Switching from Ahrefs to Semrush
Semrush Position Tracking imports keyword lists from TXT or CSV files, with tags in the same row. History stays behind, but a 7-day trial lets you rebuild your setup before paying.
Quick verdict: Export your tracked keywords from Ahrefs Rank Tracker, format them one keyword per row with tags comma-separated in the same cell, and import them into Semrush Position Tracking. Semrush can also pull keywords from Google Search Console and Google Analytics. Use the 7-day trial to rebuild your projects and confirm your plan’s limits before the first charge.
Switching Cost & Friction Estimator
Most buyers only budget for the new subscription. This estimates the hidden labor, data-cleanup, and retraining cost of actually making the switch.
Estimate assumes: 1 hour of data-mapping/cleaning labor per 2,000 records, a blended $75/hr ops rate, tiered migration & cleaning tooling fees, and 4 hours of retraining per seat at a $45/hr fully-loaded rate.
Why teams move from Ahrefs to Semrush
AI visibility in the plan
Semrush includes AI search visibility from its Starter (SEO + AI Search) plan at $199/mo; Ahrefs sells it separately.
A trial to rebuild in
Semrush’s 7-day free trial lets you set up projects before paying.
Scale across many sites
Semrush Advanced covers 40 websites and 5,000 tracked keywords.
How the migration actually works
As with any SEO platform switch, you are re-creating your configuration rather than moving history.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Export tracked keywords from Ahrefs | Export your Rank Tracker keyword list and tags. |
| 2. Save what will not carry over | Download ranking history and reports from Ahrefs before your plan ends. |
| 3. Format the file for Semrush | One keyword per row in its own cell, with that keyword’s tags comma-separated in the same cell. Save as CSV or TXT. |
| 4. Set up Position Tracking | Create a Position Tracking campaign for each site. |
| 5. Import | Under Tagged Keywords, choose Import from, then TXT or CSV. You can also add keywords from Google Search Console or Google Analytics. |
| 6. Re-run site audits | Run Semrush Site Audit to rebuild technical baselines. |
What this path doesn’t do for you:
Ranking history, reports and audit history do not transfer — tracking starts fresh. Check your plan’s limits: the SEO and Starter plans cover 5 websites and 500 tracked keywords, so larger Ahrefs setups may need Pro+ or Advanced.
Pricing side by side
| Plan | Ahrefs | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Ahrefs Free (sites you own) | Limited free account |
| Entry paid | Starter — $29/mo; Lite — $129/mo | SEO — $139/mo ($117.33 annual) |
| Mid | Standard — $249/mo | Starter (SEO + AI) — $199/mo; Pro+ — $299/mo |
| Top | Advanced — $449/mo; Enterprise $1,499/mo | Advanced — $549/mo; Enterprise custom |
List prices checked on the vendors’ pricing pages on September 17, 2026. Confirm current rates before you buy.
Feature parity check
| Capability | Ahrefs | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Rank tracking keyword import | TXT/CSV or paste | TXT/CSV, plus GSC and GA |
| Ranking history import | No | No |
| AI search visibility | Brand Radar add-on from $199/mo | Included from Starter (SEO + AI) |
| Free trial | None | 7 days |
| Extra users | $40–$80/mo by tier, capped | From $45/mo each |
Going the other direction, or want the full comparison first?
Read the Semrush vs Ahrefs comparison Switching from Semrush to Ahrefs instead?Frequently Asked Questions
Can Semrush import my Ahrefs keywords?
Yes. Position Tracking imports TXT or CSV files, with tags comma-separated in the same cell as each keyword.
Does ranking history transfer?
No. Tracking starts fresh in Semrush, so export history from Ahrefs first.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, Semrush offers a 7-day free trial.
How many keywords can I track?
The SEO and Starter plans include 500 tracked keywords, Pro+ 1,500 and Advanced 5,000.
Canonical data for the tools on this page
Every pricing fact, rating, AI billing model and switching guide we hold on each tool, on one page — with the date each figure was last verified.