âšď¸ Skipped - page is already crawled
| Filter | Status | Condition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP status | PASS | download_http_code = 200 | HTTP 200 |
| Age cutoff | PASS | download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH | 0.6 months ago |
| History drop | PASS | isNull(history_drop_reason) | No drop reason |
| Spam/ban | PASS | fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0 | ml_spam_score=0 |
| Canonical | PASS | meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed | Not set |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URL | https://learn.g2.com/is-ahrefs-worth-it |
| Last Crawled | 2026-03-21 01:29:17 (17 days ago) |
| First Indexed | 2024-12-03 16:39:39 (1 year ago) |
| HTTP Status Code | 200 |
| Meta Title | Is Ahrefs Worth It Or Just Hype? The Real Scoop From G2 Users |
| Meta Description | Is Ahrefs worth it or overhyped? Read my honest take on its pros and cons. Discover what real G2 users think about Ahrefs and its features. |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | Ahrefs
starts at $108 a month, which adds up to about $1,200 a year for a plan designed for small businesses. If youâre a freelance SEO consultant or run an enterprise, you'll be shelling out anywhere between $2,400 to $14,990 per year.
Having used Ahrefs for nearly eight years across freelance and full-time content marketing roles, I understand why you might choose it over other
SEO tools
. Ahrefs has come a long way since its days as a link-building tool ten years back. Today, it packs a lot of features like site audit, AI content grader, and Pages 2.0 report.Â
But letâs address the big question: is Ahrefs worth it? Spoiler alert: I wonât give you the classic â
it depends
â answer we often hear in most SEO and content marketing conversations.Â
For context, some users noted a
29%
price increase in 2024, which probably makes you think about potential future price hikes. On the flip side, Ahrefs launched a more affordable Starter plan, which gives you
100 credits
for $29 every month.
While you can continue using their free webmaster tools, what should you evaluate when considering an upgrade? Many SEO specialists ask, âIs Ahrefs worth the subscription price in 2025?â This review will explore exactly that question, and more.Â
Ahrefs ranks #16 as per G2âs Fall 2025 Grid Report for SEO tools. Buyers are encouraged to consider individual needs when making purchase decisions.Â
Whatâs the difference between Ahrefsâ free and paid tools?
Skip this section if you arenât new to SEO.
Ahrefs doesnât offer a free trial. Comparing Ahrefs' free SEO tools with the paid versions isnât really fair. Most of the free tools they offer are for simple tasks that beginners may find useful. But if youâre hoping to get serious work done, these free tools wonât take you far.Â
Features
Free Tools
Paid Plan
Dashboard
Site explorer
Keyword explorer
Site audit
Rank tracker
Competitive analysis
SERP history
Page inspect
Ahrefs offers eight free SEO tools:
Keyword generator:
Generate up to 20 keywords
Keyword difficulty checker:
Evaluate how hard it is to rank for a particular keyword
SERP checker:
Look at the
SERP
overview of the first four results
Keyword rank checker:
Check if your website ranks in the top 100 for a specific keyword
Backlink checker:
See the domain rating of your website and the total number of backlinks
Broken link checker:
Find the number of broken links on your website
Website authority checker:
Check your websiteâs authority
Website traffic checker:
See your websiteâs organic traffic and traffic value
As you can see, these tools are quite limited. That said,
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
gives website owners limited free access to site explorer and site audit features. Letâs get to the good part and see if the paid plans are worth your money.Â
Are Ahrefs features worth the price? What G2 users think
G2 users admire Ahrefsâ site explorer, backlink checker, competitive analysis, keyword explorer, site audit, and opportunities features. I totally agreeâthese features are a goldmine for
SEO
and content marketing professionals who need data to figure out whatâs working, what isnât, and what needs fixing. Letâs see how these features can help you:
Site explorer
This is the section where you land after logging into Ahrefs. Site explorer analyzes a websiteâs organic traffic, total keywords, and backlinks. The best part of this feature is that it compiles all this SEO data into a single dashboard.Â
One thing I really like about site explorer is how it gives location-specific traffic insights. Plus, I can connect these insights with content changes and algorithm updates, shown by green circles and "a" symbols on the timeline.
Site explorer also shows you organic keywords by intent, lists your top organic competitors, and categorizes crawled pages with their HTTP codes.
What G2 users are saying:
âAhrefs offers a lot of features with an abundance of data to help better analysis, such as the Site Explorer tool to see where a site stands in its overall performance, the Keyword Explorer tool to find trending low competition keywords to work on, the Site Audit feature to audit how effective the efforts are and to identify gaps, and the Rank Tracker tool to see how the site is performing in comparison to competitors.â
-
Ahrefs Review
, Jayant G., Search Engine Optimization Analyst
Backlink checker
One of the most common purchase drivers is link building. Many people ask, âIs Ahrefs worth paying for if I focus mostly on link building?â The Backlink checker does what it says; it shows you the complete backlink profile of a website.Â
Most SEO tools offer something similar, but I like the variety of filters you can use here. For example, you can filter backlinks by types, DR of websites from where they come, traffic of referring domains, anchor text, and even by date range.Â
What G2 users are saying:
âI cannot not mention the backlink profile. This tool is excellent for checking the quality and quantity of backlinks both for my website and my competitors. Seeing the link growth over time, the top referring domains, and the overall backlink profile helps me fine-tune my link-building strategies.â
-
Ahrefs Review
, Sanjay G., Content Strategy Head
Competitive analysis
This feature helps with a content gap analysis of your website by comparing what your competitors rank for versus what you donât. Enter your websiteâs domain and one or two competitor URLs to get started. In fact, âIs Ahrefs worth it for tracking competitor backlinks in 2025?â is one of the top questions users ask.
The content gap report offers a ton of data, but you must know why youâre doing the competitive analysis in the first place. Thatâs when you can use the different filters like SERP features, keyword difficulty, keyword, and search volume in the right way.Â
For example, if Iâm working on a featured snippet project, it makes sense to track which keywords my competitors use to drive traffic from featured snippets and AI overviews (AIOs). Iâm not saying you have to write using these keywords. But if you already have content targeting them, it might be worth optimizing them to rank for featured snippets or AIOs.
Keyword explorer
This is perhaps the most commonly used tool by beginners and pros alike. Keyword research tool lets you
analyze keywords
, their search volumes, CPC, CTR, and the history of SERP positions. Many casual users wonder, âIs Ahrefs worth it if I only do keyword research occasionally?â For those cases, starter option may suffice.
I love how Ahrefs has evolved over the past few years to provide more keyword data. You can filter keywords by parent topic, check how their search volumes have changed over the last year, see their traffic potential, and even assess their intent.
Another standout feature for me is the ability to compare todayâs SERP with what it looked like three or six months ago. It works great when youâre trying to figure out whether your article traffic has dropped due to intent shifts or competitor advancements.
You can also use AI to find pain points, technical concepts, and subtopics related to your topics.Â
Keyword explorer helps find data on specific keywords but doesnât automatically discover new keywords to target.
What G2 users are saying:
âI like how Keyword Explorer provides the keyword with its difficulty and click ratio. Click ratio is very important for us; it's the true metric that helps us understand whether to make it a primary or secondary keyword.â
-
Ahrefs Review
, Nitin R., Vice President SEO
Site audit
Ahrefsâ site audit features crawls and scans your website pages for over 170 technical and on-page issues, including core web vitals, indexability, social tags, redirects, and JS/CSS issues. In the end, you get a health score that shows the proportion of error-free internal URLs on your site. You also get recommendations on fixing technical and
on-page SEO
issues.Â
My take on it? You donât have to be in
technical SEO
to get the most out of the site audit feature. I recently used the site audit to find and fix pages with broken links and 404 errors as part of an interlinking project.Â
What G2 users are saying:
âI've never seen such an in-depth yet easy-to-understand breakdown of my website's health. From performance issues to broken links, from security issues to content quality, Ahrefs' site audit tool gives me a detailed report with suggestions for fixes. It's almost like having a personal SEO consultant!â
-
Ahrefs Review
, Sanjay G., Content Strategy Head
Opportunities
When you enter a website URL in Site Explorer, youâll come across the Opportunities feature on the left panel. This section shows you low-hanging fruit keywords, featured snippet opportunities, content with declining traffic, and so much more.Â
This feature comes in handy when I want to quickly evaluate different opportunities before pursuing them.Â
Enough about the good stuff; letâs look at where Ahrefs falls short.
What do G2 users dislike about Ahrefs?
The infamous credit system, along with high pricing and poor customer support, seems to be the top reasons why G2 users dislike Ahrefs. Letâs break these down.
Credit system
Ahrefs tracks data usage with credits. All tools except Site Audit and Rank Tracker consume 1 credit when you access reports, apply filters, or request new data. Standalone tools like Batch Analysis, Page Inspect, and Looker Studio also use credits when you access them.Â
All pricing plans, except the Lite plan, come with unlimited credits. On the Lite plan, you get up to 500 credits per user each month, and if you go over that limit, youâll be charged extra.Â
For users on the Lite plan, additional credits cost:
$50 per 500 credits (pay-as-you-go), billed monthly
$300 annually to prepay for 500 extra credits each month
Many users arenât big fans of this credit system, especially agencies managing multiple accounts.
What G2 users are saying:
âThe credit system is not ideal for agency users. I have a yearly subscription of $1990, but it would cost me an additional $500 to $600 per month, resulting in a total cost of around $8000 per year. With this budget, there are many other options available in the market. It wouldn't cost as much even if I choose to use 2 to 3 tools simultaneously.â
-
Ahrefs Review
, Yannick X., Small Business
High prices
Users find Ahrefsâ pricing models complex because of the credit system. Some have also noted that Ahrefs' prices are relatively higher than those of other SEO tools available on the market.Â
What G2 users are saying:
âIt's pricing is always changing. After being forced to migrate from a legacy account, I migrated to a more expensive plan. After a few weeks of using it, I realized I couldn't use to tool anymore because I hit my usage limit. That limit? 600 events a month.
I've never used a tool that is this expensive and has a basic usage limit. I pay over $2,000 a year to be heavily restricted in the usage of the tool. How am I expected to drive value and learn new features and functionalities of the tool if I can't even use it to the day-to-day requirement level?â
-
Ahrefs Review
, Levi O., Associate Director, Content Marketing
Poor customer support
Users also cite a lack of empathetic customer service as another reason they dislike Ahrefs. Some reviews point out that users couldnât reach their CSMs when they needed help.
What G2 users are saying:
âIf you made your account over two weeks ago, you are locked out of new features under the same plan at the same price. The lady from the live chat insisted the only way to fix it was to cancel our account and start a new one.Â
This is insane. Are new features being locked out from existing subscribers at the same level? At previous positions, I was able to use the beta version of new features. Now, I can't even get what I paid for.
Customer service was of absolutely no help. Just the same circles over and over. And when I tried to reach out to the support email, it just took me to the same exact person who refused to help us.â
-
Ahrefs Review
, Brandon S., Search Engine Optimization Manager
How much does Ahrefs cost in 2025?
Ahrefs offers five pricing options: Starter, Lite, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise.
Starter planÂ
costs you $29/month and is perfect for beginners. It provides access to basic features like Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, and Site Audit.
Lite plan
costs you $1,290 per year or $129 per month if you choose to pay monthly. It features six months of history, 500 credits per user, and 750 tracked keywords.
Standard plan
costs $2,490 per year or $249 when paid monthly. It includes 20 projects, two years of history, unlimited credits, and 2,000 tracked keywords.
Advanced plan
costs $4,490 per year or $449 per month. It features five years of history, unlimited credits, 50 projects, and 5,000 tracked keywords.
Enterprise plan
costs $14,990 annually. This plan gives you 100 projects, unlimited history, unlimited credits, and 10,000 tracked keywords.Â
* Pricing data is accurate as of September 2025 and may change with future updates.
How does Ahrefs compare to SEMrush and other SEO tools?
Still undecided between Ahrefs and its competitors? A side-by-side comparison can make the decision easier. Below is a quick snapshot of how Ahrefs stacks up against Semrush and Moz Pro across pricing, features, and best use cases.
Features
Ahrefs
SEMrush
Moz Pro
Price (annual billing)
$108/month
$117.33/month
$39/month
Free trial
â
â
7 days
â
30 days
Backlink analysis
Best-in-class
Strong
Basic
Keyword research depth
Extensive
Extensive
Limited
Site audit coverage
170+ checks
Robust
Moderate
Competitor analysis
Yes
Yes
Limited
AI features
AI Content Grader, Pages 2.0
SEO Writing Assistant
â
Best fit
Content teams and SEO pros
Agencies (SEO + PPC)
Beginners and teams with a smaller budget
TL;DR:Â
Ahrefs:
Best for deep backlink analysis and keyword research, but no free trial.
Semrush:
Strong all-in-one tool for agencies (SEO + PPC), slightly more expensive than Ahrefs.
Moz Pro:
Budget-friendly starter option, but less powerful for competitive research.
Ahrefs: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q. Is Ahrefs worth the subscription price in 2025?
Yes. For teams that rely heavily on SEO insights â like tracking backlinks, running audits, and competitor analysis â Ahrefs continues to provide strong ROI in 2025. Solo users may find the cost harder to justify.
Q. How effective is Ahrefs for small businesses and startups?
Ahrefs is powerful but often pricey for startups. Many small businesses start with free tools like Google Search Console, then upgrade to Ahrefs when they need deeper backlink or competitive data.
Q. Is Ahrefs worth it compared to free SEO tools like Google Search Console?
Ahrefs provides far more depth in backlink tracking, keyword research, and competitive analysis than GSC. That said, GSC remains the best free baseline for site owners.
Q. Does Ahrefs offer a free trial?
No, Ahrefs doesnât offer a free trial, which can make it challenging for new users to determine whether itâs the right fit for them.
Q. Does Ahrefs provide enough value for bloggers and content creators?
Yes. If content is your main growth channel. Bloggers use Ahrefs to discover keyword gaps, analyze competitor content, and identify link opportunities.
Q. Is Ahrefs worth it if I only do keyword research occasionally?
Probably not. Occasional keyword research can be handled with Google Keyword Planner or Semrushâs free tier. Ahrefs makes more sense if keyword data is a weekly or daily need.
Q. How does Ahrefs compare to Semrush and other SEO tools?
Ahrefs excels in backlink data and keyword depth, while Semrush offers broader all-in-one marketing features (PPC, social, and content). Moz is cheaper but less robust.
Q. Is Ahrefs worth paying for if I focus mostly on link building?
Yes. Link building is Ahrefsâ original strength. Its backlink index is one of the largest and most reliable, making it the top choice for link builders.
Q. Can freelancers and agencies justify the cost of Ahrefs?
Yes, especially agencies handling multiple clients. The credit system can be limiting, but the data depth often justifies the price for professional users.
Q. Is Ahrefs worth it for tracking competitor backlinks in 2025?
Definitely. Competitor backlink tracking is one of the most common and valuable use cases for Ahrefs in 2025.
Q. What do real users say about whether Ahrefs is worth it?
According to G2 reviews, 77% of users rate Ahrefs 5 stars. Many highlight its depth of data, though some note frustration with pricing and credits.
Q. Is Ahrefs accurate?
According to a study conducted by
AuthorityHacker
, Ahrefs has an average discrepancy of 22.5% and 0.99 correlation with Google Search Console (GSC) data. This shows that Ahrefsâ quality of search traffic estimations is at par with GSC.Â
Q. Ahrefs vs. Semrush: What should you choose?
If youâre just looking at price, Ahrefs comes out cheaper if you pay annually. Semrush costs $117.33 a month, while Ahrefs costs $108 per month on a yearly plan.Â
Ahrefs offers in-depth backlink analysis, content gap identification, and keyword research, while Semrush provides robust features for SEO, PPC, social media management, and competitive analysis. I feel Ahrefs suits content marketers focused on organic growth, whereas Semrush is best for agencies managing multiple aspects of digital marketing. Feel free to check out the best
alternatives to Semrush
, too!
Q. Moz vs. Ahrefs: Which is better for SEO?
Moz is cheaper than Ahrefs. On a yearly plan, Ahrefs costs $108 per month, while Moz starts at just $39 per month. While both SEO tools focus on Google, Moz also provides you with data from search engines like Yahoo and Bing.Â
A 2022
study
by Tylor Hermanson and his team found Ahrefs ranked for twice as many keywords as Semrush, which itself had more than double the keywords of Moz. For Tylorâs clients, Ahrefs delivered nearly five times the amount of ranking keywords compared to Moz.Â
Is Ahrefs worth it or overrated? My honest take
I promised I wouldnât give you the classic â
it depends
â answer. So, let's cut to the chase: Ahrefs is worth the investment if it aligns with your goals and team structure.
Any investment in content marketing tools is only worthwhile if it helps you improve the metrics that matter most to your business.
So, hereâs what you should ask yourself: who on your team will actually use Ahrefs, and how? If your answer doesnât involve at least two people, you might be better off sticking with Google Search Console and Google Keyword Planner.
But if youâre thinking about getting Ahrefs for a team of writers, content strategists, and SEO specialists, youâve got to ask yourself a few questions. Is your team aligned on goals to fully benefit from Ahrefs' offerings? Do you need comprehensive data beyond what free tools provide? Do you have the budget to support a long-term subscription? Do you have the metrics to measure success with Ahrefs? Can Ahrefs integrate smoothly into your current workflow?
If you answered yes to all of the above, go for it! But if budget is a sticking point, plenty of alternatives offer similar competitive insights to help you drive SEO results.
Check out six
AIO strategies
that your SEO and content marketing team can use to drive traffic to your website.Â
This article was originally published in 2024. It has been updated with new information.
Sudipto Paul
Sudipto Paul leads the SEO content team at G2 in India. He focuses on shaping SEO content strategies that drive high-intent referral traffic and ensure your brand is front-and-center as LLMs change the way buyers discover software. He also runs Content Strategy Insider, a newsletter where he regularly breaks down his insights on content and search. Want to connect? Say hi to him on LinkedIn. |
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**[Marketing](https://learn.g2.com/tag/marketing)**
# Is Ahrefs Worth It Or Just Hype? The Real Scoop From G2 Users
September 3, 2025
[](https://learn.g2.com/author/sudipto-paul?hsLang=en) by [Sudipto Paul](https://learn.g2.com/author/sudipto-paul?hsLang=en) / September 3, 2025
[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://learn.g2.com/is-ahrefs-worth-it&text=Is%20Ahrefs%20Worth%20It%20Or%20Just%20Hype?%20The%20Real%20Scoop%20From%20G2%20Users%20via%20@G2dotcom)
**Table of Contents**
- [Whatâs the difference between Ahrefsâ free and paid tools?](https://learn.g2.com/is-ahrefs-worth-it#ahrefs-free-vs-paid)
- [Are Ahrefs features worth the price? What G2 users think](https://learn.g2.com/is-ahrefs-worth-it#are-ahrefs-features-worth-the-price)
- [What do G2 users dislike about Ahrefs?](https://learn.g2.com/is-ahrefs-worth-it#reasons-why-g2-users-dislike-ahrefs)
- [How much does Ahrefs cost in 2025?](https://learn.g2.com/is-ahrefs-worth-it#ahrefs-pricing)
- [How does Ahrefs compare to SEMrush and other SEO tools?](https://learn.g2.com/is-ahrefs-worth-it#ahrefs-vs-semrush-vs-moz)
- [Ahrefs: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)](https://learn.g2.com/is-ahrefs-worth-it#ahrefs-faqs)
[Ahrefs](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews) starts at \$108 a month, which adds up to about \$1,200 a year for a plan designed for small businesses. If youâre a freelance SEO consultant or run an enterprise, you'll be shelling out anywhere between \$2,400 to \$14,990 per year.
Having used Ahrefs for nearly eight years across freelance and full-time content marketing roles, I understand why you might choose it over other [SEO tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/seo-tools). Ahrefs has come a long way since its days as a link-building tool ten years back. Today, it packs a lot of features like site audit, AI content grader, and Pages 2.0 report.
But letâs address the big question: is Ahrefs worth it? Spoiler alert: I wonât give you the classic âit dependsâ answer we often hear in most SEO and content marketing conversations.
For context, some users noted a [29%](https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/ahrefs-pricing-increase-30.1599622/#:~:text=%231-,I%27m%20really%20getting%20tired%20of%20Ahrefs.%20I%27ve%20been%20working%20in%20SEO,out%20there%20that%20can%20meet%20my%20needs%20without%20breaking%20the%20bank.,-Advertise%20on%20BHW) price increase in 2024, which probably makes you think about potential future price hikes. On the flip side, Ahrefs launched a more affordable Starter plan, which gives you [100 credits](https://ahrefs.com/blog/starter-plan/) for \$29 every month.
While you can continue using their free webmaster tools, what should you evaluate when considering an upgrade? Many SEO specialists ask, âIs Ahrefs worth the subscription price in 2025?â This review will explore exactly that question, and more.
## 77%
of reviewers have rated Ahrefs 5 stars on G2.
*Source:* [Ahrefs Reviews on G2.com](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews)
*Ahrefs ranks \#16 as per G2âs Fall 2025 Grid Report for SEO tools. Buyers are encouraged to consider individual needs when making purchase decisions.*
## Whatâs the difference between Ahrefsâ free and paid tools?
Skip this section if you arenât new to SEO.
Ahrefs doesnât offer a free trial. Comparing Ahrefs' free SEO tools with the paid versions isnât really fair. Most of the free tools they offer are for simple tasks that beginners may find useful. But if youâre hoping to get serious work done, these free tools wonât take you far.
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| **Features** | **Free Tools** | **Paid Plan** |
| Dashboard | | |
| Site explorer | | |
| Keyword explorer | | |
| Site audit | | |
| Rank tracker | | |
| Competitive analysis | | |
| SERP history | | |
| Page inspect | | |
Ahrefs offers eight free SEO tools:
1. Keyword generator: Generate up to 20 keywords
2. Keyword difficulty checker: Evaluate how hard it is to rank for a particular keyword
3. SERP checker: Look at the [SERP](https://www.g2.com/glossary/search-engine-results-page-serp-definition) overview of the first four results
4. Keyword rank checker: Check if your website ranks in the top 100 for a specific keyword
5. Backlink checker: See the domain rating of your website and the total number of backlinks
6. Broken link checker: Find the number of broken links on your website
7. Website authority checker: Check your websiteâs authority
8. Website traffic checker: See your websiteâs organic traffic and traffic value
As you can see, these tools are quite limited. That said, [Ahrefs Webmaster Tools](https://ahrefs.com/pricing#:~:text=Get%20started-,Ahrefs%20Webmaster%20Tools,-Limited%20free%20access) gives website owners limited free access to site explorer and site audit features. Letâs get to the good part and see if the paid plans are worth your money.
## Are Ahrefs features worth the price? What G2 users think
G2 users admire Ahrefsâ site explorer, backlink checker, competitive analysis, keyword explorer, site audit, and opportunities features. I totally agreeâthese features are a goldmine for [SEO](https://learn.g2.com/how-does-seo-work?hsLang=en) and content marketing professionals who need data to figure out whatâs working, what isnât, and what needs fixing. Letâs see how these features can help you:
### Site explorer
This is the section where you land after logging into Ahrefs. Site explorer analyzes a websiteâs organic traffic, total keywords, and backlinks. The best part of this feature is that it compiles all this SEO data into a single dashboard.
One thing I really like about site explorer is how it gives location-specific traffic insights. Plus, I can connect these insights with content changes and algorithm updates, shown by green circles and "a" symbols on the timeline.
Site explorer also shows you organic keywords by intent, lists your top organic competitors, and categorizes crawled pages with their HTTP codes.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âAhrefs offers a lot of features with an abundance of data to help better analysis, such as the Site Explorer tool to see where a site stands in its overall performance, the Keyword Explorer tool to find trending low competition keywords to work on, the Site Audit feature to audit how effective the efforts are and to identify gaps, and the Rank Tracker tool to see how the site is performing in comparison to competitors.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-6836676), Jayant G., Search Engine Optimization Analyst
### Backlink checker
One of the most common purchase drivers is link building. Many people ask, âIs Ahrefs worth paying for if I focus mostly on link building?â The Backlink checker does what it says; it shows you the complete backlink profile of a website.
Most SEO tools offer something similar, but I like the variety of filters you can use here. For example, you can filter backlinks by types, DR of websites from where they come, traffic of referring domains, anchor text, and even by date range.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âI cannot not mention the backlink profile. This tool is excellent for checking the quality and quantity of backlinks both for my website and my competitors. Seeing the link growth over time, the top referring domains, and the overall backlink profile helps me fine-tune my link-building strategies.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-8172145), Sanjay G., Content Strategy Head
### Competitive analysis
This feature helps with a content gap analysis of your website by comparing what your competitors rank for versus what you donât. Enter your websiteâs domain and one or two competitor URLs to get started. In fact, âIs Ahrefs worth it for tracking competitor backlinks in 2025?â is one of the top questions users ask.
The content gap report offers a ton of data, but you must know why youâre doing the competitive analysis in the first place. Thatâs when you can use the different filters like SERP features, keyword difficulty, keyword, and search volume in the right way.
For example, if Iâm working on a featured snippet project, it makes sense to track which keywords my competitors use to drive traffic from featured snippets and AI overviews (AIOs). Iâm not saying you have to write using these keywords. But if you already have content targeting them, it might be worth optimizing them to rank for featured snippets or AIOs.
### Keyword explorer
This is perhaps the most commonly used tool by beginners and pros alike. Keyword research tool lets you [analyze keywords](https://learn.g2.com/how-to-do-keyword-research?hsLang=en), their search volumes, CPC, CTR, and the history of SERP positions. Many casual users wonder, âIs Ahrefs worth it if I only do keyword research occasionally?â For those cases, starter option may suffice.
I love how Ahrefs has evolved over the past few years to provide more keyword data. You can filter keywords by parent topic, check how their search volumes have changed over the last year, see their traffic potential, and even assess their intent.
Another standout feature for me is the ability to compare todayâs SERP with what it looked like three or six months ago. It works great when youâre trying to figure out whether your article traffic has dropped due to intent shifts or competitor advancements.
You can also use AI to find pain points, technical concepts, and subtopics related to your topics.
Keyword explorer helps find data on specific keywords but doesnât automatically discover new keywords to target.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âI like how Keyword Explorer provides the keyword with its difficulty and click ratio. Click ratio is very important for us; it's the true metric that helps us understand whether to make it a primary or secondary keyword.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-8647288), Nitin R., Vice President SEO
### Site audit
Ahrefsâ site audit features crawls and scans your website pages for over 170 technical and on-page issues, including core web vitals, indexability, social tags, redirects, and JS/CSS issues. In the end, you get a health score that shows the proportion of error-free internal URLs on your site. You also get recommendations on fixing technical and [on-page SEO](https://learn.g2.com/on-page-seo?hsLang=en) issues.
My take on it? You donât have to be in [technical SEO](https://learn.g2.com/technical-seo-mistakes?hsLang=en) to get the most out of the site audit feature. I recently used the site audit to find and fix pages with broken links and 404 errors as part of an interlinking project.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âI've never seen such an in-depth yet easy-to-understand breakdown of my website's health. From performance issues to broken links, from security issues to content quality, Ahrefs' site audit tool gives me a detailed report with suggestions for fixes. It's almost like having a personal SEO consultant!â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-8172145), Sanjay G., Content Strategy Head
### Opportunities
When you enter a website URL in Site Explorer, youâll come across the Opportunities feature on the left panel. This section shows you low-hanging fruit keywords, featured snippet opportunities, content with declining traffic, and so much more.
This feature comes in handy when I want to quickly evaluate different opportunities before pursuing them.
Enough about the good stuff; letâs look at where Ahrefs falls short.
## What do G2 users dislike about Ahrefs?
The infamous credit system, along with high pricing and poor customer support, seems to be the top reasons why G2 users dislike Ahrefs. Letâs break these down.
### Credit system
Ahrefs tracks data usage with credits. All tools except Site Audit and Rank Tracker consume 1 credit when you access reports, apply filters, or request new data. Standalone tools like Batch Analysis, Page Inspect, and Looker Studio also use credits when you access them.
All pricing plans, except the Lite plan, come with unlimited credits. On the Lite plan, you get up to 500 credits per user each month, and if you go over that limit, youâll be charged extra.
For users on the Lite plan, additional credits cost:
- \$50 per 500 credits (pay-as-you-go), billed monthly
- \$300 annually to prepay for 500 extra credits each month
Many users arenât big fans of this credit system, especially agencies managing multiple accounts.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âThe credit system is not ideal for agency users. I have a yearly subscription of \$1990, but it would cost me an additional \$500 to \$600 per month, resulting in a total cost of around \$8000 per year. With this budget, there are many other options available in the market. It wouldn't cost as much even if I choose to use 2 to 3 tools simultaneously.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-8200825), Yannick X., Small Business
### High prices
Users find Ahrefsâ pricing models complex because of the credit system. Some have also noted that Ahrefs' prices are relatively higher than those of other SEO tools available on the market.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âIt's pricing is always changing. After being forced to migrate from a legacy account, I migrated to a more expensive plan. After a few weeks of using it, I realized I couldn't use to tool anymore because I hit my usage limit. That limit? 600 events a month.
I've never used a tool that is this expensive and has a basic usage limit. I pay over \$2,000 a year to be heavily restricted in the usage of the tool. How am I expected to drive value and learn new features and functionalities of the tool if I can't even use it to the day-to-day requirement level?â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-7166063), Levi O., Associate Director, Content Marketing
### Poor customer support
Users also cite a lack of empathetic customer service as another reason they dislike Ahrefs. Some reviews point out that users couldnât reach their CSMs when they needed help.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âIf you made your account over two weeks ago, you are locked out of new features under the same plan at the same price. The lady from the live chat insisted the only way to fix it was to cancel our account and start a new one.
This is insane. Are new features being locked out from existing subscribers at the same level? At previous positions, I was able to use the beta version of new features. Now, I can't even get what I paid for.
Customer service was of absolutely no help. Just the same circles over and over. And when I tried to reach out to the support email, it just took me to the same exact person who refused to help us.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-5471914), Brandon S., Search Engine Optimization Manager
## How much does Ahrefs cost in 2025?
Ahrefs offers five pricing options: Starter, Lite, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise.
- **Starter plan** costs you \$29/month and is perfect for beginners. It provides access to basic features like Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, and Site Audit.
- **Lite plan** costs you \$1,290 per year or \$129 per month if you choose to pay monthly. It features six months of history, 500 credits per user, and 750 tracked keywords.
- **Standard plan** costs \$2,490 per year or \$249 when paid monthly. It includes 20 projects, two years of history, unlimited credits, and 2,000 tracked keywords.
- **Advanced plan** costs \$4,490 per year or \$449 per month. It features five years of history, unlimited credits, 50 projects, and 5,000 tracked keywords.
- **Enterprise plan** costs \$14,990 annually. This plan gives you 100 projects, unlimited history, unlimited credits, and 10,000 tracked keywords.
*\* Pricing data is accurate as of September 2025 and may change with future updates.*
## How does Ahrefs compare to SEMrush and other SEO tools?
Still undecided between Ahrefs and its competitors? A side-by-side comparison can make the decision easier. Below is a quick snapshot of how Ahrefs stacks up against Semrush and Moz Pro across pricing, features, and best use cases.
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Features** | **Ahrefs** | **SEMrush** | **Moz Pro** |
| Price (annual billing) | \$108/month | \$117.33/month | \$39/month |
| Free trial | â | â
7 days | â
30 days |
| Backlink analysis | Best-in-class | Strong | Basic |
| Keyword research depth | Extensive | Extensive | Limited |
| Site audit coverage | 170+ checks | Robust | Moderate |
| Competitor analysis | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| AI features | AI Content Grader, Pages 2.0 | SEO Writing Assistant | â |
| Best fit | Content teams and SEO pros | Agencies (SEO + PPC) | Beginners and teams with a smaller budget |
TL;DR:
- **Ahrefs:** Best for deep backlink analysis and keyword research, but no free trial.
- **Semrush:** Strong all-in-one tool for agencies (SEO + PPC), slightly more expensive than Ahrefs.
- **Moz Pro:** Budget-friendly starter option, but less powerful for competitive research.
#### What Ahrefs alternatives do G2 users recommend?
While Ahrefs continues to be a popular choice among content marketing and SEO professionals, G2 users also recommend tools like Google Search Console, Semrush, Moz Pro, and SE Ranking.
- [Ahrefs vs. Google Search Console](https://www.g2.com/compare/ahrefs-vs-google-search-console)
- [Ahrefs vs. Semrush](https://www.g2.com/compare/ahrefs-vs-semrush)
- [Ahrefs vs. Moz Pro](https://www.g2.com/compare/ahrefs-vs-moz-pro)
- [Ahrefs vs. SE Ranking](https://www.g2.com/compare/ahrefs-vs-se-ranking)
## Ahrefs: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth the subscription price in 2025?
Yes. For teams that rely heavily on SEO insights â like tracking backlinks, running audits, and competitor analysis â Ahrefs continues to provide strong ROI in 2025. Solo users may find the cost harder to justify.
### Q. How effective is Ahrefs for small businesses and startups?
Ahrefs is powerful but often pricey for startups. Many small businesses start with free tools like Google Search Console, then upgrade to Ahrefs when they need deeper backlink or competitive data.
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth it compared to free SEO tools like Google Search Console?
Ahrefs provides far more depth in backlink tracking, keyword research, and competitive analysis than GSC. That said, GSC remains the best free baseline for site owners.
### Q. Does Ahrefs offer a free trial?
No, Ahrefs doesnât offer a free trial, which can make it challenging for new users to determine whether itâs the right fit for them.
### Q. Does Ahrefs provide enough value for bloggers and content creators?
Yes. If content is your main growth channel. Bloggers use Ahrefs to discover keyword gaps, analyze competitor content, and identify link opportunities.
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth it if I only do keyword research occasionally?
Probably not. Occasional keyword research can be handled with Google Keyword Planner or Semrushâs free tier. Ahrefs makes more sense if keyword data is a weekly or daily need.
### Q. How does Ahrefs compare to Semrush and other SEO tools?
Ahrefs excels in backlink data and keyword depth, while Semrush offers broader all-in-one marketing features (PPC, social, and content). Moz is cheaper but less robust.
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth paying for if I focus mostly on link building?
Yes. Link building is Ahrefsâ original strength. Its backlink index is one of the largest and most reliable, making it the top choice for link builders.
### Q. Can freelancers and agencies justify the cost of Ahrefs?
Yes, especially agencies handling multiple clients. The credit system can be limiting, but the data depth often justifies the price for professional users.
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth it for tracking competitor backlinks in 2025?
Definitely. Competitor backlink tracking is one of the most common and valuable use cases for Ahrefs in 2025.
### Q. What do real users say about whether Ahrefs is worth it?
According to G2 reviews, 77% of users rate Ahrefs 5 stars. Many highlight its depth of data, though some note frustration with pricing and credits.
### Q. Is Ahrefs accurate?
According to a study conducted by [AuthorityHacker](https://ahrefs.com/blog/traffic-estimations-accuracy), Ahrefs has an average discrepancy of 22.5% and 0.99 correlation with Google Search Console (GSC) data. This shows that Ahrefsâ quality of search traffic estimations is at par with GSC.
### Q. Ahrefs vs. Semrush: What should you choose?
If youâre just looking at price, Ahrefs comes out cheaper if you pay annually. Semrush costs \$117.33 a month, while Ahrefs costs \$108 per month on a yearly plan.
Ahrefs offers in-depth backlink analysis, content gap identification, and keyword research, while Semrush provides robust features for SEO, PPC, social media management, and competitive analysis. I feel Ahrefs suits content marketers focused on organic growth, whereas Semrush is best for agencies managing multiple aspects of digital marketing. Feel free to check out the best [alternatives to Semrush](https://learn.g2.com/semrush-alternatives?hsLang=en), too\!
### Q. Moz vs. Ahrefs: Which is better for SEO?
Moz is cheaper than Ahrefs. On a yearly plan, Ahrefs costs \$108 per month, while Moz starts at just \$39 per month. While both SEO tools focus on Google, Moz also provides you with data from search engines like Yahoo and Bing.
A 2022 [study](https://searchengineland.com/keyword-size-gsc-ahrefs-semrush-moz-387980) by Tylor Hermanson and his team found Ahrefs ranked for twice as many keywords as Semrush, which itself had more than double the keywords of Moz. For Tylorâs clients, Ahrefs delivered nearly five times the amount of ranking keywords compared to Moz.
#### Is Ahrefs worth it or overrated? My honest take
I promised I wouldnât give you the classic âit dependsâ answer. So, let's cut to the chase: Ahrefs is worth the investment if it aligns with your goals and team structure.
Any investment in content marketing tools is only worthwhile if it helps you improve the metrics that matter most to your business.
So, hereâs what you should ask yourself: who on your team will actually use Ahrefs, and how? If your answer doesnât involve at least two people, you might be better off sticking with Google Search Console and Google Keyword Planner.
But if youâre thinking about getting Ahrefs for a team of writers, content strategists, and SEO specialists, youâve got to ask yourself a few questions. Is your team aligned on goals to fully benefit from Ahrefs' offerings? Do you need comprehensive data beyond what free tools provide? Do you have the budget to support a long-term subscription? Do you have the metrics to measure success with Ahrefs? Can Ahrefs integrate smoothly into your current workflow?
If you answered yes to all of the above, go for it! But if budget is a sticking point, plenty of alternatives offer similar competitive insights to help you drive SEO results.
Check out six [AIO strategies](https://learn.g2.com/google-ai-overviews-seo?hsLang=en) that your SEO and content marketing team can use to drive traffic to your website.
*This article was originally published in 2024. It has been updated with new information.*
***
[](https://learn.g2.com/author/sudipto-paul)
[Sudipto Paul](https://learn.g2.com/author/sudipto-paul)
Sudipto Paul leads the SEO content team at G2 in India. He focuses on shaping SEO content strategies that drive high-intent referral traffic and ensure your brand is front-and-center as LLMs change the way buyers discover software. He also runs Content Strategy Insider, a newsletter where he regularly breaks down his insights on content and search. Want to connect? Say hi to him on LinkedIn.
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| Readable Markdown | [Ahrefs](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews) starts at \$108 a month, which adds up to about \$1,200 a year for a plan designed for small businesses. If youâre a freelance SEO consultant or run an enterprise, you'll be shelling out anywhere between \$2,400 to \$14,990 per year.
Having used Ahrefs for nearly eight years across freelance and full-time content marketing roles, I understand why you might choose it over other [SEO tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/seo-tools). Ahrefs has come a long way since its days as a link-building tool ten years back. Today, it packs a lot of features like site audit, AI content grader, and Pages 2.0 report.
But letâs address the big question: is Ahrefs worth it? Spoiler alert: I wonât give you the classic âit dependsâ answer we often hear in most SEO and content marketing conversations.
For context, some users noted a [29%](https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/ahrefs-pricing-increase-30.1599622/#:~:text=%231-,I%27m%20really%20getting%20tired%20of%20Ahrefs.%20I%27ve%20been%20working%20in%20SEO,out%20there%20that%20can%20meet%20my%20needs%20without%20breaking%20the%20bank.,-Advertise%20on%20BHW) price increase in 2024, which probably makes you think about potential future price hikes. On the flip side, Ahrefs launched a more affordable Starter plan, which gives you [100 credits](https://ahrefs.com/blog/starter-plan/) for \$29 every month.
While you can continue using their free webmaster tools, what should you evaluate when considering an upgrade? Many SEO specialists ask, âIs Ahrefs worth the subscription price in 2025?â This review will explore exactly that question, and more.
*Ahrefs ranks \#16 as per G2âs Fall 2025 Grid Report for SEO tools. Buyers are encouraged to consider individual needs when making purchase decisions.*
## Whatâs the difference between Ahrefsâ free and paid tools?
Skip this section if you arenât new to SEO.
Ahrefs doesnât offer a free trial. Comparing Ahrefs' free SEO tools with the paid versions isnât really fair. Most of the free tools they offer are for simple tasks that beginners may find useful. But if youâre hoping to get serious work done, these free tools wonât take you far.
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| **Features** | **Free Tools** | **Paid Plan** |
| Dashboard | | |
| Site explorer | | |
| Keyword explorer | | |
| Site audit | | |
| Rank tracker | | |
| Competitive analysis | | |
| SERP history | | |
| Page inspect | | |
Ahrefs offers eight free SEO tools:
1. Keyword generator: Generate up to 20 keywords
2. Keyword difficulty checker: Evaluate how hard it is to rank for a particular keyword
3. SERP checker: Look at the [SERP](https://www.g2.com/glossary/search-engine-results-page-serp-definition) overview of the first four results
4. Keyword rank checker: Check if your website ranks in the top 100 for a specific keyword
5. Backlink checker: See the domain rating of your website and the total number of backlinks
6. Broken link checker: Find the number of broken links on your website
7. Website authority checker: Check your websiteâs authority
8. Website traffic checker: See your websiteâs organic traffic and traffic value
As you can see, these tools are quite limited. That said, [Ahrefs Webmaster Tools](https://ahrefs.com/pricing#:~:text=Get%20started-,Ahrefs%20Webmaster%20Tools,-Limited%20free%20access) gives website owners limited free access to site explorer and site audit features. Letâs get to the good part and see if the paid plans are worth your money.
## Are Ahrefs features worth the price? What G2 users think
G2 users admire Ahrefsâ site explorer, backlink checker, competitive analysis, keyword explorer, site audit, and opportunities features. I totally agreeâthese features are a goldmine for [SEO](https://learn.g2.com/how-does-seo-work?hsLang=en) and content marketing professionals who need data to figure out whatâs working, what isnât, and what needs fixing. Letâs see how these features can help you:
### Site explorer
This is the section where you land after logging into Ahrefs. Site explorer analyzes a websiteâs organic traffic, total keywords, and backlinks. The best part of this feature is that it compiles all this SEO data into a single dashboard.
One thing I really like about site explorer is how it gives location-specific traffic insights. Plus, I can connect these insights with content changes and algorithm updates, shown by green circles and "a" symbols on the timeline.
Site explorer also shows you organic keywords by intent, lists your top organic competitors, and categorizes crawled pages with their HTTP codes.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âAhrefs offers a lot of features with an abundance of data to help better analysis, such as the Site Explorer tool to see where a site stands in its overall performance, the Keyword Explorer tool to find trending low competition keywords to work on, the Site Audit feature to audit how effective the efforts are and to identify gaps, and the Rank Tracker tool to see how the site is performing in comparison to competitors.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-6836676), Jayant G., Search Engine Optimization Analyst
### Backlink checker
One of the most common purchase drivers is link building. Many people ask, âIs Ahrefs worth paying for if I focus mostly on link building?â The Backlink checker does what it says; it shows you the complete backlink profile of a website.
Most SEO tools offer something similar, but I like the variety of filters you can use here. For example, you can filter backlinks by types, DR of websites from where they come, traffic of referring domains, anchor text, and even by date range.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âI cannot not mention the backlink profile. This tool is excellent for checking the quality and quantity of backlinks both for my website and my competitors. Seeing the link growth over time, the top referring domains, and the overall backlink profile helps me fine-tune my link-building strategies.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-8172145), Sanjay G., Content Strategy Head
### Competitive analysis
This feature helps with a content gap analysis of your website by comparing what your competitors rank for versus what you donât. Enter your websiteâs domain and one or two competitor URLs to get started. In fact, âIs Ahrefs worth it for tracking competitor backlinks in 2025?â is one of the top questions users ask.
The content gap report offers a ton of data, but you must know why youâre doing the competitive analysis in the first place. Thatâs when you can use the different filters like SERP features, keyword difficulty, keyword, and search volume in the right way.
For example, if Iâm working on a featured snippet project, it makes sense to track which keywords my competitors use to drive traffic from featured snippets and AI overviews (AIOs). Iâm not saying you have to write using these keywords. But if you already have content targeting them, it might be worth optimizing them to rank for featured snippets or AIOs.
### Keyword explorer
This is perhaps the most commonly used tool by beginners and pros alike. Keyword research tool lets you [analyze keywords](https://learn.g2.com/how-to-do-keyword-research?hsLang=en), their search volumes, CPC, CTR, and the history of SERP positions. Many casual users wonder, âIs Ahrefs worth it if I only do keyword research occasionally?â For those cases, starter option may suffice.
I love how Ahrefs has evolved over the past few years to provide more keyword data. You can filter keywords by parent topic, check how their search volumes have changed over the last year, see their traffic potential, and even assess their intent.
Another standout feature for me is the ability to compare todayâs SERP with what it looked like three or six months ago. It works great when youâre trying to figure out whether your article traffic has dropped due to intent shifts or competitor advancements.
You can also use AI to find pain points, technical concepts, and subtopics related to your topics.
Keyword explorer helps find data on specific keywords but doesnât automatically discover new keywords to target.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âI like how Keyword Explorer provides the keyword with its difficulty and click ratio. Click ratio is very important for us; it's the true metric that helps us understand whether to make it a primary or secondary keyword.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-8647288), Nitin R., Vice President SEO
### Site audit
Ahrefsâ site audit features crawls and scans your website pages for over 170 technical and on-page issues, including core web vitals, indexability, social tags, redirects, and JS/CSS issues. In the end, you get a health score that shows the proportion of error-free internal URLs on your site. You also get recommendations on fixing technical and [on-page SEO](https://learn.g2.com/on-page-seo?hsLang=en) issues.
My take on it? You donât have to be in [technical SEO](https://learn.g2.com/technical-seo-mistakes?hsLang=en) to get the most out of the site audit feature. I recently used the site audit to find and fix pages with broken links and 404 errors as part of an interlinking project.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âI've never seen such an in-depth yet easy-to-understand breakdown of my website's health. From performance issues to broken links, from security issues to content quality, Ahrefs' site audit tool gives me a detailed report with suggestions for fixes. It's almost like having a personal SEO consultant!â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-8172145), Sanjay G., Content Strategy Head
### Opportunities
When you enter a website URL in Site Explorer, youâll come across the Opportunities feature on the left panel. This section shows you low-hanging fruit keywords, featured snippet opportunities, content with declining traffic, and so much more.
This feature comes in handy when I want to quickly evaluate different opportunities before pursuing them.
Enough about the good stuff; letâs look at where Ahrefs falls short.
## What do G2 users dislike about Ahrefs?
The infamous credit system, along with high pricing and poor customer support, seems to be the top reasons why G2 users dislike Ahrefs. Letâs break these down.
### Credit system
Ahrefs tracks data usage with credits. All tools except Site Audit and Rank Tracker consume 1 credit when you access reports, apply filters, or request new data. Standalone tools like Batch Analysis, Page Inspect, and Looker Studio also use credits when you access them.
All pricing plans, except the Lite plan, come with unlimited credits. On the Lite plan, you get up to 500 credits per user each month, and if you go over that limit, youâll be charged extra.
For users on the Lite plan, additional credits cost:
- \$50 per 500 credits (pay-as-you-go), billed monthly
- \$300 annually to prepay for 500 extra credits each month
Many users arenât big fans of this credit system, especially agencies managing multiple accounts.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âThe credit system is not ideal for agency users. I have a yearly subscription of \$1990, but it would cost me an additional \$500 to \$600 per month, resulting in a total cost of around \$8000 per year. With this budget, there are many other options available in the market. It wouldn't cost as much even if I choose to use 2 to 3 tools simultaneously.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-8200825), Yannick X., Small Business
### High prices
Users find Ahrefsâ pricing models complex because of the credit system. Some have also noted that Ahrefs' prices are relatively higher than those of other SEO tools available on the market.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âIt's pricing is always changing. After being forced to migrate from a legacy account, I migrated to a more expensive plan. After a few weeks of using it, I realized I couldn't use to tool anymore because I hit my usage limit. That limit? 600 events a month.
I've never used a tool that is this expensive and has a basic usage limit. I pay over \$2,000 a year to be heavily restricted in the usage of the tool. How am I expected to drive value and learn new features and functionalities of the tool if I can't even use it to the day-to-day requirement level?â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-7166063), Levi O., Associate Director, Content Marketing
### Poor customer support
Users also cite a lack of empathetic customer service as another reason they dislike Ahrefs. Some reviews point out that users couldnât reach their CSMs when they needed help.
#### What G2 users are saying:
âIf you made your account over two weeks ago, you are locked out of new features under the same plan at the same price. The lady from the live chat insisted the only way to fix it was to cancel our account and start a new one.
This is insane. Are new features being locked out from existing subscribers at the same level? At previous positions, I was able to use the beta version of new features. Now, I can't even get what I paid for.
Customer service was of absolutely no help. Just the same circles over and over. And when I tried to reach out to the support email, it just took me to the same exact person who refused to help us.â
\- [Ahrefs Review](https://www.g2.com/products/ahrefs/reviews/ahrefs-review-5471914), Brandon S., Search Engine Optimization Manager
## How much does Ahrefs cost in 2025?
Ahrefs offers five pricing options: Starter, Lite, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise.
- **Starter plan** costs you \$29/month and is perfect for beginners. It provides access to basic features like Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, and Site Audit.
- **Lite plan** costs you \$1,290 per year or \$129 per month if you choose to pay monthly. It features six months of history, 500 credits per user, and 750 tracked keywords.
- **Standard plan** costs \$2,490 per year or \$249 when paid monthly. It includes 20 projects, two years of history, unlimited credits, and 2,000 tracked keywords.
- **Advanced plan** costs \$4,490 per year or \$449 per month. It features five years of history, unlimited credits, 50 projects, and 5,000 tracked keywords.
- **Enterprise plan** costs \$14,990 annually. This plan gives you 100 projects, unlimited history, unlimited credits, and 10,000 tracked keywords.
*\* Pricing data is accurate as of September 2025 and may change with future updates.*
## How does Ahrefs compare to SEMrush and other SEO tools?
Still undecided between Ahrefs and its competitors? A side-by-side comparison can make the decision easier. Below is a quick snapshot of how Ahrefs stacks up against Semrush and Moz Pro across pricing, features, and best use cases.
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Features** | **Ahrefs** | **SEMrush** | **Moz Pro** |
| Price (annual billing) | \$108/month | \$117.33/month | \$39/month |
| Free trial | â | â
7 days | â
30 days |
| Backlink analysis | Best-in-class | Strong | Basic |
| Keyword research depth | Extensive | Extensive | Limited |
| Site audit coverage | 170+ checks | Robust | Moderate |
| Competitor analysis | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| AI features | AI Content Grader, Pages 2.0 | SEO Writing Assistant | â |
| Best fit | Content teams and SEO pros | Agencies (SEO + PPC) | Beginners and teams with a smaller budget |
TL;DR:
- **Ahrefs:** Best for deep backlink analysis and keyword research, but no free trial.
- **Semrush:** Strong all-in-one tool for agencies (SEO + PPC), slightly more expensive than Ahrefs.
- **Moz Pro:** Budget-friendly starter option, but less powerful for competitive research.
## Ahrefs: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth the subscription price in 2025?
Yes. For teams that rely heavily on SEO insights â like tracking backlinks, running audits, and competitor analysis â Ahrefs continues to provide strong ROI in 2025. Solo users may find the cost harder to justify.
### Q. How effective is Ahrefs for small businesses and startups?
Ahrefs is powerful but often pricey for startups. Many small businesses start with free tools like Google Search Console, then upgrade to Ahrefs when they need deeper backlink or competitive data.
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth it compared to free SEO tools like Google Search Console?
Ahrefs provides far more depth in backlink tracking, keyword research, and competitive analysis than GSC. That said, GSC remains the best free baseline for site owners.
### Q. Does Ahrefs offer a free trial?
No, Ahrefs doesnât offer a free trial, which can make it challenging for new users to determine whether itâs the right fit for them.
### Q. Does Ahrefs provide enough value for bloggers and content creators?
Yes. If content is your main growth channel. Bloggers use Ahrefs to discover keyword gaps, analyze competitor content, and identify link opportunities.
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth it if I only do keyword research occasionally?
Probably not. Occasional keyword research can be handled with Google Keyword Planner or Semrushâs free tier. Ahrefs makes more sense if keyword data is a weekly or daily need.
### Q. How does Ahrefs compare to Semrush and other SEO tools?
Ahrefs excels in backlink data and keyword depth, while Semrush offers broader all-in-one marketing features (PPC, social, and content). Moz is cheaper but less robust.
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth paying for if I focus mostly on link building?
Yes. Link building is Ahrefsâ original strength. Its backlink index is one of the largest and most reliable, making it the top choice for link builders.
### Q. Can freelancers and agencies justify the cost of Ahrefs?
Yes, especially agencies handling multiple clients. The credit system can be limiting, but the data depth often justifies the price for professional users.
### Q. Is Ahrefs worth it for tracking competitor backlinks in 2025?
Definitely. Competitor backlink tracking is one of the most common and valuable use cases for Ahrefs in 2025.
### Q. What do real users say about whether Ahrefs is worth it?
According to G2 reviews, 77% of users rate Ahrefs 5 stars. Many highlight its depth of data, though some note frustration with pricing and credits.
### Q. Is Ahrefs accurate?
According to a study conducted by [AuthorityHacker](https://ahrefs.com/blog/traffic-estimations-accuracy), Ahrefs has an average discrepancy of 22.5% and 0.99 correlation with Google Search Console (GSC) data. This shows that Ahrefsâ quality of search traffic estimations is at par with GSC.
### Q. Ahrefs vs. Semrush: What should you choose?
If youâre just looking at price, Ahrefs comes out cheaper if you pay annually. Semrush costs \$117.33 a month, while Ahrefs costs \$108 per month on a yearly plan.
Ahrefs offers in-depth backlink analysis, content gap identification, and keyword research, while Semrush provides robust features for SEO, PPC, social media management, and competitive analysis. I feel Ahrefs suits content marketers focused on organic growth, whereas Semrush is best for agencies managing multiple aspects of digital marketing. Feel free to check out the best [alternatives to Semrush](https://learn.g2.com/semrush-alternatives?hsLang=en), too\!
### Q. Moz vs. Ahrefs: Which is better for SEO?
Moz is cheaper than Ahrefs. On a yearly plan, Ahrefs costs \$108 per month, while Moz starts at just \$39 per month. While both SEO tools focus on Google, Moz also provides you with data from search engines like Yahoo and Bing.
A 2022 [study](https://searchengineland.com/keyword-size-gsc-ahrefs-semrush-moz-387980) by Tylor Hermanson and his team found Ahrefs ranked for twice as many keywords as Semrush, which itself had more than double the keywords of Moz. For Tylorâs clients, Ahrefs delivered nearly five times the amount of ranking keywords compared to Moz.
#### Is Ahrefs worth it or overrated? My honest take
I promised I wouldnât give you the classic âit dependsâ answer. So, let's cut to the chase: Ahrefs is worth the investment if it aligns with your goals and team structure.
Any investment in content marketing tools is only worthwhile if it helps you improve the metrics that matter most to your business.
So, hereâs what you should ask yourself: who on your team will actually use Ahrefs, and how? If your answer doesnât involve at least two people, you might be better off sticking with Google Search Console and Google Keyword Planner.
But if youâre thinking about getting Ahrefs for a team of writers, content strategists, and SEO specialists, youâve got to ask yourself a few questions. Is your team aligned on goals to fully benefit from Ahrefs' offerings? Do you need comprehensive data beyond what free tools provide? Do you have the budget to support a long-term subscription? Do you have the metrics to measure success with Ahrefs? Can Ahrefs integrate smoothly into your current workflow?
If you answered yes to all of the above, go for it! But if budget is a sticking point, plenty of alternatives offer similar competitive insights to help you drive SEO results.
Check out six [AIO strategies](https://learn.g2.com/google-ai-overviews-seo?hsLang=en) that your SEO and content marketing team can use to drive traffic to your website.
*This article was originally published in 2024. It has been updated with new information.*
***
[](https://learn.g2.com/author/sudipto-paul)
[Sudipto Paul](https://learn.g2.com/author/sudipto-paul)
Sudipto Paul leads the SEO content team at G2 in India. He focuses on shaping SEO content strategies that drive high-intent referral traffic and ensure your brand is front-and-center as LLMs change the way buyers discover software. He also runs Content Strategy Insider, a newsletter where he regularly breaks down his insights on content and search. Want to connect? Say hi to him on LinkedIn. |
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