Ahrefs vs Semrush
A side-by-side comparison of features and pricing to help you choose.
Ahrefs
The backlink & keyword research powerhouse
$129/mo
From ~$129/mo; no free trial, but free webmaster tools
Semrush
All-in-one SEO, content & competitive research
$139/mo
From ~$139/mo; add-ons for extra users & data
At a glance
| Spec | Ahrefs | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $129/mo | $139/mo |
| Budget tier | Premium | Premium |
| Complexity | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Primary category | SEO & Content | SEO & Content |
| Integrations | 20+ | 50+ |
| Founded | 2010 | 2008 |
Feature comparison
Ahrefs offers 8 of 9 tracked seo & content features; Semrush offers 8.
| Feature | Ahrefs | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword research | ||
| Rank tracking | ||
| Backlink analysis | ||
| Site audit | ||
| Competitor analysis | ||
| Content optimization | ||
| Free plan | ||
| API & webhooks | ||
| Priority / 24-7 support |
Ahrefs
Pros
- Widely regarded best-in-class backlink data
- Clean, fast, focused interface
- Free Webmaster Tools for your own site
Cons
- No free trial (paid trial only in some regions)
- Row/credit limits can frustrate heavy users
- No PPC or social tooling like Semrush
Semrush
Pros
- Enormous toolkit covering SEO, PPC, content & social
- Massive keyword and competitor database
- Excellent for competitive gap analysis
Cons
- Pricing is high for individuals
- Limited results/users per seat on base plan
- Can feel sprawling for a focused SEO task
The verdict
The right pick depends on your priorities. Choose Ahrefs if you value seo specialists who prioritize backlink and keyword data quality. Choose Semrush if you need marketing teams that want one platform for seo, ppc, and content.
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