Ahrefs vs SpyFu: Which Is Better in 2026?

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

Our Pick: Ahrefs

Ahrefs has a significantly higher overall rating (8.5 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
A
Ahrefs(Winner)
S
SpyFu
Overall Rating
8.5/10
7.5/10
Starting Price
$99/mo
$39/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
any
small
Ease of Use
8/10
8/10
Features
9/10
7/10
Value for Money
7/10
8/10
Support
7/10
7/10

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

SpyFu

SpyFu specializes in competitor analysis, letting you see any domain's paid and organic keywords, ad history, and ranking changes.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: SpyFu
A

Ahrefs

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

SpyFu

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$39/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

FeatureAhrefsSpyFu
Keyword Research
Backlink Analysis
Rank Tracking
Site Audit
Basic
Competitor Analysis
Content Optimization
Local Seo
Limited
Ppc Tools
Projects
5-unlimited
Unlimited
Keywords Tracked
750-10000
Unlimited

1

features unique to Ahrefs

1

features unique to SpyFu

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

SpyFu

Pros

  • Excellent competitor PPC analysis
  • Historical data going back years
  • Unlimited search/export on all plans
  • Good Google Ads insights
  • Affordable pricing

Cons

  • US-focused (limited international)
  • Site audit not as strong
  • Interface feels dated
  • Backlink data less comprehensive

The Verdict: Ahrefs Wins

After thorough evaluation, Ahrefs emerges as the clear winner in this comparison. With an overall rating of 8.5/10 compared to 7.5/10, it offers a noticeably better experience across most evaluation criteria.

Ahrefs particularly excels in Link building campaigns and Content marketing teams, making it the go-to choice for most users looking for a seo & marketing solution.

Our recommendation: We confidently recommend Ahrefs for most users. However, SpyFu remains a viable option if you specifically need ppc competitor research.

Choose Ahrefs if you...

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

Choose SpyFu if you...

  • • Need ppc competitor research
  • • Need understanding competitor ad spend
  • • Need us market seo/sem

Ready to Get Started?

Try AhrefsTry SpyFu

Read our full reviews:

Ahrefs Full ReviewSpyFu 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 SpyFu FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Ahrefs has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8.5/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, SpyFu is more affordable with plans starting at $39/month, compared to $99/month for the other.
Both tools have similar ease of use ratings at 8/10.
Yes, migration between Ahrefs and SpyFu is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, SpyFu is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
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. SpyFu is better for: PPC competitor research, Understanding competitor ad spend. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Both tools have similar support ratings at 7/10.
SpyFu offers better value for money with a rating of 8/10 compared to Ahrefs's 7/10.
Consider switching if SpyFu's strengths (PPC competitor research) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.