Deputy vs SE Ranking
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
SE Ranking is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses, freelancers, and agencies wanting professional seo tools at an affordable price point.
Try SE Ranking →Read our full SE Ranking review →Deputy
Deputy is a workforce management platform focused on employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor compliance. It helps businesses with shift-based workforces build schedules, manage leave, and track hours worked. Deputy integrates with major payroll providers to streamline the pay run process.
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is a comprehensive SEO platform offering rank tracking, website audit, competitor analysis, and keyword research at a more affordable price point than enterprise alternatives. It is popular with small businesses, agencies, and freelancers who need professional SEO tools without the enterprise price tag.
Pros
- ✓Excellent scheduling tools with AI-powered shift recommendations
- ✓Strong labor compliance features for overtime and break rules
- ✓Good mobile app for employees to clock in, swap shifts, and request leave
- ✓Integrates with 30+ payroll providers
Cons
- ✗Limited core HR features beyond scheduling and time tracking
- ✗Not a full HRIS replacement
- ✗Reporting could be more customizable for complex workforce analytics
Pros
- ✓More affordable than Semrush and Ahrefs with comparable core features
- ✓Accurate rank tracking with daily updates
- ✓Clean and intuitive interface easy for beginners
- ✓White-label reporting ideal for agencies
Cons
- ✗Keyword database smaller than Semrush or Ahrefs
- ✗Some advanced features limited to higher tier plans
- ✗Backlink index less comprehensive than dedicated tools
- ✗Limited integrations compared to enterprise platforms
Deputy vs SE Ranking: Side by Side
| Factor | Deputy | SE Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.6/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | SEO Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $4.50/user/mo | $65/mo |
| Best For | Businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking | Small businesses, freelancers, and agencies wanting professional SEO tools at an affordable price point |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Deputy Features
- ✓Employee scheduling
- ✓time tracking
- ✓leave management
- ✓payroll integrations
- ✓reporting
SE Ranking Features
- ✓Rank tracking
- ✓keyword research
- ✓website audit
- ✓backlink monitoring
- ✓competitor analysis
- ✓white-label reporting
Pricing Comparison
SE Ranking
PaidStarts at $65/mo
Essential: $65/mo · Pro: $119/mo · Business: $259/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
SE Ranking
- →Freelance SEOs wanting an affordable all-in-one platform
- →Small agencies managing multiple client SEO campaigns
- →Businesses wanting rank tracking with white-label reporting
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
SE Ranking is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Enterprise SEO teams needing the largest keyword database
- ✗Agencies requiring advanced link building tools
- ✗Companies needing real-time rank tracking
Integrations
SE Ranking
Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google My Business, Zapier
Which Should You Choose?
Choose SE Ranking if...
- →Small businesses, freelancers, and agencies wanting professional SEO tools at an affordable price point
- →Freelance SEOs wanting an affordable all-in-one platform
- →Small agencies managing multiple client SEO campaigns
Our Take
Choose Deputy if businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking. Choose SE Ranking if small businesses, freelancers, and agencies wanting professional seo tools at an affordable price point.
Best For
Businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking
Best For
Small businesses, freelancers, and agencies wanting professional SEO tools at an affordable price point
Also Consider
If neither Deputy nor SE Ranking is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Deputy and SE Ranking?
Deputy is best for businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking. SE Ranking is best for small businesses, freelancers, and agencies wanting professional seo tools at an affordable price point.
Which is better, Deputy or SE Ranking?
Choose Deputy if businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking. Choose SE Ranking if small businesses, freelancers, and agencies wanting professional seo tools at an affordable price point.
How much does Deputy cost?
Deputy starts at $4.50/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does SE Ranking cost?
SE Ranking starts at $65/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Deputy?
Businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking
Who should use SE Ranking?
Small businesses, freelancers, and agencies wanting professional SEO tools at an affordable price point