# 5+ Best Google Rank Tracking and SERP APIs of 2026 > I tested and compared the best Google rank tracking and SERP collection APIs of 2026 based on speed, pricing, scalability, stability, and dev-friendliness. - **Author**: Shehriar Awan - **Published**: 2025-03-20, updated 2026-01-05 (5 Jan 2026) - **Reading time**: 23 min - **Canonical**: https://www.lobstr.io/blog/google-rank-tracking-api --- ## TL;DR * I tested and compared the __best Google Rank Tracking APIs of 2025__. * __Criteria__: accuracy, speed, pricing, scalability, stability, and developer-friendliness. * __Excluded async-only APIs and overpriced tools__ (like AccuRanker, Keyword.com, Semrush, Ahrefs). * __Top picks include__ SerpApi, Bright Data, Zenrows, DataForSEO, and Zenserp. | **API** | **Speed (seconds)** | **Price/1k requests** | **Is scalable** | **Is accurate** | **Is dev-friendly** | | --------------------------------- | ------------------- | --------------------- | --------------- | --------------- | ------------------- | | [1-SerpAPI](#1-serpapi) | 2 | $5.5 | 💯 | 💯 | 💯 | | [2-Bright Data](#2-bright-data) | 2 | $0.5 | 💯 | 💯 | 👍 | | [3-Zenrows](#3-zenrows) | 4 | $9.9 | 👍 | 💯 | 💯 | | [4-Data for SEO](#4-data-for-seo) | 10 | $2 | 💯 | 💯 | 👎 | | [5-Zenserp](#5-zenserp) | 7 | $4.2 | 💯 | 👍 | 💯 | | [6-Scrapingdog](#6-Scrapingdog) | 3 | $1 | 💯 | 👍 | 💯 | I was randomly scrolling Reddit when I found this old post and thought, “He’s right.” ![TL;DR image1](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image21_80b2214a2d.png "width=1017;height=643") __Using Ahrefs or Semrush just for rank tracking is expensive and limiting__. A lot of Google Rank Tracking APIs can do the same job at a fraction of the cost. But the real problem is… there are too many APIs to choose from. ![TL;DR image2](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image39_d262483377.gif "width=1644;height=851") [Scrape all Google search results in seconds with Lobstr.io](https://www.lobstr.io/store/google-search-scraper) That’s why I tested the best Google Rank Tracking APIs of 2025 to see which ones actually deliver. But how did I figure out which ones are really the best? ## How to choose the best Google rank tracking API? __I’ve already covered the best Google search scrapers and APIs__ in a previous article in detail. 👉 [15+ Best Google Search Scrapers and APIs](https://www.lobstr.io/blog/best-google-search-scrapers) But for this article, I approached the topic as __someone who might build a rank tracking micro-SaaS product__ on top of these APIs. So I needed more than just marketing claims. I wanted to see how they perform in real-world use, how they scale, and whether they’re friendly enough for both devs and vibe-coders. __I went through forums, social media, and dev communities__ to see what people were saying. Then I ran my own tests and cross-checked results with user reviews. Here’s how I measured everything: | **Factor** | **How I measured it** | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Accuracy | My own tests for real-time data + geo-targeting. Cross-checked with user reviews. | | Pricing | Calculated cost per 1k results, compared with user feedback. | | Speed | Measured response time for 10 results. Verified with user reviews. | | Scalability | Checked max results allowed per month in the top tier. Compared with scaling feedback.| | Stability | Relied on user reviews for long-term reliability. Ran small tests for validation. | | Developer-friendliness | Judged docs, SDKs, setup ease, support. Cross-checked with developer reviews. | __Accuracy was my first check.__ I wanted APIs that return real-time results, support flexible geo-targeting, and stay consistent across tests. ![How to choose the best Google rank tracking API? image3](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image1_9d985ef2ce.png "width=807;height=774") Some looked fine in my short runs, but reviews showed bigger accuracy issues at scale. That’s why I trusted both my testing and the wider user base. __Pricing came next__. APIs of big boys like Semrush and Ahrefs charge enterprise-level prices. So__ I needed to find affordable APIs.__ Another issue I encountered was __different pricing mechanisms__. Some charge per search, others per request or result, TBH it’s messy. So I broke it down into __cost per 1k results__ in the highest plan. That way, it’s easier to see who’s fair and who’s just milking it. ![How to choose the best Google rank tracking API? image4](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image24_8714105213.png "width=1002;height=733") __Speed was something I measured hands-on.__ Slow APIs kill productivity, so this was non-negotiable. I pulled 10 results from each API and timed the responses. That gave me a baseline. ![How to choose the best Google rank tracking API? image5](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image20_7333eb1f8f.png "width=994;height=676") Then I checked reviews to see if speeds hold up with heavier loads. __Scalability shows whether an API is really built for growth.__ I looked at how many results I could pull per month with their top-tier plans. ![How to choose the best Google rank tracking API? image6](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image22_2a7750b22a.png "width=1228;height=747") __Stability was tougher to measure directly.__ I don’t have months to hammer APIs at scale, so __I leaned on user reviews for reliability insights__. Still, I stress-tested a few runs to confirm they don’t choke on small to mid workloads. __Developer-friendliness was the part I cared about most.__ I checked docs, SDKs, examples, and how easy it was to actually get started. I also looked at user feedback about support quality. ![How to choose the best Google rank tracking API? image7](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image7_1471f83294.png "width=1920;height=912") And yes… I also factored in what I call __“vibe-coder friendliness.”__ Basically, does the API play nice when you’re letting an LLM handle most of the coding? If endpoints are messy or responses inconsistent, vibe-coding turns painful fast. The APIs that keep things clean and predictable make life much easier. ![How to choose the best Google rank tracking API? image8](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image27_7e90c187b2.png "width=1920;height=912") With these factors in mind, I tested and rated the best Google Rank Tracking APIs of 2025 to see which ones actually deliver. ## 5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared __I removed all APIs that didn’t meet my testing criteria.__ __I also dropped async-only APIs__ since they aren’t developer-friendly. What’s left is a list of solid synchronous APIs. __The numbers here don’t mean rankings__. Each API has its own strengths, so I just numbered them for structure. | **API** | **Speed (seconds)** | **Price/1k requests** | **Is scalable** | **Is accurate** | **Is dev-friendly** | | --------------------------------- | ------------------- | --------------------- | --------------- | --------------- | ------------------- | | [1-SerpAPI](#1-serpapi) | 2 | $5.5 | 💯 | 💯 | 💯 | | [2-Bright Data](#2-bright-data) | 2 | $0.5 | 💯 | 💯 | 👍 | | [3-Zenrows](#3-zenrows) | 4 | $9.9 | 👍 | 💯 | 💯 | | [4-Data for SEO](#4-data-for-seo) | 10 | $2 | 💯 | 💯 | 👎 | | [5-Zenserp](#5-zenserp) | 7 | $4.2 | 💯 | 👍 | 💯 | | [6-Scrapingdog](#6-Scrapingdog) | 3 | $1 | 💯 | 👍 | 💯 | Let’s dive in and see what each one offers. ### 1. SerpApi * __Capterra rating__: 5 (55 reviews) * __G2 rating__: 4.8 (27 reviews) [SerpAPI](https://serpapi.com/) is a US-based service that focuses on Google search APIs. It’s also the most popular name in this space. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - 1. SerpApi](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image5_d47d6d6c4b.png "width=1595;height=883") #### Features * Bulk keyword tracking * Wide range of Google scraping APIs * US legal shield support * Real-time results * Search Xray for detailed SERP insights __Accuracy is excellent.__ It gives real-time results, correct rankings, and even city or area-level geo targeting. The Xray feature also helps pull deeper SERP data when needed. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Features image10](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image30_dda6ebb5b4.png "width=752;height=790") #### Speed __The response time is around 1 to 3 seconds__, which is fine, but not consistent. I did hit some slowdowns and occasional failed responses. Reliability is generally solid. #### Developer-friendliness SerpApi offers a synchronous api. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Developer-friendliness image11](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image23_bc40da1fc0.png "width=1920;height=912") __The docs are clean, detailed, and beginner-friendly__. Every endpoint and parameter comes with examples, which makes integration smooth. __It’s vibe-code friendly as well__. The documentation is filled with examples for each API, you just need to paste an example in your LLM tool and it’ll do the rest. #### Pricing and scalability ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Pricing and scalability image12](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image18_4ed590bde4.png "width=1466;height=591") You’re charged per search not per result or per keyword__.__ __One request = 1 search which includes 10 results__. * Free tier offers 250 free searches per month * Costs $9.2 per 1k requests (searches) You don’t pay for failed requests but if a request responds with an empty response, it counts as a valid search and you’re charged for it. __SerpApi offers high-volume plans too.__ * You can do up to 500k searches per month * At highest plan, it costs you $5.5 per 1k searches (requests) #### What do users say? SerpApi is actually my personal favorite and I’ve used it multiple times, so I’d count myself as a regular user too. __The only thing I didn’t like about the API is its pricing__. Monthly plans are too expensive and not suitable for solo devs. And that’s what many users also complain about… the pricing does feel expensive. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - What do users say? image13](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image13_05129b4ead.png "width=1135;height=656") The feature loved by me and many users is its speed. It’s not the fastest in my list but it does offer a pretty impressive response time. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - What do users say? image14](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image16_ae0eaaa6b4.png "width=1118;height=673") | **Pros** | **Cons** | |------------------------------------|--------------| | Accurate real-time results | Expensive | | Fast response time | | | Multiple Google APIs in one place | | | Beginner-friendly documentation | | | No limit on number of keywords | | #### Best for __It’s perfect if you want to build an app on it for personal use__. It’s affordable, accurate, and easy to use. Plus it offers a lot of other Google related APIs too. But if you need a huge scale, you’ll run into limits. ### 2. Bright Data * __Capterra rating__: 4.7 (66 reviews) * __G2 rating__: 4.6 (256 reviews) [Bright Data](https://brightdata.com/products/serp-api/google-search) is an Israel-based company that offers a wide range of scraping APIs, including a Google SERP API. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - 2. Bright Data](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image3_097c857f95.png "width=1777;height=796") #### Features * JS rendering and anti-bot bypass * Works with multiple search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing, Baidu) * Supports Google products like news, shopping, maps, and trends * Real-time results * Data export in JSON format or HTML It delivers real-time results with exact rankings and supports precise city-level targeting. Easily one of the most accurate APIs I tested. #### Speed __Response time is less than 2 seconds__. That made Bright Data the second fastest API in my testing. It’s quick, stable, and generally reliable. #### Developer-friendliness __Bright data offers both Synchronous and Asynchronous APIs.__ The documentation is clean and comes with interactive examples for each parameter. It focuses more on snippets than text, which makes it nerd-friendly. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Developer-friendliness image16](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image34_086b3b8f6f.png "width=1920;height=912") __I did find the SERP API docs a bit hard to locate__, but once you’re in, it’s smooth. If you’re a newbie or a vibe-coder, you might find it a little complicated. #### Pricing and scalability ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Pricing and scalability image17](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image12_d6e6329b7b.png "width=1276;height=576") Bright Data charges per request. __Each request = 10 search results__. * $0.5 per 1k requests (with subscription) * $0.75 per 1k requests (pay-as-you-go) You don’t pay for failed requests. But empty responses still cost credits. __It’s one of the best APIs if you want to scale.__ The pay-as-you-go model is super handy and there are monthly plans too. There’s no upper limit. #### What do users say? __Documentation is a common concern.__ Many reviewers find it complicated and scattered. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - What do users say? image18](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image19_3c0a8f4969.png "width=1374;height=456") I had to jump across multiple nested pages just to understand how the SERP API works, what each endpoint does, and how the parameters connect. It’s fine for experienced developers, but a newbie or a vibe-coder will definitely find it confusing. __Pricing is another recurring complaint__. A lot of users say it feels expensive at scale. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - What do users say? image19](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image32_685e172e15.png "width=1365;height=654") Personally I didn’t find it expensive, but since I’m not the one who used this API at scale, I’ll go with what users say. | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Fastest API | Documentation is scattered and complex | | Accurate city-level targeting | Expensive at scale | | Multiple Google and other search engine APIs | | | Strong anti-bot bypass | | | Highly scalable | | #### Best for __Bright Data is best if you want a reliable SERP API with fast speed__ and wide coverage of search engines and Google products. __But it gets expensive at scale__, so it’s better suited for teams with bigger budgets rather than solo developers or small projects. ### 3. Zenrows * __Capterra rating__: 4.8 (96 reviews) * __G2 rating__: 5 (18 reviews) [Zenrows](https://www.zenrows.com/products/scraper-api/serp/google-search) is a UK-based service that offers different scraping APIs, including a Google Rank Tracking API. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - 3. Zenrows](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image2_fc8a2fbdb0.png "width=1721;height=811") #### Features * Bulk keyword tracking with no keyword limit * Up to 100 concurrent requests * Collects organic and paid results with questions * Also supports news, maps, jobs, and flights data * Interactive code builder * Residential proxies to avoid bans __Accuracy is decent but not top tier.__ It works well at the country level, but there’s no way to specify regions or cities. That makes it less accurate if you need hyper-local tracking. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Features image21](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image42_cf0f41c906.png "width=774;height=544") #### Speed __The average response time is around 3 to 4 seconds.__ Early tests were faster, but later runs slowed down. The good part is that uptime is strong, and I didn’t see failed responses in my testing. #### Developer-friendliness __The documentation is what users love the most.__ ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Developer-friendliness image22](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image15_eafdcb5c06.png "width=1920;height=912") It’s clean and easy to follow, with plenty of examples. __It’s also vibe-coder friendly.__ You can drop the code samples straight into your LLM tool and let it generate functional snippets. #### Pricing and scalability __Zenrows charges per result, not per search or keyword__. This makes cost tracking a bit confusing. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Pricing and scalability image23](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image28_f037c11552.png "width=1794;height=724") * 14-day free trial (40 results) * $0.9 per 1k requests But how much do you actually pay? * __If you want 10 results per search, you pay $9.9 per 1k searches__ * If you want 100 results per search, it costs you $99 per 1k searches Plus It doesn’t charge for failed requests, but responses like 404 and 410 still count as successful requests… which means you pay even if you don’t get results. __You can collect up to 318.5k results__ (which equals to 790 full Google searches i.e. 400 results per page) without needing a custom plan. #### What do users say? Most users praise Zenrows for its documentation and ease of use. Many also like the strong uptime and success rate. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - What do users say? image24](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image10_042c54545f.png "width=1170;height=633") __The biggest complaint is the pricing model.__ It’s hard to track real costs because of the way they split results into categories (basic, protected, proxies). __At scale, it becomes expensive and expense reporting is messy.__ | **Pros** | **Cons** | |------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Decent accuracy at country level | Pricing is confusing and expensive at scale | | Fast response time | No local city/region targeting | | Strong uptime and success rate | | | Beginner-friendly documentation | | | Live code snippet generation | | #### Best for __Zenrows is best if you want strong documentation and simple integration.__ It’s a good fit for beginners or small projects. But if you need hyper-local accuracy or rank tracking at scale, you’ll find better options. ### 4. Data for SEO * __Capterra rating__: 4.8 * __G2 rating__: 3.8 [DataForSEO](https://dataforseo.com/pricing/serp/serp-api) is a Ukrainian company that offers APIs for almost every SEO task you can think of. It covers rank tracking, keywords, backlinks, and content. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - 4. Data for SEO](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image29_52777ee724.png "width=1436;height=810") #### Features * Dedicated APIs for SERP, keywords, backlinks, and content * Live results plus a large historical dataset * Built-in integrations with n8n, Make, and Zapier * SEO data MCP server and client * AI support __Accuracy is mostly solid__. I found the results reliable and most users agreed. Some did mention accuracy issues, but those seemed rare. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Features image26](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image41_238288c975.png "width=1133;height=644") #### Speed The API is slow compared to others. __Live mode takes 8 to 10 seconds on average__. Queued requests can take even longer, which makes it less practical for real-time tracking. #### Developer-friendliness __DataForSEO offers both synchronous and asynchronous APIs__. The live tracking endpoint is sync, while most others are async. __The docs are messy and scattered.__ ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Developer-friendliness image27](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image43_5828303563.png "width=1920;height=912") It takes time to figure things out. For a vibe-coder, it is even harder… you’ll probably need to dump the docs into your LLM and run trial and error before you get working snippets. #### Pricing and scalability Pricing is based on SERP pages, similar to SerpApi. One page equals one request. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Pricing and scalability image28](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image9_688cbdccbc.png "width=1335;height=770") * $2 per 1k pages in Live Mode (real-time) * Async modes are cheaper but slower and not real-time Pricing is pay-as-you-go, so you can scale it as much as you want. #### What do users say? __Users love the variety of APIs and the depth of SEO data__. It is especially popular with developers building their own SEO tools. __Documentation is the biggest complaint__. People find it messy and scattered across multiple pages. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - What do users say? image29](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image37_6c42f2219a.png "width=1120;height=637") __Response times are another sore spot__. Customer support also gets mixed reviews. From my side, I’d say it is a strong choice if you want to build on top of it. __It is not fast, but the data coverage makes it valuable__. | **Pros** | **Cons** | |----------------------------------------|-----------------------------| | Wide range of SEO APIs | Slow | | Reliable accuracy in most cases | Messy documentation | | Huge SERP, keyword, and backlink data | Customer support not great | | Integrations with workflow tools | | | Scales well for tool-building | | #### Best for __DataForSEO is best if you want to build your own SEO tool.__ It is not the fastest option, but the variety of APIs and data depth make it worth considering for serious projects. ### 5. ZenSerp * __Capterra ratin__g: Nil * __G2 rating__: Nil [Zenserp](https://zenserp.com/) is a SERP API offered by Austria-based company APILayer. It’s designed for SEO use cases and also supports APIs for other Google products and multiple search engines. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - 5. ZenSerp](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image35_de61c81c33.png "width=1486;height=766") #### Features * Real-time SERP data * Collects results with knowledge graphs and local packs * Supports news, videos, and maps data * APIs for other search engines * Up to 400 concurrent requests __Accuracy is generally good, but not perfect.__ City-level searches can be inconsistent unless you provide a zip code. __It also relies on offset pagination__, which isn’t efficient when you need full SERP coverage. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Features image31](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image25_d7bc89c510.png "width=874;height=671") Still, for local and country-wide analysis, it works well. #### Speed Zenserp is slower than most APIs I tested. __Average response time is around 5 to 7 seconds__, which makes it 2nd slowest API on this list. #### Developer-friendliness __The documentation is the highlight here.__ ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Developer-friendliness image32](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image4_2ba1600860.png "width=1131;height=907") It’s clean, descriptive, and packed with examples. It makes integration easy, whether you’re a dev or a vibe-coder. #### Pricing and scalability Zenserp charges per search and 1 search means 10 results i.e. 1 Google serp page. * Free 50 searches per month * $4.2 per 1k searches on lower plans __At the enterprise level, it gets much cheaper.__ ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Pricing and scalability image33](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image8_3656a3cf3c.png "width=1086;height=816") __You can do up to 1M searches/month__ without needing a custom plan, and at that scale the cost drops to $1.6 per 1k searches. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Pricing and scalability image34](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image33_ffab034ea8.png "width=1117;height=682") Custom quotations are available for even larger needs. Zenserp doesn’t charge for failed requests. But 404 responses still count as valid searches, so you’ll pay for them even if no data comes back. #### What do users say? __Zenserp doesn’t have any reviews on Capterra or G2__, which is usually one of my benchmarks to judge an API. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - What do users say? image35](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image38_428506faea.png "width=1599;height=627") This is the only API in the list I’ve added based purely on my own experience. I really liked how smooth the documentation and examples were. Integration was simple, and the API delivered solid results at country and local levels when I used zipcode targeting. __But accuracy is not as strong as DataForSEO__, and speed is noticeably slower than most competitors. That’s why I’ve ranked it below DataForSEO. DataForSEO not only outperforms in features and data accuracy but also has actual user reviews to back up its reliability at scale. | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Affordable at scale | Slow | | Supports other Google products and search engines | Slight inaccuracy | | Clean and well-structured documentation | Offset pagination is inefficient | | Zip-code level geotargeting | | | Up to 400 concurrent requests | | #### Best for __Zenserp is a good DataForSEO alternative__ if you want to build SEO tools at scale. It’s affordable, comes with clean documentation, and supports multiple Google products and search engines. ### 6. Scrapingdog * Trustpilot Ratings: 4.8 (577 Reviews) * G2 Ratings: 3 (5 reviews) __Scrapingdog is an Indian web scraping APIs service.__ [Scrapingdog Google SERP API](https://www.scrapingdog.com/google-search-api/) is one of the many dedicated endpoints they offer. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - scrapingdog](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image5_b9f4691bb9.png "image_tooltip") #### Features * Track Bulk Keywords Tracking * Location Specific Data * Real-Time Search Results * LITE Search API for Extracting Organic Results Only * Various Google APIs (including Google News, Images & AI Overviews) The success rate is very good; you can get pinpoint location-specific data. #### Speed __The response time is nearly 2-3 seconds__; most of the requests you get in under 2 seconds. The API is scalable and can be easily used in production. #### Developer-friendliness The API has good documentation for all the endpoints. It was quick to understand the parameters, the endpoint URL, and the credit cost. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - Developer-friendliness](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image1_66e36f2a01.png "image_tooltip") __The documentation has video tutorials__ too to help users get started easily with the API. It was easy to locate the SERP APIs documentation. #### Pricing and scalability ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - pricing](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/Uw_Syu_I8_Xjd_4196909dcd.png "image_tooltip") - 1000 free credits - $1 per 1k requests I loved the fact that they've clearly mentioned the cost per 1k requests in their pricing table. You get up to 1.2M requests before needing a custom plan. The plan excludes all the failed requests; you only pay for the data you get. __The API can be best used for__ Keyword tracking or extracting data to train AI models. #### What do users say? ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - what do users say](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image2_c68efca6a4.png "image_tooltip") Users reported less credits offer in free testing. When I talked to the Scrapingdog team about the same, they said they can offer more credits if the users seem promising. So if you think that you would need more credits to test out the platform, just talk to them on the Chat, and they might help you out. ![5 Best Google rank tracking APIs compared - what do users say](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image3_3a9419848c.png "image_tooltip") Again, the users seemed satisfied with the service, but reviews showed that some people wanted more free credits. | **Pros** | **Cons** | |---------------------------------------|--------------------------| | Fast human support | Limited free tier | | Many endpoints, broad data coverage | Expensive PAYG plans | | Fair, usage-based pricing | | #### Best for This API can be best used where users would want to scrape data from different Google products, including search. Scrapindog does have multiple endpoints of eBay & social media, too. It is a complete suite of data extraction APIs. __But why is Lobstr.io not in the list?__ Lobstr.io does offer a really cool API for Google SERP scraping and it’s the only one that comes with features perfect for rank tracking. ## Why is Lobstr.io not in the list? If you’ve read [my older article](https://www.lobstr.io/blog/best-google-search-scrapers), you might be wondering why Lobstr.io isn’t in the main top 5 this time. Last time I had it ranked #1. The reason is simple: __this list is focused only on synchronous APIs__ for better developer-friendliness. __Lobstr.io is async-only, so it didn’t meet the criteria.__ That said, it’s still a strong product with affordable pricing, great accuracy, and useful features. So instead of leaving it out completely, I’ve given it a dedicated section as a bonus API. ### Bonus: Lobstr.io * __Capterra rating__: 5 (21 reviews) * __G2 rating__: Nil [Lobstr.io](https://www.lobstr.io) is a France-based no-code company that offers affordable APIs along with a wide range of scraping tools, including a [Google Search Scraper](https://www.lobstr.io/store/google-search-scraper). ![Why is Lobstr.io not in the list? - Bonus: Lobstr.io](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image17_f6dbe36a69.png "width=1575;height=803") [Scrape Google search results at scale in minutes](https://www.lobstr.io/store/google-search-scraper) #### Features * Collects live results directly from Google Search * JSON and CSV output formats * Direct export to Google Sheets, Amazon S3, SFTP, and Webhooks * Supports Google Maps and Google News scraping * Captcha and anti-bot bypass * Dual-control system: run scrapers from the dashboard or API __Lobstr.io is highly accurate.__ The results are real-time, what you’re seeing in response is what you’d get if you search the keyword in that same region. ![Why is Lobstr.io not in the list? - Features](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image31_9b208d5257.png "width=1787;height=705") You can filter results by country, state, city, and even neighborhoods. #### Speed If you’re already tracking a keyword and you run the API for real-time results, __it responds in 1.8 to 2.5 seconds__. That makes it one of the fastest APIs in this list. #### Developer-friendliness __The API is async-only, which is the main reason it’s not in the top 5__. Async jobs mean you’ll need to send a request, then wait and fetch results later. ![Why is Lobstr.io not in the list? - Developer-friendliness image38](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image6_ee7f0138cb.png "width=1031;height=587") __API documentation is clean__ and comes with practical, simply explained examples. That makes it easy to follow for most developers. ![Why is Lobstr.io not in the list? - Developer-friendliness image39](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image40_b1ea128e73.png "width=1920;height=912") [Explore the documentation](https://docs.lobstr.io/) __Where it struggles is vibe-coding friendliness__. It takes some trial and error to teach an LLM how to use the API. That said, I’ve published tutorials showing how I use Lobstr.io with LLMs, which can save you some of that effort. 👉 [I Created an AI LinkedIn Bot to Automate Lead Generation](https://www.lobstr.io/en/blog/linkedin-bot) 👉 [How I Built AI Powered LinkedIn X-ray Search Tool with Lobstr.io](https://www.lobstr.io/en/blog/linkedin-xray-search) #### Pricing and scalability ![Why is Lobstr.io not in the list? - Pricing and scalability](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/xeb_M6au_Quc_97a273ec4a.png "width=1230;height=739") * On paid plans, cost starts at $2 per 1k results * At scale, drops to __$0.5 per 1k results__ * You can scrape 100 results per month for free Lobstr.io charges per result, not per request, which makes costs transparent.__ Failed requests and empty responses don’t cost you anything.__ Custom pricing option is also available for high-volume data collection. #### What do users say? __Lobstr.io has a 5 star rating on Capterra__. We actively listen to our users' feedback and keep improving our product. ![Why is Lobstr.io not in the list? - What do users say?](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image11_1087a54a42.png "width=947;height=631") From my side, I find the dual-control system really useful: developers can automate everything with the API while non-tech users manage scrapers from the dashboard. | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Extremely accurate results | API is async-only | | Affordable pricing at scale | Vibe-coder friendliness is limited| | Unlimited monthly searches | | | No IP bans | | | Clean documentation with simple examples | | | Supports no-code workflows | | #### Best for __Lobstr.io is best if you want a scalable SERP API that charges only for actual results__ and doesn’t cap monthly searches. It’s not dev-friendly if you need synchronous endpoints, but __if async fits your workflow, it’s one of the strongest options out there__. And that’s it. But wait a minute… all rank tracking APIs basically scrape Google search results… is it even legal to scrape Google's results? ## Is scraping Google search results legal? > ⚠️ __Disclaimer__ > The below information is __based solely on publicly available resources online__. It does not constitute legal advice. > For specific legal guidance regarding web scraping practices, __please consult a qualified attorney or legal expert__. Google officially prohibits extracting SERP data using automated bots. But they’ve never enforced this rule unless someone harms their business. Even big companies like Bing and Semrush use [services that scrape Google search results](https://www.semrush.com/kb/998-where-does-semrush-data-come-from). ![Is scraping Google search results legal? image42](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image14_1499eb65f7.png "width=1166;height=391") In fact, I've explained in detail why Google typically doesn't worry about scraping [in this article](https://www.lobstr.io/blog/scrape-google-search-no-code#is-it-legal-to-scrape-google-serp). Moreover, __Google search results are publicly available data__. Scraping publicly available information without malicious intent or misuse is [considered legal](https://www.quinnemanuel.com/the-firm/publications/the-legal-landscape-of-web-scraping/). ![Is scraping Google search results legal? image43](https://d37gzvgyugjozl.cloudfront.net/image36_a61ef071c2.png "width=904;height=384") Now before wrapping up, let me answer some FAQs. ## FAQs ### Why are Accuranker and Keyword.com not in the list? __Both are solid tools for keyword rank tracking, but they didn’t fit the scope of this list.__ __Their APIs are async-only__, pricing is almost as high as full SEO suites like Semrush or Ahrefs, and the response time was too slow in my testing. ### What is a Keyword Rank Tracker API? __A Keyword Rank Tracker API lets you fetch ranking data__ for specific keywords through simple API calls. It’s mainly used for keyword rank tracking across different locations and devices. Some APIs also return related metrics like search volume, making it easier to monitor SEO performance at scale. ### Who Needs Rank Tracking APIs and Why? __APIs are used for programmatic access to ranking data__. They’re also ideal if you want to build your own rank tracking tool or integrate keyword performance and SERP features into apps. ## Conclusion That’s a wrap on the __best Google Rank Tracking APIs of 2025__. If you want me to write a detailed guide on how to use the Lobstr.io API to scrape search data at scale, ping me on [LinkedIn](https://pk.linkedin.com/in/shehriar-ahmad-awan). --- ## Scrapers in this article - [Google Search Scraper](https://www.lobstr.io/store/google-search-scraper): Scrape all Google Search Results from Any Location & Language — organic, ads & People Also Ask included (1 credit per result) - [Google News Search Export](https://www.lobstr.io/store/google-news-search-export): Scrape Google News from any country or language. 6 data attributes per article, image included! (1 credit per result) - [Google Maps Leads Scraper](https://www.lobstr.io/store/google-maps-leads-scraper): Scrape all local businesses data from a Google Maps Search URL and export into a Google Sheet. Emails included. (1 credit per result) ## Related articles - [15+ Best Google Search Scrapers and APIs [2025 Edition]](https://www.lobstr.io/blog/best-google-search-scrapers) - [How to Scrape Google Search Results: Unlimited Keywords, No Code](https://www.lobstr.io/blog/scrape-google-search-no-code) - [How to Scrape Twitter (X.com) Using Lobstr.io Twitter Scraper API](https://www.lobstr.io/blog/twitter-scraper-api) Tags: Python, Use Cases, Tutorials, Google _Canonical HTML: https://www.lobstr.io/blog/google-rank-tracking-api_ More for agents: https://www.lobstr.io/llms.txt, pricing in Markdown: https://www.lobstr.io/pricing.md