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Head-to-head · SEO Tools

Semrush vs Ahrefs

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Semrush #1 in SEO Tools 9.4/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Semrush
Ahrefs #2 in SEO Tools 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Ahrefs

Semrush leads on 0 checks, Ahrefs on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSemrush · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Semrush

Semrush scores higher on our rubric for seo tools: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Semrush is the better fit for teams needing broad SEO and PPC intelligence. Ahrefs is the better fit for all-in-one SEO teams seeking strong value.

  • Semrush fits best

    Teams needing broad SEO and PPC intelligence

  • Ahrefs fits best

    All-in-one SEO teams seeking strong value

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Semrush 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Ahrefs 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in SEO Tools #2 in SEO Tools
Best for Teams needing broad SEO and PPC intelligence All-in-one SEO teams seeking strong value
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $29/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Web Web, Chrome extension
Support Tickets, Docs, Community Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Compliance PCI DSS SSO/SAML
Integrations 20+ integrations 3 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Semrush 6/6 · Ahrefs 6/6
Keyword research ✓ ✓
Rank tracking ✓ ✓
Site audit ✓ ✓
Backlink analysis ✓ ✓
Competitor research ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Tracked keywords 500 keywords Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers keyword research, rank tracking, crawling, backlinks, and competitors
  • Tracks up to 500 keywords daily on the SEO and Starter plans
  • Supports API access plus Google Analytics, Search Console, and Looker Studio
  • Covers keywords, competitors, audits, rankings, backlinks, content, and reporting
  • Free plan plus monthly entry pricing at $29
  • Seven integrations, API access, and web-based workflows
Cons
  • Broader coverage may exceed the needs of teams seeking one focused SEO tool
  • Higher tiers are needed for more websites and keyword tracking
  • Advanced capabilities are distributed across multiple plan levels
  • Starter limits tracking to 50 keywords and includes 200 monthly credits
  • Advanced and Enterprise pricing rises to $449 and $1,499 per month
  • Enterprise requires an annual commitment
Our verdict

Semrush is an online visibility management platform for marketers, agencies, and businesses. Its SEO toolkit brings together keyword discovery, competitor research, position tracking, technical website crawling, backlink analysis,…

Read the review →

Ahrefs is an SEO and marketing platform for marketers, agencies, SEO professionals, businesses, and content teams. Its toolkit spans keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink analysis, technical site auditing, rank tracking, content…

Read the review →
  1. SemrushSEO Tools 9.4Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. AhrefsSEO Tools 9.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Semrush — where it wins

    • Covers keyword research, rank tracking, crawling, backlinks, and competitors
    • Tracks up to 500 keywords daily on the SEO and Starter plans
    • Supports API access plus Google Analytics, Search Console, and Looker Studio

    Where it doesn't

    • Broader coverage may exceed the needs of teams seeking one focused SEO tool
    • Higher tiers are needed for more websites and keyword tracking
    • Advanced capabilities are distributed across multiple plan levels

  • Ahrefs — where it wins

    • Covers keywords, competitors, audits, rankings, backlinks, content, and reporting
    • Free plan plus monthly entry pricing at $29
    • Seven integrations, API access, and web-based workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter limits tracking to 50 keywords and includes 200 monthly credits
    • Advanced and Enterprise pricing rises to $449 and $1,499 per month
    • Enterprise requires an annual commitment
  • Semrush9.4/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    Broad SEO and PPC intelligence with tracking, audits, competitor research, and API access.

    Visit SemrushFull verdict →
  • Ahrefs9.3/10 · Free plan

    A broad SEO suite with a free plan and paid tiers for growing workflows.

    Visit AhrefsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All SEO tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update