Semrush vs Ahrefs
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Ahrefs (4.8/5)
We tested Semrush and Ahrefs side-by-side. Ahrefs comes out ahead overall, but Semrush may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Semrush | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9.5/10 | 9/10 |
| Ease of Use | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Overall | 9/10 | 9.2/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Semrush | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword Research | Yes | Yes |
| Site Audit | Yes | Yes |
| Position Tracking | Yes | No |
| PPC Analysis | Yes | No |
| Social Media | Yes | No |
| Content Marketing | Yes | No |
| Link Building | Yes | No |
| Backlink Analysis | No | Yes |
| Rank Tracking | No | Yes |
| Content Explorer | No | Yes |
| Site Explorer | No | Yes |
| Batch Analysis | No | Yes |
| Alerts | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Semrush: From $129/mo
Ahrefs: From $99/mo
Semrush Pros & Cons
Pros
- All-in-one marketing suite with 55+ tools
- Excellent competitive analysis and market intelligence
- PPC tools with competitor ad monitoring
- Content marketing toolkit with SEO writing assistant
- Largest keyword database (25B+ keywords)
Cons
- Higher starting price than most SEO-only tools
- Interface can be overwhelming for beginners
- Add-on costs for agency and local SEO features
- Data accuracy varies for low-volume keywords
Ahrefs Pros & Cons
Pros
- Largest and most accurate backlink database (35T+ links), updated frequently.
- Intuitive, clean user interface with excellent data visualization.
- Excellent keyword explorer with unique click data and 'parent topic' insights.
- Content gap analysis and 'Also rank for' suggestions reveal hidden opportunities.
- Free Webmaster Tools for site owners to audit and explore their own sites.
- Comprehensive site audit identifies 100+ technical SEO issues with actionable advice.
Cons
- No PPC or social media tools included, requiring additional subscriptions for a full marketing stack.
- Expensive for beginners or small businesses with limited budgets ($99/mo minimum).
- Limited free features compared to competitors like Semrush, which offers more basic tools.
- No phone support, relying primarily on email and in-app chat for customer service.
- Traffic estimations, while useful for comparison, can deviate from actual analytics data.
Key Specifications
| Spec | Semrush | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Pricing | From $129/mo | From $99/mo |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Boston, MA | Singapore |
| Employees | 1,000+ | 400+ |
| PPC Tools | Yes | No |
| Keyword Database | 25B+ keywords | N/A |
| Content Marketing | Yes | Content Explorer only |
| Countries Covered | 130+ | 170+ |
| Backlink Index | N/A | 35T+ links |
Our Verdict
Ahrefs wins overall. Choose Semrush if you value Digital marketing teams needing one platform. Choose Ahrefs if you prioritize SEO professionals focused on organic growth and competitive analysis..
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Semrush better than Ahrefs?
Based on our testing, Ahrefs scores higher with a rating of 4.8/5 compared to Semrush's 4.7/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Semrush and Ahrefs?
Semrush is known for: Comprehensive digital marketing suite for SEO, PPC, content, and competitive analysis.. Ahrefs is known for: All-in-one SEO toolset for backlink analysis, keyword research, and site auditing..
Which is cheaper, Semrush or Ahrefs?
Semrush pricing: From $129/mo. Ahrefs pricing: From $99/mo.
Can I use Semrush and Ahrefs together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the SEO Tools category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of Semrush?
All-in-one marketing suite with 55+ tools. Excellent competitive analysis and market intelligence. PPC tools with competitor ad monitoring
What are the pros of Ahrefs?
Largest and most accurate backlink database (35T+ links), updated frequently.. Intuitive, clean user interface with excellent data visualization.. Excellent keyword explorer with unique click data and 'parent topic' insights.
Which seo tools should I choose?
Choose Semrush if you value Digital marketing teams needing one platform. Choose Ahrefs if you prioritize SEO professionals focused on organic growth and competitive analysis..