An SE Ranking alternative that's 4x cheaper to start.
Same core workflow — audits, rank tracking, competitor research — plus AI visibility monitoring across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity built in, not sold as an add-on.
Aura Ranking vs SE Ranking.
| Feature | Aura Ranking | SE Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/mo | $129/mo ($103.20/mo annual) |
| Client accounts / projects | 2 (Starter) → unlimited (Scale) | 10 (Core) → 30 (Growth) |
| Keywords tracked | 30 (Starter) → 1,000 (Scale) | 2,000 (Core) → 5,000 (Growth) |
| AI visibility (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity) | Included, every plan | +$71–89/mo add-on |
| AI content writing | Included, every plan | Not a core feature |
| AI cost model | Bring your own Gemini key — pay Google at cost | Bundled AI credits, marked up into plan price |
Pricing and feature comparison reflects publicly published SE Ranking plans as of publication — always verify current features and pricing directly with the vendor before switching.
Same job, a fraction of the bill.
4x cheaper to start
$29/mo vs $129/mo for the equivalent entry plan — before SE Ranking's AI visibility add-on is even factored in.
AI visibility, included
ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity citation tracking ships in every Aura Ranking plan. On SE Ranking it's a separate $71–89/mo line item.
You control the AI cost
Bring your own Gemini API key and pay Google directly — usually a few dollars a month — instead of a shared credit pool marked up into your subscription.
Where SE Ranking has more headroom
If you're tracking a single, very large keyword portfolio on one domain — 2,000+ keywords — SE Ranking's higher per-plan ceilings may suit you better out of the box. Aura Ranking is built around the workflow of running many client accounts affordably, not maximizing keywords on one.
Common questions, answered.
Is Aura Ranking cheaper than SE Ranking?+
Yes. Aura Ranking's Starter plan is $29/mo versus SE Ranking's Core plan at $129/mo billed monthly ($103.20/mo billed annually) — and AI search visibility tracking (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity) is included in every Aura Ranking plan, where SE Ranking charges an extra $71–89/mo for it as an add-on.
Does SE Ranking track AI search visibility like ChatGPT and Perplexity?+
Yes, through a separate AI Search Toolkit add-on priced at $71.20/mo (annual) or $89/mo (monthly), on top of a Core or Growth plan. Aura Ranking includes AI visibility monitoring across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity natively in every paid tier, no add-on required.
Does Aura Ranking track as many keywords as SE Ranking?+
Not at the high end — SE Ranking's Core plan supports up to 2,000 daily keywords across 10 projects, well above Aura Ranking's plan limits. If you're tracking a single large keyword portfolio on one site, SE Ranking's ceiling may fit better. Aura Ranking is built for agencies and consultants running many client accounts affordably, not one massive keyword list.
What does 'bring your own API key' (BYOAK) mean, and why does it matter for cost?+
Aura Ranking's AI features (audits, content writing, AI visibility checks) run on your own Gemini API key instead of a shared, marked-up credit pool. You pay Google directly at cost — often just a few dollars a month — instead of Aura Ranking reselling AI usage at a markup baked into a higher subscription price.
Can I switch from SE Ranking to Aura Ranking?+
Yes. Add your client sites as projects, connect Search Console and Analytics, and Aura Ranking starts auditing and tracking rankings immediately. Most agencies run both in parallel for a couple of weeks before fully switching over.