A cheap Semrush alternative for keyword data
Semrush is a full SEO suite: rank tracking, site audits, backlinks, competitor research and more. If you use all of that, it's worth the subscription. If you mostly need Google search volume, CPC and competition for keyword lists, you can pay per lookup instead.
Price comparison
| Semrush | Magenta Waterwheel keyword tools | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | SEO plan: $139/month billed monthly, or $117.33/month billed annually[1] | No plan. Pay per lookup on Apify |
| Next plans | $199/month and $299/month billed monthly[1] | Same pay-per-result prices at any volume |
| Free option | Free plan with limited usage[1] | Apify free plan: $5 of credit every month, no credit card[2], plus a free 10-keyword checker on this site |
| Keyword data | Semrush's own database estimates | Google Keyword Planner data |
| Also includes | Rank tracking, audits, backlinks, AI visibility, reporting | Search volume, CPC, bids, competition and 12-month history only |
Our prices
Keyword Planner API
| Event | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Actor Start | $0.00005 ($0.05 per 1,000) |
| Keyword with data | $0.0015 ($1.50 per 1,000) |
| Lookup | $0.10 |
Scheduled change from 2026-10-26: Lookup $0.12.
Live pay-per-event prices from the Apify API as of 2026-10-19. Platform usage is included. Check the Store page for the current price.
Bulk Keyword Planner
| Event | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Actor Start | $0.00005 ($0.05 per 1,000) |
| Batch of up to 1,000 keywords | $0.19 |
Live pay-per-event prices from the Apify API as of 2026-10-19. Platform usage is included. Check the Store page for the current price.
When Semrush is the better choice
Pick Semrush if you need backlinks, site audits, rank tracking and a dashboard for a team. Our tools don't do those.
When pay-per-lookup is the better choice
Pick pay-per-lookup if you check keyword volumes now and then, run big lists once a quarter, or want keyword data inside your own scripts, spreadsheets, n8n or an AI agent.
FAQ
Is there a free Semrush alternative?
For keyword volume, yes: Apify's free plan includes $5 of monthly credit with no credit card, which covers many lookups with these tools. The free checker on this site also handles up to 10 keywords.
Is the data as good as Semrush?
It's a different source. These tools return Google Keyword Planner data, while Semrush uses its own estimates. Neither one is exact click data.
Do these tools do backlinks or rank tracking?
No. They cover keyword volume, CPC and competition only.
Sources
- Semrush, Plans & Pricing, checked 2026-10-19
- Apify pricing (free plan), checked 2026-10-19