Optimizing SEO requires businesses to monitor keyword rankings consistently. It helps identify what’s working, where improvements are needed, and how to stay ahead of competitors. With rank tracking tools, you can monitor your keyword performance, spot trends, and identify where your rankings are improving or declining over time.
The best tool depends on your needs, from agency-level management to small business simplicity. Here’s a review of five top keyword tracking tools and their ideal users.
| Tool | Competitor Tracking | Local Tracking | Mobile vs. Desktop | Integrations | Pricing |
| Semrush | Up to 20 competitors | ZIP-code level tracking | Tracks separately | Google Analytics, GSC, Looker Studio | $139.95/month (500 keywords) |
| Ahrefs | Compares up to 10 competitors | ZIP-code level tracking | Tracks separately | Google Search Console | $129/month (750 keywords) |
| Moz Pro | Side-by-side comparisons | National & local tracking | Tracks separately | Google Analytics, GSC | $49/month (50 keywords) |
| SE Ranking | Tracks 5–20 competitors | Supports city and ZIP-code tracking | Tracks separately | Google Analytics, GSC, GBP | $52/month (500 keywords) |
| AccuRanker | Tracks 10 competitors | Unlimited location tracking | Tracks separately & updates daily | Google Analytics, GSC, Adobe, API | $129/month (1,000 keywords) |
Semrush is a powerful SEO platform designed to provide deep insights into keyword rankings, competitor performance, and overall search visibility. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for SEO, PPC, content marketing, and more.
Its rank-tracking feature allows users to monitor keyword positions across multiple search engines while offering competitor comparisons. The platform is highly detailed, but its complexity may require some time to master.
The Pro plan costs $139.95/month, ideal for small teams, with 500 tracked keywords and essential SEO, PPC, and research tools. The Guru plan at $249.95/month suits mid-size businesses, offering 1,500 keywords, historical data, multi-location tracking, and Looker Studio integration. The Business plan, priced at $499.95/month, is best for enterprises, providing 5,000 keywords, API access, Share of Voice, and free migration from third-party tools.1
| Pros | Cons |
| Large keyword database with deep competitor analysis. | Expensive compared to some alternatives. |
| Packed with additional SEO tools. | Takes time to learn due to advanced features. |
Semrush is ideal for SEO professionals, agencies, and businesses that need an all-in-one SEO solution. Companies looking for extensive keyword insights, detailed competitor tracking, and advanced reporting will benefit the most from its features.
It’s also great for businesses that run multiple SEO campaigns and need tools beyond rank tracking, such as backlink analysis and technical SEO audits. However, small businesses or beginners who only need basic rank tracking may find it overwhelming.
Ahrefs is a data-driven SEO platform known for its extensive backlink and keyword research capabilities. It provides accurate keyword ranking reports and detailed insights into competitor strategies, making it a favourite among digital marketers.
Users can track rankings at a local level and across multiple search engines, offering more flexibility than other rank-tracking tools. It also excels in tracking historical ranking data, allowing users to see trends over time. Although it’s a highly effective SEO tool, its cost and learning curve may be overwhelming for beginners.
The Lite plan costs $129/month, ideal for small businesses and personal projects, with 750 tracked keywords, 5 projects, and 6 months of historical data. The Standard plan at $249/month suits freelance SEOs and marketing consultants, offering 2,000 keywords, 20 projects, and 2 years of historical data.2
For lean in-house marketing teams, the Advanced plan costs $449/month, providing 5,000 tracked keywords, 50 projects, and 5 years of historical data. All plans include crawl credits, with additional user seats available for an extra fee.
| Pros | Cons |
| Strong competitor research tools. | Higher learning curve. |
| Monitors rankings across multiple search engines. | No free trial, and updates weekly on lower plans. |
Ahrefs is best for SEO professionals, digital marketers, and businesses that rely heavily on competitor research and backlink analysis. It’s particularly useful for content marketers and agencies that need to monitor ranking fluctuations across multiple search engines.
Businesses that need deep keyword insights and historical data tracking will find it valuable. However, it lacks native Google Analytics integration, which might be a downside for those who want a seamless connection to their website analytics. If you want a tool with strong competitor tracking and keyword insights, Ahrefs is a solid choice.
Moz Pro is an SEO software suite designed to help businesses track rankings, optimize on-page content, and improve overall search performance. It features an easy-to-use rank-tracking system that monitors keyword performance across Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
Its interface is beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for those new to SEO. It also includes additional tools like site audits and keyword research, giving users a well-rounded SEO experience. However, its data updates less frequently than some competitors, which may not be ideal for those needing real-time insights.
The Starter plan costs $49/month ($39/month annually) and is best for small businesses with one website, offering 50 tracked keywords, 20K crawled pages, and essential SEO tools. The Standard plan at $99/month ($79/month annually) supports 3 sites, 300 keywords, and adds backlink analysis, unlimited reports, and competitive research.3
The Medium plan, at $179/month ($143/month annually), includes 10 sites, 1,500 keywords, and enhanced keyword research tools, making it the most popular choice. For larger businesses and agencies, the Large plan costs $299/month ($239/month annually) and offers 25 sites, 3,000 keywords, and expanded SEO data quotas. Free trials are available for Standard and Medium plans.
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple interface, great for beginners. | Rank updates are slower (weekly by default). |
| Strong learning resources. | Limited tracking on lower-tier plans. |
Moz Pro is perfect for small businesses, startups, and marketers who want a simple yet effective rank-tracking tool. Its user-friendly dashboard simplifies the process of monitoring rankings without feeling overwhelmed by data.
Businesses that need a mix of SEO insights, including on-page optimization and link tracking, will also find it useful. However, advanced users looking for highly detailed ranking reports and in-depth competitor analysis might prefer other tools like Ahrefs or Semrush.
SE Ranking is a versatile and budget-friendly SEO tool for those who need flexible rank tracking. It provides real-time keyword tracking at the global, national, and local levels, making it a strong option for businesses focused on local SEO.
The platform also offers competitor tracking, social media management, and reporting tools, making it more than just a rank tracker. Its user-friendly interface and cost-effective plans make it an attractive option for smaller businesses. While it lacks some of the in-depth analysis found in Ahrefs or Semrush, it covers most SEO needs well.
The Essential plan costs $52/month and is designed for individual SEO professionals, with five projects, 500 daily tracked keywords, and core SEO tools like rank tracking, keyword research, and backlink monitoring. The Pro plan at $95.20/month is ideal for agencies and small teams, offering 30 projects, 2,000 tracked keywords, Looker Studio integration, and Share of Voice metrics. The Business plan, priced at $207.20/month, caters to large agencies with unlimited projects, 5,000 daily tracked keywords, expanded data reach, API access, and dedicated support.4
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable with flexible pricing. | Navigation can feel cluttered. |
| Includes social media management tools. | Lacks deep backlink analysis compared to Ahrefs or Semrush. |
SE Ranking is ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and digital marketing agencies that need affordable keyword tracking with local SEO capabilities. Companies targeting local search traffic will benefit from its precise location-based tracking.
Marketers who need additional tools like social media monitoring and reporting will also find it useful. However, businesses that require deep backlink analysis or extensive competitor research might need a more advanced tool.
AccuRanker is a dedicated rank-tracking tool known for its speed and accuracy. Unlike all-in-one SEO platforms, it focuses solely on keyword rankings, making it one of the most precise tools available. It provides on-demand ranking updates, allowing users to check their rankings in real-time. Its ability to track unlimited locations makes it a favourite for businesses that need local search insights.
AccuRanker plans start at $129/month for 1,000 keywords, with all features included across all plans. As the number of keywords increases, the cost per keyword decreases, making it scalable for larger needs. A 14-day free trial is available as well.5
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast and accurate, with on-demand updates. | Lacks full SEO features beyond rank tracking. |
| Strong API and automation support. | Pricing may be high for small businesses. |
AccuRanker is perfect for agencies, enterprises, and businesses that need real-time rank tracking without additional SEO features. Businesses with multiple locations that need highly detailed local SEO tracking will benefit from its precision. Marketing teams that require accurate keyword tracking for data-driven decisions will also find it useful. However, it’s not ideal for those who need a full SEO suite with site audits and content tools.
Choosing the right rank tracker depends on your SEO goals and budget.
Semrush and Ahrefs are the best options for those needing full SEO insights with competitor analysis. If affordability and strong local SEO tracking are priorities, SE Ranking is a great choice. For an easy-to-use tool with basic rank-tracking features, Moz Pro offers a beginner-friendly experience. Businesses that require fast, high-precision rank tracking with API access will benefit most from AccuRanker.
Each tool has its strengths, so selecting the best one comes down to your specific needs and level of expertise.
At Wisevu, we specialize in SEO strategies that drive real results. Our team uses advanced rank-tracking tools to monitor keyword positions, track competitors, and optimize for local and national searches. Whether you need a detailed keyword strategy or ongoing SEO management, we’ve got you covered. Contact Wisevu today to get started.
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