perfect for time-sensitive projects.

When Not to Use:

The limited site auditing functionality combined with the lack of historical data makes it a less than ideal fit for larger teams and organizations.

SEMrush

Description:

SEMrush is an all-in-one SEO tool that offers a wide range of features to enhance online visibility and increase organic traffic. It is known for its robust keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and competitor insights.

Shortcomings:

Cost: SEMrush is one of the most expensive SEO tools available, making it extremely difficult to recommend to beginners and non-professionals.
Limited Free Version: SEMrush offers a limited free plan. The number of lookups you can issue per day is very low and a lot of the tools are not available unless you are a paid subscriber.
Complex Interface: The tool is complex and sometimes overwhelming for beginners due to its large number of features.

arget Audience:

SEMrush is suitable for businesses ranging from medium size startups to large enterprises. It is particularly useful for digital marketers, SEO professionals, and companies comparing their SERPs with competitors.

When Not to Use:

SEMrush might not be the best choice for those on a very tight budget as it is one of the most expensive options. Additionally, if you are looking for a tool with site traffic estimates or broken outbound link identification, SEMrush seem not provide full integrations for these features.

Ahrefs

Description:

Ahrefs is a comprehensive suite of SEO tools that excel in various aspects of search engine optimization. It boasts one of the largest backlink indexes on the web. It's most often seen as the "gold standard" that other tools compare themselves to.

Shortcomings:

Cost: Ahrefs is one of the more expensive SEO tools, making it less accessible to small businesses or individuals on a tight budget.
Complexity: The wide range of features can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring a significant investment of time before mastering.
No Free Version: Ahrefs does not offer a free version, only a trial period, which may not be sufficient for some users to fully evaluate its capabilities.
Data Estimate Limitations: While the tool itself is amazing in many ways, Ahrefs keyword and search data differs greatly from Google's reported numbers for a significant percentage of keywords and search queries.

Target Audience:

Ahrefs is ideal for skilled SEO teams, digital marketers, and businesses looking to enhance their online presence. It is particularly useful for those who need detailed backlink analysis, comprehensive keyword research, and competitor insights.

When Not to Use:

Ahrefs might not be the best choice for very small businesses or individuals on a tight budget or beginners that are merely trying to learn the basics. The complexity and price combined with outdated online tutorials that are spread everywhere by various websites can lead beginners own an unnecessarily costly path.

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