Ahrefs vs Semrush
Comparing Ahrefs and Semrush pricing plans, feature limits, and annual savings for 2026.
Entry-level pricing varies based on custom enterprise requirements.
Ahrefs offers 6 distinct tiers compared to Semrush's 0 options.
We mapped 94 total feature points across both tools for this evaluation.
Side-by-Side Matrix
Ahrefs starts at Free, making it the most cost-effective choice for and scaling agencies.
A comprehensive SEO toolset for backlink analysis, keyword research, and site audits, widely considered an industry standard for data quality.
Free
Free
Starter
$29.00/mo
Lite
$129.00/mo
Standard
$249.00/mo
Advanced
$449.00/mo
Enterprise
$1499.00/mo
An all-in-one tool suite for improving online visibility and discovering marketing insights.
* Disclaimer: Pricing and availability may vary based on your location, selected billing cycle, or custom enterprise agreements.
Detailed limit-by-limit comparison of all tiers.
| Capabilities | Ahrefs Free | Ahrefs Starter | Ahrefs Lite | Ahrefs Standard | Ahrefs Advanced | Ahrefs Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Suggestions | ||||||
| AI suggestions | ||||||
| API Access | ||||||
| API access | ||||||
| Access management & audit log | ||||||
| Agency directory listing | ||||||
| Ahrefs Webmaster Tools | ||||||
| All Advanced features | ||||||
| All Lite features | ||||||
| All Standard features | ||||||
| Batch Analysis | ||||||
| Beta | ||||||
| Brand Radar | ||||||
| Broken Link Building Tools | ||||||
| Broken backlinks | ||||||
| Broken links | ||||||
| Calendar view | ||||||
| Competitive Analysis | ||||||
| Content Explorer | ||||||
| Crawl credits | 100,000 | 500,000 | 1,500,000 | 5,000,000 | ||
| Dashboard | ||||||
| Forecasting & trends | ||||||
| HTTP authentication | ||||||
| Historical Data | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years | Extensive | ||
| Historical data | 6 months | 2 years | 5 years | Unlimited | ||
| Keyword Tracking | 750 keywords | 750 keywords | 2,000 keywords | |||
| Keyword clusters | ||||||
| Keywords Explorer | ||||||
| Linking authors | ||||||
| Looker Studio integration | ||||||
| MCP Server | ||||||
| Monthly Credits | 100 monthly credits | 500 monthly credits | Unlimited (Fair Usage Policy) | |||
| More in Brand Radar | ||||||
| More in Google Search Console | ||||||
| More in Keywords Explorer | ||||||
| More in Site Audit | ||||||
| More in Site Explorer | ||||||
| Outgoing links | ||||||
| Page Inspect | ||||||
| Personalized higher limits & data exports | ||||||
| Portfolios | ||||||
| Project Limits | Higher than Standard | Highest | ||||
| Projects | 1 project | 5 projects | 20 projects | 50 projects | Unlimited | |
| Rank Tracker | 750 tracked keywords | |||||
| SERP comparison | ||||||
| SERP history | ||||||
| SERP updates | ||||||
| SSO & enterprise-grade security | ||||||
| SSO Integration | ||||||
| Search Intent Metrics | ||||||
| Search intents | ||||||
| Search type distribution | ||||||
| See what people search | ||||||
| Segmentation | ||||||
| Site Audit | ||||||
| Site Explorer | ||||||
| Site structure | ||||||
| Social Media Manager | ||||||
| Soon | ||||||
| Spy on competitors | ||||||
| Tracked keywords | 750 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | ||
| Translations | ||||||
| Unlimited historical data | ||||||
| Users | 1 user included | 1 user included | 1 user included | From 3 | ||
| Web Analytics | ||||||
| Web visibility | ||||||
| Webmaster Tools |
The Detailed Breakdown
Choosing between Ahrefs and Semrush depends heavily on your agency's specific scale and feature requirements. While both tools target enterprise-level workflows, the hidden value often lies in the specific limits of their mid-tier plans.
Ahrefs typically caters to teams looking for specific business automation, whereas Semrush is often the choice for those prioritizing integrated workflow management.
Ahrefs Highlights
- ✓ Ahrefs Webmaster Tools: Included
- ✓ Site Explorer: Included
- ✓ Site Audit: Included
Semrush Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Ahrefs and Semrush pricing.
Which is cheaper: Ahrefs or Semrush for agencies?!
Ahrefs is currently the more transparent option, starting at $0.00/mo. Semrush requires a custom quote for all users.
Does Ahrefs offer annual billing discounts?!
While Ahrefs lists various plans, we recommend checking their official checkout for the latest "billed annually" incentives, which are common in the SaaS industry.
Is there a free trial for Semrush?!
Most tools in this category, including Semrush, offer either a limited free trial or a money-back guarantee period. We recommend clicking through to their official site to see the current trial terms for 2026.
Does Ahrefs offer custom enterprise pricing?!
No, Ahrefs does not list a custom enterprise tier — all plans have publicly listed prices.