If you’re testing Ahrefs’ Brand Radar but want deeper coverage, faster iteration, or built-in optimization, this guide compares seven strong alternatives.
You’ll see how each tool handles AI search engines (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews/AI Mode), what it costs to start, and where it beats Brand Radar for day-to-day execution.
Who this is for: SEO leads, PR/brand teams, and agencies deciding whether to pair or replace Ahrefs Brand Radar with a category-specialist platform.
How we chose: Engine coverage, methodology transparency, actionability (diagnose ➜ fix), collaboration/exports, and price-to-value.
Quick comparison table
Pricing changes often, so verify on vendor pages before purchase.
| Tool | Best for | Starting price* | Engines/coverage (examples) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankability AI Analyzer | Agencies that want monitoring and optimization in one stack | $124/mo | ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI results | Prompt-level diffs, competitive citation mapping, integrates with Content Optimizer & agency workflows |
| Peec AI | Teams wanting multi-engine dashboards + easy exports & integrations | €89/mo | ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AIO | Daily runs, Starter includes 25 prompts & 3 countries, unlimited seats |
| LLMrefs | Solo marketers/SMBs needing an affordable on-ramp | $79/mo | ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot (others emerging) | Weekly cadence by default, proprietary LLMrefs Score (LS), freemium available |
| SE Ranking AI Visibility Tracker | SMBs/agencies already in SE Ranking | $89/mo | Google AI Overviews, AI Mode, ChatGPT (+ Perplexity & Gemini “coming soon”) | “No-cited” gap finder, classic rank tracking + AI in one UI |
| Surfer AI Tracker | Surfer-native teams that want AI visibility inside Surfer | ~$95/mo add-on | ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews/AI Mode, Perplexity | Weekly trend reports, cited sources, new module (historical depth growing) |
| Scrunch AI | Enterprise teams needing monitoring and optimization infra (AXP) | $300/mo | ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, more | Misinformation detection, journey mapping, SSO, enterprise data APIs |
| Profound | Large brands needing enterprise APIs + governance | $499/mo | ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews | Conversation Explorer, SOC 2, robust “read/write” GEO approach |
*Starting prices change often—verify current pricing before purchase.
1. Rankability’s AI Analyzer (Lead pick)
Why choose it: Among AI search tracking tools, you don’t just see where you show up—you get clear steps to improve and ship fixes in the same workflow (great for agencies managing multiple brands).
Standout features: Prompt-level testing, citation/source mapping, competitor diffs, workflow handoffs to writers, and monitoring baked into Rankability’s content system.
Good fit if: You want monitoring + optimization and agency-friendly reporting out of the box.
Source notes: Rankability AI Analyzer product page; engine coverage/positioning are evolving with rapid releases.
2. Peec AI
Why choose it: Clean multi-engine dashboards and exports with daily cadence—easy to drop into existing analytics stacks.
Standout features: Track prompts across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AIO; multi-country support even on Starter; unlimited seats.
Good fit if: You want straightforward visibility reporting without adopting a whole new SEO suite.
Source notes: Peec site & pricing (Starter €89/month; prompt/country limits, daily runs).
3. LLMrefs
Why choose it: An approachable, budget-friendly way to start measuring AI visibility with a simple scoring system.
Standout features: LLMrefs Score (LS) for prioritization, competitor benchmarking, weekly trend cadence.
Good fit if: You’re a solo marketer/startup and want to test the waters before committing to a heavier platform.
Source notes: LLMrefs homepage (coverage list) and recent pricing snapshots around $79/month Pro; confirm current plans.
4. SE Ranking – AI Visibility Tracker
Why choose it: If you already use SE Ranking, the AI module brings AI Overviews + AI Mode + ChatGPT into the same place as your classic rank tracking.
Standout features: “No-cited” finder (see where competitors are cited and you aren’t), time-series visibility, competitive benchmarking.
Good fit if: You want a unified SEO + AI view in one subscription.
Source notes: SE Ranking AI Results/Visibility Tracker & pricing pages; Perplexity/Gemini noted as “coming soon.”
5. Surfer AI Tracker
Why choose it: You live in Surfer and want a native module for AI visibility, with cited source transparency to drive content updates.
Standout features: Prompt-level insights, shows where data came from, weekly trend reports; integrates with Surfer workflows.
Good fit if: Your team already uses Surfer for content optimization and wants to add AI monitoring without a new vendor.
Source notes: Surfer’s launch blog outlining models/benefits; pricing sold as an add-on (verify latest plan structure).
6. Scrunch AI
Why choose it: Moves beyond “reporting” into optimization infrastructure (AXP), plus enterprise features like SSO and APIs.
Standout features: Misinformation detection, journey mapping, machine-readable content layers, share-of-voice across AI assistants.
Good fit if: You need governance, collaboration, and measurable impact at scale.
Source notes: Scrunch overview & pricing tiers (Starter $300/mo+; enterprise options).
7. Profound
Why choose it: Enterprise-grade sampling, APIs, and compliance; built for teams that want to quantify and influence visibility across answer engines.
Standout features: Conversation Explorer, AI Visibility Dashboard, reference/citation analytics, SOC 2.
Good fit if: You’re a large brand or agency network that needs depth, security, and integrations.
Source notes: Profound site and pricing (Lite $499/mo, Enterprise custom).
Where Ahrefs’ Brand Radar still wins
- Frictionless for Ahrefs users: If your team already lives in Ahrefs, onboarding is quick with familiar UI and helpful directional modules (e.g., Web Visibility).
- Early, integrated baseline: Good for sanity-checking brand presence as AI features expand across the suite.
When to pair vs. switch: Pair when you want quick directional insight inside Ahrefs but rely on a specialist tool for deeper multi-engine sampling and optimization. Switch if you need faster release cycles, broader engine matrix, and action workflows today.
FAQs
Do these tools show exact sources/citations?
Most expose citations for at least some engines; depth varies by model and tool.
How often should I re-run prompts?
Daily for active categories or competitive queries; weekly is fine for slower niches.
What’s a realistic starter budget?
Expect $79–$300/mo for a credible start; enterprise stacks run higher. Start narrow (10–25 prompts), prove value, then expand.
Conclusion
Brand Radar is a smart baseline—especially if you’re already in Ahrefs. But if you need broader engine coverage, faster iteration, and built-in optimization, the alternatives above will move you from “we’re watching it” to “we’re fixing it.”
Start with Rankability if you want monitoring + action in one stack; otherwise pick the platform that best fits your ecosystem (SE Ranking, Surfer) or governance needs (Scrunch, Profound).
Free GEO Checklist – Download the complete 97-point checklist to optimize your brand for AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity.