With over 200 SEO tools available in the market, finding the right one that fits your needs can be overwhelming. Many SEO professionals and digital marketers struggle with this issue—either stuck with expensive tools that offer more than they need or trying to cobble together insights from multiple, less expensive tools that don’t quite do the job.
SE Ranking is a cloud-based SEO platform that simplifies your SEO efforts while delivering powerful insights. But is SE Ranking the right tool for you?
In this SE Ranking review, I’ll examine SE Ranking in detail. I’ll discuss its features, pricing, ease of use, and competition. By the end of this review, you’ll clearly understand whether SE Ranking is the right choice for you.
So, let’s dive in and see what SE Ranking offers.
Also Read – Best SEO Tools for SaaS
What is SE Ranking?
Overview of the Tool
SE Ranking is an all-in-one SEO platform that provides everything you need to manage your SEO strategy from start to finish. Whether you’re conducting keyword research, tracking your rankings, auditing your website, analyzing competitors, or monitoring backlinks, SE Ranking has you covered. It’s designed to cater to a broad audience, including SEO professionals, digital marketers, agencies, and even small business owners who need a reliable, cost-effective SEO tool.
Target Audience
SE Ranking is tailored for a wide range of users—from beginners just dipping their toes into SEO to seasoned professionals managing multiple clients. Small businesses will appreciate its affordability and simplicity, while agencies will find the white-label options and extensive reporting features particularly useful.
Brief History
Founded in 2014, SE Ranking quickly gained traction in the SEO community for its user-friendly interface and robust feature set. Over the years, the platform has continuously evolved, adding new tools and improving existing ones to stay competitive in the fast-paced world of SEO. Today, SE Ranking is trusted by over 500,000 users worldwide, including major brands and agencies.
Key Features of SE Ranking: What Stands Out
When choosing an SEO tool, its features are crucial in determining whether it will meet your specific needs. SE Ranking is packed with functionalities designed to cover all aspects of SEO, and in this section, I’ll break down the key features that make it a tool worth considering.
Rank Tracking
One of the most critical components of any SEO strategy is keeping track of where your website ranks for important keywords. SE Ranking’s rank-tracking feature is particularly robust in this regard. You can monitor your website’s position on search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing across different keywords that matter to your business.
What I find especially beneficial is the level of customization SE Ranking offers in tracking these rankings. Whether looking at global search results or focusing on local SEO, SE Ranking has you covered. The tool allows you to narrow your ranking analysis to specific countries, cities, or postal codes. This is incredibly useful if your business operates in multiple locations, and you must monitor your performance in each area.
Another strong point of SE Ranking’s rank tracking is its frequency. The tool updates your rankings daily, ensuring the data you’re working with is always current. This daily update feature is essential for staying on top of any fluctuations in your rankings and reacting swiftly to changes in search engine algorithms or competitive activity.
Additionally, SE Ranking offers the ability to track mobile rankings separately. With mobile search continuing to grow and surpass desktops in many industries, having accurate mobile-specific data is increasingly important. SE Ranking makes it easy to see your website’s performance on mobile devices, helping you optimize for desktop and mobile users.
Comparison with Ahrefs and SEMrush:
Compared to tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush, SE Ranking offers similar functionality at a more affordable price. While Ahrefs provides extensive data and more advanced analytics, SE Ranking’s rank tracking is easier to use and sufficient for most small to medium-sized businesses. SEMrush also offers rank tracking, but SE Ranking’s local SEO capabilities and daily updates give it an edge for businesses focused on specific geographic areas.
Website Audit
SEO success relies heavily on the technical health of your website, and this is where SE Ranking’s website audit feature excels. The audit tool scans your site and generates a detailed report outlining any technical SEO issues affecting your search engine rankings.
What I appreciate about SE Ranking’s website audit is the depth of analysis it provides. The audit covers a broad range of factors, including on-page SEO elements like meta tags and headers, page load speed, mobile usability, and even the overall structure of your website. This comprehensive approach ensures that no stone is left unturned.
But it’s not just about identifying problems; SE Ranking goes further by offering actionable recommendations for each issue it finds. For example, if the audit detects duplicate content, it will explain why this is a problem and suggest ways to resolve it. This feature is precious, especially for those not deeply versed in technical SEO. The clarity of the audit reports makes it easier to understand what needs to be fixed and how to go about it.
The audit tool is also helpful for ongoing maintenance. You can schedule regular audits, which helps keep your website in good health over time. This proactive approach ensures that your site remains optimized and ready to perform well in search rankings.
Comparison with Screaming Frog:
While Screaming Frog is known for its technical SEO audits, SE Ranking offers a broader overview that’s more accessible for users who may not be as technically inclined. Screaming Frog provides very detailed reports that can be overwhelming for beginners. In contrast, SE Ranking balances detail with usability, making it a better option for those who want actionable insights without needing to dive into every technical detail.
Keyword Research
Keyword research is at the heart of any successful SEO strategy, and SE Ranking’s tool is powerful and user-friendly. The platform allows you to search for keywords related to your industry and provides detailed metrics like search volume, competition level, and keyword difficulty.
One of the things I like about SE Ranking’s keyword research tool is its simplicity combined with effectiveness. The interface is straightforward, which makes it easy to input your seed keywords and get relevant data quickly. This is particularly useful if you’re managing multiple projects or clients and need to perform keyword research efficiently.
The tool also stands out in how it organizes keywords. SE Ranking groups related keywords together, which helps you to build out content clusters or thematic keyword groups. This approach is beneficial when planning content for a website, as it allows you to target a broader range of keywords while maintaining a coherent strategy.
Additionally, SE Ranking provides keyword suggestions based on your input, which can help uncover opportunities you might not have considered. Whether looking for long-tail keywords or focusing on highly competitive terms, SE Ranking’s keyword research tool gives you the insights you need to make informed decisions.
Competitor Analysis
Understanding what your competitors are doing is crucial in SEO, and SE Ranking’s competitor analysis feature provides valuable insights in this area. You can easily see which keywords your competitors are ranking for, which can reveal gaps in your strategy. The tool also allows you to analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles, giving you an understanding of how they’re building authority and where their link-building efforts are focused.
What I find particularly useful about this tool is how it simplifies complex data into actionable insights. You can quickly see which keywords your competitors are ranking for, which can reveal gaps in your strategy. The tool also allows you to analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles, giving you an understanding of how they’re building authority and where their link-building efforts are focused.
SE Ranking’s competitor analysis isn’t just about keywords and backlinks. It also gives you a view into your competitors’ overall SEO strategies, including their content and PPC campaigns. This holistic view lets you identify what’s working for them and adapt your strategy accordingly.
Another feature I appreciate is the ability to set up monitoring for specific competitors. You can receive alerts when a competitor gains or loses rankings, acquires new backlinks, or publishes new content. This real-time intelligence can give you a competitive edge, allowing you to respond quickly to changes in the market.
Comparison with SEMrush:
SEMrush is often lauded for its comprehensive competitor analysis tools. While SE Ranking may not have the same breadth of data, it offers a more straightforward and user-friendly experience. SE Ranking is a strong contender for users who need essential competitive insights without the complexity. SEMrush might be better suited for larger companies with complex needs, but SE Ranking delivers solid competitive analysis for most use cases, particularly at its price point.
Backlink Monitoring
Backlinks are a critical factor in SEO, and SE Ranking’s backlink monitoring tool provides all the data you need to manage your link profile effectively. The tool allows you to track who is linking to your site, assess the quality of those links, and monitor whether any of them have been lost.
What sets SE Ranking apart in this area is its focus on the quality of backlinks, not just the quantity. The tool evaluates each backlink’s authority and relevance, helping you to identify which links are helping your site and which might be hurting it. This is particularly important in today’s SEO landscape, where having a clean and authoritative backlink profile is crucial for maintaining and improving rankings.
Additionally, SE Ranking includes a disavow tool, which makes it easy to manage low-quality or toxic backlinks. By using this tool, you can quickly create and submit a disavow file to Google, ensuring that harmful links don’t drag down your site’s performance. This level of control over your backlink profile is something I find invaluable, especially when managing multiple sites or clients.
Marketing Plan
SE Ranking’s Marketing Plan feature is a unique tool that provides a structured approach to SEO. Essentially, it’s a step-by-step guide that walks you through the process of optimizing your site, from keyword research and on-page SEO to link building and content marketing.
What I like about the Marketing Plan is its adaptability. The plan is customizable, allowing you to tailor it to your specific goals and needs. Whether you’re a beginner who needs guidance on where to start, or a seasoned professional looking for a structured way to implement your strategy, the Marketing Plan can be a valuable resource.
The tool also tracks your progress, making it easy to see how far you’ve come and what still needs to be done. This progress tracking is beneficial for keeping projects on schedule and ensuring that all aspects of your SEO strategy are being addressed.
The marketing plan can also serve as a framework for agency clients’ work. It provides a clear, organized approach that can be presented to clients, helping to set expectations and demonstrate the value of your services.
While SE Ranking is primarily an SEO tool, it also includes social media management features, which I find an excellent addition. This feature allows you to manage your social media accounts directly from the platform, including scheduling posts and analyzing engagement metrics.
Although this isn’t the most advanced social media management tool, it’s convenient to integrate it into your SEO platform. This integration can save time and streamline workflows for small businesses or agencies that handle both SEO and social media. You can manage both aspects of your digital marketing strategy from a single dashboard, a significant time-saver.
All-in-One Digital Marketing Solution
The social media management tools in SE Ranking cover the basics, such as scheduling posts, tracking engagement, and analyzing the performance of your content. While it might not replace a dedicated social media tool like Hootsuite or Buffer, it’s a handy feature for those who prefer an all-in-one solution.
What I Like and What I Don’t
After thoroughly exploring SE Ranking, here’s a summary of the features I found most impressive and areas where I think there’s room for improvement:
| What I Like | What I Don’t |
| Flexible and accurate rank tracking | Smaller keyword and backlink database compared to some competitors |
| Detailed and actionable website audit reports | Some advanced features are missing |
| User-friendly and organized keyword research | Interface can be overwhelming for new users |
| Insightful and straightforward competitor analysis | Social media management is basic |
| Comprehensive backlink monitoring with quality focus | Marketing Plan may feel too basic for advanced users |
| Customizable Marketing Plan for structured SEO | |
| Convenient integration of social media management Offers a demo account to explore features before committing. |
Ease Of Use
User Interface
SE Ranking’s interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy for beginners to navigate. The dashboard is well-organized, with all major tools easily accessible, allowing you to find what you need without hassle.
Learning Curve
SE Ranking is designed to be user-friendly with a gentle learning curve. It offers helpful tips, explanations, and resources like video tutorials and webinars, making it easy to get started, even if you’re new to SEO.
Customization
SE Ranking excels in customization. Whether you need branded reports for clients or want to focus on specific metrics, you can easily customize dashboards, alerts, and workflows to fit your needs.
SE Ranking Pricing Plans
SE Ranking offers three main pricing plans, each tailored to different user needs. All plans come with a 14-day free trial, and you can save 20% by opting for annual billing.
Essential Plan – $52.00/month
- Best for: Individual SEO professionals
- Features:
- 1 manager seat
- 5 projects
- Track 500 keywords daily
- Core SEO tools: Rank Tracker, Keyword Research, Backlink Checker, Content & Local Marketing toolkits
- On-page and SERP analysis
- Historical data (3 previous months)
- Integration with social media
- Add-ons available: Content Marketing, Local Marketing, Agency Pack
Pro Plan – $95.20/month
- Best for: Agencies and small teams
- Features:
- 3 manager seats
- 30 projects
- Track 2,000 keywords daily
- All Essential Plan features plus:
- Looker Studio integration
- Share of Voice metric
- API access
- Historical data (3 previous months)
- Add-ons available: Content Marketing, Local Marketing, Agency Pack
Business Plan – $207.20/month
- Best for: Large agencies and enterprises
- Features:
- 5 manager seats
- Unlimited projects
- Track 5,000 keywords daily
- All Pro Plan features plus:
- Maximized data reach
- Keywords Database expansion
- Dedicated customer support
- Team training
- Historical data (all time)
- Add-ons available: Content Marketing, Local Marketing, Agency Pack
Additional Options:
- Manager Seats: Additional seats can be added at $20 per seat per month.
- Agency Pack Add-on: Available for Pro and Business plans (annual billing only) offering features like white-label reporting and client seats.
- Content Marketing Add-on: Options for 15-120 articles/month, AI Writer, plagiarism checks, and content idea finder.
- Local Marketing Add-on: Options for 1-50 locations, local rank tracking, and reviews management.
For more detailed information and to start a free trial, you can visit SE Ranking’s subscription page.
Value for Money
SE Ranking is praised for its affordability compared to tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools at a fraction of the price, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget.
Trial and Refund Policy
SE Ranking provides a 14-day free trial, allowing you to test the platform risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, a straightforward refund policy is in place.
Integrations and Compatibility
SE Ranking integrates seamlessly with tools like Google Analytics, Zapier, and major social media platforms. It also offers API access for deeper control and compatibility with other digital marketing tools.
SE Ranking Customer Support
SE Ranking offers responsive support through live chat, email, and phone. The support team is known for being helpful and knowledgeable. Additionally, a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and tutorials is available for self-help.
Pros and Cons of SE Ranking
Pros:
- Comprehensive toolset covering all major SEO aspects.
- Affordable pricing, great for small businesses.
- Intuitive and customizable interface.
- Reliable customer support with plenty of educational resources.
- Offers a demo account to explore features before committing.
Cons:
- Lacks some advanced features of pricier tools.
- Smaller keyword and backlink databases.
- The abundance of features can overwhelm new users.
SE Ranking User Reviews and Testimonials
Users consistently praise SE Ranking for its affordability, ease of use, and comprehensive features. Testimonials highlight its value for money and the effectiveness of its white-label options for agencies.
Based on 1100+ reviews SE Ranking Reviews on G2: SE Ranking got 9.6/10.
How SE Ranking Stacks Up Against Competitors
Comparison with Major Competitors:
- Ahrefs: SE Ranking offers a more affordable alternative with essential features, though with less extensive data.
- SEMrush: While SEMrush includes additional tools, SE Ranking focuses on SEO with a simpler, more cost-effective approach.
- Moz: SE Ranking matches Moz in ease of use but offers more competitive pricing, making it attractive to smaller businesses.
- Surfer SEO: Surfer SEO excels in on-page optimization, while SE Ranking offers a broader, all-in-one SEO toolkit at a similar or lower cost.
Read our review on Surfer SEO here.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
SE Ranking’s strength lies in its affordability and essential features, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. However, its smaller database and lack of advanced features may be a limitation for larger enterprises.
Final Verdict: Is SE Ranking Worth It?
Summary of the Review
SE Ranking offers a well-rounded, user-friendly SEO platform that balances essential features with affordability. It’s ideal for small businesses and agencies needing a comprehensive SEO tool that’s easy to use and customizable.
Who Should Use SE Ranking
SE Ranking is perfect for those who want a reliable, cost-effective SEO solution. While it may not have the depth needed for complex campaigns, it’s an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a solid, all-in-one tool.
Final Opinion
SE Ranking is a great option if you’re seeking a budget-friendly SEO tool with strong core features. It’s worth considering for anyone looking to enhance their SEO efforts without overspending.
FAQs About SE Ranking
1. Is SE Ranking suitable for beginners?
Yes, SE Ranking is very beginner-friendly. The platform is designed with simplicity in mind, offering an intuitive interface and plenty of resources like tutorials and webinars to help new users get started quickly.
2. How accurate is SE Ranking’s rank tracking?
SE Ranking provides highly accurate rank tracking with daily updates. You can monitor your website’s performance across multiple search engines and locations, ensuring you have the most up-to-date data.
3. Can SE Ranking replace other SEO tools?
SE Ranking offers a comprehensive set of features that can replace multiple tools, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. However, for highly advanced needs, some users may still prefer to supplement it with tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.
4. What is SE Ranking’s refund policy?
SE Ranking offers a straightforward refund policy. If you’re not satisfied with the service, you can request a refund within a specified period after subscribing, which gives you peace of mind when trying the platform.
5. Does SE Ranking offer a free trial?
Yes, SE Ranking provides a 14-day free trial that allows you to test out the platform’s features without any commitment. This is a great way to see if it meets your needs before deciding on a paid plan.
