Ahrefs
SEO tool for backlink analysis, keyword research, and audits.
Price
Paid Plans Start at $99/month
What is Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is one of the most popular and respected SEO toolsets available, used by digital marketers, SEO professionals, and content creators around the world. Known for its massive backlink database and highly accurate keyword data, Ahrefs makes it easy to analyze competitors, track keyword rankings, discover new content ideas, and improve site performance.
The platform offers a clean, intuitive interface that balances powerful features with usability. Ahrefs’ Site Explorer and Content Explorer are particularly valued for giving deep insights into any website’s backlink profile and top-performing pages. Its Keyword Explorer tool covers over 170 countries and provides data on search volume, keyword difficulty, click metrics, and advanced SERP analysis.
Ahrefs continually updates its databases, ensuring users always have access to fresh data. While Ahrefs does not offer a free plan, its pricing is competitive for the value delivered, and the platform is praised for its speed and reliability. However, the lack of a full-featured trial and some limitations on entry-level plans are worth considering.
For marketers focused on competitor research, backlink analysis, and actionable SEO strategy, Ahrefs remains a go-to choice, powering the organic growth of brands large and small.
Best For
SEO professionals, content marketers, agencies, and anyone serious about driving organic traffic and outperforming digital competitors.
Key Features
Backlink Analysis: Database of over 30 trillion backlinks, updated every 15–30 minutes
Site Explorer: In-depth analysis of any website’s traffic, backlinks, top pages, and outgoing links
Keyword Explorer: Data on 7 billion+ keywords across 170+ countries, with metrics like difficulty, volume, and clicks
Rank Tracker: Monitors daily SERP positions for unlimited keywords, with competitor comparison
Site Audit: Scans for technical SEO issues, Core Web Vitals, and provides actionable recommendations
Content Explorer: Finds top-performing content, backlink opportunities, and trending topics in any niche
API & Integrations: Connects with Google Data Studio and supports workflow automation for advanced users
Pricing
Plan | Price (Monthly) | Users | Tracked Keywords | Site Audit Crawls/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lite | $99 | 1 | 750 | 10,000 |
Standard | $199 | 1 | 2,000 | 500,000 |
Advanced | $399 | 3 | 5,000 | 1,250,000 |
Enterprise | $999 | 5 | 10,000 | 2,500,000 |
No free plan; paid plans only
7-day trial for $7 (occasionally offered)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Industry-leading backlink and keyword databases
Fast, fresh data updates
Intuitive, easy-to-use interface
Excellent content research tools
Cons:
No full-featured free plan
Entry-level plan may have some limits (users, reports)
No PPC/advertising features (SEO focus only)
Ahrefs Alternatives
Tool | Starting Price | Backlink Index | Keyword DB Size | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$129.95/mo | 43T+ | 25B+ | 7 days | |
$99/mo | 40T+ | 1.25B+ | 30 days | |
Serpstat | $69/mo | 1B+ | 7B+ | 7 days |
SpyFu | $39/mo | 120M+ | 7B+ | 7 days |
Example Use Case
An agency uses Ahrefs to audit a client’s website, identifying over 1,000 toxic backlinks to disavow and uncovering dozens of high-potential keywords to target. Over three months, they track improved rankings for 500 keywords and gain 50 new referring domains through targeted outreach.
Final Verdict
Ahrefs is a must-have for SEO professionals and agencies seeking powerful data, intuitive tools, and a proven track record in competitive analysis. While it lacks a free tier, its depth and accuracy make it well worth the investment for brands that rely on search traffic.
