Ahrefs vs Semrush: In-depth features comparison

  • 01Ahrefs vs Semrush: overview
  • 02What's the difference between Ahrefs and Semrush?
  • 03Ahrefs pros and cons
  • 04Semrush pros and cons
  • 05Ahrefs compared to Semrush
  • 06Semrush compared to Ahrefs
  • 07Features comparison
  • 08Ahrefs vs Semrush: Which is the best for your business?
  • 09Promotions on SEO software
  • 10Alternatives to Ahrefs & Semrush

Ahrefs vs Semrush: overview

Ahrefs Logo
Ahrefs
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logo semrush
Semrush
View all Semrush reviews
Comments
Pricing plans
4.0 out of 5
3.0 out of 5
Ahrefs offers a free plan and its usage-based plans start at €89/month. Semrush offers a free trial but no free plan, with paid plans starting at $129.95/month.
Positive reviews
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Both tools have a 4.7 Capterra rating, with users providing generally positive reviews. However, several users mark the products down due to their price.
Customer support
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Both platforms offer extensive and responsive customer service via live chat.
Site audits / Technical SEO
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Both software include audit tools to assess your site’s overall SEO health, identify technical SEO issues, and recommend how to fix these issues.
Keyword research
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Both software include powerful keyword research tools to generate a range of metrics and reports. Ahrefs database holds over 7 billion keywords; Semrush’s has 24 billion.
Rank tracking
4.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Both Ahrefs and Semrush include rank-tracking tools. Ahrefs updates this data weekly, while Semrush updates it daily.
Ease of use
4.0 out of 5
3.0 out of 5
Both tools include a range of advanced features, which users may find challenging to familiarize themselves with at first. Ultimately, Ahrefs’ user interface is simpler.
Integrations
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Ahrefs offers API access for developers to create applications, while Semrush offers a range of integrations with Google Suite, AI tools, and apps like Monday.com.
Competitor analysis
5.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Ahrefs can identify high-ranking KWs used by competitors and analyze their backlinks and paid traffic. Semrush can also analyze competitor traffic metrics, organic and paid.
Backlink analysis
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Ahrefs started as a backlinking tool and has strong capabilities in that space. Semrush also offers backlinking tools to analyze both your own and competitors’ backlinks.

What's the difference between Ahrefs and Semrush?

Ahrefs dashboard with the navigation panels highlighted
Ahrefs's Dashboard with the Navigation Panels Highlighted
Semrush’s social medial marketing platform with the navigation bar highlighted
Semrush’s Social Media Marketing Platform with the Navigation Bar Highlighted

14 days free on the Pro plan on Semrush

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Ahrefs pros and cons

What are the advantages of Ahrefs?

What are the disadvantages of Ahrefs?

Semrush pros and cons

What are the advantages of Semrush?

What are the disadvantages of Semrush?

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Ahrefs compared to Semrush

Is Ahrefs better than Semrush?

What is Ahrefs best used for?

Can Ahrefs replace Semrush?

Is Ahrefs cheaper than Semrush?

Is there a better SEO software than Ahrefs?

Semrush compared to Ahrefs

Is Semrush better than Ahrefs?

What is Semrush best used for?

Can Semrush replace Ahrefs?

Is Semrush cheaper than Ahrefs?

Is there a better SEO software than Semrush?

14 days free on the Pro plan on Semrush

Get 14 days free on the Pro plan on Semrush and up to $59 savings with Secret.

Features comparison

Ahrefs's Web Tracking is More Comprehensive than that of Semrush

Ahrefs's Keyword Metrics for all Tracked Keywords

Ahrefs's SEO Auditing & Monitoring Surpasses Semrush’s

Ahrefs's Site Audit, Enabling the Review of 100+ Pre-Defined SEO Issues

Semrush Excels at Competitive Strategy for Social Networks over Ahrefs

Semrush's Competitor Social Media Analysis Feature to Automatically Track Specific Profiles

Ahrefs Takes the Lead Against Semrush for Ease of Use

Ahrefs's Project Performance View with Selected SEO Metrics

Ahrefs Outperforms Semrush with its Extensive App Directory

Ahrefs's SEO Plugin for Automatic Pulling and Updating of Target Keywords

Semrush's Offer Content Adapted to Target Audiences is More Specific

Semrush's Content Audit Tool for Overall Analysis of Content Performance

Ahref's Customizable Dashboard Offers More Flexibility

Ahrefs's Project Performance View with Selected SEO Metrics

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Ahrefs vs Semrush: Which is the best for your business?

Ahrefs is the best tool for you if:

  • Your SEO strategy focuses on link-building and you need a tool that provides detailed backlinking analyses
  • An extensive keyword database is a priority for in-depth keyword research
  • You prefer an intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate and find the SEO data you need in just a few clicks
  • Budgetary considerations are an important deciding factor and you want to start with a free plan or more affordable SEO tool
  • Web tracking is a specific metric of interest to you and you’re seeking deep insights into your website visitors and their interactions with your site

Semrush is the best tool for you if:

  • You want an all-in-one digital marketing solution with a broad suite of SEO tools including keyword research, site audits, competitor analysis, and rank tracking
  • In-depth competitor analysis is a keystone of your digital marketing strategy and you’re seeking data on competitors’ organic and paid search strategies
  • PPC campaigns feature heavily in your digital marketing strategy and you’re looking for data to optimize them
  • You run social media marketing campaigns and need supporting analytics tools to learn more about engagement and audience demographics
  • You’re seeking additional content marketing and management tools to complement your SEO strategy

14 days free on the Pro plan on Semrush

Get 14 days free on the Pro plan on Semrush and up to $59 savings with Secret.

Alternatives to Ahrefs & Semrush

Promotions on SEO software

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