Semrush vs Ahrefs: We Compared The Two Popular SEO Tools [2025]

Ahrefs vs. Semrush — if you’re serious about SEO and looking for the right tools, you must have come across these two platforms. Whether you’re looking to improve search rankings, analyze competitors, or build high-quality backlinks, a solid SEO platform can make all the difference.

Both Ahrefs and Semrush offer a robust set of features designed to help businesses and marketers boost their online presence. But which one is better? And more importantly, which one is right for you?

In this guide, we’ll compare Ahrefs vs Semrush across key SEO functions — keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, on-page SEO, pricing, and more. We’ll also explore better alternatives, considering the changing search and SEO trends in 2025. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which tool aligns best with your needs.

Let’s dive in.

Semrush vs Ahrefs: A Quick Overview

Both Ahrefs and Semrush are powerful SEO tools, but they cater to different use cases. Ahrefs is best known for backlink analysis and organic keyword research, while Semrush offers a broader range of tools, including PPC insights, technical SEO, and content marketing.

The table below provides a side-by-side comparison of Ahrefs and Semrush based on key SEO features:

Both tools are excellent for traditional SEO. However, if you’re looking for an SEO tool with content writing features or want to track traffic from AI search engines like ChatGPT, you might want to consider the alternatives we’ve discussed later in the article.

What is Ahrefs?

Ahrefs is an all-in-one SEO toolset designed for backlink analysis, keyword research, rank tracking, and site audits. It is best known for its extensive backlink database, making it a top choice for SEO professionals focused on link-building and organic search optimization.

Here’s what Ahrefs offers:

• 
  Site Explorer: Get in-depth insights into any website’s backlinks, organic traffic, and ranking keywords.
• 
  Keywords Explorer: Discover keyword ideas, search volume, keyword difficulty, and estimated clicks.
• 
  Site Audit: Identify technical SEO issues and get recommendations for improvement.
• 
  Rank Tracker:  Monitor your website’s position for target keywords over time.
• 
  Content Explorer: Find high-performing content in any niche to generate content ideas and link opportunities.

One of Ahrefs’ biggest strengths is its clickstream data, which helps estimate real search traffic more accurately than traditional keyword volume metrics. However, while Ahrefs is an exceptional tool for organic SEO, it lacks deep PPC insights and advertising research, which is where Semrush comes in.

Next, let’s break down what Semrush offers and how it compares.

What is Semrush?

Semrush is a comprehensive digital marketing toolset that offers SEO, PPC, content marketing, and competitive analysis features. It is widely used by businesses and agencies looking for an all-in-one platform to manage their online presence across multiple channels.

Here’s what Semrush offers:

• Keyword research: Provides extensive keyword data, including search volume, keyword difficulty, and competitive density for both organic and paid search.
• Domain analytics: Gives insights into a website’s traffic, backlinks, and search rankings, helping users analyze their own site or competitors.
• Site audit: Identifies on-page SEO issues, technical errors, and areas for optimization.
• Backlink analysis: Tracks referring domains, link toxicity, and new or lost backlinks.
• Position tracking: Monitors keyword rankings and provides updates on SERP movements over time.
• PPC research: Offers insights into paid search campaigns, including competitor ad strategies, CPC data, and keyword bidding trends.
• Content marketing tools: Includes topic research, content optimization recommendations, and an SEO writing assistant.

Semrush stands out for its multi-functional approach, covering both SEO and paid marketing strategies. While Ahrefs is often preferred for backlink analysis, Semrush provides a broader range of tools, making it a better choice for businesses looking to integrate SEO, PPC, and content marketing into a single platform.

Now, let’s dive into a feature-by-feature comparison to see how Ahrefs and Semrush stack up against each other.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Feature Comparison

Both Ahrefs and Semrush offer a robust set of SEO tools, but their strengths lie in different areas. While Ahrefs is known for its backlink analysis and organic keyword research, Semrush provides a more comprehensive approach, including PPC insights, content marketing tools, and competitor analysis.

Below, we’ll break down the key differences between the two platforms across multiple features.

Semrush vs Ahrefs for Keyword Research

Keyword research is a critical part of any SEO strategy, and both Ahrefs and Semrush offer powerful tools to help users find and analyze keywords. However, they take slightly different approaches.

Ahrefs focuses primarily on organic keyword research. Its Keywords Explorer tool provides essential metrics such as search volume, keyword difficulty, estimated clicks, and return rate. 

One of its biggest advantages is its clickstream data, which refines traffic estimates by analyzing real user behavior. This makes Ahrefs particularly strong in predicting how much traffic a keyword can actually bring. However, Ahrefs does not provide insights into PPC (paid search) keywords, which can be a limitation for businesses running Google Ads campaigns.

Semrush, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive keyword research toolset. The Keyword Magic Tool helps users generate keyword ideas by grouping related terms, while the Keyword Gap Tool allows for direct competitor comparison, identifying opportunities to target keywords competitors rank for. 

Unlike Ahrefs, Semrush includes PPC keyword insights, providing CPC data, competition level, and historical trends—making it ideal for businesses managing both organic and paid search campaigns.

Which is better? 

If your main focus is organic search, Ahrefs provides deeper insights into keyword difficulty and search intent. But if you need a tool that covers both SEO and PPC keyword research, Semrush is the better option.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Competitor Analysis

Understanding your competitors’ strategies is essential for staying ahead in SEO. Both Ahrefs and Semrush offer competitor analysis tools, but they differ in depth and functionality.

Ahrefs provides competitor insights through its Site Explorer tool. Users can analyze a competitor’s backlink profile, organic traffic, and ranking keywords. 

Ahrefs is particularly strong in backlink analysis, allowing users to see which websites are linking to their competitors, helping them identify link-building opportunities. The Content Explorer tool also helps users find top-performing content based on backlinks and social shares, making it easier to understand what type of content attracts links in a specific niche. However, Ahrefs lacks deep insights into competitor traffic sources and paid advertising strategies.

Semrush, on the other hand, takes a broader approach to competitor analysis. Its Traffic Analytics tool estimates a competitor’s total website traffic, including organic, paid, referral, and direct sources.

The Organic Research tool reveals which keywords competitors rank for and how their rankings have changed over time. Additionally, Semrush provides PPC competitor insights, allowing businesses to analyze their rivals’ Google Ads campaigns, including keywords they are bidding on and ad copy they are using.

Which is better? 

If backlink analysis is your priority, Ahrefs is the stronger choice. But if you need a complete picture of a competitor’s SEO and paid strategies, Semrush offers more in-depth data.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Backlink Analysis

Backlink analysis is one of the most important aspects of SEO, and both Ahrefs and Semrush offer powerful tools for tracking and evaluating backlinks. However, Ahrefs has long been considered the industry leader in this area.

Ahrefs is best known for its extensive backlink database and accurate link data. Its Site Explorer tool allows users to analyze any website’s backlink profile, showing referring domains, anchor texts, and newly acquired or lost backlinks. 

Ahrefs also offers a Domain Rating (DR) metric, which helps users assess the overall authority of a website based on its backlink profile. Another standout feature is the Link Intersect Tool, which helps users find websites that are linking to competitors but not to their own site — making it easier to identify link-building opportunities.

Semrush, while slightly behind Ahrefs in backlink data size, still provides a robust backlink analysis toolset. The Backlink Analytics tool shows referring domains, backlink types, and toxicity scores, helping users identify potentially harmful links. 

The Backlink Gap Tool is a strong feature that allows users to compare their backlink profile with competitors and find missing opportunities. Semrush also integrates its backlink data with its SEO and PPC tools, giving a more comprehensive view of how backlinks impact search rankings and paid campaigns.

Which is better? 

If backlink analysis is your primary focus, Ahrefs offers more accurate and extensive link data. However, if you need backlink insights combined with a broader SEO and PPC strategy, Semrush is a better all-in-one solution.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Site Audit & Technical SEO

A strong SEO strategy isn’t just about keywords and backlinks — it also requires optimizing a website’s technical health. Both Ahrefs and Semrush offer site audit tools that help users identify and fix technical SEO issues, but they take different approaches.

Ahrefs’ Site Audit tool provides a visual, easy-to-navigate report that highlights errors like broken links, duplicate content, missing meta tags, slow-loading pages, and crawl issues. 

It assigns a health score to the website and categorizes issues into errors, warnings, and notices, making it easy to prioritize fixes. Ahrefs also offers recommendations for resolving issues, though its technical SEO suggestions are not as detailed as those of Semrush.

Semrush, on the other hand, provides a more in-depth and feature-rich site audit tool. It not only identifies technical issues but also offers Core Web Vitals tracking, internal linking analysis, HTTPS security checks, and structured data insights. 

Semrush’s SEO Ideas tool goes a step further by providing automated recommendations for improving on-page SEO. Additionally, it tracks historical audit data, allowing users to compare past and present reports to measure progress over time.

Which is better? 

If you need a simple and visually intuitive site audit tool, Ahrefs does the job well. But if you want more detailed insights, historical tracking, and automated SEO recommendations, Semrush is the better choice.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Rank Tracking

Monitoring keyword rankings over time is essential for assessing SEO performance, and both Ahrefs and Semrush provide rank tracking tools. However, there are notable differences in their approach and level of detail.

Ahrefs’ Rank Tracker is the same as its Site Explorer tool. It allows users to track keyword rankings across different locations and devices. It provides historical ranking data, SERP visibility trends, and competitor comparisons. One of its standout features is the click potential metric, which estimates how many actual clicks a keyword is likely to generate based on SERP features like featured snippets and ads. 

However, Ahrefs does not provide daily ranking updates — it typically updates rankings every few days. You can manually update the SERPs, but it costs one credit every update, which can become costly in the long run.

Semrush offers a more advanced rank tracking system with its Position Tracking tool. It allows users to monitor keyword rankings daily, track local SEO performance, and analyze SERP features like featured snippets, knowledge panels, and People Also Ask boxes. 

Semrush also provides competitive tracking, letting users compare their rankings against multiple competitors in one dashboard. The Sensor Tool is another unique feature that detects SERP volatility, helping users understand when Google algorithm updates might be affecting rankings.

Which is better? 

If you need basic, long-term ranking insights with click potential estimates, Ahrefs is a solid choice. However, if you require daily updates, competitive tracking, and SERP volatility analysis, Semrush provides a more comprehensive solution.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Content Marketing Tools

A strong content strategy is key to driving organic traffic, and both Ahrefs and Semrush provide tools to help users create and optimize content. However, Semrush offers a more extensive set of features in this area.

Ahrefs’ Content Explorer is its primary content marketing tool. It allows users to search for high-performing content based on backlinks, social shares, and organic traffic. 

This is useful for finding trending topics and analyzing what kind of content performs best in a given niche. However, Ahrefs lacks dedicated tools for content optimization, readability analysis, or SEO writing itself.

Semrush, on the other hand, offers a full suite of content marketing tools. The Topic Research tool helps users generate content ideas based on trending topics and search demand. The SEO Writing Assistant provides real-time recommendations for improving readability, keyword usage, and SEO structure. 

Additionally, Semrush has a Content Audit feature that analyzes existing content performance and suggests updates for better rankings. These tools are particularly useful for content marketers and bloggers who need a data-driven approach to content creation.

Which is better? 

If your focus is content discovery and competitor analysis, Ahrefs’ Content Explorer is useful. But if you need a complete content marketing toolkit with optimization and writing assistance, Semrush is the better option.

However, both platforms don’t help you with the actual writing process. If you’re looking for an SEO and keyword research tool that helps you with the complete writing process, try Chatsonic.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: AI Traffic Analysis

With the rise of AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity, traditional SEO tools face a new challenge: measuring traffic from AI-generated search results. Currently, neither Ahrefs nor Semrush provides accurate tracking for AI-driven traffic, which is becoming a growing concern for SEO professionals.

Ahrefs focuses primarily on organic search traffic from traditional search engines like Google and Bing. While it excels in backlink analysis and keyword research, it does not track how AI-powered tools impact website traffic. This means users have no way to measure if their content is being referenced by AI chatbots or appearing in AI-generated responses.

Semrush also lacks AI traffic tracking. Although it provides detailed analytics on organic, paid, and referral traffic, it does not offer insights into how AI-driven search engines affect website visibility. As AI continues to shape search behavior, relying solely on traditional SEO tools may leave marketers with blind spots in their traffic data.

For those looking to analyze AI-driven search traffic, alternatives like Chatsonic offer more updated insights. Unlike Ahrefs and Semrush, Chatsonic provides AI-powered search visibility tracking, helping businesses understand how their content appears in AI-generated search results.

Which is better? 

Neither Ahrefs nor Semrush currently measures AI-driven traffic. If tracking AI search visibility is a priority, users should explore AI-first tools like Chatsonic for more relevant insights.

Ahrefs vs Semrush for Off-Page Data: Backlink Analysis & Link Building

Ahrefs has long been celebrated for its robust backlink analysis capabilities. With an extensive index of over 35 trillion backlinks, Ahrefs provides detailed insights into referring domains, anchor texts, and link growth over time. The Link Intersect tool is particularly noteworthy, allowing users to identify websites that link to competitors but not to their own, unveiling new link-building opportunities.

Semrush, while also offering comprehensive backlink data, brings additional features to the table. Its Backlink Audit tool not only analyzes backlinks but also assesses their toxicity, helping users identify and disavow potentially harmful links. Furthermore, Semrush’s Link Building Tool streamlines outreach by providing contact information and outreach templates, facilitating efficient link acquisition campaigns.

Which is better?

In summary, while Ahrefs excels in raw backlink data and discovery, Semrush offers a more integrated approach to link building and management.

Ahrefs vs Semrush for On-Page Data: Content Optimization & Site Health

When it comes to on-page SEO, Semrush stands out with its On Page SEO Checker. This tool provides actionable recommendations based on top-performing competitors, covering aspects like keyword usage, meta tags, and content readability. Additionally, Semrush’s Site Audit tool delves deep into technical SEO, evaluating factors such as crawlability, HTTPS implementation, and Core Web Vitals.

Ahrefs, on the other hand, offers a solid Site Audit feature that highlights technical issues like broken links, duplicate content, and slow-loading pages. While it provides essential insights, it lacks the depth of content-specific recommendations found in Semrush.

Which is better?

For those seeking comprehensive on-page optimization guidance, Semrush offers a more detailed and user-friendly suite of tools.

Ahrefs vs Semrush for Reporting Features: Customization & Data Visualization

Effective reporting is crucial for tracking SEO progress and communicating results. Semrush offers a versatile My Reports feature, allowing users to create customized reports with drag-and-drop widgets, white-label branding, and scheduled email deliveries. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for agencies managing multiple clients.

Ahrefs provides straightforward reporting capabilities, enabling users to export data and generate standard reports. While functional, it lacks the advanced customization and automation features present in Semrush.

Which is better?

For users prioritizing detailed, branded, and automated reporting, Semrush provides a more robust solution.

Ahrefs vs Semrush for Customer Support

Good customer support can make a big difference, especially when dealing with complex SEO tools. While both Ahrefs and Semrush offer assistance, Semrush provides more accessibility and real-time support options.

Ahrefs offers email and live chat support, but there is no phone support. Response times are generally within 24 hours for email, while live chat is available during business hours. Ahrefs also has a detailed knowledge base, video tutorials, and an SEO Academy for self-learning. However, it lacks a community forum where users can interact and troubleshoot issues together.

Semrush, on the other hand, provides email, live chat, and phone support, making it a better option for users who need quick assistance. Live chat and phone inquiries are typically addressed within minutes, while email responses take up to 24 hours. Semrush also has an extensive help center, SEO courses, and a user forum, allowing for peer discussions and expert guidance.

For those who prefer real-time support and a more interactive learning experience, Semrush is the better option. Ahrefs, while offering strong educational resources, is more suited for users who rely on self-service support.

Which is better?

Semrush provides more support channels, including phone support and a user forum, making it the preferred choice for those who need quick resolutions and a stronger user community.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Pricing

Pricing plays a crucial role when selecting an SEO tool, especially for businesses and individuals with budget constraints. Ahrefs and Semrush follow different pricing structures, with Ahrefs using a credit-based system while Semrush offers tiered subscriptions with more bundled features.

Ahrefs operates on a usage-based pricing model, meaning certain features have limits depending on your plan. It offers four pricing tiers:

• Lite: $99/month – Basic SEO tools with limited reports and no API access.
• Standard: $199/month – Includes rank tracking, more reports, and expanded limits.
• Advanced: $399/month – Higher data limits, API access, and additional tools.
• Enterprise: $999/month – Custom solutions for large organizations.

Ahrefs does not offer a free trial, but it provides a limited free version with restricted access to its tools.

Semrush follows a tiered pricing structure and includes a wider range of features, including PPC data and content marketing tools. It offers three main plans:

• Pro: $139.95/month – Basic SEO tools, keyword tracking, and competitor research.
• Guru: $249.95/month – Adds content marketing tools, historical data, and better reporting.
• Business: $499.95/month – Advanced tools for agencies, API access, and white-label reports.

Semrush provides a 7-day free trial, allowing users to explore its features before committing to a subscription.

Which is better?

If you need affordable SEO and backlink analysis, Ahrefs is a cost-effective option, but its credit-based system may be restrictive. If you require a comprehensive marketing tool with SEO, PPC, and content insights, Semrush justifies its higher price. For users wanting to test before subscribing, Semrush’s free trial is a major advantage.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: Which to Choose?

Choosing between Ahrefs and Semrush depends on your specific SEO and marketing needs. Both tools are powerful, but they excel in different areas.

Choose Ahrefs if:

• Your primary focus is backlink analysis and link-building strategies.
• You need detailed organic keyword research with accurate traffic estimations.
• You prefer a simpler interface with easy-to-understand SEO metrics.
• You are primarily working with organic search and don’t need PPC insights.

Choose Semrush if:

• You need a comprehensive all-in-one SEO and digital marketing tool that includes PPC, content marketing, and social media analytics.
• You want daily rank tracking and SERP volatility insights.
• You require detailed competitor analysis, including paid ad strategies.
• You are focused on technical SEO, with advanced site audits and on-page recommendations.

If your focus is primarily backlinks and organic keyword research, Ahrefs is the stronger option. But if you need a versatile marketing tool that covers SEO, PPC, and content strategy, Semrush offers a more comprehensive feature set.

That said, with the rise of AI-driven search traffic, neither tool currently provides insights into how AI-generated search engines impact visibility. If that’s a concern, alternative AI-powered SEO tools may be worth considering.

Are There Better Alternatives to Ahrefs and Semrush?

Ahrefs and Semrush have long been the go-to tools for SEO professionals, but with the rise of AI-driven search engines, there are better, newer alternatives that offer more updated and AI-powered insights. 

If you’re looking for a tool that’ll help you with the end-to-end SEO workflow, write optimized content, and eliminate most of the manual work in SEO, try Chatsonic. It’s an SEO AI agent that’s connected to all your favorite SEO tools, including Ahrefs and Semrush, and uses AI to complete the research and optimization process.

The best part? It can help you with keyword research, writing, and auditing — so you don’t need multiple tools to handle parts of your SEO workflow.

Why consider Chatsonic over Ahrefs and Semrush?

• AI-powered search tracking: Unlike Ahrefs and Semrush, which focus only on traditional search engines like Google, Chatsonic helps track how AI-based search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity reference and interact with your content.
• Real-time SEO insights: While Ahrefs and Semrush update data periodically, Chatsonic leverages AI to provide instant, real-time insights into search trends and content performance.
• Conversational AI integration: With search behavior shifting towards AI-powered answers, Chatsonic can help businesses optimize content for AI-driven discovery, ensuring their brand remains visible in emerging search ecosystems.
• Comprehensive marketing support: Beyond SEO, Chatsonic integrates AI-powered content generation, competitor insights, and automated optimization suggestions, making it a next-generation alternative for digital marketers.

While Ahrefs and Semrush remain industry staples, they lack the ability to track AI-generated traffic — a crucial factor as search engines evolve. Businesses looking for future-proof SEO strategies should explore AI-first tools like Chatsonic to stay ahead of the curve.

Conclusion: Ahrefs vs Semrush

Ahrefs and Semrush are two of the most powerful SEO tools available, but they cater to different needs. Ahrefs is the go-to tool for backlink analysis and organic keyword research, while Semrush provides a more comprehensive SEO suite with PPC insights, content marketing tools, and competitive research.

If you need detailed backlink data, organic search insights, and a simpler interface, Ahrefs is a solid choice. However, if you’re looking for an all-in-one SEO platform that includes technical SEO, PPC analysis, and content optimization, Semrush offers a broader range of features.

That said, neither tool currently tracks AI-driven search traffic, which is becoming increasingly important with the rise of AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity. If you want to future-proof your SEO strategy, AI-first tools like Chatsonic may provide more relevant insights.

Plus, Chatsonic is already connected to tools like Ahrefs and has integration options for Semrush, so you won’t be missing out on any insights.

Ready to update your SEO tool?

Samanyou Garg

Founder @ Writesonic

Samanyou is the founder of Writesonic and is passionate about using AI to solve real world problems especially in marketing. Two years before the launch of ChatGPT, Writesonic was already at the forefront, helping brands, agencies, and individuals create and optimize all types of content, outsmart competitors by decoding their SEO trends and keywords to boost traffic. Samanyou is a Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee and a winner of the 2019 Global Undergraduate Awards, often referred to as the junior Nobel Prize.