vs
Semrush vs Ahrefs
Semrush scores higher overall (7.9 vs 7.8), but the right pick depends on what you need.
Choose Semrush if…
Marketing teams and agencies that want one suite for classic SEO and AI-search visibility
7.9/10★★★★★Full review →Choose Ahrefs if…
SEO specialists and agencies who rely on backlink and competitor data
7.8/10★★★★★Full review →Side by side
| Semrush | Ahrefs | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 10 | #2 of 10 |
| Price | Freemium · from $117.33/month | Freemium · from $29/month |
| Free version | 1 project and 10 reports a day | Ahrefs Free: basic site audit and data for sites you own |
| Platforms | Web, API | Web, API |
| Made by | Semrush Holdings, Inc. | Ahrefs Pte. Ltd. |
| SEO insight quality | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Ease of use | 7 | 7 |
| Features | 9 | 8.5 |
| Value for money | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Platforms | 8 | 8 |
Semrush: what the AI does
- AI-visibility tracking across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Google AI answers
- Daily AI prompt tracking with brand sentiment
- Content optimisation and keyword cannibalisation analysis
- MCP access for AI assistants
- Broadest all-in-one toolset in the category
- AI-visibility tracking built into Semrush One plans
- Useful free plan for occasional checks
- Large keyword and competitor database
- Expensive, and only one user per plan before paying for seats
- Two plan families (Classic and One) plus add-ons make pricing confusing
- Hostinger notes AI features are missing from the basic tier
Ahrefs: what the AI does
- Brand Radar AI-visibility tracking across AI Overviews, AI Mode, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Copilot
- Custom AI prompt tracking
- AI keyword and content tools (Content Kit add-on)
- AI share-of-voice versus competitors
- Industry-leading backlink and competitor data
- Brand Radar covers more AI platforms than most rivals
- Cheap $29 Starter plan to try the data
- API access on all main plans
- No free trial, and credit quotas cap reports and exports
- Main plans are expensive and content tools are paid add-ons
- Reports issues but doesn't push fixes to your site