Ahrefs is a robust SEO tool offering significant value to businesses and marketers. It provides a wide range of features for website analysis and optimization, enhancing search engine rankings. Key features include competitor analysis, keyword research, backlink analysis, and site audits. Ahrefs delivers valuable insights and data-driven suggestions, with a user-friendly interface and accurate data. It's an essential tool for improving organic search visibility, increasing traffic, and ultimately, enhancing business revenue.

  • 01Pros and cons from reviewers
  • 02Main features
  • 03What is Ahrefs?
  • 04How Ahrefs compare to similar software?
  • 05Who is Ahrefs best for according to our reviewers?
  • 06Ahrefs Reviews

What is Ahrefs?

Ahrefs is a robust SEO software designed to enhance businesses' online visibility and presence. It offers a wide range of tools for website performance analysis, keyword ranking tracking, competitor research, and link-building strategies discovery. Ahrefs, with its user-friendly interface and detailed data insights, allows businesses to optimize their websites for search engines, boost organic traffic, and increase conversions. It caters to both small business owners and experienced SEO professionals, providing resources to improve digital marketing efforts and outperform competitors. Ahrefs enables users to make informed, data-driven decisions and fully leverage their online business potential.

Pros from reviewers

  • User-friendly Interface: The software is user-friendly and its features are incredibly beneficial. The interface is also beginner-friendly, enabling users to conduct keyword research on approximately 10 different search engines and effortlessly track their website's backlinks

  • Powerful Keyword Research Functionality: Ahrefs is praised for its robust keyword research feature, which provides unparalleled insights into keyword performance and competitor strategies, making it an essential tool for SEO enthusiasts and professionals

  • Time-saving Tool: Ahrefs is noted as a tool that saves a lot of time, meeting all the needs of SEO/SEA/SEM experts. It provides everything needed for thorough SEO research, including competition, keyword, and backlink research for multiple countries

  • Comprehensive SEO Tool Suite: Ahrefs is recognized as a complete solution for all SEO needs, covering everything from backlink analysis, keyword research, to competitor monitoring. It's especially powerful for SEOs focusing on backlinks and is more than adequate for maintaining a website and generating new keywords

  • Educational Content: Ahrefs is valued for its commitment to educating the community, with a great job done with their blog and educational content, teaching users how to fully utilize the tool's capabilities. This makes it a great tool for anyone starting or advancing their SEO career.

Cons from reviewers

  • Inaccurate rank tracking: Despite its robust features, some users have found Ahrefs to be inaccurate in rank tracking, which can affect the effectiveness of SEO strategies

  • Credit system: The credit system is seen as unclear and not customer-friendly, with every click on the platform consuming a credit, which can be limiting when conducting extensive keyword research

  • Poor local SEO capabilities: Ahrefs falls behind other tools like Bright Local and SEMrush in local SEO, particularly in local keyword reporting and tracking map pack rankings.

  • High cost: Many users find Ahrefs to be quite expensive, especially with recent plan changes that have significantly increased the price for the same features

  • Lack of comprehensive mobile SERP overview: Ahrefs does not provide a comprehensive mobile SERP overview, which is seen as a limitation in an era where mobile search is on the rise

Main features

Starting Price

N/A

Free Plan

No

Content explorer

Site audit

Keyword research

Organic traffic analysis

Competitor analysis

Both Ahrefs and Semrush are established SEO software offering a suite of tools designed to help you boost your Google rankings and grow website traffic. To do this, they offer several common core tools for keyword research, backlinking, competitor analyses, and SEO site audits. 


The main difference between the two is the different add-ons they offer, beyond these core features. Ahrefs’s add-on is its Content Explorer which helps you understand high-performing content in your niche, generate content ideas, and identify link prospects. In addition to its core SEO tools, Semrush offers PPC and social media marketing tools to run metrics on paid and social media campaigns. Semrush has also developed a range of related products including Content Marketplace to connect website owners with writers, Content Outline Builder to create briefs, and Amazon Marketing tools.


These broader offerings potentially influence Semrush’s user interface which may initially appear overwhelming to some...

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Who is Ahrefs best for according to our reviewers?

  • SEO Professionals: These users appreciate Ahrefs for its robust features that provide insights into keyword performance and competitor strategies. However, they note the lack of a comprehensive mobile SERP overview and inaccurate rank tracking

  • Small and Medium Businesses: These users appreciate Ahrefs for its comprehensive SEO solutions, from backlink analysis to competitor monitoring. However, they find the new pricing less affordable and wish for a Lite package

  • Digital Marketing Teams: These groups find Ahrefs to be a time-saving tool, especially for conducting keyword research for multiple countries. However, they find the recent changes to the subscriptions and the cost of keyword tracking to be a disadvantage

  • Disappointed Users: These users express dissatisfaction with Ahrefs' credit system, pricing model, and customer service. They find the system unclear and not customer-friendly, and some have had issues with double charging and lack of response from customer service.

  • SEO Beginners: These users value Ahrefs for its user-friendly interface and educational content. They find the software beneficial for improving website performance and ranking. However, they find the cost to be a drawback

  • Ahrefs Reviews

    4.2

    Ahrefs rating

    4.5

    Ease of use

    4.5

    Customer service

    4.3

    Value for money

    4.5

    Likelihood to recommend

    4.7

    Features

    24 Ahrefs Reviews

    4.2 (24 reviews)
    Leave a review
    • Roger Johnson

      Top-tier Keyword Research Tool with Exceptional Backlink Analysis Capabilities

      After years of struggling with other tools due to insufficient data, I found Ahrefs to be the perfect solution. I have a client from the MENA region and it's always been a challenge to gather enough data for keyword research. Ahrefs, with its vast data storage, has helped me overcome this problem. In the SEO industry, I consider Ahrefs to be an essential tool and I can't envision any other tool that could replace it anytime soon. It assists in SEO audits, competitor analysis, and identifying quality backlinks, which enhances SEO planning. Despite feeling a bit pricey, it's incredibly useful. The interface is user-friendly and beginner-friendly, enabling me to conduct keyword research on approximately 10 different search engines. I can effortlessly track my website's backlinks and the content gap section offers valuable insights. It helps me identify content gaps and address them. Ahrefs has flawlessly resolved my issues with competitor analysis, backlink analysis, and SEO audits.

      September 14, 2024

    • Jack B

      Too pricey for new startups.

      I have been charged twice for almost three months. I have reached out to Support three times without receiving a response. The customer service is shockingly poor, seemingly non-existent.

      September 7, 2024

    • Alan Rodriguez

      Unrivalled SEO Tool with Comprehensive Features

      Ahrefs is a complete solution for all my SEO needs, covering everything from backlink analysis, keyword research, to competitor monitoring. It's especially powerful for SEOs focusing on backlinks and is more than adequate for maintaining a website and generating new keywords. It has the most active crawler among all SEO tools, covering everything from technical performance to keywords and backlinks. I value their commitment to educating the community, making it a great tool for anyone starting or advancing their SEO career. However, unlike competitors like Moz, they lack solutions for local SEO. Their new pricing is also slightly less affordable, and I wish they offered a Lite package for SMBs. I chose Ahrefs for its accurate, regularly updated data, better company direction, and faster solution development. Recently, they've started recognizing Local Packs in SERP, which could assist in local SEO efforts.

      September 2, 2024

    • Amabel S

      Embracing Ahrefs: A Refreshing Change in SEO Tools Pricing and Customer Service

      I am absolutely thrilled with Ahrefs' unique pricing model! Their monthly subscription is innovative, offering a credit pack of 5 units that allows me to control my usage. Every click on their website is a step towards more in-depth data, which I find incredibly exciting. They even provide an email address for any concerns or queries, which shows their commitment to customer service. I'm so glad I tried Ahrefs! While I've used Semrush in the past, which is a bit pricier, I find the transparency and control I get with Ahrefs to be a refreshing change. I'm definitely sticking with them!

      August 26, 2024

    • Charlotte Smith

      An Invaluable, User-Friendly SEO Toolkit: Ahrefs

      I've had an excellent experience with Ahrefs. The software is user-friendly and its features are incredibly beneficial. The customer service is also top-notch. I would definitely recommend Ahrefs to others. For example, I once had a client whose website was not performing well on Google for any relevant keywords. After doing keyword research, we found a set of low-competition keywords related to the client's business. We used Ahrefs to develop a link-building campaign and improve the website's on-page SEO. After several months, the website ranked on Google's first page for all targeted keywords. What I find most attractive about Ahrefs is its comprehensive and easy-to-use features. As an SEO Specialist, I find the Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, and Content Explorer particularly useful in understanding my website's ranking and content performance. Additionally, the Ahrefs blog is a great resource for keeping up-to-date with the latest industry news and trends. The only drawback to Ahrefs is its cost.

      August 19, 2024

    • Bruce S

      Three-Year Devoted User Review on Ahrefs

      As a faithful user for over 3 years, I am upset by the mandatory termination of the legacy plan. I've renewed it for now, but I dislike having to monitor my credit usage daily. The next plan is significantly more expensive, as are the additional credits. The platform has always been a reliable, professional tool, but it may be time to consider other options.

      August 13, 2024

    • Danielle

      Still the Reigning King of SEO and Backlink Research: Ahrefs

      My team and I have found Ahrefs to be a tool that saves us a lot of time. I've trained translators to use it for specific keyword research for their respective countries. It's not the easiest tool to use, but it's a professional one that meets all the needs of SEO/SEA/SEM experts. There are many tools out there, but Ahrefs provides everything needed for thorough SEO research. We've used it for competition, keyword, and backlink research for multiple countries, and the data has helped us create the best content and make necessary adjustments. However, there have been significant changes to the subscriptions. We still have the legacy subscription, but if we were to change, we would lose many options, which would be a downgrade for us. Also, keyword tracking can become expensive if you want to track more than 5000 keywords across multiple countries. We switched to Ahrefs because we had too many tools and needed a complete one, or we had to drop.

      August 3, 2024

    • Austin Brown

      Reliable Data Accuracy and Responsive Customer Support: Ahrefs Review

      The software's data accuracy is commendable, providing reliable and up-to-date information. Ahrefs' customer support is responsive and helpful, resolving any issues promptly

      July 27, 2024

    • Drake G

      Appreciating Ahrefs: Value for Money and Customer Loyalty

      I'm genuinely thrilled with how ahrefs has been treating its loyal customers. The prices have been adjusted to reflect the value of the service, which is more than double from our previous plan. I understand that changes and price adjustments are inevitable, but seeing the price reflect the quality of service from one month to the next is truly exciting and a sure way to retain clients.

      July 22, 2024

    • Ruth N

      Top-tier Tool for Keyword Research and Backlink Analysis: Ahrefs

      Ahrefs is certainly a powerhouse for keyword research, making it an essential tool for SEO enthusiasts and professionals like myself. Its robust features offer unparalleled insights into keyword performance and competitor strategies. However, I believe there are a few areas where Ahrefs could improve. Firstly, the absence of a comprehensive mobile SERP (Search Engine Results Page) overview is somewhat limiting in an era where mobile search is on the rise. Secondly, while Ahrefs excels in many aspects of rank tracking, I found it to be inaccurate in this area. Despite these minor issues, Ahrefs remains a vital tool for those like me who aim to enhance their SEO efforts and gain a competitive edge in the digital world. I value its powerful keyword research and backlink analysis capabilities, but I do notice the lack of a mobile SERP overview and inaccurate rank tracking. The vendor responded to my review, expressing gratitude for my feedback and encouraging me to contact their support team with specifics about the Rank Tracker inaccuracies.

      July 16, 2024

    • Martinez

      Auditing and Exploration with Ahrefs

      I've found the site audit feature particularly useful, it identifies potential issues and provides actionable recommendations to improve site health. Ahrefs' content explorer tool has been a game-changer, allowing me to discover popular content within my niche and gain inspiration for my own content creation

      July 9, 2024

    • Amber

      Hidden Truths about AHREFS Affiliates Won't Share

      I expressed disappointment with the credit system of the Ahrefs software, stating that it is unclear and not customer-friendly. I was surprised to find that every click on the platform consumes a credit, and with a monthly fee of 100 Euros, I only received 500 credits. I found this limiting, especially when conducting keyword research. I also compared Ahrefs to Ubersuggest, which is cheaper but has outdated data. I acknowledge that Ahrefs is a fantastic tool with many features, but I was disappointed with the credit system and the cost. In response, the vendor explained the reason for the credit system and provided tips on how to save credits. They also justified the pricing by explaining the costs involved in improving the product and maintaining their data center. Despite understanding my concerns, the vendor stated that the new system might not work for everyone and apologized for any inconvenience.

      July 1, 2024

    • Sophia

      A Game-Changing SEO Tool: Ahrefs Revolutionizes My Digital Marketing Strategy

      Overall, Ahrefs has significantly enhanced my SEO efforts, making it an indispensable tool in my digital marketing arsenal.

      June 25, 2024

    • John

      Experiencing the Unique and Exciting Subscription Model of Ahrefs

      Absolutely love Ahrefs! It's a unique model where you pay for credits, not just the tools. It's a bit like having a Spotify subscription, but with the added excitement of using credits each time you skip a track or crank up the volume. It adds a fun, game-like element to the experience. Plus, their business model is intriguing and keeps you on your toes. It's a refreshing change from the norm!

      June 18, 2024

    • Timothy

      Unsure about their traffic calculation

      The way Ahrefs calculates traffic is unknown to me, but I am certain it is incorrect and false. My website has never received traffic from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, as these three countries are blocked from accessing my site. Yet, Ahrefs displays India as a top source of traffic. I advise staying away from such scammers who demand money to rectify this.

      June 9, 2024

    • Shirley M

      User-friendly SEO Tool Offering Fundamental Insights

      Ahrefs gives me a clear overview of my key KPIs and simplifies them through its documentation. However, it's quite pricey for its premium features. The free version is good, but it requires me to share my data with them. In response to my review, the vendor clarified that sharing GSC data isn't mandatory. If users choose to verify through GSC, they can use that data to enhance their estimates, but there are other verification methods that don't require data sharing.

      June 1, 2024

    • Deborah B

      Ahrefs: The Ultimate Keyword Research and Rank Tracking Tool

      Ahrefs' keyword research tool is top-notch, it has helped me identify high-performing keywords and optimize my content accordingly. The rank tracking feature is another highlight, providing real-time updates on my website's ranking across various search engines

      May 28, 2024

    • Cheryl B

      Ahrefs: Competitive Analysis and Efficient Alerts

      The competitive analysis feature is excellent, it gives me a clear understanding of my competitors' strategies and helps me stay ahead. Ahrefs' alert system is very efficient, keeping me updated about new backlinks, keywords, and brand mentions

      May 19, 2024

    • Shirley M

      1-in-1 Toolset: Exceptional Value & Versatility

      Ahrefs is an advanced, cost-effective SEO tool suite with a wide range of features. Despite its somewhat bulky interface, it manages to strike a good balance between functionality and usability. However, its main shortcoming is in local SEO, where it falls behind tools like Bright Local and SEMrush, especially in local keyword reporting and tracking map pack rankings. Although I believe ScreamingFrog has a superior web crawler, I'm still impressed with Ahrefs' site audit and web crawler features. I opted for Ahrefs over BrightEdge due to its price and familiarity. I switched to Ahrefs because the previous tool was lacking in depth and accuracy in keyword volume measurements. I appreciate the vendor's response and their efforts to enhance the local SEO capabilities.

      May 14, 2024

    • Laura

      Improved Decision-Making with Comprehensive Backlink Analysis

      its comprehensive backlink analysis provides invaluable insights into my website's performance. The software's user-friendly interface and detailed reports have significantly improved my decision-making process

      May 4, 2024

    • Diana

      Ahrefs: Top-notch SEO Tool, but Recent Price Hike Challenges its Value

      Overall, I think Ahrefs is a powerful tool and they do a great job with their blog and educational content, teaching users how to fully utilize the tool's capabilities. However, due to a recession and budget cuts, I can no longer afford this tool, especially when there's a more affordable alternative that provides the same features. I love everything about Ahrefs, especially the keyword research functionality, website audit tool, backlink tracker, and rank tracker. However, recent plan changes have made Ahrefs almost three times more expensive for the same features, which is my main issue. I'm currently transitioning to Semrush, which offers more reasonable plans. I've always viewed Semrush as superior for paid search and Ahrefs as superior for organic search, but Semrush has significantly improved. I initially chose Ahrefs because of its pricing and value, but that's no longer the case. The vendor responded to my review, explaining the reasons for the price increase.

      April 29, 2024

    • Jason Rodriguez

      Ahrefs: A Game-Changer in SEO Strategy

      Ahrefs has been instrumental in my SEO strategy

      April 22, 2024

    • Stephanie

      Continuing to Adore Ahrefs!

      I used Ahrefs for my websites between 218 and 22, and returned to it this year for a new project. I'm not a fan of the new usage system and, as a private user on the lite plan, I find the cost steep after tax. I've also found it limiting not being able to access some important tools and update keywords. I wish they would allow private users more access to newer data, but I understand that could lead to everyone signing up for the lite plan. Despite these issues, I'm giving Ahrefs 5 stars because it's still the best option compared to others in the market. However, I hope they consider my feedback.

      April 14, 2024

    • Linda Smith

      Credit System is a Complete Farce

      I've been a long-time user of Ahrefs but was forced to switch to their new credit system. I find this system absolutely ridiculous and I'm considering switching to Semrush.

      April 14, 2024