Ahrefs vs Semrush
A side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings to help you choose.
Higher rated
4.6 (6,100)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| 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 5 of 12 tracked features; Semrush offers 6.
| Feature | Ahrefs | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ||
| Email campaigns | ||
| Automation workflows | ||
| Built-in CRM | ||
| Landing page builder | ||
| A/B testing | ||
| Analytics dashboards | ||
| SEO tooling | ||
| Social scheduling | ||
| AI assistant | ||
| 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
Ahrefs edges ahead on our editorial score, but 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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