SEO · Ranked 3 of 6 in Best SEO tools
What is Ahrefs?
Short answer
Ahrefs is a SEO tool from Ahrefs, best for backlink analysis and competitor research. It has a free plan (Ahrefs Free: data on your own site); paid plans start at $129 / mo.
| Fact | Ahrefs | SEO median (6 tools) |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, Ahrefs Free: data on your own site | 2 of 6 have one |
| Entry price | $129 / mo | $58.35 / mo |
| Top plan | $1,499 / mo | $205.10 / mo |
| 1st year | $1,548 | $700.20 |
| Paid plans | 4 | 3 |
| Platforms | Web, API | — |
What does Ahrefs do?
Ahrefs covers these jobs, as listed on Ahrefs's pricing and feature pages.
- Site Explorer backlink analysis
- Keywords Explorer
- Site Audit
- Rank Tracker
- AI prompt tracking (Brand Radar)
How much does Ahrefs cost?
Free, then $129 / mo to $1,499 / mo.
| Plan | Price | Billed monthly | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free | — |
| Lite | $129 / mo | — | — |
| Standard | $249 / mo | — | — |
| Advanced | $449 / mo | — | — |
| Enterprise | $1,499 / mo | — | — |
What are the best Ahrefs alternatives?
Closest on first-year cost: SE Ranking, Moz Pro, Mangools.
| Alternative | Free plan | From |
|---|---|---|
| SE Ranking | No | $103.20 / mo |
| Moz Pro | No | $79 / mo |
| Mangools | No | $37.70 / mo |
Is Ahrefs better than Google Search Console?
Ahrefs is best for backlink analysis and competitor research; Google Search Console for free Google search performance data. First year: $1,548 vs $0.
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs pricing | ahrefs.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare