Ahrefs vs Semrush (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

Lower starting price
Ahrefs
From $129/mo against from $139/mo
Free plan
Semrush
Only Semrush has one
Higher rating
Ahrefs
4.6 against 4.5
Same job?
Yes
Both are SEO tools

Side by side

Compared on	Ahrefs	Semrush
Our rating	4.6Better	4.5
Starts at	$129/moBetter	$139/mo
Free plan	No	YesBetter
Category	SEO	SEO
Plans	Lite$129/mo Standard$249/mo Advanced$449/mo	Pro$139/mo Guru$249/mo Business$499/mo
Key features	One of the largest, most frequently updated backlink indexes in the industry Full SEO suite: keyword research, site audits, rank tracking, content exploration Operating since 2010, well established in the category No free plan, paid access only Deep competitive analysis tools	Broader marketing suite extending beyond SEO into paid ads and social One of the largest, most recognized platforms in this category Free tier for limited use Operating since 2008 Competitive research spanning organic and paid channels together
Pros	Backlink index depth and update frequency are hard to match Comprehensive suite covers most SEO tasks in one platform Long operating history means a mature, well-tested product	Broader marketing scope connects SEO to paid and social strategy directly Free tier available to start before a paid commitment Long operating history and strong industry recognition
Cons	No free plan, a real financial commitment before testing thoroughly Among the higher prices in this category Breadth of features adds a learning curve for newcomers to SEO tooling	Among the higher prices in this category for full access Broader marketing scope may include capability a pure-SEO buyer doesn't need Breadth of features adds a real learning curve for newcomers
Company	Ahrefs, founded 2010	Semrush, founded 2008

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260703. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Ahrefs better than Semrush?

In our reviews Ahrefs scores 4.6 and Semrush scores 4.5. The better pick depends on the job. Ahrefs: A comprehensive, long-established SEO suite built around one of the largest backlink indexes. Semrush: One of the category's largest platforms, extending well beyond SEO into a full marketing suite.

Which is cheaper, Ahrefs or Semrush?

Ahrefs has the lower starting price: from $129/mo for Ahrefs and from $139/mo for Semrush.

Do Ahrefs and Semrush have free plans?

Only Semrush has a free plan.

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