# The Ahrefs alternative for developers

URL: https://serpel.app/alternatives/ahrefs

Updated: 2026-10-10

Serpel is an Ahrefs alternative for developers who want Google rankings, site audits and AI visibility checks with usage-based pricing, from a CLI, an API or a coding agent. Ahrefs is the better fit if you rely on its backlink index, its research tools or a longer ranking history. We checked every Ahrefs fact on 10 Oct 2026 against its own pages.

## Choose Serpel if

- You want usage-based pricing: Serpel needs no subscription, while the Ahrefs plans that list API and MCP access start at €119 per month.
- You want a CLI with JSON output for scripts and CI, and a codebase scan for Next.js projects.
- You track a small keyword set often: Serpel checks daily on Pro or on demand, while Ahrefs updates tracked keywords weekly by default.
- You track a few prompts on ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews and prefer to pay per check, 2 credits per platform.

## Choose Ahrefs if

- You need backlink data: Ahrefs lists 35 trillion backlink records and a live index refreshed every 15 to 30 minutes. Serpel has no backlink index.
- You need research tools: Ahrefs lists a keyword index of 29 billion keywords in 217 locations, plus Site Explorer and Content Explorer. Serpel offers keyword research per search.
- You want more AI platforms: Brand Radar covers AI Overviews, AI Mode, Perplexity, Copilot, Gemini and ChatGPT. Serpel checks ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews.
- You track thousands of keywords or want more SERP detail: Ahrefs plans reach 5,000 tracked keywords and 19 SERP features. Serpel tracks up to 500 per project and is in public beta.

## Which Ahrefs alternative suits developers?

Ahrefs is an SEO platform built on its own web crawler and index. Its plans combine Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Rank Tracker, Site Audit and Brand Radar, and its [pricing page](https://ahrefs.com/pricing) lists API and MCP access from the Lite plan.

Serpel is narrower and built for developers. It tracks Google rankings on desktop and mobile, audits sites with JavaScript rendering and Core Web Vitals, reads Search Console and Bing data, and checks whether ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews cite you. It runs in the dashboard, the CLI, the REST API and an [MCP server](https://serpel.app/developers/mcp). Serpel is in public beta.

## How do Serpel and Ahrefs differ?

- **Billing:** Serpel charges credits per action. Ahrefs sells monthly plans with fixed limits, and AI prompt packs as add-ons.
- **Data:** Ahrefs runs a web-wide index of backlinks and keywords. Serpel does not, so it has no backlink data.
- **Update rhythm:** the Ahrefs help centre says tracked keywords update weekly by default. Serpel schedules daily checks on Pro and runs manual checks at 5 credits per keyword in the top 50.
- **Developer tools:** both offer an API and an MCP server. Serpel adds a CLI and a codebase scan.

## How does Ahrefs pricing compare with Serpel?

Ahrefs shows Lite at €119 per month with 750 tracked keywords and Standard at €229 with 2,000, and those plans include research tools and the backlink index. Serpel bills only what you run. A small site with 100 keywords, 10 AI prompts on ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews and a 100-page crawl, all checked weekly, uses about 1,052 credits (€10.52) a month at €0.01 per credit. The Pro plan costs €49 per month incl. VAT with 6,000 credits, and heavy daily tracking needs more. See the [price list](https://serpel.app/pricing).

## What does Ahrefs do better than Serpel?

According to [its data page](https://ahrefs.com/big-data), Ahrefs keeps 35 trillion backlink records and a keyword index of 29 billion keywords. Its Rank Tracker covers 190+ locations, 19 SERP features and 10 competitors, and Brand Radar follows six AI platforms. Serpel has no backlink data and checks 2 AI surfaces.

> **How we checked:** Ahrefs facts come from its public pages, read on 10 Oct 2026 and linked in the sources. Prices were shown in euros to a visitor in Germany and change over time. Ahrefs is a trademark of its owner, used here only to describe its product. Serpel is not affiliated with Ahrefs. Spotted something out of date? Tell us through the [About page](https://serpel.app/about).

## Serpel and Ahrefs compared

### Rank tracking

| Feature | Serpel | Ahrefs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Devices and locations | Desktop and mobile, nationwide, city or postal code, to position 100 | Mobile and desktop, 190+ locations, down to ZIP code |
| Update frequency | Daily on Pro, otherwise every 3 days or weekly, plus manual checks | Weekly by default on all plans |
| Keywords tracked | 50, 200, 500 per project (Free, Starter, Pro) | 750, 2,000 or 5,000 on Lite, Standard and Advanced |
| Competitor tracking | Up to 10 per project | Compare against 10 competitors |
| SERP features | AI Overview presence and citation only | 19 SERP features, including AI Overviews and local packs |

### AI visibility

| Feature | Serpel | Ahrefs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI platforms | ChatGPT with web search and Google AI Overviews | AI Overviews, AI Mode, Perplexity, Copilot, Gemini and ChatGPT in Brand Radar |
| Tracked prompts | 10, 25, 50 per project (Free, Starter, Pro) | 5, 10 or 20 on Lite, Standard and Advanced, prompt packs from €46.7 per month |
| Citations and sources | Cited or mentioned, cited URL, sources, answer excerpt | AI responses and cited pages for your prompts |
| AI crawlers | robots.txt check for 13 AI crawlers, plus llms.txt | Bot Analytics shows AI crawler visits, free while in beta |

### Site audit

| Feature | Serpel | Ahrefs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Audit checks | 94 checks in 18 categories, ranked by severity | 170+ issues, split into errors, warnings and notices |
| JavaScript rendering | Automatic for empty pages, or on every page | Executes JavaScript, can be enabled in crawl settings |
| Core Web Vitals | Lab and field values for key pages, mobile and desktop | CrUX and Lighthouse metrics, with a Core Web Vitals issue group |
| Handing issues to developers | Tasks, CSV and JSON export, CLI exit codes | Bulk export of all issues as ZIP or CSV |

### Developer access

| Feature | Serpel | Ahrefs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CLI | Every feature, with JSON output | Not listed in its developer documentation |
| REST API | Same API as the dashboard, 18 token scopes | API access listed from Lite, uncapped on Enterprise |
| MCP server | serpel.app/mcp, paid tools run within a budget you approve | Ahrefs SEO MCP from Lite, with guides for ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, Copilot Studio |
| Codebase scan | Scans a Next.js project, never reads source code | Not listed on its plan or product pages |

### Research and entry options

| Feature | Serpel | Ahrefs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Backlink data | No backlink index | 35T backlink records, live index refreshed every 15 to 30 minutes, by its own count |
| Keyword index | Research per search, priced in credits | 29B keywords in 217 locations, by its own count |
| Content and link prospecting | Not offered | Content Explorer from the Standard plan, Site Explorer |
| Entry options | Free plan with 100 start credits | Ahrefs Free, and Starter at €27 per month |

## Pricing

- **Serpel:** Pay per credit, with optional monthly plans. Free: no subscription, 100 credits to start. Starter: €19 per month incl. VAT, 2,000 credits every month. Pro: €49 per month incl. VAT, 6,000 credits every month. One credit is worth €0.01. A ChatGPT or Google AI Overview check costs 2 credits per question. Top-ups start at €5, and bought credits never expire.
- **Ahrefs:** Monthly or annual subscription. Lite: €119 per month, 5 projects, 750 tracked keywords, 5 tracked AI prompts, API and MCP access. Standard: €229 per month, 20 projects, 2,000 tracked keywords, 10 tracked AI prompts. Advanced: €419 per month, 50 projects, 5,000 tracked keywords, 20 tracked AI prompts. Enterprise: €1,394 per month with an annual commitment. Starter: €27. Ahrefs Free: free. Brand Radar AI: from €179. Each plan includes 1 user and extra users cost extra. The page says paying annually saves up to 17%. Prices as shown to a visitor in Germany on 10 Oct 2026.

## How to switch from Ahrefs

1. **Export your keywords from Ahrefs** Open your project in Rank Tracker and export the keyword list. The Ahrefs [help centre](https://help.ahrefs.com/en/articles/2351513-can-i-duplicate-or-merge-projects-websites-in-rank-tracker) describes exporting keywords and re-uploading them as CSV or TXT. Save the keywords as `keywords.txt`, one per line. Ranking history does not carry over, so keep the export as your archive.

2. **Sign in and create a project** Install the CLI as described on the [CLI page](https://serpel.app/developers/cli), sign in and create a project for your domain. Copy the project ID from the output.

```bash
serpel auth login
serpel projects create --domain example.com --country DE --language de
export PROJECT=<projectId>
```

3. **Import keywords with their metrics** Create a keyword list and import the CSV. Serpel maps header columns such as keyword, search volume, cpc and kd, and sets country and language for the whole file.

```bash
serpel keywords list-create --project $PROJECT --name "Imported from Ahrefs"
serpel keywords import <listId> --file keywords.csv --country DE --language de
```

4. **Start tracking and run the first check** Add the keywords to rank tracking, up to 200 per call and within your plan’s limit. A check run right now books 5 credits per keyword in the top 50, so estimate it first.

```bash
args=()
while IFS= read -r keyword; do args+=(--keyword "$keyword"); done < keywords.txt
serpel billing estimate --operation rankCheck --keywords "$(wc -l < keywords.txt)"
serpel rankings add --project $PROJECT --device desktop "${args[@]}"
serpel rankings run --project $PROJECT --wait
```

5. **Re-create competitors and AI prompts** Add the competitor domains from Rank Tracker and the prompts you track in Brand Radar.

```bash
serpel competitors add --project $PROJECT --domain competitor.com
serpel ai add --project $PROJECT --prompt "which seo tool has an api for developers"
```

## Frequently asked questions

### Is there an Ahrefs alternative for developers?

Yes. Serpel combines rank tracking, site audits and AI visibility checks with a CLI, a REST API and an MCP server, and it scans Next.js projects. Ahrefs offers an API and an MCP server as well, with no CLI listed in its developer documentation.

### How much does Ahrefs cost compared with Serpel?

On 10 Oct 2026 Ahrefs showed Lite at €119, Standard at €229 and Advanced at €419 per month. Serpel needs no subscription, and its optional plans cost €19 and €49. The scope differs, because Ahrefs includes a backlink index and research tools.

### Does Serpel have a backlink checker like Ahrefs?

No. Serpel has no backlink index. If backlinks matter, Ahrefs is the better choice, and you can use Serpel next to it for rankings, audits and AI visibility.

### How often does Ahrefs update rankings compared with Serpel?

The Ahrefs help centre says tracked keywords update weekly by default on all plans. Serpel schedules daily checks on Pro, every 3 days or weekly otherwise, and runs manual checks on demand.

## Sources

- [Ahrefs: plans and pricing](https://ahrefs.com/pricing), accessed 2026-10-10
- [Ahrefs: data and index figures](https://ahrefs.com/big-data), accessed 2026-10-10
- [Ahrefs: Rank Tracker](https://ahrefs.com/rank-tracker), accessed 2026-10-10
- [Ahrefs help centre: how often tracked keywords update](https://help.ahrefs.com/en/articles/604245-how-frequently-do-my-tracked-keywords-get-updated), accessed 2026-10-10
- [Ahrefs: Site Audit](https://ahrefs.com/site-audit), accessed 2026-10-10
- [Ahrefs: Brand Radar](https://ahrefs.com/brand-radar), accessed 2026-10-10
- [Ahrefs: SEO MCP](https://ahrefs.com/seo-mcp), accessed 2026-10-10
- [Ahrefs: developer documentation](https://docs.ahrefs.com/), accessed 2026-10-10
- [Ahrefs help centre: exporting and re-uploading Rank Tracker keywords](https://help.ahrefs.com/en/articles/2351513-can-i-duplicate-or-merge-projects-websites-in-rank-tracker), accessed 2026-10-10