Ahrefs
The SEO data you actually use, plus the analytics to match
Ahrefs is a deep, excellent SEO platform, and more than most site owners need or want to pay for. ezStats gives you solid SEO data and is your full analytics system of record, bundled, starting at a fraction of the price.
Analytics + SEO + AI visibility in one plan. Free tier from $0.
Ahrefs is built for SEO specialists. ezStats is built for the site owner who wants strong SEO data and clean analytics, without running a heavy platform.
Side by side
Right-sized, not out-featured
We do not claim to match Ahrefs on SEO depth. We claim most site owners do not need that depth, and do need the analytics Ahrefs is not built to be.
Capability
ezStats
Your analytics system of record
✓Yes, full GA4 alternative
~Basic Web Analytics add-on
Real-time on-site analytics
✓Yes
~Limited
AI traffic source tracking
✓Identifies AI assistant traffic
~AI traffic monitoring only
SEO keyword tracking
~100 per site, add-on packs
✓Hundreds to thousands
Backlink index depth
~Monitoring and alerts
✓Deep, best in class
Content explorer / keyword universe
~Focused essentials
✓Extensive
Heatmaps and company ID
✓Yes
✗Not offered
AI visibility (answer engines)
✓Included
✓Available
Agent / MCP access
✓Yes, Connect tier
✓Yes, Lite tier and up
Agent installs on-site tracking
✓Yes, one snippet
✗Not an on-site analytics install
Content lifecycle and delivery
✓Via Cavendo AI, full lifecycle
✗Not offered
Free tier
✓Yes, agent-installable
~Free Web Analytics + Webmaster Tools
Entry price
$0 free, $79/mo Connect
Lite $129/mo (Starter $29)
The right-sized middle
Where ezStats wins for most site owners
Not by beating Ahrefs at SEO depth. By being the analytics they are not, and bundling what you actually use.
It is your analytics, not an add-on
ezStats replaces GA4 with real-time, cookieless analytics. Ahrefs Web Analytics is a useful free extra, not a full analytics system of record.
AI traffic, identified
Because ezStats runs on your site, it shows which visits arrive from AI assistants like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Ahrefs monitors AI rankings, not the visits themselves.
One bundle, a fraction of the price
Analytics, SEO data, and AI visibility in one plan at $79. Ahrefs Lite is $129 for an SEO platform, before you add analytics underneath it.
Measurement into the work
ezStats feeds Cavendo AI for the full content lifecycle. Ahrefs gives you research and tools, then hands off.
When Ahrefs is the better choice
If SEO is your profession, buy the professional tool. Choose Ahrefs if:
- → You need to track thousands of keywords and run deep backlink prospecting, not just monitoring.
- → You live in content explorer, keyword universe, and large-scale site crawls daily.
- → SEO depth is the product for you, and analytics is a side concern handled elsewhere.
Pricing
A platform you may not need vs the data you do
Ahrefs Lite is $129 for a deep SEO platform. ezStats is $79 for solid SEO plus the analytics Ahrefs does not replace, and starts free.
ezStats Connect
$79/mo
Free tier available from $0
- ✓ Full analytics system of record
- ✓ Solid SEO data + AI visibility
- ✓ Search + AI traffic insights
- ✓ Heatmaps + company ID
- ✓ Cavendo content lifecycle
- ✓ Agent install via MCP
Ahrefs Lite
$129/mo
Starter $29, Standard $249+
- ✓ Deep SEO platform
- ✓ Best-in-class backlink index
- ✓ MCP access at Lite
- − Analytics is a basic add-on
- − No heatmaps or company ID
Get the SEO you use, and the analytics you need.
Start free, or let your AI help set it up. Keep Ahrefs for deep audits if you ever need them.