Ahrefs vs Semrush: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right seo & marketing tool for your needs.

Our Pick: Semrush (by a slight margin)

Semrush edges out with a slightly higher rating (9 vs 8.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
A
Ahrefs
S
Semrush(Winner)
Overall Rating
8.5/10
9/10
Starting Price
$99/mo
$129.95/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
any
any
Ease of Use
8/10
8/10
Features
9/10
10/10
Value for Money
7/10
7/10
Support
7/10
8/10

Overview

A

Ahrefs

Ahrefs is known for its industry-leading backlink index and site explorer. Excellent for link building, keyword research, and competitive analysis.

S

Semrush

Semrush is a comprehensive SEO and digital marketing platform offering keyword research, competitor analysis, site audits, and content marketing tools. Industry standard for marketing agencies.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Ahrefs
A

Ahrefs

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$99/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
S

Semrush

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$129.95/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Semrush
FeatureAhrefsSemrush
Keyword Research
Backlink Analysis
Rank Tracking
Site Audit
Competitor Analysis
Content Optimization
Local Seo
Limited
Ppc Tools
Projects
5-unlimited
5-40
Keywords Tracked
750-10000
500-5000

0

features unique to Ahrefs

1

features unique to Semrush

Pros & Cons

A

Ahrefs

Pros

  • Best backlink database in industry
  • Excellent Site Explorer tool
  • Great content gap analysis
  • Clean, intuitive interface
  • Strong keyword difficulty scores

Cons

  • No free trial (only $7 trial)
  • Expensive for individuals
  • Limited rank tracking on lower plans
  • No built-in PPC tools
S

Semrush

Pros

  • Most comprehensive feature set
  • Excellent competitor analysis
  • Largest keyword database
  • Great content marketing tools
  • Integrations with Google tools

Cons

  • Expensive for small businesses
  • Can be overwhelming for beginners
  • Limited projects on lower tiers
  • Add-ons increase cost further

The Verdict: Semrush Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but Semrush edges out Ahrefs with a slightly higher overall rating of 9/10 versus 8.5/10. Both are solid choices, but Semrush offers a marginally better overall package.

Semrush's advantages include Most comprehensive feature set and Excellent competitor analysis, though Ahrefs counters with Best backlink database in industry and Excellent Site Explorer tool.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to Semrush, but don't count out Ahrefs if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose Ahrefs if you...

  • • Need link building campaigns
  • • Need content marketing teams
  • • Need competitive backlink analysis

Choose Semrush if you...

  • • Need seo agencies and consultants
  • • Need enterprise marketing teams
  • • Need comprehensive digital marketing

Ready to Get Started?

Try AhrefsTry Semrush

Read our full reviews:

Ahrefs Full ReviewSemrush Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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Ahrefs vs Semrush FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Semrush has a slight edge with an overall rating of 9/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, Ahrefs is more affordable with plans starting at $99/month, compared to $129.95/month for the other.
Both tools have similar ease of use ratings at 8/10.
Yes, migration between Ahrefs and Semrush is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
Both tools can work for small teams. Ahrefs is best for any teams while Semrush suits any teams.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Both tools require paid plans, so factor pricing into your runway calculations.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Ahrefs excels at: Link building campaigns, Content marketing teams. Semrush is better for: SEO agencies and consultants, Enterprise marketing teams. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Semrush rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to Ahrefs (7/10).
Both tools offer similar value for money, each rated 7/10.
Consider switching if Semrush's strengths (SEO agencies and consultants) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.