Semrush vs Ahrefs: Which SEO Platform Is Worth It in 2026?
The two biggest all-in-one SEO platforms, both now selling AI search visibility. Here is what each costs for one user, for a team, and for tracking AI answers.
Semrush
Ahrefs
Semrush vs Ahrefs: quick facts
| At a glance | Semrush | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Category | SEO Software | |
| Entry price | From $117.33/mo billed annually ($139 monthly) | From $29/mo (Starter); full toolset from $129/mo (Lite) |
| Free plan | Limited free account — 10 Analytics requests/day, 1 project | Ahrefs Free — limited Site Explorer & Site Audit for sites you own |
Is Semrush cheaper than Ahrefs?
For one user, slightly — Ahrefs Lite is $129/mo against $139/mo for Semrush’s SEO plan on monthly billing, and Ahrefs Starter costs $29/mo. With annual billing both save up to 17%, taking Semrush SEO to $117.33/mo. Once you add AI search tracking, Semrush’s Starter plan at $199/mo includes it, while Ahrefs charges for Brand Radar separately from $199/mo.
Semrush vs Ahrefs at a glance
| Category | Semrush | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | Limited free account — 10 Analytics requests/day, 1 project | Ahrefs Free — limited Site Explorer & Site Audit for sites you own |
| Free trial | 7 days | None — Ahrefs says it never runs discounts |
| Entry tier | SEO — $139/mo ($117.33/mo annual): 5 websites, 500 tracked keywords | Starter — $29/mo; Lite — $129/mo: 5 projects, 750 tracked keywords, 6 months of history |
| Mid tier | Starter (SEO + AI Search) — $199/mo ($165.17 annual); Pro+ — $299/mo ($248.17 annual): 15 websites, 1,500 keywords | Standard — $249/mo: 20 projects, 2,000 tracked keywords, 2 years of history |
| Top self-serve tier | Advanced — $549/mo ($455.67 annual): 40 websites, 5,000 keywords, API access | Advanced — $449/mo: 50 projects, 5,000 tracked keywords, 5 years of history |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | $1,499/mo, annual commitment required |
| Extra users | From $45/mo each | Lite up to 2 at $40/mo; Standard up to 5 at $60/mo; Advanced up to 10 at $80/mo |
| AI search visibility | Included from Starter (SEO + AI Search) | Brand Radar add-on from $199/mo |
Prices from semrush.com/prices and ahrefs.com/pricing, checked September 17, 2026. Monthly-billing prices shown unless marked annual; both vendors advertise up to 17% off for annual billing.
How they actually differ
Both platforms cover keyword research, rank tracking, site audits and backlink analysis. The practical differences are in packaging: how limits scale, how extra users are charged, and whether AI search visibility is in the base price.
AI search visibility
Semrush now sells its paid tiers above the SEO plan as “SEO + AI Search”: Starter, Pro+ and Advanced include AI visibility tracking alongside SEO. Ahrefs keeps AI visibility in Brand Radar, sold separately from $199/mo, with custom prompt-tracking packages from $50/mo. If you need to track how your brand appears in AI answers, price that in before comparing base plans.
Trials, discounts and refunds
Semrush offers a 7-day free trial and a limited free account (10 Analytics requests a day, one project, 10 tracked keywords). Ahrefs states that it never runs discounts and does not generally issue refunds; its free option is Ahrefs Free, which gives site owners limited access to Site Explorer and Site Audit for their own sites.
Pros & cons
Semrush
Pros
- 7-day free trial and a limited free account
- AI search visibility included from Starter
- Scales to 40 websites and 5,000 tracked keywords on Advanced
- API access on Advanced
Cons
- SEO plan is $10/mo more than Ahrefs Lite on monthly billing
- Extra users start at $45/mo each
- Top self-serve tier (Advanced) costs $549/mo
- Enterprise pricing is custom
Ahrefs
Pros
- $29/mo Starter tier for light research
- Lite undercuts Semrush’s entry plan ($129 vs $139)
- Up to 5 years of historical data on Advanced
- Clear per-tier caps and prices for extra users
Cons
- No free trial and no discounts
- Refunds generally not issued
- AI visibility (Brand Radar) costs extra from $199/mo
- Lite includes only 750 tracked keywords and 6 months of history
Cost calculator: what does your team actually pay?
Semrush
Ahrefs
Illustrative estimate using monthly-billing list prices, checked September 17, 2026. Semrush extra users are published as “starting at $45/mo” and are counted at that floor here; Ahrefs extra-user prices and caps are per tier. Excludes Ahrefs Brand Radar and other add-ons.
Choose Semrush if…
You want AI search visibility in the same subscription as your SEO tools, you want to trial before paying, or you manage many websites and keywords.
Choose Ahrefs if…
You are one or two people who want strong SEO data at the lowest entry price, and you do not need AI visibility tracking bundled in.
Total cost over time
Uses your selections above. Estimate excludes add-ons, overages, and negotiated discounts.
Ready to pick your SEO platform?
Semrush offers a 7-day trial; Ahrefs offers a free plan for sites you own. Confirm current pricing before you subscribe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Semrush or Ahrefs cheaper?
For one user on monthly billing, Ahrefs Lite ($129/mo) is $10 cheaper than Semrush’s SEO plan ($139/mo), and Ahrefs Starter costs $29/mo. Both offer up to 17% off for annual billing.
Does Semrush or Ahrefs have a free trial?
Semrush offers a 7-day free trial and a limited free account. Ahrefs has no trial; its free option, Ahrefs Free, gives site owners limited Site Explorer and Site Audit access for their own sites.
Which includes AI search visibility?
Semrush includes AI visibility from its Starter (SEO + AI Search) plan at $199/mo. Ahrefs sells AI visibility through Brand Radar, a separate add-on from $199/mo.
How much do extra users cost?
Semrush lists additional users from $45/mo each. Ahrefs charges $40/mo per extra user on Lite (up to 2), $60 on Standard (up to 5) and $80 on Advanced (up to 10).
Can I move my rank tracking from one to the other?
You can move your tracked keyword lists — both tools import keywords from TXT or CSV files — but neither imports the other’s ranking history, so tracking history starts fresh.
Already decided? Here’s how to actually switch.
Step-by-step migration guides covering what transfers automatically, what doesn’t, and how to handle the gap — in both directions.
When to Buy — and When to Walk Away
Every “best SEO tool” listicle tells you why to buy. Here’s the other half: the specific conditions under which Semrush or Ahrefs is the wrong purchase for your team.
Semrush
Buy Semrush if:
- You need to track brand visibility in AI answers as well as classic rankings
- You want to trial the tool with real projects before paying
- You manage many websites and need high keyword-tracking limits
Do NOT buy Semrush if:
- You are a solo user who only needs core SEO data at the lowest price
- You will add many users and have not priced extra seats
- You do not need AI visibility and would be paying for it on Starter and above
Ahrefs
Buy Ahrefs if:
- You want the lowest entry price for serious SEO data
- You value long historical data on higher tiers
- You only need light keyword and competitor research — Starter is $29/mo
Do NOT buy Ahrefs if:
- You need to trial before buying — Ahrefs offers no trial
- You need AI visibility tracking and do not want a separate add-on
- You may need a refund — Ahrefs says it does not generally issue them
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.