Tool	Type	JS Rendering	Visuals	API Access	Best For
Deepcrawl	Cloud	Yes	Good	Yes	Enterprises
Screaming Frog	Desktop	Yes	Basic	Yes	Technical SEOs
Sitebulb	Desktop	Yes	Excellent	No	Agencies and reports
Ahrefs	Cloud	Limited	Good	No	All-in-one SEO users
SEMrush	Cloud	Limited	Good	Yes	Marketing teams
Oncrawl	Cloud	Yes	Advanced	Yes	Data-heavy sites
Botify	Cloud	Yes	Advanced	Yes	Large dynamic websites

What Is Deepcrawl?

Deepcrawl is a cloud-based SEO platform that helps you run in-depth technical audits on websites. It’s particularly great for large-scale crawling and complex sites. It checks for everything from internal linking issues and site structure to JavaScript rendering and more. It’s designed with enterprise users in mind, which means it can handle massive websites and give you granular insights.

That said, its steep learning curve and pricing model might not be the best fit for everyone. And that’s where the alternatives come in.

Why Look for a Deepcrawl Alternative?

• Cost concerns: Deepcrawl can get expensive, especially for freelancers or smaller agencies.
• Interface complexity: It’s not the most beginner-friendly tool, which can slow down teams that are new to technical SEO.
• Feature flexibility: You might need features that are easier to customize or present more visually appealing reports.
• Workflow preferences: Not every team needs or wants an enterprise-level SEO solution.

If you’ve ever felt like Deepcrawl is a bit much for your needs, you’re definitely not alone.

Screaming Frog SEO Spider

Screaming Frog is a favorite among SEOs for good reason. It’s a downloadable desktop app that crawls websites quickly and thoroughly. You can audit just about anything—broken links, meta tags, duplicate content, and even JavaScript-rendered pages. It’s fast and customizable, and the premium version only requires a one-time annual fee.

• Best for: Technical SEOs who want complete control and flexibility. It’s perfect for small to mid-sized sites.
• Watch out for: It runs on your computer, so massive websites can slow things down depending on your system.

Sitebulb

Sitebulb brings a fresh visual approach to technical SEO audits. It still checks everything you’d expect, but it also presents your data in super-clear charts and graphs. It also explains each issue it finds in simple terms, making it easier to take action.

• Best for: Agencies or consultants who want to deliver clear, visually impressive reports.
• Watch out for: Like Screaming Frog, it’s a desktop tool, so large sites can be more resource-intensive.

Ahrefs Site Audit

Ahrefs is known for backlinks and keyword data, but don’t sleep on their site audit tool. It’s cloud-based, runs automatically, and gives you an overall health score with detailed recommendations.

• Best for: Marketers and SEOs who want a well-rounded tool that handles content, links, and technical issues all in one.
• Watch out for: While it covers most audit basics, it may not offer the same granular technical depth as Deepcrawl or Screaming Frog.

SEMrush Site Audit Tool

SEMrush includes a strong audit tool as part of its all-in-one SEO platform. It checks for crawlability, internal linking, security issues, and much more. You can even schedule regular audits and get email alerts for new issues.

• Best for: Marketing teams that want an all-in-one platform for SEO, PPC, and content.
• Watch out for: It’s not as customizable as other tools and might miss very technical SEO edge cases.

Oncrawl

Oncrawl is made for data lovers and enterprise users. It’s a cloud-based crawler with powerful features like log file analysis, custom dashboards, and API access for deep integration.

• Best for: Large websites with complex structures, like eCommerce and publishers.
• Watch out for: It can be pricey and may require some technical know-how to get the most value.

Botify

Botify is built for big, dynamic websites. It handles real-time crawling, JavaScript rendering, and offers integrations with platforms like Adobe and Google Marketing Suite. It’s highly scalable and ideal for large teams managing major SEO operations.

• Best for: Enterprises that need real-time data and deep technical insights.
• Watch out for: It’s one of the most expensive options and really only makes sense for big companies.

How to Choose the Right Deepcrawl Alternative

Choosing the right SEO audit tool really comes down to your needs and the size of your team or business. Here’s a quick breakdown of how each one might suit you:

• Freelancers and consultants: Screaming Frog and Sitebulb offer great value and deep functionality without recurring fees.
• Small to mid-sized teams: Ahrefs and SEMrush are easy to use, integrate well, and include broader SEO features.
• Agencies: Sitebulb’s polished reports and client-ready audits can really stand out.
• Enterprise teams: Oncrawl and Botify are perfect for those handling large, complex websites with demanding SEO needs.

Think about your budget, reporting needs, and the technical level of your team when making a decision.

Conclusion

Deepcrawl is a powerful SEO tool, but it’s not the only solution. Whether you need something more budget-friendly, visually engaging, or simply easier to use, there’s a great alternative out there.

Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Oncrawl, and Botify all bring something different to the table. Some are great for beginners, others are built for heavy-duty data needs. Try a few out, see what fits your goals and budget, and pick the one that works best for your workflow.

Key takeaway: While Deepcrawl is a top-tier tool, there are several other options out there that offer great features, intuitive interfaces, and flexible pricing. Tools like Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Oncrawl, and Botify each bring something unique to the table.

FAQs

Which Deepcrawl alternative is easiest for beginners?

Ahrefs and SEMrush are both very beginner-friendly with clean dashboards and easy-to-follow recommendations.

Do any of these tools work well for content SEO too?

Yes, both Ahrefs and SEMrush offer features beyond technical audits, including keyword research, competitor tracking, and content optimization tools.

What’s the most customizable SEO crawler?

Screaming Frog stands out for its customization options. You can control nearly every part of the crawl and tailor the output to your needs.

Can I analyze log files with these tools?

Yes, Oncrawl and Botify both include advanced log file analysis features, which are valuable for monitoring how search engines interact with your site.

Are white-label audit reports available?

Sitebulb and SEMrush allow for white-label reporting, which is great for agencies that want to present professional audits under their own branding.