Ahrefs vs SEMRush
Compared on pricing, traffic, features and who each one fits. Built from both listings and kept in step when either changes.
Ahrefs
Business & Marketing › SEO & Content OptimizationDiscover keywords, analyze competitors' SEO strategies, and make data-driven decisions for website performance.
View Ahrefs details
SEMRush
Business & Marketing › Analytics & DataAnalyze website performance, track competitors' tactics, and access comprehensive analytics and optimization features.
View SEMRush detailsThe short answer
Pick Ahrefs if you wanta tool focused on deep keyword and backlink insights with a large web index for detailed seo tracking.
Pick SEMRush if you wanta broader marketing platform with analytics and optimization features beyond just seo.
Written from the two listings on this page and reviewed by an editor.
At a glance
| Row | Ahrefs | SEMRush |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid, from $40/m | Free Trial, from $10/m |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Monthly visits | 9M | 12M |
| Popularity score | 66 / 100 | 63 / 100 |
| Filed under | SEO & Content OptimizationAnalytics & Data | Analytics & DataSEO & Content Optimization |
Features side by side
Only Ahrefs
- Site auditing
- Competitor analysis
- Content optimization
- Organic search engine traffic increase
Both
- Keyword research
- Backlink tracking
Only SEMRush
- Content optimization
- Analyze website performance
- Track competitors' tactics
- Access comprehensive analytics
- Optimization features
“Only” means only one listing mentions it, not that the other tool can’t do it.
Pros and cons
AhrefsPros
- Built on a proprietary web index of 170 trillion pages for comprehensive data coverage
- Offers real-time tracking of brand mentions, competitor moves, and industry trends
- Provides AI-powered tools like Letaido for automating marketing workflows and generating insights
- Includes specialized features for local SEO, AI search visibility, and social media management
- Used by 44% of the Fortune 500 for search and AI-driven marketing strategies
- May have a steep learning curve for beginners due to the breadth of features
- Some advanced tools and integrations may require additional setup or technical expertise
SEMRushPros
- Provides a unified platform for SEO, AI visibility, content creation, and competitive analysis
- Offers access to one of the largest keyword and backlink databases in the market
- Includes AI-powered tools for content optimization, PR, and social media management
- Supports multi-channel visibility tracking across traditional search and AI-driven platforms
- Offers extensive educational resources, tutorials, and industry reports
- Can be complex for beginners due to the breadth of features and data
- Pricing may be prohibitive for very small businesses or freelancers
Questions people ask
- What is the difference between Ahrefs and SEMRush?
- Pick Ahrefs if you want a tool focused on deep keyword and backlink insights with a large web index for detailed seo tracking. Pick SEMRush if you want a broader marketing platform with analytics and optimization features beyond just seo.
- Is Ahrefs or SEMRush more popular?
- SEMRush: about 12M visits a month, against 9M for Ahrefs, measured with the same traffic source we use for every listing.
- Can I use Ahrefs or SEMRush for free?
- Ahrefs has no free plan listed; SEMRush has no free plan listed. Pricing: Ahrefs — Paid, from $40/m; SEMRush — Free Trial, from $10/m.
- How much do Ahrefs and SEMRush cost?
- Ahrefs starts from $40/m and SEMRush from $10/m, as listed on each tool's own pricing page.