Semrush vs Ahrefs Pricing: Feature-by-Feature Cost Comparison

Byaitoolvs

TL;DR Verdict

Ahrefs Lite ($99/mo) is $30 cheaper than Semrush Pro ($130/mo) and has the best backlink database. Semrush includes PPC research, social media, and content marketing tools that Ahrefs lacks. Pick Ahrefs for pure SEO, Semrush for full-stack digital marketing.

Semrush Pricing Plans

Plan Price Key Features
Pro $130/mo 500 keywords to track, 10,000 results/report, 5 projects, 3,000 reports/day
Guru $250/mo 1,500 keywords, 30,000 results, 15 projects, content platform, historical data
Business $500/mo 5,000 keywords, 50,000 results, 40 projects, API access, share of voice

Ahrefs Pricing Plans

Plan Price Key Features
Lite $99/mo 750 tracked keywords, 5 projects, 6 months history, Ahrefs Webmaster Tools free
Standard $199/mo 2,000 keywords, 20 projects, 2 years history, content explorer
Advanced $399/mo 5,000 keywords, 50 projects, unlimited history, broken link analysis
Enterprise $999/mo 10,000 keywords, 100 projects, API, audit logs, unlimited everything

Quick Price Comparison

Tier Semrush Ahrefs
Pro $130/mo $99/mo
Guru $250/mo $199/mo
Business $500/mo $399/mo
Enterprise $999/mo

Which Should You Choose?

If You… Choose
You focus purely on SEO and backlinks Ahrefs Lite ($99/mo)
You need PPC research + social media tools Semrush Pro ($130/mo)
You run a content marketing operation Semrush Guru ($250/mo) for the content platform
You want the best backlink data Ahrefs – they have the largest live backlink index
You’re a freelancer on a budget Ahrefs Lite at $99/mo saves $31/mo vs Semrush Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ahrefs have a free plan?

No full free plan, but Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is free for verified site owners. It gives you backlink data and site audit for your own sites.

Can I try Semrush before paying?

Yes. Semrush offers a 7-day free trial of the Pro plan. No free trial for Guru or Business plans.

Which is better for keyword research?

Both are excellent. Semrush has a larger keyword database (25B+). Ahrefs has more accurate difficulty scores. Many SEOs use both but pick one as their primary tool.

Is the annual plan worth it?

Both offer ~17% savings on annual billing. Semrush Pro drops to ~$108/mo and Ahrefs Lite to ~$83/mo annually. Worth it if you’re committed.

Key Takeaways

  • Both Semrush and Ahrefs offer competitive pricing in 2026
  • Free tiers let you test before committing
  • Annual billing saves 15-20% on most plans
  • Choose based on your specific use case, not just price

Ready to get started?

Try Semrush Free →

Find the Perfect AI Tool for Your Needs

Compare pricing, features, and reviews of 50+ AI tools

Browse All AI Tools →

Get Weekly AI Tool Updates

Join 1,000+ professionals. Free AI tools cheatsheet included.

Similar Posts