BuzzStream vs. SpyFu

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
BuzzStream
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
Buzzstream is the eponymous SEO and influencer marketing platform from the Austin-based company of the same name.N/A
SpyFu
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
SpyFu is the eponymous SEO and PPC research platform from the company in Scottsdale, Arizona focused on "spying" on competitors, or basically using their behaviors to refine your own through keyword and content analysis, and backlink poaching. This positional search engine optimization and paid listings management platform touts the ability to lower costs and raise rankings via a Kombat-oriented approach... basically a cute way of saying "it makes comparisons" of how well your site does in niche…
$39
per month
Pricing
BuzzStreamSpyFu
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Basic
$39
per month
Professional
$79
per month
Team
$299
per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
BuzzStreamSpyFu
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
BuzzStreamSpyFu
Considered Both Products
BuzzStream
Chose BuzzStream
BuzzStream stacks up quite well compared to its competitors. In particular, HootSuite and HubSpot. BuzzStream has many of the same capabilities that its competitors do, at a fraction of the cost. We selected BuzzStream because it had a fairly flexible contract, and it was …
Chose BuzzStream
I evaluated a few different software solutions before settling on BuzzStream. What made me choose BuzzStream? It was easy--I found that BuzzStream was the easiest of the bunch to get a template and campaign started. Their Chrome extension was easy to use and the customization …
Chose BuzzStream
Buzzsumo is strictly a 'research & brand-watch' based tool whereas BuzzStream helps me to be actionable. Google Drive is used primarily for the organizational aspect, but BuzzStream is like 1000x better as we can see when things are done and not depend on people to fill it out …
Chose BuzzStream
BuzzStream is a better email solution if you want the CRM features.

It has a more comprehensive set of features. In fact, there's a lot of those features that could get confusing for someone who just used it.
Chose BuzzStream
I haven't used many other link building tools. The only other way that I've found to stay organized is to use Google Spreadsheets. I like BuzzStream because you can have different profiles for each client, can manage users and messaging, and it reminds you when it's time to …
Chose BuzzStream
BuzzStream is better for larger teams whereas Streak is great for smaller teams or those who are just getting started with personalized outreach/link building.
Chose BuzzStream
BuzzStream focuses on SEO rather than PR, which requires some specific functionality that the other tools do not have. If you are doing SEO, then BuzzStream is a better fit. If you're doing PR then perhaps keep looking.
Chose BuzzStream
Buzzstream is for professionals. There are other similar tools and each tool is better at something. Mailshake is a great simple tool for outreach, but it doesn't have database management like Buzzstream. Buzzstream has maybe the best database management among the link building …
Chose BuzzStream
Honestly, haven't used anything else for link tracking that has been nearly as successful as Buzzstream.
While many other SEO tools offer help for link building, they don't track links per se. So I would say Buzzstream is one of the key tools for a digital PR that has SEO …
Chose BuzzStream
BuzzStream is more of an in-depth system while BuzzSumo is great to use for finding topics and influencers in certain industries. BuzzStream keeps accurate records while BuzzSumo is merely a side tool to use when searching online does not suffice. BuzzSumo does help more than …
Chose BuzzStream
BuzzStream is the only tool that I've used. However, it is the only one that I need to use. It accomplishes all of my needs and does a great job. If there's something better I haven't heard of it. I would recommend this to anyone that asks about it.
Chose BuzzStream
The only other competitor I can think of is Gmail/mail merge/Boomerang. While Gmail can't find contact info, you can use it in conjunction with mail merge to create templated messages along with Boomerang to remind you to follow up in a couple days. This is definitely a less …
SpyFu
Chose SpyFu
SpyFu is a good tool and it certainly provides a good starting point for any basic PPC or SEO campaign. I dont believe it has the comprehensive features that a tool like Ahrefs has, as it doesnt have the granular data these tools possess. However, it is still well worth using …
Chose SpyFu
I use Ahrefs for Site audit, Keyword Research, Backlink analysis, and some parts of competitor analysis. SpyFu I always wanted to keep primary, but it's not doable with the limitation of their database, which forces me to use Ahrefs for that reason.
Chose SpyFu
It's a great little tool that offers pretty much everything you can get from Moz or Semrush at a fraction of the cost. My company uses a few different tools but I always come back to SpyFu because it is so easy to use and their build-in reporting is great.
Chose SpyFu
SpyFu is more cost-effective than both (Ahrefs and SEMRush), but we have to compromise on the data's accuracy. However, the data reporting and user interface of SpyFu make it easy to decipher. For Paid Ads keyword lookup, we prefer SpyFu to any other tool maybe, because it's …
Chose SpyFu
I was surprised to find I preferred Semrush when it comes to keyword research. SpyFu is great (and less expensive than Semrush), but I felt the data Semrush provided was vaster than SpyFu. I was able to get more competitors spending insights in Semrush than SpyFu. Overall, I …
Chose SpyFu
I've used SEMRush as well. SEMRush does organic SEO analysis better than SpyFu and backlink research. I find the data more intuitive. I much prefer SpyFu for their advertising/PPC analysis and use SpyFu when researching competitors' advertising campaigns. These are the main two …
Chose SpyFu
Compared to SEMRush or Ahrefs, neither of the competitors stacks up against SpyFu in terms of competitor insight of paid ad performance. It can even identify specific ad copy changes, which can be crucial for high-demand periods like Black Friday. In my opinion, SpyFu is an …
Chose SpyFu
Spyfu fails to hit the mark at least when it comes to SEO since both Ahrefs and Semrush has a bigger directory and fetches data from more countries than Spyfu does, however Spyfu offers a great deal when it comes to cost effective solution to almost every digital marketing …
Chose SpyFu
SpyFu has what we needed from SEMrush, and Spyfu is more reasonably priced. Spyfu does not have some of the higher level and specific tools, but is great for the price.
Chose SpyFu
SpyFu offers the best keyword research platform out there. I have used this for many companies that are still using this tool today. It's always been one of my first marketing software recommendations to companies I work with. For those who understand digital marketing such as …
Chose SpyFu
I spent years exclusively using SEMrush for this kind of competitor PPC data, and have used Moz in the past on several occasions. I feel that SpyFu is more well-rounded and provides deeper insights than these other products, and honestly, it's just more updated as well. Easier …
Chose SpyFu
Currently we actively use SEMRush and Similar Web, along side SpyFu. To be honest, the platforms are fairly interchangeable. Each one has one or two unique things that the other doesn't have. None of it is totally earth shattering. So often it comes down to price, and SpyFu is …
Chose SpyFu
When it comes to assessing the competition, SpyFu is fantastic. I prefer its competitor analysis features much more than SEMRush or any other platform out there. That is what I use SpyFu for. Regarding reporting and integrations, it doesn't quite seem like it's the best option …
Chose SpyFu
I haven't checked any competitors. SpyFu was the one I found first and it works so well that I never needed to look for an alternative. I can't imagine trying to do my job without it. It's that good.
Chose SpyFu
It isn't fair to compare these two tools overall. They have a few shared pieces, but SEMrush is much more expensive but includes many more tools making it a full SEO suite. When looking strictly at the shared tools from both companies (the competitor keyword tools), they stack …
Chose SpyFu
We use Moz for tracking Keywords monthly, and we also use it more for backlink research. We like the keyword research available in SpyFu better than Moz.
Chose SpyFu
Personally, the only tool I use as often as SEMRush. If you have the SEMrush paid version, I personally choose to use that over SpyFu. SpyFu is the best free search analytics tool online though. It has the greatest offerings in its free pack and allows you to have the most …
Chose SpyFu
They both give me great value, I use them together to get the best results. SimilarWeb gives me a holistic view of a website's traffic - it includes both organic and paid traffic, while SpyFu gives only organic traffic results.
Chose SpyFu
We looked at SEM Rush, but for the price, we decided to give SpyFu a chance. SpyFu is very affordable compared to other similar tools. I think that I can overlook some of the lack of intuitiveness of the platform given the low monthly price.
Features
BuzzStreamSpyFu
SEO
Comparison of SEO features of Product A and Product B
BuzzStream
8.1
Ratings
5% above category average
SpyFu
6.6
Ratings
16% below category average
Keyword analysis9.00 Ratings7.00 Ratings
Backlink management9.00 Ratings6.00 Ratings
SERP ranking tracking8.00 Ratings6.00 Ratings
Page grader9.00 Ratings7.80 Ratings
Competitive analysis7.00 Ratings7.00 Ratings
Site audit / diagnostics7.00 Ratings7.20 Ratings
Site recommendations8.00 Ratings6.00 Ratings
Task management8.00 Ratings6.10 Ratings
SEO Channels
Comparison of SEO Channels features of Product A and Product B
BuzzStream
8.5
Ratings
11% above category average
SpyFu
5.8
Ratings
27% below category average
Local SEO7.00 Ratings5.00 Ratings
Social SEO9.00 Ratings5.00 Ratings
Mobile SEO9.00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Global SEO9.00 Ratings5.00 Ratings
SEO Platform & Account Management
Comparison of SEO Platform & Account Management features of Product A and Product B
BuzzStream
8.0
Ratings
6% below category average
SpyFu
7.2
Ratings
16% below category average
Multi-domain support8.00 Ratings6.00 Ratings
Integration with web analytics tools8.00 Ratings8.50 Ratings
Best Alternatives
BuzzStreamSpyFu
Small Businesses
Nozzle
Nozzle
Score 10.0 out of 10
Nozzle
Nozzle
Score 10.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Advanced Web Ranking
Advanced Web Ranking
Score 8.2 out of 10
Advanced Web Ranking
Advanced Web Ranking
Score 8.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Dupli Checker (DupliChecker.com)
Dupli Checker (DupliChecker.com)
Score 8.5 out of 10
Dupli Checker (DupliChecker.com)
Dupli Checker (DupliChecker.com)
Score 8.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
BuzzStreamSpyFu
Likelihood to Recommend
7.6
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.2
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.1
(0 ratings)
7.6
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
BuzzStreamSpyFu
Likelihood to Recommend
This is [well-suited] for a smaller agency or a small team. I feel that our team (around 5 people) is the perfect size, as we are all on the same page regarding what everyone is working on. When there are more people and more projects/communications going out, it can become a little chaotic to use.
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If you have a Google ads PPC campaign and then I would say this is more or less essential if you want to know what your competitors are doing. You can get very useful data out of it even if you subscribe for one month. And the pricing is very reasonable. Even if you don't use Google ads, I would say this is still useful for your SEO/SMO team since it gives you a great idea of what keywords and traffic your competitors are working on.
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Pros
  • Get access to data of prospects such as domain authority that can guide you on whether to pursue the website or not.
  • Create templates for outreach communication.
  • Automates your email communication with prospects through sequences.
  • Schedule outreach and email responses to maximize interaction with prospects.
Read full review
  • Keeping a tab on competitors organic and inorganic activities
  • Helps identify where the competitor is getting the backlinks from.
  • Identify competitors top content and the keywords that's bringing them traffic
  • Get proper information of their current and past ADS run on Google.
Read full review
Cons
  • Sometimes BuzzStream can have glitches but the BuzzStream team is super responsive and receptive to helping you resolve any issues.
  • There are a lot of clicks and stages you have to get through to save a contact or change a status. It would be nice if BuzzStream developed an autosave option whereby you didn't have to click 'save'every time you change something or update a contact.
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  • As with any database, their keyword database has limits, so the data returned is relative to their database, not necessarily the full picture.
  • When SpyFu database or scoring chances, the data provided can spike, thus causing confusion among stakeholders, we're reporting to.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
Love this tool but would like insights from all 3 major search engines not just Google. I would also like deeper understanding of the placement for local businesses on Google Places/Maps. Insight into mobile search rankings and best landing pages per industry would also help :) Overall, SpyFu is a necessity for serious search marketers.
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Usability
Buzzstream is great to help identify sites to get links from, and it makes this process so efficient, easy and personal to all, the ones who are using it and the ones that are receiving. Flawless navigation, good outlook, 10/10!
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SpyFu is an easy to use tool, and has a self -explanatroy dashborad to generate the data needed to provide insights into any B2B SEO and PPC campaign. It is not comprehensive, but it certainly provides good enough insight to make it a valuable part of any agency tool stack
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Support Rating
Support is one of the best aspects of BuzzStream. I know their support team is small and somehow they are able to get back to us right away in a super helpful, friendly fashion. I've had many questions - sometimes they release a new feature, sometimes a feature isn't working correctly and they are quick to answer but also help explain it in a way that makes sense.
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SpyFu comes with a link to tutorial videos. I recommend you watch them. The software is capable of so much you really need to watch the videos and learn how to get the most out of it. When I have a question 90% of the time it's there. When it isn't, and I reach out to them, support is always quick and concise.
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Alternatives Considered
I evaluated a few different software solutions before settling on BuzzStream. What made me choose BuzzStream? It was easy--I found that BuzzStream was the easiest of the bunch to get a template and campaign started. Their Chrome extension was easy to use and the customization features were something that (at the time) the competitors did not have. Finally, the cost of BuzzStream was a lot less than the competitors, but it didn't sacrifice features. I actually had a subscription to SpyFu and after using BuzzStream for a few months, canceled it because I found that I never logged in or used SpyFu.
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I was surprised to find I preferred Semrush when it comes to keyword research. SpyFu is great (and less expensive than Semrush), but I felt the data Semrush provided was vaster than SpyFu. I was able to get more competitors spending insights in Semrush than SpyFu. Overall, I liked the ability to use both in our keyword research for both paid and organic marketing.
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Return on Investment
  • It's had a positive impact in keeping our entire agency organized. Especially when employees leave, all of their communication is in one place, so it's pretty easy to have someone take over the process.
  • You can test different messaging for prospects and then determine the most successful.
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  • Helping us track our ranking.
  • It helps solve the problem of ambiguity when it comes to Google Ads. It makes the strategy more clear.
  • You can sift through lots of different online analytics to find the information, but it takes way too long. SpyFu has it all in one place!
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