Software profile

SpyFu

A competitor research tool for SEO and Google Ads that shows rivals’ keywords and ad history, from $39 a month with unlimited data on Pro.

  • Flat or plan-based
  • Cloud
  • AI features
  • Independent sources

by SpyFuSEO SoftwareCompetitor SEO and PPC research tool (SaaS)

Visit official website (external) ↗Compare productsExplore alternatives
  • Verified 13 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
  • 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
  • Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
  • Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
Quick answer

What is SpyFu?

SpyFu is an SEO and PPC competitor research tool that shows the organic keywords, paid keywords, ad copy history and backlinks of competing domains, with rank tracking and reports, sold in Basic, Pro + AI and Team plans.

  • Best forPPC managers studying competitor ads
  • Team size fitSolo and freelancers, Small teams, Mid-size teams
  • PricingBasic $39 a month.
  • Main limitationNo free plan or trial.
  • AlternativesSemrush, Ahrefs, SE Ranking, Similarweb · compare all

Reviewed by the Stack18 editorial team · Verified 13 Nov 2026 · 2 sources

Overview

SpyFu overview: who it is for and what it does.

SpyFu is built around one question: what are my competitors doing in search? Enter a domain to see its organic rankings, Google Ads keywords and ad variations over more than a decade of history, plus overlap reports between competitors.

A 2026 pricing page lists Basic at $39 a month with 10,000 search result rows and exports and one tracking project, Pro + AI at $119 a month with unlimited results and exports and ten projects, and Team or Agency at $249 a month with unlimited projects and five sites. One source reports five user seats on Team with extra seats at $30 a month.

There is no free plan. API overage is reported at $0.50 per 1,000 rows beyond 10,000, and contracts auto-renew. Reviewers note that data is strongest for the US and UK.

Main problem it solves

Shows what keywords and ads competitors use, so marketers can find gaps and avoid wasted ad spend.

Typical customer segment

Small businesses, PPC managers, SEO consultants and agencies, mainly in the US and UK.

Target users

  • PPC managers researching competitor ads
  • SEO specialists finding keyword gaps
  • Agencies preparing client reports

Primary use cases

  • Competitor keyword research
  • Google Ads history and ad copy
  • Keyword gap and overlap analysis
  • Rank tracking
  • White-label reporting

What makes it distinct

  • Ten-plus years of competitor ad history.
  • Unlimited searches and exports from Pro.
  • Lower price than all-in-one SEO suites.
Key features

SpyFu features explained.

Competitor research

Organic keywords
Rankings of any domain.
PPC history
Google Ads keywords and ad copy over time.
Kombat overlap
Shared and missing keywords between competitors.

SEO tools

Keyword research
Volume and difficulty.
Backlinks
Backlink lookups.
Rank tracking
Projects by plan.

Reporting and data

White-label reports
Agency reporting.
API
Paid API with overage charges.
Google Search Console
Connect your site data.
Pricing

SpyFu pricing and plans.

Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 13 Nov 2026 against Costbench · MacMyths.

Pricing model

Monthly subscription by plan; annual discounts offered by vendor.

Free plan

No (limited free searches)

Free trial

No

SpyFu plans and prices (USD)

  • Basic

    $39 a month

    Monthly

    10,000 rows and exports, 1 tracking project.

  • Pro + AI

    $119 a month

    Monthly

    Unlimited results and exports, 10 projects.

  • Team / Agency

    $249 a month

    Monthly

    Unlimited projects, 5 sites; extra users about $30.

Prices are from a 2026 third-party pricing page; annual pricing was not published there. API overage and auto-renewal apply.

Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.

Visit official website (external) ↗See alternatives
Integrations and compatibility

SpyFu integrations, API and platforms.

Important integrations

  • Google Search Console
  • Google Ads
  • API

Supported platforms

  • Web

API

Paid API; overage about $0.50 per 1,000 rows above 10,000.

Data import and export

Not applicable.

Data coverage is strongest for the US and UK.

Strengths, limitations and best fit

SpyFu pros and cons.

Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.

Strengths

  • Unique depth of competitor Google Ads history. [1]
  • Unlimited searches and exports from Pro. [1]
  • Lower entry price than large SEO suites. [1]
  • White-label reports for agencies. [1]

Limitations

  • No free plan or trial. [1]
  • Data accuracy complaints from some reviewers. [1]
  • API overage and auto-renewal add cost. [1]
  • Weaker data outside the US and UK. [2]

Best for

  • PPC managers studying competitor ads
  • Small businesses on a budget
  • Agencies needing white-label reports

May be less suited to

  • Teams needing deep technical SEO audits
  • Markets outside the US and UK
How it compares

SpyFu compared with similar SEO software.

Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.

ProductPricing modelFree planStarting priceBest for
SpyFuFlat or plan-basedNo (limited free searches)Basic $39 a month.PPC managers studying competitor ads
SemrushFlat or plan-basedNoPro reported at $139.95 per month ($117.33 billed annually); extra users from $45 a month.Marketing teams that want one broad SEO and competitive research suite
AhrefsFlat or plan-basedYes (own sites)Free for your own verified sites; Starter $29 and Lite $129 per month.SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data
SE RankingFlat or plan-basedNoCore reported at $129 per month (3 seats, 30 projects); 20% off annually.Agencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less
SimilarwebFlat or plan-basedFree toolsWeb Intelligence plans from $125 per month; business and enterprise by quote.Teams that need competitor traffic and market intelligence
Google Search ConsoleFree or open sourceYesFree.Every site owner who wants Google traffic data

Browse all SEO Software →

FAQ

SpyFu questions and answers

What is SpyFu used for?

SpyFu is used for competitor keyword research, Google Ads history and ad copy, keyword gap and overlap analysis and rank tracking.

Does SpyFu have a free plan?

No. SpyFu does not offer a permanent free plan in the sources reviewed. Free trial: No.

How much does SpyFu cost?

Basic $39 a month. Prices are from a 2026 third-party pricing page; annual pricing was not published there.

What is the difference between SpyFu Basic and Pro + AI?

Basic is listed at $39 a month (10,000 rows and exports, 1 tracking project). Pro + AI is listed at $119 a month (Unlimited results and exports, 10 projects). Confirm current plan contents with the vendor.

What are the main alternatives to SpyFu?

The main alternatives to SpyFu covered on Stack18 are Semrush, Ahrefs, SE Ranking and Similarweb. Semrush may suit marketing teams that want one broad SEO and competitive research suite. Ahrefs may suit SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data. SE Ranking may suit agencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less. See the SpyFu alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.

What integrations does SpyFu support?

Documented integrations include Google Search Console, Google Ads and API. API: Paid API; overage about $0.50 per 1,000 rows above 10,000.

What are the limitations of SpyFu?

No free plan or trial. Data accuracy complaints from some reviewers. API overage and auto-renewal add cost.

Which platforms does SpyFu run on?

SpyFu is documented as available on: Web.

When was the SpyFu profile last verified?

Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 13 Nov 2026. 2 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.

Sources and freshness

Where this information comes from.

  1. All SpyFu Plans & Pricing Costbench Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
  2. SpyFu review 2026: SEO and PPC research, pricing, limits and data caveats MacMyths Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026

Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are corroborated across independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.

Plan names, prices and features were checked against the sources listed on 13 Nov 2026. Capabilities were not tested.

Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.

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