Ahrefs vs Semrush
A side-by-side look at pricing, free plans, platforms and features, for tools that both cover seo.
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| Feature |  Ahrefs |  Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan · from $29/month | Free plan · from $117.33/month |
| Free to start | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | SEO | SEO, Marketing |
| Who uses it | SEO specialists, Marketers | SEO specialists, Marketers |
| Works on | Web, API | Web, API |
| About | Ahrefs is known for its large backlink index and keyword database, with site audits, rank tracking and content tools including AI writing helpers. Free Webmaster Tools let site owners audit their own sites. | Semrush covers keyword research, site audits, backlinks, rank tracking and competitor analysis, plus AI features for content and AI-search visibility. A free account allows limited daily searches; paid plans unlock the full toolkit. |
Ahrefs vs Semrush: privacy and safety
From each vendor’s public policies, as scored by SafeScore.
| Ahrefs | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| SafeScore | 77 | 83 |
| Trains on your data | No (by default) | No (by default) |
| GDPR / DPA | Yes | Yes |
| SOC 2 / ISO 27001 | In progress | Yes |
| HIPAA BAA | Not found | Not found |
| Data deletion | Yes | Yes |
| SSO & admin controls | Yes | Yes |
| Full report | Is Ahrefs safe? | Is Semrush safe? |
Which one should you pick?
Both are described from their official websites; try each with a real task from your own work before you commit, since quality depends heavily on the job.
