SEO & content · Comparison
Semrush vs Ahrefs: pricing and features compared (2026)
Semrush and Ahrefs are the two best-known all-in-one SEO toolsets. Ahrefs has the cheaper entry point and a free tool for your own site; Semrush offers a free trial and a free plan for any site. Here’s how their prices and terms compare.
Pricing & features guide. Researched from each vendor’s own pricing pages and help docs, last verified 27 October 2026. This is not a hands-on review. Prices are as shown in US dollars; you may see different prices or currency in your country.
| Feature |  Semrush |  Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers and small businesses that want keyword, competitor and AI search data in one tool | Site owners and marketers who want backlink and keyword data, from a low-cost starter plan up |
| Starting price | $139/mo (SEO plan, billed monthly) | $29/mo (Starter; full toolset from $129) |
| Free option | Free plan: 10 reports a day, plus a 7-day trial of paid plans | Free plan: Ahrefs Free (Webmaster Tools) for sites you own |
| Key features |
|
|
| Link | Try Semrush free | Visit Ahrefs |
Price at a glance
| Semrush | Ahrefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan | SEO: $139 / month | Starter: $29 / month (Lite: $129) |
| Mid plan | Starter: $199; Pro+: $299 | Standard: $249 |
| Higher plan | Advanced: custom | Advanced: $449; Enterprise from $1,499 |
| Yearly discount | Up to 17% | 12 months for the price of 10 |
| Extra users | From $45 / month | $40–$100 / month depending on plan |
| Tracked keywords (entry full plan) | 500 | 750 (Lite) |
Free options, trials and refunds
| Semrush | Ahrefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: 10 reports a day, 1 demo project | Yes: Webmaster Tools, for verified sites you own |
| Free trial | 7 days (exports off) | No |
| Refunds | 7 days, first yearly plan only; monthly not refundable | Generally none |
Where each one differs
- Lowest cost to start: Ahrefs Starter at $29 is far cheaper than Semrush’s $139 SEO plan, but it’s limited to one project, 50 tracked keywords and no exports.
- Trying before you buy: Semrush has a 7-day trial; Ahrefs has none, though its free Webmaster Tools let you audit a site you own.
- Usage limits: Ahrefs Lite caps credits at 1,000 per user a month, while Standard and above are unlimited. Semrush limits by projects, tracked keywords and reports.
- AI search tracking: both now track brand visibility in AI answers; Semrush builds it into its plans, while Ahrefs sells Brand Radar AI as an add-on from $199 a month.
Read the full guides
Semrush pricing and features explained · Ahrefs pricing and features explained · Moz Pro pricing and features explained
Sources
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