| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $225/month | $29/month |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Free Tier | ||
| Free Trial | ||
| Best For | Startups | SMBs |
| Tool Type |
Who each tool is built for, what it does best, and how much effort it takes to get started.


SEO Mode helps startups get noticed online by listing them in 100+ directories automatically. This means more sales, more traffic, and better domain authority while you focus on growing your business.
Ahrefs helps you understand and improve your website's search performance. It offers tools to track keywords, analyze competitors, and optimize your content.
SEO Mode is decent but feels a bit overpriced for what it offers; there are better options out there that provide more comprehensive features at a lower price point. If you're serious about SEO, you might want to shop around before committing.
Ahrefs is a must-have for serious marketers, but its pricing can feel steep for beginners; if you're ready to invest in your SEO game, it's worth every penny.
Choose SEO Mode if you want a specialized tool that does one thing exceptionally well. Starts at $225/month.
Choose Ahrefs if you want the industry standard with the widest ecosystem and integrations. Starts at $29/month. Free tier available — no credit card needed.
On price alone, Ahrefs wins at $29/month. But cheaper isn't always better — check the feature breakdown above.
SEO Mode is a niche user acquisition tool built for startups, starting at $225/month. Automate directory submissions to boost SEO and domain authority effortlessly.
Choose SEO Mode if:
See all Ahrefs alternatives or browse the User acquisition directory.
Ahrefs is a essential user acquisition tool built for smbs, starting at $29/month. Ahrefs is a comprehensive AI-powered marketing platform for optimizing search visibility and content performance.
Choose Ahrefs if:
See all SEO Mode alternatives or browse the User acquisition directory.
Let's talk money — because that's usually what drives the decision for startups and growth teams.
SEO Mode starts at $225/month with 2 pricing tiers. Priced for startups — won't wreck your runway.
Ahrefs starts at $29/month with 6 pricing tiers. Free tier included. Reasonable pricing for scaling teams.
Our take: Ahrefs is the more affordable option at $29/month vs $225/month. Check the feature comparison above to see if the savings come with trade-offs. We always list monthly billing rates — not the discounted annual price that makes everything look cheaper.
It depends on your team size, budget, and priorities. SEO Mode is a niche user acquisition tool built for startups, starting at $225/month. Ahrefs is a essential option aimed at smbs, starting at $29/month. See the feature comparison above for a detailed side-by-side.
SEO Mode starts at $225/month, while Ahrefs starts at $29/month. Ahrefs is more affordable on paper. Keep in mind: the cheapest plan isn't always the best deal. Compare what you get at each tier, not just the starting price. We always list monthly billing rates, not discounted annual prices.
Both are seo/aeo/geo tools, so most teams pick one to avoid redundancy and extra costs. That said, some teams use both for different segments or use cases — just make sure the overlap doesn't waste your budget.
Ahrefs offers a free tier, while SEO Mode does not. If risk-free testing matters, Ahrefs has the edge.
Most user acquisition tools support data export. Start by exporting your data from your current tool, then check the new tool's import documentation. Many offer migration assistance or onboarding calls to help with the switch.
| Niche |
| Essential |
| Category | User acquisition | User acquisition |
| Subcategory | SEO/AEO/GEO | SEO/AEO/GEO |
| Plans | Authority Builder: $225 Content Powerhouse: $275 | Starter: $29/mo Lite: $129/mo Standard: $249/mo Advanced: $449/mo Enterprise: $1,499/mo |
| Description | Automate directory submissions to boost SEO and domain authority effortlessly. | Ahrefs is a comprehensive AI-powered marketing platform for optimizing search visibility and content performance. |
| Actions |
Switching user acquisition tools doesn't have to be painful. Here's a practical migration checklist:
Since at least one of these tools offers a free tier, you can run the parallel test without doubling your costs.
Both SEO Mode and Ahrefs are legitimate user acquisition tools with real users and proven track records. The "best" choice depends entirely on your team, your budget, and your priorities.
If ecosystem and integrations matter most, Ahrefs is the industry standard with the widest third-party support.
Don't overthink it. Pick the tool that solves your biggest current pain point, test it for a week, and commit. The worst decision is no decision — spending months comparing tools while your user acquisition workflow sits broken.
Explore SEO Mode alternatives · Ahrefs alternatives · Full directory