Tracking our competitor feels like something we always need to do, without having the proper tool to do it.
Well, today, we'll find you the best platform to track your competitors, automatically.
As experts in the field, we've computed here all the main platforms out here, designed to help you to stay ahead of the pack. Competitor tracking software lets you know how you’re performing compared to your competitors and they do that in less time that you would spend doing all the spying yourself.
Some are giving you estimations, other SEO figures, etc.
We'll list their main features, pros and cons, so you can make the best choice for you, based on your goals.
Essential Tools to Track Competitors
What Should You Look for in Competitor Analysis Tools?
Competitor analysis tools usually specialize in one thing. There are:
- Social media management tools
- Keyword tools
- AI tools
- SEO tools
- Competitor intelligence tools
And many more.
The right competitor tracking tools is your best friend when you want to stay ahead of the marketing game. With these tools, you can gain valuable insights into your competitors' strategies, identify market opportunities, and make informed decisions to enhance your own strategies.
When looking for the best tool for your needs, consider the following.
- How easy is it to use?
- How comprehensive are its features? Does it give you practical insights?
- Does it help you visualize its findings clearly?
- Does it play well with your other software? Does it have native integrations?
- Does it fit your budget?
- Does it have a good support team should you need further assistance?
The 8 Best Competitor Analysis Tools
🏆 #1 Panoramata - Best for actionable insights
Panoramata is a treasure trove of information about emails, ads, landing pages, SMS, tech stacks, and more.
You can find every brand under the sun in this platform and view their content in one place. They also have benchmarks for different industries so you can gauge how you stack up against your competitors in aspects like email marketing and advertising.
Given all these functionalities, Panoramata is a great tool for marketing inspiration as well with tools like shareable inspiration lists that you can use with your team.
Plus, you can track your competitor’s funnel from ads to landing pages so you have a deeper look into their strategy.
If saving time is a concern and you want one tool to do it all, Panoramata is worth a spin.
Similarweb - Best for estimated data
A competitor analysis tool roundup wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Similarweb. They mainly provide estimated data on your competitors traffic sources.
On Similarweb, you can monitor your competitor’s biggest traffic sources thanks to its vast collection of data (2TB of data per day).
You can track daily page visits, duration of visit, bounce rate, pages per visit and keyword traffic share. It’s also handy for benchmarking the performance of your competitors and analyzing their strategies.
Ahrefs - Best for SEO
When it comes to SEO competitor analysis, few (or arguably, none) do it better than Ahrefs.
Research what keywords to use, identify content gaps, and check your competitor’s best-performing organic keywords.
You can refine your messaging by learning which pages on your competitor’s website have the most backlinks (and therefore, are performing best).
Because Ahrefs’ features are vast, there are endless use cases for this tool. The cost may be a bit prohibitive but for many, it’s money well spent.
Semrush - Best SEO tool
Semrush is one of the most comprehensive competitive analysis tools for digital marketers. It gives you a peek into your competitor’s display ads, backlinks, and paid and organic search strategy.
You can even learn about your competitor’s ad budget and social media stats. It really is a one-stop shop for marketing and competitive analysis with features for social listening and content analysis, as well.
It scores bonus points for its easy integration with Google tools. What’s not to love?
SproutSocial - Best for social media
SproutSocial is often proclaimed as the gold standard for social listening and few would disagree.
It works across multiple platforms and gives data on brand mentions, keywords, share of voice, trends, and audience demographics.
SproutSocial’s AI functionalities can inform your content marketing based on the insights it has on your competitor’s social media performance. If social media is a major component of your business, SproutSocial is worth a look.
Buzzsumo - Best for content analysis
If you really want to hone in on creating better content for your brand, try Buzzsumo.
It takes the guesswork out of making engaging posts because it tells you what content is trending, what’s popular with your target audience, and what your competitors are creating.
You’ll get access to useful data like mentions, new links, notable publications and writers.
You can even use Buzzsumo to connect with creators and influencers that will be valuable to partner with because it monitors engagement, power sharers, and most shared content across multiple platforms.
iSpionage - Best for PPC monitoring
iSpionage promises to “Steal Your Competitors' Traffic & Uncover Their Conversion Strategy” and they live up to their claims.
Not only can you track your competitor’s SEO and social media activity, you can also have detailed insights on their PPC strategy.
It also monitors ads, backlinks, and keywords across seven search engines so you can get a full picture no matter where your competitor is publishing ads.
You’ll learn what PPC keywords your competitor is targeting and how many keywords they’re targeting (and even their budget for their campaigns). It’s essential if you want to determine the right budget for your ads.
Kompyte - Best for summaries only
Kompyte monitors your competitors’ activity from their website and content to their ads and social media, plus some! Then, their AI tool works its magic by turning the data gathered into actionable insights.
Your feeds are updated in real time so they’re always accurate. Kompyte also delivers this information for you in a daily update (care of AI) so you can have the gist of what’s happening without visiting multiple pages.
Overall, it’s a nifty tool if you want to leverage AI and make competitor analysis less of a grind.
Choosing the Right Competitor Tracking Tools for Your Business Success
In conclusion, the right competitor tracking tools is your best friend when you want to stay ahead of the marketing game.
With these tools, you can gain valuable insights into your competitors' strategies, identify market opportunities, and make informed decisions to enhance your own strategies.
Whether you opt for free or premium tools, the key is to choose ones that align with your specific needs and objectives.
Investing in these tools is not just about tracking competitors; it's about transforming competitive intelligence into action.
We hope this article helped you evaluate which tool is best for your business and can help you navigate the chaotic world of online marketing with more confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you track your competitors?
To track your competitors, use tools such as SEMrush, Ahrefs, and SimilarWeb to monitor their website traffic, keyword rankings, and backlink profiles.
Additionally, follow their social media accounts, subscribe to their newsletters, and set up Google Alerts for real-time updates on their activities and announcements.
How do you measure competitor activity?
Measure competitor activity by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, search engine rankings, social media engagement, and content performance.
Utilize analytics tools like Google Analytics and BuzzSumo to gather and compare these metrics, providing a comprehensive view of your competitors' strategies and market position.
