Comparison · verified pricing
Ahrefs vs Semrush — what each really costs
Ahrefs costs $129/mo and Semrush costs $139.95/mo on the plans we verified in August 2026. That makes Ahrefs $10.95/mo cheaper. Ahrefs covers 4 of the 4 capabilities tracked for this pair, Semrush 4. Coverage is even, so the choice comes down to which strengths you use.
Verdict: Ahrefs or Semrush?
Ahrefs costs $129/mo while Semrush costs $139.95/mo, making Ahrefs the cheaper option. On coverage, both tools cover the same number of core features (4 covered rows each). Neither, if you only need Backlink analysis and Keyword research; a cheaper single-purpose tool may fit. That makes sense when shared basics matter more than the extra breadth either tool adds.
- Pick Ahrefs when you need broader coverage overall.
- Pick Semrush when you need broader coverage overall.
- Neither, if you only need Backlink analysis and Keyword research; a cheaper single-purpose tool may fit.
Ahrefs vs Semrush: feature by feature
| Feature | Ahrefs$129/mo | Semrush$139.95/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Backlink analysis | Covered (10/10) | Covered (9/10) |
| Keyword research | Covered (9/10) | Covered (10/10) |
| Rank tracking | Covered (8/10) | Covered (9/10) |
| SEO site audit | Covered (8/10) | Covered (9/10) |
What Ahrefs vs Semrush costs per month, per year, and over three years
Ahrefs is cheaper
- Monthly delta
- -$10.95/mo
- Annual delta
- +$140.04/yr
- 3-year delta
- +$420.12
Ahrefs vs Semrush: common questions
- Is Ahrefs cheaper than Semrush?
- Ahrefs is cheaper by $10.95/mo. Ahrefs is $129/mo and Semrush is $139.95/mo, with those prices verified on 2026-08-30 and 2026-08-30, respectively.
- Can Semrush replace Ahrefs?
- Semrush can cover the same fully covered capabilities shown for Ahrefs, so replacement risk is lower on the compared feature set.
- What does Ahrefs not do that Semrush does?
- On fully covered features, Semrush does not clearly add areas that Ahrefs misses in this comparison.
- Which covers more core features: Ahrefs or Semrush?
- Both tools cover the same number of core features (4 covered rows each), while the pricing makes Ahrefs the cheaper option.
- Which is better for Content creator & influencer?
- For Content creator & influencer, start with Ahrefs if broader native coverage matters most. Still, the pricing makes Ahrefs the cheaper option, so the better fit depends on whether you value breadth or the lower monthly bill.
Keep comparing
Price this inside a full stack
Picking between two tools is one line of the bill. These add up the rest.