Semrush and Ahrefs are two of the most popular and widely used SEO tools on the market. These tools are designed to help website owners, marketers, and SEO professionals improve their website’s performance, increase search engine visibility, and drive more traffic to their sites. Both tools offer a wide range of features, including backlink analysis, competitor analysis, keyword research, site audit, rank tracking, and more. In this article, we will compare Semrush vs. Ahrefs in terms of their features, functionality, and ease of use to help you decide which tool is best suited for your business needs.
| Backlink Analysis | Both propose a comprehensive backlink analysis and tracking tool. |
| Keyword Research | Both propose in-depth keyword research with analytics. |
| Site Audit | Both can scan for technical SEO issues and offer optimization recommendations. |
| Competitor Analysis | Both offer competitor analysis: performance, backlinks, and rankings. |
Table of Contents
What is Semrush?
Semrush is an all-in-one digital marketing tool designed to help businesses improve their online visibility and marketing efforts. It provides a wide range of features for SEO (search engine optimization), PPC (pay-per-click) advertising, content marketing, social media, and competitive research.
With Semrush, users can analyze their website’s performance and identify areas for improvement, track their search engine rankings, conduct keyword research, monitor backlinks, analyze competitor strategies, and much more. Semrush is widely used by digital marketers, SEO specialists, content creators, and business owners looking to improve their online presence and reach their target audience.
What is Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is an all-in-one SEO (search engine optimization) tool that helps businesses improve their online visibility, content strategy, and backlink profile. It provides a comprehensive suite of features that includes keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink analysis, content research, and rank tracking.
Ahrefs crawls the web and indexes data from over 12 trillion links, providing users with up-to-date information about their own website’s backlink profile, as well as their competitors. Users can use Ahrefs to find link-building opportunities, track their search engine rankings, analyze content performance, and discover high-traffic keywords. Ahrefs is widely used by SEO professionals, digital marketers, and content creators looking to improve their online visibility, drive traffic to their websites, and outrank their competitors.
Semrush vs. Ahrefs Similarities
Semrush and Ahrefs are both all-in-one SEO tools that provide a wide range of features to help businesses improve their online visibility, content strategy, and backlink profile. Some similarities between the tools include:
- Keyword research: Both Semrush and Ahrefs provide keyword research features to help users identify high-traffic keywords and optimize their content accordingly.
- Competitor analysis: Both tools allow users to analyze their competitors’ websites and strategies, including backlink profiles, search engine rankings, and content performance.
- Backlink analysis: Both Semrush and Ahrefs provide detailed backlink analysis feature to help users understand their own backlink profile, as well as their competitors.
- Rank tracking: Both tools allow users to track their search engine rankings over time and monitor changes in their visibility.
- User interface: Semrush and Ahrefs have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy for users to navigate and access the various features of the tool.
Overall, both Semrush and Ahrefs are powerful SEO tools that offer similar features and functionalities. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on the specific needs and goals of the user.
Semrush vs. Ahrefs Pros and Cons
Semrush Pros & Cons
Pros of Semrush
- The comprehensive suite of features: Semrush provides a wide range of features for SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media, and competitive research, making it an all-in-one tool for improving online visibility.
- Easy to use: Semrush has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and access the various features of the tool.
- Keyword research: Semrush provides comprehensive keyword research features, including the ability to identify high-traffic keywords, analyze keyword difficulty, and track keyword rankings over time.
- Competitor analysis: Semrush provides detailed competitor analysis features, allowing users to identify their competitors’ strategies, backlink profiles, and content performance.
- Backlink analysis: Semrush provides a detailed backlink analysis feature, allowing users to understand their own backlink profile, as well as their competitors.
- Site audit: Semrush provides a comprehensive site audit feature that helps users identify technical SEO issues and other areas for improvement on their website.
- Reporting: Semrush allows users to generate customizable reports to share with clients or stakeholders, saving time and effort in the reporting process.
Cons of Semrush
- Pricing: Semrush can be quite expensive for smaller businesses, with plans starting at $119.95 per month. Some of the advanced features require even more expensive plans.
- Learning curve: While Semrush has a user-friendly interface, some of its more advanced features can have a steep learning curve, particularly for users who are new to SEO.
- Keyword search volume data: Semrush’s keyword search volume data is estimated, which means that it may not always be completely accurate.
- Limited keyword tracking: The number of keywords that can be tracked in Semrush is limited based on the pricing plan, which can be a disadvantage for larger websites or businesses.
- Limited social media features: While Semrush does provide some social media features, its social media capabilities are more limited compared to other all-in-one marketing tools.
Ahrefs Pros & Cons
Pros of Ahrefs
- Comprehensive backlink analysis: Ahrefs provides a comprehensive backlink analysis feature that allows users to identify their own backlink profile, as well as their competitors, and identify link-building opportunities.
- Keyword research: Ahrefs provides comprehensive keyword research features, including the ability to identify high-traffic keywords, analyze keyword difficulty, and track keyword rankings over time.
- Competitor analysis: Ahrefs provides detailed competitor analysis features, allowing users to identify their competitors’ strategies, backlink profiles, and content performance.
- Content research: Ahrefs provides a content research feature that allows users to identify popular content in their industry and analyze the performance of their own content.
- User-friendly interface: Ahrefs has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and access the various features of the tool.
- Site audit: Ahrefs provides a comprehensive site audit feature that helps users identify technical SEO issues and other areas for improvement on their website.
- Rank tracking: Ahrefs allows users to track their search engine rankings over time and monitor changes in their visibility.
Cons of Ahrefs
- Pricing: Ahrefs can be quite expensive for smaller businesses, with plans starting at $99 per month. Some of the more advanced features require even more expensive plans.
- Learning curve: While Ahrefs has a user-friendly interface, some of its more advanced features can have a steep learning curve, particularly for users who are new to SEO.
- Limited social media features: Ahrefs provides some social media features, but its social media capabilities are more limited compared to other all-in-one marketing tools.
- Keyword search volume data: Ahrefs’ keyword search volume data is estimated, which means that it may not always be completely accurate.
- Limited reporting: Ahrefs’ reporting features are more limited compared to other all-in-one marketing tools, which can make it more difficult to generate comprehensive reports.
Pricing & Plans
Semrush Pricing & Plans
- Pro plan: Starting at $119.95 per month, this plan is designed for freelancers, startups, and in-house marketers. It includes access to all of the core features, including keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audit, as well as limited access to some of the advanced features.
- Guru plan: Starting at $229.95 per month, this plan is designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It includes all of the features of the Pro plan, as well as access to some of the more advanced features, such as historical data and branded reports.
- Business plan: Starting at $449.95 per month, this plan is designed for larger businesses and agencies. It includes all of the features of the Guru plan, as well as additional user seats and access to API.
- Enterprise plan: Custom pricing. This plan is designed for larger businesses and agencies with specific needs. It includes all of the features of the Business plan, as well as custom solutions and additional support.
Semrush Free Account
Semrush also offers a free version of its tool with limited features. With a free account, you can perform up to 10 searches per day across all Semrush tools, including keyword research, site audit, and competitor analysis. You can also access limited data for each tool and create one project.
Some of the features not included in the free account include historical data, access to the API, and the ability to create custom reports. Additionally, some features may be limited in terms of the amount of data available or the number of results returned.
A free account is a good option for users who want to get a sense of the Semrush toolset and explore its capabilities.
Ahrefs Pricing & Plans
Ahrefs offers four main pricing plans:
- Lite plan: Starting at $99 per month, this plan is designed for individuals and small businesses. It includes access to all core features, including keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audit, but with limited data and functionality.
- Standard plan: Starting at $179 per month, this plan is designed for small businesses and agencies. It includes all of the features of the Lite plan, as well as access to more data and advanced features, such as content research and rank tracking.
- Advanced plan: Starting at $399 per month, this plan is designed for larger businesses and agencies. It includes all of the features of the Standard plan, as well as access to more data, API access, and additional user seats.
- Agency plan: Starting at $999 per month, this plan is designed for large agencies and enterprises. It includes all of the features of the Advanced plan, as well as access to more data, custom branding, and priority support.
Ahrefs Free Account
Ahrefs offers a free account for their backlink checker tool, which allows users to analyze up to 100 backlinks per domain per day. The free account does not provide access to any other Ahrefs features, but it can be useful for users who want to check their own or their competitors’ backlinks quickly.
Free Trial Versions
Semrush Free Trial
Semrush offers a 7-day free trial of their paid plans. During the trial period, users have access to all the features and functionality of the plan they select, including keyword research, site audit, and competitor analysis. Users can cancel their subscriptions at any time during the trial period to avoid being charged the full subscription fee.
To start a free trial, users can sign up for a Semrush account and select the plan they want to try. They will be asked to provide billing information but will not be charged until the end of the trial period. At the end of the trial, the user’s account will automatically convert to a paid subscription unless they cancel before the trial period ends.
Ahrefs Free Trial
Ahrefs offers a 7-day trial for $7, which gives users full access to all of the features and functionality of the Ahrefs toolset, including keyword research, site audit, and competitor analysis. Users can cancel their subscriptions at any time during the trial period to avoid being charged the full subscription fee.
To start the trial, users can sign up for an Ahrefs account and select the plan they want to try. They will be asked to provide billing information and pay the $7 fee to start the trial. At the end of the trial period, the user’s account will automatically convert to a paid subscription unless they cancel before the trial period ends.
Lifetime Deals
SEMush Lifetime Deal
Currently, Semrush does not offer a lifetime deal for their subscription plans. They only offer monthly and annual subscription plans, which are billed on a recurring basis.
Ahrefs Lifetime Deal
Ahrefs does not currently offer a lifetime deal for their subscription plans.
Semrush And Ahrefs Feature Comparison Table
Ahrefs vs. Semrush Comparison Chart
Coupons & Promo Codes
Semrush and Ahrefs occasionally offer coupons and promo codes for their services. These discounts can range from a percentage off the total cost of a subscription to free trials of their products.
Semrush Coupons And Promo Codes
Semrush occasionally offers coupons and promo codes to provide discounts or special offers on their subscription plans. These can be found on their website or through various marketing channels such as email newsletters, social media, or partnerships with other websites.
Keep in mind that Semrush does not always offer coupons or promo codes, and their discounts and special offers may vary throughout the year. However, subscribing to their email newsletter or following their social media channels can help you stay informed about any upcoming deals or promotions.
How To Use a Semrush Coupon?
To apply a coupon or promo code on the Semrush website, follow these steps:
- Go to the Semrush website and sign in to your account.
- Select the subscription plan that you want to purchase or upgrade to.
- On the checkout page, you should see a field where you can enter your coupon or promo code.
- Enter the code into the field and click the “Apply” button.
- The discount will be applied to your order total if the coupon or promo code is valid and applicable to your subscription.
- Complete the checkout process and submit your payment information to finalize your subscription.
If you encounter any issues when applying a coupon or promo code, be sure to check the terms and conditions of the offer to ensure that it is still valid and applicable to your subscription. Additionally, you can reach out to Semrush customer support for assistance with any technical issues or questions related to coupons and promo codes.
Ahrefs Coupons And Promo Codes
Ahrefs occasionally provide discounts and special offers through coupons and promo codes on their subscription plans. These can be obtained directly from their official website or through various marketing channels like email newsletters, social media, and partnerships with other websites.
It’s worth noting that Ahrefs may not always offer coupons or promo codes, and their discounts and special offers may vary throughout the year. However, subscribing to their email newsletter or following their social media accounts can keep you updated on any future deals or promotions.
How To Use an Ahrefs Coupon?
To use an Ahrefs coupon on their website, follow the following steps:
- Log in to your Ahrefs account and select the subscription plan you want to purchase or upgrade to.
- During the checkout process, look for the field where you can enter your coupon or promo code.
- Enter the code into the field and click “Apply” to see if the discount is valid and applicable to your subscription.
- If the coupon or promo code is valid, the discount will be automatically applied to your order total.
- Complete the checkout process by submitting your payment information and finalizing your subscription.
If you encounter any issues while trying to apply a coupon or promo code, make sure to double-check the terms and conditions of the offer to ensure that it is still valid and can be used with your subscription. If you have any further questions or technical difficulties, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ahrefs’ customer support for assistance.
Semrush And Ahrefs Alternatives & Competitors
Here are some of the best Semrush & Ahrefs alternatives and competitors:
- Moz: Moz is a popular SEO tool that offers features like keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and rank tracking.
- Serpstat: Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO tool that offers features like keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, competitor research, and rank tracking.
- Majestic: Majestic is a backlink analysis tool that offers features like backlink tracking, competitor research, and website explorer.
- Raven Tools: Raven Tools is an all-in-one SEO tool that offers features like keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, competitor research, and rank tracking.
- SpyFu: SpyFu is a competitor research tool that offers features like keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and rank tracking.
- CognitiveSEO: CognitiveSEO is an SEO tool that offers features like site audits, backlink analysis, keyword research, and rank tracking.
- SE Ranking: SE Ranking is an all-in-one SEO tool that offers features like keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, competitor research, and rank tracking.
- BuzzSumo: BuzzSumo is a content marketing tool that offers features like content analysis, social media analysis, and influencer research.
These tools are just a few of the many Semrush and Ahrefs alternatives and competitors available in the market. It’s important to evaluate the features and pricing of each tool to determine which one is best for your specific needs and goals. That’s why we’ve written a very detailed comparison article about the best SEO reporting software and tools. Please check it.
Mobile Applications
Nowadays, it’s very important to have access to your favorite SEO tools on the go. So that you can check and confirm your ideas independently on your location and working hours.
Semrush Application
I can tell you that the Semrush mobile application is a great tool for on-the-go SEO and marketing analysis. With the Semrush mobile app, you can access all of Semrush’s features and tools from your smartphone or tablet, making it easy to stay on top of your marketing campaigns no matter where you are.
The Semrush mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can log in to your Semrush account and access some of the features and tools that are available on the desktop version of Semrush.
Compared to the desktop version, the number of available features is very limited in the Semrush mobile application. However, you can still use Semrush on your mobile device by accessing the Semrush website through your mobile browser. While the website may not be as optimized for mobile devices as the mobile app, you can still access all of the features and tools that are available on the desktop version of Semrush.
Ahrefs Application
I understand that having access to Ahrefs mobile application can be convenient when you’re on the go. However, in the situation when Ahrefs mobile application is not available (it’s our case), there are still ways to use Ahrefs on your mobile device.
A possible way to use Ahrefs on your mobile device is to access the Ahrefs website through your mobile browser. Although the website may not be as mobile-friendly as the app, however, you can access all the features and tools available on the desktop version of Ahrefs. From conducting keyword research to analyzing competitors and checking backlinks, you can use your mobile browser to leverage the power of Ahrefs on the go.
Academy & Certifications
Semrush Academy
Semrush offers an SEO Academy and Certification program that provides valuable knowledge and skills for SEO professionals, digital marketers, and anyone looking to improve their online marketing skills.
The SEO Academy is a library of comprehensive online courses that cover a range of SEO topics, including keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, site audit, and much more. The courses are designed to be user-friendly and offer step-by-step guidance for learners of all levels.
Personally, I love the one from Greg Gifford about Backlink Management – it’s my favorite one 😉 And the best part is that all of these courses you can enroll for free!
Semrush Certification
In the end, learners can take the Semrush Certification Exam, which is a comprehensive test that evaluates their knowledge of Semrush tools and SEO techniques. Once you pass the exam, you will receive an official Semrush Certificate, which you can add to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or website to showcase your SEO expertise.
Overall, the Semrush SEO Academy and Certification program is an excellent resource for anyone looking to enhance their SEO skills and knowledge. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional, the program provides valuable insights and actionable strategies to improve your online marketing campaigns.
Ahrefs Academy & Certification
Ahrefs doesn’t have a well-established formal SEO Academy or Certification program, unlike Semrush. They recently launched their Academy and also the Ahrefs Certification course, which is currently in BETA and is available only to Ahrefs users.
However, Ahrefs provides a wealth of educational resources and tutorials on their website that can help you improve your SEO skills and knowledge.
If you’re looking to improve your SEO skills, then Ahrefs blog is an excellent starting point. It’s a vast collection of articles and guides covering various SEO topics like keyword research, content marketing, backlink analysis, and more.
Apart from the blog, Ahrefs also has a YouTube channel where you can find video tutorials and walkthroughs of their tools and features. This channel is updated with new content regularly, making it a valuable resource for staying up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and techniques.
Although Ahrefs doesn’t offer a formal certification program yet (coming soon…), they provide a free trial of their tools. It’s a great way to explore their features and gain hands-on experience with SEO data analysis.
Affiliate Programs
Semrush Affiliate Program
Semrush’s affiliate program is one of the most popular in the industry. They offer a commission of up to $200 on every sale, and they also provide their affiliates with various promotional materials such as banners, widgets, and links. Additionally, they offer a 120-day cookie life, which means that if someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase within the next 120 days, you’ll still receive a commission.
Semrush Affiliate Program Key Points:
| Attribution Model | Last-click attribution |
| Cookie Life | 120 days |
| Commission | $200 for sale, $10 for lead, $0.01 for sign-up |
| Support Team | Experienced account managers |
Ahrefs Affiliate Program
Ahrefs used to have an affiliate program that offered a commission of up to 30% on every sale. However, they discontinued it in 2019. Therefore, at the moment, there is no way to become an official affiliate of Ahrefs. You can still promote their tools as an unofficial affiliate by creating content such as reviews, tutorials, and case studies and including non-affiliate links in them.
Overall, both Semrush and Ahrefs offer great SEO tools and opportunities for affiliates to earn a commission. While Ahrefs no longer has an official affiliate program, Semrush’s affiliate program is still active and offers one of the highest commissions in the industry.
Ahrefs vs. Semrush API
Semrush API
Semrush offers two main API options: Standard API package and Traffic Analytics API. The Semrush Standard API package is available only to the users on the Business subscription plan.
The Semrush Traffic Analytics API offers two subscription plans that differ in the amount of data provided. The Basic plan provides only traffic summary data, while the Extended plan includes traffic summary data as well as eight distinct reports. The default monthly request limit for this API is 10,000, and it does not utilize any API units associated with the standard Semrush API for Business subscriptions.
Ahrefs API
The Ahrefs API is available only to those users who have an Ahrefs account and have purchased the Enterprise plan for almost $900 per month. Once you have access to the API, you can use its different features.
Which Is Better, Semrush vs. Ahrefs?
Deciding which tool is better between Semrush and Ahrefs ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Both tools offer a wide range of features and functionalities for SEO and digital marketing, so it’s important to consider what you’re looking for in a tool before making a decision. We recommend trying out both tools with their free trials to see which one fits your needs better.
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing between Semrush and Ahrefs:
- Feature set: Both tools offer a similar range of features, but there are some differences in the specifics of what each tool offers. For example, Ahrefs has a stronger focus on backlink analysis and offers more detailed data on backlinks than Semrush. On the other hand, Semrush offers more detailed keyword data and has more advanced reporting features.
- User interface: Both tools have intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces, but some users may prefer the layout and design of one tool over the other.
- Pricing: Semrush offers a wider range of pricing options, including a more affordable option for smaller businesses, while Ahrefs has a higher starting price but includes more features at each pricing tier.
- Customer support: Both tools offer good customer support, but Ahrefs has a reputation for being more responsive and helpful in addressing customer concerns.
How To Choose Which Is The Best Semrush Or Ahrefs?
In summary, choosing between Semrush and Ahrefs requires a thorough evaluation of your needs, the features of each tool, pricing, user reviews, and testing the tools. By following these steps, you can make an informed decision and choose the tool that is best for you.
Detailed Comparison Video
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the main differences between Semrush and Ahrefs?
The main differences between Semrush and Ahrefs are in their specific features, user interface, pricing, and customer support. Semrush offers more detailed keyword data and advanced reporting features, while Ahrefs has a stronger focus on backlink analysis and offers more detailed data on backlinks. Ahrefs has a reputation for being more responsive and helpful in addressing customer concerns.
Can I use both Semrush and Ahrefs together?
Yes, it's possible to use both tools together to get a more comprehensive view of your digital marketing performance. However, it may not be necessary or practical for all businesses to use both tools.
Which is cheaper, Ahrefs or Semrush?
When it comes to pricing, Semrush, and Ahrefs have different pricing structures and offer different features at different price points.
Semrush offers a wider range of pricing options, including a free plan with limited features, as well as Pro, Guru, and Business plans that start at $119.95, $229.95, and $449.95 per month, respectively.
Ahrefs has three pricing plans: Lite, Standard, and Advanced, which start at $99, $179, and $399 per month, respectively.Which tool is easier to use: Semrush or Ahrefs?
Both Semrush and Ahrefs have intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that are designed to make it easy for users to access and understand their data. However, some users may find one tool easier to use than the other based on their individual preferences and experience.
