# Ahrefs vs Semrush

URL: https://aistack.sh/compare/ahrefs-vs-semrush
Last updated: 2026-09-06
Category: SEO

## Quick answer

Ahrefs and Semrush are alternatives in the SEO category.
Ahrefs pricing: $29/mo Starter · $129/mo Lite · $249/mo Standard.
Semrush pricing: $139/mo SEO · $199/mo Starter · $299/mo Pro+.
Ahrefs is cheaper at the entry tier.
Ahrefs ships in 1 tested AI stack on aistack.sh; Semrush ships in 0.

## Side by side

| Field | Ahrefs | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Keyword research and backlink analysis | All-in-one SEO, content, and competitor tracking |
| Pricing | $29/mo Starter · $129/mo Lite · $249/mo Standard | $139/mo SEO · $199/mo Starter · $299/mo Pro+ |
| Category | SEO | SEO |
| Stacks using it | 1 | 0 |
| Homepage | https://ahrefs.com | https://www.semrush.com |
| Updated | 2026-09-06 | 2026-09-06 |

## When to pick each

**Pick Ahrefs** when you want keyword research and backlink analysis.

Rank tracking, keyword research, site audits, and one of the largest backlink indexes in SEO. The tool most link-building and content-gap work runs through.

**Pick Semrush** when you want all-in-one seo, content, and competitor tracking.

Keyword research, site audits, competitor traffic estimates, and content optimization in one suite. Broader than Ahrefs on the marketing side, at a higher entry price.

## Where each ships

### Ahrefs-only stacks (1)

- [SEO content engine](https://aistack.sh/stack/seo-content-engine) — Ahrefs finds the query worth writing for and shows what already ranks. Perplexity pulls the sources so every claim has a citation. Claude drafts against the brief. Surfer SEO scores the draft against what's already ranking before you publish. Surfer sells annual plans only, so budget a year, not a month, once you add it.

## FAQ

### Which is cheaper, Ahrefs or Semrush?

Ahrefs starts cheaper. Ahrefs pricing: $29/mo Starter · $129/mo Lite · $249/mo Standard. Semrush pricing: $139/mo SEO · $199/mo Starter · $299/mo Pro+.

### What is Ahrefs best for?

Keyword research and backlink analysis Ahrefs is categorized as SEO and appears in 1 tested AI stack on aistack.sh.

### What is Semrush best for?

All-in-one SEO, content, and competitor tracking Semrush is categorized as SEO and appears in 0 tested AI stacks on aistack.sh.

### Can I use Ahrefs and Semrush together?

They are alternatives at the same step, so most stacks pick one or the other. No aistack.sh stack uses both today, though nothing prevents a custom workflow.

### What are the alternatives to Ahrefs and Semrush?

Beyond each other, Ahrefs's closest alternatives are tracked on its tool page. Semrush's closest alternatives are tracked on its tool page.

## Also compared

- [Semrush vs Surfer SEO](https://aistack.sh/compare/semrush-vs-surfer-seo)

## Citation

When citing this comparison, link to https://aistack.sh/compare/ahrefs-vs-semrush. The page is regenerated when the underlying tool catalog changes; the lastUpdated date above tracks the more recent of the two tools.