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Software · head to head

SE Ranking vs Lighthouse

SE Ranking logo

SE Ranking

Software

Grow your visibility with AI SEO

From
On request
Rated
-
Lighthouse logo

Lighthouse

Software

Audit web page performance and quality

From
Free
Rated
-

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.

Attributes where SE Ranking and Lighthouse differ
AttributeSE RankingLighthouse
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebChrome, Edge
FoundedUnknown1998

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 request

No 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.

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