Is Ahrefs better than Semrush?

Ahrefs ranks higher in our list of SEO tools (#1 against #2, score 94.5 against 93.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Ahrefs is best for: backlink and keyword research for serious SEO teams. Semrush is best for: marketing teams that want SEO and AI visibility in one tool.

Which is cheaper, Ahrefs or Semrush?

Ahrefs: Free Ahrefs tool alongside paid subscription plans. Semrush: Free plan for trying the platform; SEO plan from $139 a month.

Do Ahrefs and Semrush run on the same platforms?

Ahrefs supports Web. Semrush supports Web.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Which Is Better? (2026)

94.5
Editorial score
93.5
1
Platforms
1
Yes
Free to use
Yes
No
Open source
No

Which should you choose?

Choose Ahrefs if you want

Backlink and keyword research for serious SEO teams.

Its own web index drives the strongest backlink and keyword data in this list, with Site Audit and rank tracking in one suite. Full access needs a paid subscription, and the cost rises with projects.

Choose Semrush if you want

Marketing teams that want SEO and AI visibility in one tool.

Broad data and many tools, with a free plan for trying the platform. It covers more marketing channels than most SEO-only tools, but its SEO plans cost more and the interface takes time to learn.

Side by side

	Ahrefs	Semrush
Score	94.5	93.5
Rank in list	#1 of 10	#2 of 10
Price	Free plan, paid upgradesFree Ahrefs tool alongside paid subscription plans	Free plan, paid upgradesFree plan for trying the platform; SEO plan from $139 a month
Free to use	Yes	Yes
Open source	No	No
Platforms	WebWeb	WebWeb
Made by	Not stated	Not stated
Data it works from	Proprietary web index	Traffic and keyword dataset
Site audit	Site Audit crawler	Site Audit and site health
Rank tracking	Rank Tracker	Position tracking with daily keyword quotas
Best for	Backlink and keyword research for serious SEO teams	Marketing teams that want SEO and AI visibility in one tool
Strengths	Large proprietary web index behind most tools Backlinks, keywords, rank tracking and audits in one suite Free Ahrefs option alongside the paid plans	Large traffic and keyword dataset Site audits, rank tracking and backlinks in one app Free plan for trying the platform
Limits	Full access requires a paid subscription Broad suite with a learning curve for newcomers	Costs rise quickly as keyword counts grow Many modules take time to learn
Links	Visit site	Visit site

Questions about Ahrefs vs Semrush

Is Ahrefs better than Semrush?: Ahrefs ranks higher in our list of SEO tools (#1 against #2, score 94.5 against 93.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Ahrefs is best for: backlink and keyword research for serious SEO teams. Semrush is best for: marketing teams that want SEO and AI visibility in one tool.
Which is cheaper, Ahrefs or Semrush?: Ahrefs: Free Ahrefs tool alongside paid subscription plans. Semrush: Free plan for trying the platform; SEO plan from $139 a month.
Do Ahrefs and Semrush run on the same platforms?: Ahrefs supports Web. Semrush supports Web.