Compared · prices checked 10 November 2026
Ahrefs vs Semrush
Pick Ahrefs if you want one paid tool for keyword, backlink and competitor research once you publish every week and are past what the free tools show. Pick Semrush if a team does SEO seriously across a few websites and wants competitor research with daily keyword tracking. Ahrefs Starter is $29 a month and Lite $129, while Semrush SEO is $139 a month or $117.33 billed annually; Ahrefs Free covers your own verified site and Semrush offers a free account.
Ahrefs
SEO software for keyword research, backlink and competitor analysis, site audits and tracking how a brand shows up in AI answers.
Pick it when
The cheapest paid tool once you publish every week
For
A founder or marketer who wants one paid tool for search research and is past what the free tools show.
What it costs
Ahrefs Free; Starter $29 a month; Lite $129, Standard $249 and Advanced $449 a month; Brand Radar AI from $199 a month
Read from ahrefs.com on 10 November 2026
Free: Ahrefs Free gives Ahrefs data on your own verified site, and free keyword, YouTube keyword and AI visibility checkers need no account
Semrush
Semrush (an Adobe company)
SEO and AI-search visibility software: keyword research, competitor analysis, site audits and rank tracking.
Pick it when
Competitor research and daily keyword tracking
For
A team doing SEO seriously across a few websites.
What it costs
Free; SEO $139 a month ($117.33 billed annually); Starter SEO + AI Search $199; Pro+ SEO + AI Search $299
Read from semrush.com on 10 November 2026
Free account
