SEMrush vs Ahrefs 2025: Which SEO Tool is Right for You?
Key Takeaways
- •Quick Verdict: Ahrefs wins for backlink analysis and content research; SEMrush wins for all-in-one marketing and PPC
- •Pricing: Ahrefs starts at $129/mo; SEMrush at $139.95/mo - both offer annual discounts
- •Best for Agencies: SEMrush with its comprehensive reporting, social, and PPC tools
- •Best for Content Teams: Ahrefs with superior Content Explorer and more intuitive UX
Introduction#
SEMrush and Ahrefs are the two dominant SEO platforms used by professionals worldwide. Both offer comprehensive feature sets for keyword research, backlink analysis, site auditing, and rank tracking. But they have distinct strengths that make each better suited for different use cases.
This comparison is based on hands-on testing with current 2025 versions of both tools. We analyze pricing, data quality, feature depth, and real-world workflows to help you determine which platform fits your needs.
Pricing Comparison (2025)#
| Ahrefs | SEMrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Plan | $129/mo (Lite) | $139.95/mo (Pro) |
| Mid-Tier | $249/mo (Standard) | $249.95/mo (Guru) |
| Advanced | $449/mo (Advanced) | $499.95/mo (Business) |
| Enterprise | From $1,499/mo | Custom pricing |
| Annual Discount | Up to 17% | Up to 17% |
| Free Trial | No (free Webmaster Tools) | Yes (7 days) |
Pricing verdict: Ahrefs is slightly cheaper at entry level ($129 vs $139.95), but SEMrush includes more features in each tier. Ahrefs now uses a credit-based system on lower plans, while SEMrush uses traditional per-seat pricing.
Backlink Analysis#
Backlink analysis is where Ahrefs has historically dominated. Ahrefs claims the largest backlink index with over 35 trillion external links and updates its index every 15-30 minutes. SEMrush has significantly improved its backlink database but still trails Ahrefs in raw size.
| Ahrefs | SEMrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Index Size | 35+ trillion links | 43+ trillion links (claimed) |
| Update Frequency | Every 15-30 min | Daily |
| Historical Data | Up to 5 years (Advanced) | 10+ years (Guru+) |
| Referring Domains | More accurate count | Good accuracy |
| Link Intersect | ||
| Broken Link Finder |
Winner: Ahrefs
Keyword Research#
Both platforms offer robust keyword research tools with large databases. SEMrush reports 26 billion keywords across 142 countries; Ahrefs has billions of keywords with what many consider more accurate difficulty scores.
| Ahrefs | SEMrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword Database | Billions (exact not disclosed) | 26+ billion |
| Countries | 240+ | 142 |
| Difficulty Score | Backlink-based (more accurate) | Competition-based |
| SERP Features | ||
| Keyword Grouping | Basic | Advanced clustering |
| Keyword Gap | ||
| Question Keywords |
Winner: Tie (context-dependent)
Site Audit & Technical SEO#
Both platforms include comprehensive site audit tools that check for technical issues, broken links, and on-page SEO problems.
| Ahrefs | SEMrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Crawl Credits/mo (Entry) | 100,000 (Lite) | 100,000 (Pro) |
| Issues Detected | 140+ issue types | 140+ issue types |
| JavaScript Rendering | ||
| Core Web Vitals | ||
| Scheduled Audits | ||
| Custom Rules | Limited | More flexible |
Winner: SEMrush (slightly)
Additional Features#
Beyond core SEO features, SEMrush offers a broader toolkit including PPC, social media, and content marketing tools that Ahrefs does not match.
| Ahrefs | SEMrush | |
|---|---|---|
| PPC Research | ||
| Social Media Tools | $20-250/mo add-on | |
| Content Marketing Platform | Content Explorer only | Full toolkit ($60/mo add-on) |
| Local SEO | $30-60/mo per location | |
| AI Visibility Tracking | $199/mo (Brand Radar) | $99/user/mo |
| Looker Studio Integration | Standard+ | Guru+ |
Detailed Pros & Cons#
Ahrefs#
- Largest and most accurate backlink database in the industry
- More intuitive interface with cleaner UX
- Content Explorer is excellent for content research
- Keyword difficulty scores based on actual backlink requirements
- Faster link index updates (every 15-30 minutes)
- No PPC or social media tools
- Credit-based pricing can be confusing on lower tiers
- No free trial (only free Webmaster Tools for verified sites)
- Fewer integrations than SEMrush
- Limited content optimization features compared to SEMrush
SEMrush#
- Most comprehensive all-in-one marketing platform
- Excellent PPC and competitive advertising research
- Strong content marketing and optimization tools
- Better for agencies with reporting and client management
- More third-party integrations (Looker Studio, WordPress, etc.)
- 7-day free trial available
- Steeper learning curve due to feature complexity
- Backlink data slightly less accurate than Ahrefs
- Higher total cost when adding toolkits (Social, Local, Content)
- Interface can feel overwhelming for beginners
- Some features require separate add-on purchases
Which Should You Choose?#
Choose Ahrefs if:
Choose SEMrush if:
Consider both if:
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is Ahrefs more accurate than SEMrush?
For backlink data, yes - Ahrefs has the largest and most frequently updated backlink index. For keyword search volume, both are estimates and can vary. SEMrush often shows higher volume estimates while Ahrefs tends to be more conservative.
Can I get a free trial of Ahrefs?
Ahrefs does not offer a traditional free trial, but provides Ahrefs Webmaster Tools free for verified site owners. This includes Site Audit and limited Site Explorer access. SEMrush offers a 7-day free trial of their Pro plan.
Which tool is better for agencies?
SEMrush is generally better for agencies due to its comprehensive reporting features, white-label options, client management tools, and broader feature set including PPC and social media. Ahrefs is excellent for SEO-focused agencies prioritizing link building.
Do I need both Ahrefs and SEMrush?
Most users do not need both. Either tool provides comprehensive SEO capabilities. However, large enterprises sometimes use Ahrefs for backlink analysis and SEMrush for competitive PPC research, as each excels in those areas.
Product Manager at BestPage. Pioneer in AEO research since 2024, exploring the convergence of SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Led multiple AI-powered content optimization projects that achieved 300%+ citation increases in ChatGPT and Perplexity.