SpyFu is a crucial digital tool enabling businesses and marketers to gain a competitive advantage by revealing their competitors' closely held secrets. It allows deep exploration into keyword strategies, PPC campaigns, and SEO rankings to enhance online presence and outperform competitors. This tool provides insights into competitors' marketing tactics, helping users make informed decisions and strategize effectively for improved online visibility and success.

  • 01Pros and cons from reviewers
  • 02Main features
  • 03What is SpyFu?
  • 04How SpyFu compare to similar software?
  • 05Who is SpyFu best for according to our reviewers?
  • 06SpyFu Reviews

What is SpyFu?

SpyFu is a powerful tool designed to provide businesses with in-depth insights into their competitors' strategies in the digital market. It allows users to track and analyze their rivals' SEO tactics, targeted keywords, and advertising campaigns, helping them stay ahead of the curve. SpyFu is more than just a platform; it's a data-powered ally that offers transparency and valuable insights into the strategies driving business success in the digital realm. Affordable access to this game-changing tool can be found on Secret, a platform offering great SaaS deals for startups.

Pros from reviewers

  • Valuable insights into potential clients and competitors: SpyFu provides detailed insights into potential clients, competitors, and national brands, helping users understand where they stand in comparison and informing their marketing strategies

  • User-friendly interface: The software's user interface is easy to navigate, offering various ways to extend searches by identifying more competitors and studying their strategies

  • Reliable source of information: SpyFu quickly adapts to changes in algorithms or data collection methods, making it a reliable source of information, especially for SEO

  • Provides insights for PPC & SEO tasks: SpyFu is a crucial tool for PPC & SEO tasks, providing valuable insights into keyword and competitor research, which are key to SEO & PPC

  • Quick access to information for ad campaigns: SpyFu provides quick access to information for ad campaigns with potential buyers and for optimizing campaigns, making it a valuable tool for marketers.

Cons from reviewers

  • High cost: Despite the valuable insights and data provided by SpyFu, the cost of the software can be a barrier for small agencies or businesses operating on a tight budget

  • Limited keyword ideas: The software only provides five keyword ideas for each analysis type, which may not be sufficient for comprehensive competitor analysis

  • Inaccurate data: While SpyFu provides estimates for keyword and competitor research, the data is not always entirely accurate, which can limit its reliability for strategic decision-making

  • Limited data sources for PPC: The data sources for PPC are limited to AdWords, excluding other platforms like Yahoo and Bing, which can limit the comprehensiveness of the analysis

  • Poor customer service: Some users have reported difficulties in contacting SpyFu's customer service, including issues with communication and resolution of problems such as double charging and cancellation of subscriptions.

Main features

Starting Price

$39

/ month

Free Plan

No

Competitor keyword research

Backlink analysis

SEO rank tracking

Domain history

Custom reporting

If you can afford it, SEMRush is definitely better than Spyfu. It has a lot of useful features that Spyfu doesn’t.


For example, SEMRush has a lot of social media analysis and tracking tools. It’s an integrated part of competitor research, and it’s really useful to anyone trying to build a presence on social media. Spyfu, unfortunately, doesn’t offer any social media insights.


SEMRush also has a lot of on-page SEO tools, like their site audit. This will help you identify areas of improvement for your site, and rank better on the SERP. Spyfu doesn't help with on-page optimization.


Besides the tools missing from Spyfu, SEMRush also has more in-depth analytics, and better reporting tools. If you’re an agency and you need detailed breakdowns for your clients, SEMRush is the better choice. But Spyfu also supports white labeling, so it’s not a bad pick either.


Just don’t expect too many integrations. Spyfu only integrates with about a handful of services, while SEMRush works with hundreds of...

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SpyFu

Know your competition, master your market.

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Semrush

Be more visible in search results and increase qualified traffic

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Who is SpyFu best for according to our reviewers?

  • PPC & SEO Specialists: These users find SpyFu crucial for tasks like keyword and competitor research. They appreciate the insights it provides into their competition's strategy, but might find the data not entirely accurate and the data sources for PPC limited

  • Digital Marketing Agencies: These agencies can use SpyFu for competitor analysis, keyword targeting, and understanding where their clients stand compared to their competitors. However, for smaller agencies, the cost might be a barrier and they might need more keyword ideas than what SpyFu provides

  • SEO Professionals: These individuals find SpyFu indispensable for its data presentation and ability to quickly adapt to changes in algorithms or data collection methods. They rely on it for identifying competitors and studying their strategies, but might find the cost a barrier and wish for more PPC level insights

  • Business Owners in Competitive Online Sectors: These users value the quick access to information for ad campaigns and the insights SpyFu offers for optimizing their campaigns. They might find the tool lacking in some data and have issues with navigation due to extensive reports

  • Dissatisfied Users: These users have had negative experiences with SpyFu, citing issues like double charges, site crashes, lack of customer service, and problems with downloading reports. They might also find the data and features lacking and have difficulties getting in touch with anyone from SpyFu.

  • SpyFu Reviews

    4.0

    SpyFu rating

    4.5

    Ease of use

    4.5

    Customer service

    4.3

    Value for money

    4.2

    Likelihood to recommend

    4.3

    Features

    24 SpyFu Reviews

    4.0 (24 reviews)
    Leave a review
    • Donald B

      Fine until Advanced SEO Skills are Required

      Spyfu is great for initial steps in understanding my market and their SEO strategies. However, I need more assistance to fully utilize this information. I constantly encountered knowledge barriers and the instructional videos started out clear but eventually used SEO jargon that was beyond my comprehension.

      September 16, 2024

    • Lawrence

      Affordable and Effective: SpyFu's Range of Pricing Options for Small Business Owners

      As a small business owner, I appreciate that SpyFu offers a range of pricing options. It's an affordable solution that delivers high-quality results

      September 9, 2024

    • Judith

      Game-Changing ROI Tracking: SpyFu Simplifies Marketing Campaign Effectiveness Measurement

      The ROI tracking feature of SpyFu is a game-changer. It has made it much easier for me to measure the effectiveness of my marketing campaigns

      September 2, 2024

    • Alice S

      Initial Experience Disappointing, Overpriced Software.

      After subscribing to the cheapest plan of Spyfu, I was offered to use 192 out of my 2 credits to run a Recon Report. Now, if I want to run any more reports, they are asking for a significant additional charge. So basically, my first monthly payment only allowed me to run ONE report. I'm not satisfied with this.

      August 27, 2024

    • Kathleen Rodriguez

      SpyFu: The Ultimate SEO Tool for Improved Website Ranking

      I've used many SEO tools in the past, but SpyFu stands out for its depth of features and ease of use. It's been instrumental in improving my website's search engine ranking

      August 19, 2024

    • Arthur Smith

      Essential SEO & PPC Tool: SpyFu Insights

      As a SpyFu user, I consider it a crucial tool for PPC & SEO tasks. It provides valuable insights into keyword and competitor research, which are key to SEO & PPC. I can perform keyword research for organic search, identify what my competitors are ranking for, their positions, and the difficulty of ranking for certain keywords. For PPC keyword research, I can pinpoint the keywords my competitors are targeting, their estimated ad spend, and their ad copy. This gives me a thorough understanding of my competition's strategy. However, a significant downside of SpyFu, and its competitors, is that the data is not entirely accurate. They provide estimates, which cannot be fully trusted. The data is more useful for providing a general direction or order of magnitude, which is still very helpful, especially for PPC research. Another limitation is that the data sources for PPC are limited, only covering AdWords and not Yahoo & Bing. Despite these platforms having a smaller search share than Google, this is still a limitation.

      August 11, 2024

    • Daphne S

      SpyFu: A Content Marketer's Keyword Data Solution

      As a content marketer, I appreciate SpyFu's ability to provide detailed keyword data. It has helped me create more targeted and effective content

      August 5, 2024

    • Christine F

      Numerous Dysfunctional Features

      I had a disappointing experience with SpyFu and I won't be using it again. Despite being more cost-effective than its rivals, it felt like a less expensive version of SEMrush. I believe they might be using the SEMrush API, making it essentially the same product. Several features that were advertised in the demo video turned out to be untrue. The link importing and contact finding features didn't function for me. The vendor responded to my review, pointing out that I used the free version of the tool, which doesn't offer a trial like other tools but gives unlimited free access with limited results. They suggested that this limited version might have restricted me from accessing the premium features I was interested in. They responded in July 2020.

      July 30, 2024

    • Madison Miller

      Exploring Spyfu: A Game-Changer in Keyword Analysis and Market Overview

      I've had quite an interesting journey with Spyfu! Initially, I had a bit of a hiccup with downloading backlink reports in PDF format, but it gave me a chance to interact with their customer service, which was a learning experience. What's really cool about Spyfu is that it focuses on US-based data, providing a broad overview of the market. While it doesn't allow for drilling into individual states, it's a great tool for a nationwide perspective. I also found some of the competitive reports to be a bit different than expected, but it's all part of the learning curve. The real gem, though, is the useful keywords it provides - they've been a game-changer for me!

      July 23, 2024

    • Victoria Martinez

      SpyFu: A Game-Changer for PPC Campaigns

      I've been using SpyFu for several months now and it has significantly improved my PPC campaigns. The data is accurate and the interface is user-friendly

      July 13, 2024

    • Foster G

      SpyFu: Excellent for SEO, Less Optimal for PPC

      In general, I consider SpyFu to be an excellent tool. It's potent and often necessary for clients who need thorough analysis, both organically and paid. Over the last ten years, I've consistently used it. The user interface is simple to navigate, providing various ways to extend your search by identifying more competitors and studying theirs. Despite having competitors offering similar services at different prices, this software is quite indispensable on the SEO side. SpyFu has been my go-to for many years. Even during tough times for SEO in the past, SpyFu quickly adapted, which is vital for software like this. Whenever there are changes to algorithms or data collection methods, SpyFu has been my most reliable information source. The cost can be a barrier, and more PPC level insights would be helpful. However, they do a good job with the data they can access. The only downside is that many old landing pages are not cached or visualized, so when you click on the link.

      July 8, 2024

    • Keith D

      Experiencing Growth and Resilience with Spyfu: A User's Perspective

      I've been using Spyfu since the summer of 218 and I must say, the quality of the product is truly impressive when it's running smoothly. Initially, I noticed it took a bit of time to update, but I was pleasantly surprised when they acknowledged the issue and reimbursed us for two months. This showed me that they value their customers and are willing to make things right. While there was a slight delay in the UK data for July, August, and September, it gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my problem-solving skills to management. I was able to convince them of the value of Spyfu, despite the temporary setback. One thing that really stands out about Spyfu is their commitment to improving their service. Although they currently don't have a UK-based team, they've shown that they're willing to work around the clock to resolve any issues. I remember a day when the website was down in UK time, but by the end of the workday, it was up and running again. This showed me that they're dedicated to ensuring their customers can gather the data they need, no matter what. Overall, my experience with Spyfu has been a journey of learning and growth. It's taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of effective communication. I'm excited to see how they continue to evolve and improve their service in the future.

      July 1, 2024

    • Greta

      Outstanding Value in SEO Tools

      I have been using SpyFu for the past 3 years and find it extremely valuable for my SEO and AdWord needs. Their customer support is always ready to assist me whenever I need help. In comparison to other Ad and SEO tools, SpyFu offers excellent analytics. I frequently use it to compare SEO and Ads before taking on new clients. It also provides a handy AdWords template to kickstart my projects and the monthly reports and monitoring are quite good. It's a great value for money with its useful tools. However, I do wish it had more tools for local businesses, but I've been able to find work-arounds to get what I need for new projects.

      June 25, 2024

    • Theresa

      Desire for Expanded Keyword Database

      While I find SpyFu to be one of the best tools for gathering and analyzing competitive keywords, my team has had difficulties obtaining baseline monthly search volume for identifying new keyword opportunities. This is not surprising given we operate in a niche sector, but we have found other tools that better meet these specific needs.

      June 16, 2024

    • Dexter G

      Unlock a Treasure Trove of Knowledge with Spyfu

      I found Spyfu to be a valuable tool offering detailed insights, especially about our competitors. The information was extremely detailed, showing the strategies of top performers, which was very informative. However, I sometimes struggled with navigation due to the extensive reports and the need to switch between tabs. I also found the general summary to be insufficient.

      June 11, 2024

    • Scott Johnson

      Exceptional Tool, Delivers Valuable Insights at an Affordable Cost

      I highly value the quick access to information for ad campaigns with potential buyers and for optimizing my team's campaigns provided by SpyFu. I have no issues with this product as it performs as advertised. Moreover, the cost is quite fair for the outstanding campaigns and insights it offers.

      June 1, 2024

    • Elizabeth D

      Unparalleled Marketing Insights into Competitors' Websites!

      I find SpyFu extremely user-friendly. By simply entering a competitor's domain, I can immediately access a plethora of insights on their PPC, SEO, and back-linking strategies. I particularly appreciate the feature that allows me to create keyword lists for PPC campaigns based on the keywords SpyFu identifies competitors bidding on in real-time. This information can be vital for businesses in highly competitive online sectors. However, there are instances when data is not available, which can be annoying. It seems like 20% of the time, SpyFu is estimating the organic keywords for competitor websites.

      May 25, 2024

    • Anna Miller

      Gave it a Shot, but Data and Features Fell Short

      I tried Spyfu but was disappointed as the data and features were lacking. I needed local page ranking which was not available. I found SEMrush, although more expensive, to provide better results. My preferred choice is Mondovo.com due to its superior metrics, including MOZ and SEMrush, and excellent reporting.

      May 18, 2024

    • Joan Miller

      Precision SEO Strategies with Comprehensive Keyword Research

      its comprehensive keyword research capabilities have allowed me to optimize my clients' SEO strategies with precision. The competitive analysis feature has given me insights into my competitors' strategies, enabling me to make informed decisions about my own approach

      May 13, 2024

    • Vincent J

      SpyFu: A Thorough Detective in the World of SEO

      I've found that SpyFu has a unique charm to it. Yes, it may take a bit of time to perform a search, but I see it as a testament to the thoroughness of the software. It's like a diligent detective, taking its time to ensure no stone is left unturned. It's a site that has its quirks, but once you get the hang of it, it's quite an adventure. If you're someone who appreciates the journey as much as the destination, you'll find it quite fitting. And their customer service? They may only be available for a short time each day, but when they are, they're all in. It's quality over quantity. So, if you're someone who values patience and thoroughness, SpyFu is definitely for you!

      May 4, 2024

    • Quinton S

      Essential Tool for Competitor Analysis: SpyFu

      My experience with SpyFu has been outstanding. It has given me valuable insights into potential clients and has helped me understand where my clients stand compared to their competitors and national brands. SpyFu is my go-to software for competitor analysis for both my clients and myself. While other platforms offer similar features, SpyFu's data presentation through graphs and figures simplifies the decision-making process for keyword targeting. However, as a small two-person agency, it's slightly out of our budget. The five keyword ideas it provides for each analysis type are not enough, so we rely more on larger metrics like average rank and cost-per-click. Even though I believe subscribing to the product would provide us with more information, we can't afford it at the moment.

      April 27, 2024

    • Roy Smith

      SpyFu: A Must-Have Tool for Digital Marketing

      I've found SpyFu to be an invaluable tool in my digital marketing arsenal

      April 23, 2024

    • Michael Williams

      Outstanding Resource for Competitive Insight

      I appreciate the accuracy of SpyFu in showing my competitors' organic and paid keywords. I find the ad history feature, which lets me see my competitors' ad copies, very useful. The AdWords Advisor feature that suggests new keywords to bid on is also quite handy. Overall, it's a great tool for understanding what competitors are doing. It's even useful when bidding for new keywords, as it allows me to see other successful ad copies. However, the tool is not all-encompassing. If you're looking for a single tool for your marketing team, this won't be enough. You'll need another tool like SEMRush or ahrefs. While their competitor research features may not be as good as SpyFu's, they offer wider features like backlink audit, technical SEO audit, etc.

      April 15, 2024

    • Zachary

      An Excellent Experience with Spyfu's Professional Package

      I am absolutely thrilled with Spyfu! I opted for their Professional package, which was a steal at just $39 for the first month. To my surprise, I noticed two transactions labeled as Groceries on my bank statement. When I reached out to their representative, they were quick to address my concerns. They assured me that it was a simple error and promptly refunded one $39 payment. I was impressed by their swift response and resolution. They even went a step further and paused my subscription to ensure no further charges until the issue was fully resolved. I've invested $78 so far, and I can confidently say it's worth every penny. Plus, ever since I provided them with my email address, I've been receiving a ton of exciting offers and updates, which I find really engaging. It's been a fantastic experience overall!

      April 14, 2024