Tool comparison

A Screaming Frog & Ahrefs alternative that doesn't cost $100+ a month

Same site-wide technical SEO crawl and real PageSpeed metrics. No desktop install, no annual licence, no subscription. Start free, then pay $9-49 one-time only when you need more.

The same audit engine we run across 10+ of our own web products.

Kalenux vs Screaming Frog vs Ahrefs / Semrush

An honest, side-by-side look. Different tools win at different jobs - here's where each one fits.

 Kalenux SEO AuditScreaming FrogAhrefs / Semrush
Price$9-49 one-timeFree to 500 URLs, then ~£199/yr$100-250+ / month
Billing modelOne-time credits, never expireAnnual licenceMonthly subscription
Site-wide technical crawlYesYesYes
80+ technical checksYesYesYes
Real PageSpeed / Core Web VitalsYesVia integrationYes
SetupWeb app, nothing to installDesktop app + RAM for big sitesWeb app
Health tracking run-over-runYesManualYes
CSV exportYesYesYes
Keyword research & rank trackingNo (by design)NoYes
Backlink indexNoNoYes

We're a focused technical-audit tool, not a keyword suite. If you want backlinks and keyword research, keep your Ahrefs. If you want fast, cheap, site-wide technical audits you can run on every client - that's us.

Where each tool wins

Pick Kalenux when

You need technical SEO + PageSpeed audits across whole sites, cheaply and often - especially across many client sites - without a monthly bill or a desktop crawler.

Pick Screaming Frog when

You want a deep desktop crawler with very granular configuration and don't mind the annual licence and local RAM for very large sites.

Pick Ahrefs / Semrush when

Your core work is keyword research, rank tracking and backlink analysis - the things a broad suite does that a focused audit tool deliberately doesn't.

The math for an agency

If you audit client sites, the difference compounds fast.

A keyword suite

$129/mo × 12 = $1,548 a year, every year, whether you run 2 audits or 200.

Kalenux Pro pack

$49 one-time = ~500 small-site audits. Credits never expire. Buy again only when you run out.

What that buys

Run a full technical audit on every client at onboarding, then re-audit monthly to show progress - for the price of one month of a suite.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best cheap alternative to Screaming Frog?

Kalenux SEO Audit runs the same kind of site-wide technical crawl - broken links, redirects, canonicals, hreflang, structured data, sitemaps - plus real PageSpeed, from a web dashboard with nothing to install. Free to start; credit packs are $9-49 one-time with no subscription, versus Screaming Frog's 500-URL free cap and then a yearly licence.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Ahrefs or Semrush for technical SEO?

Those are broad keyword-and-backlink suites at $100-250+/month. If you mainly need technical site-health auditing, Kalenux covers it for $9-49 one-time. It is not a keyword-research suite - it is a focused technical audit tool.

Does Kalenux replace Ahrefs and Semrush completely?

No, and we won't pretend it does. Those suites are stronger for keyword research, rank tracking and backlinks. Kalenux is focused on technical SEO and PageSpeed across your whole site. Many agencies use Kalenux for fast, cheap technical audits and keep a keyword suite for research.

Can I audit multiple client sites?

Yes. Credits are shared across every site in your account and never expire, so a $49 Pro pack covers around 500 small-site audits. Verify each client domain once, then re-run and track health over time per site.

Audit your first site free

No credit card. See your technical SEO health in minutes, then decide.

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