Ahrefs
SEO suite known for its backlink index, with keyword research, site audits, rank tracking and a free tier.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Ahrefs
Ahrefs built its reputation on one of the largest backlink indexes outside Google, and its Site Explorer remains a standard tool for checking any site's links, top pages and organic keywords. Around it are Keywords Explorer, Rank Tracker, Site Audit, content research tools, web analytics and newer features that track brand visibility in AI assistants. It is popular with SEO specialists, agencies and content teams who want reliable data and a clean interface. Ahrefs Free, formerly Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, gives site owners site audits, web analytics and SEO metrics for their own verified websites at no cost. Paid plans run from a low-cost Starter plan to Lite, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise, priced per month with usage credits on lower tiers. Prices have climbed over the years and lower plans are restrictive, so heavy users end up on expensive tiers. It runs in the browser, with a browser extension.
Best for: SEO specialists and agencies who rely on backlink and competitor data.
Pros and cons
What works
- Large, frequently updated backlink index
- Free audits and analytics for your own verified sites
- Clean, fast interface
Why people leave
- Lower plans are restrictive with usage credits
- Expensive on higher tiers
- Fewer PPC and social features than Semrush
Top Ahrefs alternatives
See all 6- 1
Semrush66.5A broader suite that adds PPC, local, social and content tools.
- 2
Majestic62.6A dedicated backlink tool with Trust Flow metrics at a lower price.
- 3
SE Ranking59.6Similar core features for a fraction of the cost.
- 4
Moz Pro57.2Domain Authority metrics and simpler plans for smaller teams.
- 5
Mangools55.3Beginner-friendly keyword, SERP and backlink tools at low prices.
Why people left Ahrefs
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Reviews
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Ahrefs: common questions
Is Ahrefs free?
Ahrefs has a free plan and paid plans. Free tier: Ahrefs Free for verified sites (checked on Ahrefs's own site).
Is Ahrefs open source?
No, Ahrefs is not open source.
What platforms does Ahrefs run on?
Ahrefs is available for Web and Browser extension.
What are the best alternatives to Ahrefs?
The highest-ranked Ahrefs alternatives right now are Semrush, Majestic and SE Ranking. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.