CompareAhrefs
Ahrefs alternative for bloggers who mostly check rankings
Ahrefs is one of the best SEO suites there is, and most of what it costs pays for its backlink index and keyword database. If you run a content site and mostly open Ahrefs to check your rankings and to see which keywords a competitor has that you don't, you're paying $129 a month for two jobs GapDigest does for $19.
Ahrefs and GapDigest compared
| Ahrefs | GapDigest | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan | Starter, $29/mo | Starter, $19/mo ($190/yr) |
| Keywords on that plan | 50 tracked keywords | 200 tracked keywords |
| Rank checks | Not listed | Daily |
| Keywords competitors rank for and you don't | Competitor Analysis, from Lite ($129/mo, 750 keywords) | Yes, on every plan: up to 10 per competitor, weekly |
| Scheduled competitor email | Not listed | Monday gap digest |
| Backlink index and site audit | Yes | No |
| Free plan or trial | Not listed | Free plan: 10 keywords, 1 competitor, no time limit |
Ahrefs figures from help.ahrefs.com and ahrefs.com, checked September 2026. "Not listed" means their pages don't say. Check their site for current prices.
Why site owners switch
Starter's 50 keywords run out once a blog passes about 50 posts, and the competitor analysis that would show you what rivals rank for starts on Lite at $129. GapDigest tracks 200 keywords for $19 and sends that competitor list every Monday, on the free plan too.
When Ahrefs is the better choice
Stay with Ahrefs if you build links, research new niches from its keyword database, or audit sites. GapDigest has no backlink data and no keyword research beyond your competitors' rankings.
Run the check on your own site
It's the lookup behind the Monday email: your domain against one competitor, up to 20 keywords, five checks a day.
Ready to track your own keywords? Start free with 10 keywords.