Side-by-side comparison
Ahrefs vs Semrush
Plans, free tiers and API access for Ahrefs and Semrush, from each vendor's own pages. Last checked Oct 5, 2026.
The short answer
- Ahrefs has the lower entry price at $29/mo, against $139/mo for Semrush.
- Ahrefs has an ongoing free plan; Semrush does not.
Pricing and features
- Starter$29/mo
- Lite$129/mo
- Standard$249/mo
- Advanced$449/mo
- Enterprise$1,499/mo
- SEO$139/mo
- Starter$199/mo
- Pro+$299/mo
- Advanced$549/mo
How to choose
Ahrefs and Semrush are both SEO suites, so the main difference is price and access. Ahrefs fits SEO professionals and agencies that need backlink and keyword data. Its plans run Starter $29, Lite $129, Standard $249, Advanced $449 and Enterprise $1,499 per month, and it offers a free tier. Extra seats cost $40 to $80 each. Semrush fits marketers who want keyword, backlink and competitor research in one subscription. Its plans are SEO $139, Starter $199, Pro+ $299 and Advanced $549, and extra users start at $45 per month. Ahrefs lists API and MCP access from Lite up, while Semrush lists API only on the $549 tier. Semrush's free plan is a 7-day trial.
- Ahrefs: You want a cheaper entry at $29 per month, a free tier, and API access from the $129 Lite plan.
- Semrush: You want one subscription for keyword, backlink and competitor research, starting at $139 per month.
- Either: You can budget for a mid-tier plan and mainly need backlink and keyword research data.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Ahrefs or Semrush?
Ahrefs has the lower starting price ($29/mo versus $139/mo). Compare plans before choosing, since limits differ.
Is Ahrefs free?
Free plan. Ahrefs Free tier is offered
Is Semrush free?
Free trial. Free plan listed with a 7-day trial window, 1 demo project and 10 reports per day