Software · head to head
SE Ranking vs Lighthouse
The short version
- Only Lighthouse has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: SE Ranking core plan caps keyword tracking at 2,000 keywords and 10 projects; Growth caps at 5,000 keywords and 30 projects; Lighthouse described by the vendor as an open-source, automated tool with community contributions welcomed, no commercial edition
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which SE Ranking and Lighthouse actually diverge.
| Attribute | SE Ranking | Lighthouse |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Chrome, Edge |
| Founded | Unknown | 1998 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in SE Ranking
Nothing recorded that Lighthouse does not also cover.
Only in Lighthouse
- Performance scoring
- Accessibility audit
- SEO check
- PWA validation
- Chrome support
- Edge support
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
SE Ranking
- Core plan caps keyword tracking at 2,000 keywords and 10 projects; Growth caps at 5,000 keywords and 30 projects
- The 20 percent discount requires paying annually upfront rather than monthly
- AI prompt tracking is capped at 100 prompts daily on Core and 250 on Growth
Lighthouse
- Described by the vendor as an open-source, automated tool with community contributions welcomed, no commercial edition
Pricing, plan by plan
SE Ranking
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the SE Ranking review.
Lighthouse
Free- FreeFree
- Performance audit
- Accessibility check
- SEO analysis
Which should you pick?
Choose SE Ranking if
Nothing in the data separates SE Ranking from Lighthouse on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose Lighthouse if
- You need performance scoring.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Edge.
- You also want accessibility audit.
Questions people ask
- Is SE Ranking or Lighthouse better?
- Neither clearly leads. SE Ranking starts at On request and Lighthouse at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, SE Ranking or Lighthouse?
- Lighthouse has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for SE Ranking and Free for Lighthouse.
- Does SE Ranking or Lighthouse run on more platforms?
- SE Ranking runs on Web. Lighthouse runs on Chrome, Edge.
- Can I use Lighthouse for free?
- Yes. Lighthouse has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SE Ranking starts at On request.
- What can SE Ranking do that Lighthouse cannot?
- Lighthouse covers Performance scoring, Accessibility audit, SEO check, PWA validation.
Related pages
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