Semrush vs Ahrefs
Both are top-tier SEO suites that now track AI search too. The real differences are in plan limits, user pricing and what each bundles.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based comparison built from official pricing pages, product documentation and vendor announcements. We have not run hands-on benchmarks for this page, and we don't invent scores. Our methodology.
Semrush and Ahrefs are the two best-known all-in-one SEO platforms: keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink data, rank tracking and site audits. In 2026 both also sell AI search visibility features that track how your brand appears in answers from ChatGPT, Gemini, Google’s AI features and others.
This comparison is based on each company’s official pricing and knowledge-base pages. Data-quality claims (which index is “bigger” or “fresher”) change constantly and are hard to verify independently, so we focus on what you get for your money.
Short answer
Choose Semrush if you want SEO, AI visibility and optional add-ons (local, content, social, ads, PR) in one ecosystem, with 5 projects and 500 tracked keywords on the entry SEO + AI plan. Choose Ahrefs if backlink and competitive research is your core job, you want a cheap $29 Starter or a genuinely useful free tier for your own sites, and you like unlimited verified projects.
Check Semrush pricing (opens in a new tab)Check Ahrefs pricing (opens in a new tab)
Semrush vs Ahrefs: side-by-side
| Semrush | Ahrefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 10 reports/day, 1 demo project, limited AI visibility | Ahrefs Free: Site Audit + Site Explorer for verified sites |
| Cheapest paid | SEO Toolkit $139.95/mo ($117.33/mo annual) | Starter $29/mo (Keywords Explorer + Rank Tracker) |
| Main plans (monthly) | Starter $199, Pro+ $299, Advanced $549 | Lite $129, Standard $249, Advanced $449, Enterprise $1,499 (annual only) |
| Annual discount | Up to 17% | Up to 17% |
| Tracked keywords | 500 / 1,500 / 5,000 (Starter / Pro+ / Advanced) | 750 / 2,000 / 5,000 (Lite / Standard / Advanced) |
| Projects / websites | 5 / 15 / 40 | Unlimited verified projects; non-verified limits vary by plan |
| AI visibility | 50 / 100 / 200 prompts tracked daily (Starter / Pro+ / Advanced) | 150 / 300 / 600 AI prompt checks (Lite / Standard / Advanced) |
| Extra users | From $45/mo (scales with tier) | $40 / $60 / $80 per month (Lite / Standard / Advanced) |
| API access | Advanced plan | API and MCP access listed on Lite and up |
| Free trial | 7-day trial on most plans | No trial listed; free tier instead |
Pricing compared
Semrush plans
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 10 reports/day, 1 demo project |
| SEO (SEO Toolkit only) | $139.95 | $117.33 | 5 websites, 500 keywords; limited AI features |
| Starter | $199 | $165.17 | 5 websites, 500 keywords, 50 AI prompts/day, MCP access |
| Pro+ | $299 | $248.17 | 15 websites, 1,500 keywords, historical data, 100 prompts/day |
| Advanced | $549 | $455.67 | 40 websites, 5,000 keywords, API, 200 prompts/day |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Unlimited projects, SSO, custom limits |
Ahrefs plans
| Plan | Monthly | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs Free | $0 | Site Audit and Site Explorer for verified sites |
| Starter | $29 | Keywords Explorer and Rank Tracker |
| Lite | $129 | 6 months history, 750 tracked keywords, 150 AI prompt checks, 1 user (+2 at $40) |
| Standard | $249 | 2 years history, 2,000 keywords, 300 AI prompt checks, Content Explorer, Brand Radar |
| Advanced | $449 | 5 years history, 5,000 keywords, 600 AI prompt checks, Looker Studio |
| Enterprise | $1,499 (annual only) | From 3 users, unlimited additional users |
Pros and cons
Semrush: pros
- Broad ecosystem: add local, content, social, ads and PR toolkits
- AI visibility tracking built into paid SEO + AI plans
- 7-day free trial on most plans
- Free plan for light research
Semrush: cons
- Entry SEO + AI plan is $199/mo monthly
- Add-on toolkits make total cost harder to predict
- API only on Advanced
Ahrefs: pros
- $29 Starter for keyword research and rank tracking
- Strong free tier for your own verified sites
- Unlimited verified projects
- API and MCP access from Lite
Ahrefs: cons
- Lite caps you at 6 months of history
- Content Explorer and Brand Radar require Standard ($249)
- Enterprise requires an annual commitment
Verdict
There is no wrong choice between these two for serious SEO work; the decision usually comes down to workflow and budget. Semrush is the better “marketing suite,” especially if you also want local SEO, content or social tools from one vendor. Ahrefs is the better value at the low end (Starter and the free tier) and a favorite for link and competitor research. Many bloggers start with Ahrefs Free plus a general AI assistant and only upgrade once traffic justifies it.
Choose Semrush if…
- You want SEO, AI visibility and other marketing toolkits in one account
- You want to trial before paying
- You need 15+ client websites with historical data (Pro+)
Choose Ahrefs if…
- You are on a tight budget ($29 Starter or the free tier)
- Backlink and competitor research is your main job
- You manage many verified sites of your own
Frequently asked questions
Is Ahrefs cheaper than Semrush?
Do Semrush and Ahrefs have free plans?
Which is better for tracking AI search visibility?
Can I get a free trial?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor's site before you buy.
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