Ahrefs vs Semrush
Both are in SEO tools. Here is how their plans, prices and features compare, taken from each vendor's own site.
The main differences
- Ahrefs's cheapest paid plan is $29/mo, against $117.33/mo for Semrush.
| Ahrefs | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free plan · from $29/mo | Free plan · from $117.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Not stated by the vendor | Yes |
| Plans | Free ($0); Starter ($29/mo); Lite ($129/mo); Standard ($249/mo); Advanced ($449/mo); Enterprise ($1499/mo) | Free ($0); SEO ($139/mo, $117.33/mo annual); Starter (SEO + AI Search) ($199/mo, $165.17/mo annual); Pro+ ($299/mo, $248.17/mo annual); Advanced ($549/mo, $455.67/mo annual) |
| Fees | Not stated | Not stated |
| Best for | Not stated | Not stated |
| Key features | Site Explorer and Keywords Explorer; Rank Tracker and Site Audit; Tracked AI prompts and Brand Radar; API and MCP access on every plan | Keyword research and competitor analysis; Position Tracking; Site Audit; AI visibility tracking and reports |
| Checked on | 2026-10-01 | 2026-10-01 |
Prices change; confirm on the vendor's site before you buy. Full details and sources are on each tool's page.
Ahrefs
- API and MCP access on every paid plan
- A free plan and a $29 Starter plan for light use
- Historical data from 6 months (Lite) up to 5 years (Advanced)
Trade-offs
- Lite starts at $129 a month
- Each plan includes 1 user; extra users cost $40 to $80 a month
- Annual billing, which saves up to 17%, was not priced on the page
Semrush
- Free plan with no card needed
- Combines SEO tools with AI search visibility tracking
- Annual billing saves up to 17%
Trade-offs
- Paid plans start at $139 a month ($117.33 billed yearly)
- The free plan is limited to 1 demo project and 10 reports a day
- API access is on the Advanced plan only
- Extra users cost from $45 a month each