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ahrefs vs Semrush
ahrefs and Semrush are both SEO, AEO & SERP Intelligence tools. Here is how they compare on pricing, free plans, AI integrations and platforms, and when each is the better fit.
Side by side
| Feature | ahrefs | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Category | SEO, AEO & SERP Intelligence | SEO, AEO & SERP Intelligence |
| Pricing | Free or from $29/mo | $139–$299/mo |
| Free option | Yes | Yes |
| AI integrations | MCP server, Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Microsoft Copilot | MCP server, Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Gemini, Perplexity |
| Links | ahrefs listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) | Semrush listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) |
Which to choose
Choose ahrefs if
- want a lower starting price on paid plans, beginning at $29 per month
- are a verified website owner looking for free tools and limited free access
- need a native integration for Microsoft Copilot alongside ChatGPT, Claude, and Cursor
- rely on a continuous web-scale crawler with a multi-year historical data index
Choose Semrush if
- want a permanent free tier that does not require a credit card
- need dedicated toolkits for content creation, digital advertising, and social media
- use Gemini or Perplexity and want direct integrations or MCP servers for those platforms
- need to check for keyword cannibalisation and measure daily search positions across devices
Verdict
Ahrefs and Semrush both combine traditional SEO with AI search visibility tracking and Model Context Protocol integrations. Ahrefs suits SEO specialists, content marketers, and verified site owners who want a lower entry price for paid plans (from $29 per month) and a focus on web crawling, historical backlink data, and Brand Radar for AI citations. However, costs climb quickly if you need higher-tier plans, add-on modules, or extra user seats.
Semrush, which is owned by Adobe, suits freelancers, agencies, and enterprise teams seeking a broader marketing suite that spans content creation, social media, and digital advertising. Its paid plans start much higher at $139 per month and the dense interface brings a steep learning curve for beginners, though it offers a permanent no-credit-card free tier and extra AI integrations for Gemini and Perplexity.
FAQ
- How does pricing compare between Ahrefs and Semrush?
Ahrefs offers paid plans starting from $29 per month, while Semrush paid plans range from $139 to $299 per month. Both platforms charge extra for additional user seats and specialised add-on features.
- Do Ahrefs and Semrush offer free plans?
Yes, both platforms have free options. Ahrefs provides free tools and limited free access for verified website owners, while Semrush offers a permanent free tier that does not require a credit card.
- Which AI assistants do Ahrefs and Semrush integrate with?
Both tools offer Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and integrations for ChatGPT, Claude, and Cursor. Ahrefs also includes an integration for Microsoft Copilot, whereas Semrush adds support for Gemini and Perplexity.
- Can both tools track brand visibility in AI search engines?
Yes, both platforms monitor how brands appear in AI answers. Ahrefs uses its Brand Radar feature to track mentions, citations, and sentiment across LLM chatbots, while Semrush includes AI search visibility tracking for brand citations, sentiment, and prompt responses.