SE Ranking vs SpyFu: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right seo & marketing tool for your needs.

Our Pick: SE Ranking (by a slight margin)

SE Ranking edges out with a slightly higher rating (8 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
S
SE Ranking(Winner)
S
SpyFu
Overall Rating
8/10
7.5/10
Starting Price
$44/mo
$39/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
small
Ease of Use
8/10
8/10
Features
8/10
7/10
Value for Money
9/10
8/10
Support
8/10
7/10

Overview

SE Ranking offers comprehensive SEO tools at more affordable pricing. Great balance of features and value for growing businesses and agencies.

SpyFu specializes in competitor analysis, letting you see any domain's paid and organic keywords, ad history, and ranking changes.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: SpyFu
S

SE Ranking

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$44/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
S

SpyFu

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$39/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: SE Ranking
FeatureSE RankingSpyFu
Keyword Research
Backlink Analysis
Rank Tracking
Site Audit
Basic
Competitor Analysis
Content Optimization
Local Seo
Ppc Tools
Projects
Unlimited
Unlimited
Keywords Tracked
250-20000
Unlimited

2

features unique to SE Ranking

0

features unique to SpyFu

Pros & Cons

S

SE Ranking

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Comprehensive feature set
  • Flexible pricing (pay per keyword)
  • Good white-label options
  • Solid rank tracking accuracy

Cons

  • Smaller backlink database
  • Interface not as polished
  • Less brand recognition
  • Some features feel basic
S

SpyFu

Pros

  • Excellent competitor PPC analysis
  • Historical data going back years
  • Unlimited search/export on all plans
  • Good Google Ads insights
  • Affordable pricing

Cons

  • US-focused (limited international)
  • Site audit not as strong
  • Interface feels dated
  • Backlink data less comprehensive

The Verdict: SE Ranking Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but SE Ranking edges out SpyFu with a slightly higher overall rating of 8/10 versus 7.5/10. Both are solid choices, but SE Ranking offers a marginally better overall package.

SE Ranking's advantages include Excellent value for money and Comprehensive feature set, though SpyFu counters with Excellent competitor PPC analysis and Historical data going back years.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to SE Ranking, but don't count out SpyFu if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose SE Ranking if you...

  • • Need budget-conscious agencies
  • • Need freelance seo consultants
  • • Need smbs wanting full toolkit

Choose SpyFu if you...

  • • Need ppc competitor research
  • • Need understanding competitor ad spend
  • • Need us market seo/sem

Ready to Get Started?

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

SE Ranking vs SpyFu FAQ

Based on our evaluation, SE Ranking has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, SpyFu is more affordable with plans starting at $39/month, compared to $44/month for the other.
Both tools have similar ease of use ratings at 8/10.
Yes, migration between SE Ranking and SpyFu is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, SE Ranking is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Both tools require paid plans, so factor pricing into your runway calculations.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. SE Ranking excels at: Budget-conscious agencies, Freelance SEO consultants. SpyFu is better for: PPC competitor research, Understanding competitor ad spend. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
SE Ranking rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to SpyFu (7/10).
SE Ranking offers better value for money with a rating of 9/10 compared to SpyFu's 8/10.
Consider switching if SpyFu's strengths (PPC competitor research) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.