SEO platforms · Ahrefs Pte. Ltd.

Ahrefs

SEO toolset best known for its backlink index, paired with keyword, content, and rank-tracking tools.

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Ahrefs is a cloud SEO platform built around its own web crawler, which it uses to maintain a backlink index alongside keyword-research, rank-tracking, and site-audit tools. Its Site Explorer and Content Explorer are commonly used to study competitors' backlink profiles and top-performing content, while Ahrefs Webmaster Tools offers a limited free version for verified site owners. Plans scale by the number of tracked keywords, crawl credits, and report history rather than by user seats, and a separate Brand Radar add-on tracks brand mentions across AI assistants. Ahrefs runs only as a hosted web application with no self-hosted option, and is best distinguished from broader marketing suites by its narrower SEO/backlink focus rather than covering PPC or social.

At a glance

Vendor Ahrefs Pte. Ltd.
Pricing model Subscription
Free tier Yes
Deployment Cloud
Open source No
Best for SEOs and content teams whose primary need is backlink and competitor content research.

Pricing

Monthly subscription tiers by tracked keywords, crawl credits, and history; a limited free Ahrefs Webmaster Tools version exists for verified site owners.

Plan Price Notes
Lite $129/mo Essential data for small businesses and personal projects
Standard $249/mo For freelance SEOs and marketing consultants
Advanced $449/mo More tools and data for lean in-house marketing teams
Enterprise $1,499/mo Annual commitment required; advanced customization and controls

Prices read from the vendor's own page on September 21, 2026. Vendors change prices; check the source before you budget.

Features

  • Backlink index and link-building research (Site Explorer)
  • Keyword research with clickstream-based volume estimates
  • Automated technical site audits (Site Audit)
  • Rank tracking by keyword and location
  • Content gap and top-content analysis (Content Explorer)
  • Free Ahrefs Webmaster Tools for verified site owners
  • Brand Radar add-on for AI-assistant mention tracking

Integrations

Profile last reviewed September 21, 2026

Head to head

Alternatives

Semrush All-in-one SaaS suite for SEO, PPC, content, and competitive research, now adding AI-search visibility tracking. Moz Long-running SEO suite covering keyword research, rank tracking, link data, and site audits. SISTRIX SEO visibility-index tool especially strong for tracking search performance across European markets.

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Terms to know

Click-through rate The percentage of people who click a link, ad, or search result out of everyone who saw it. Backlink A hyperlink from one website to a page on another, treated by search engines as a signal of authority or relevance. Keyword research Identifying and evaluating the search terms an audience uses, to guide what content to create and how to target it.

Related guides

How to choose an SEO platform Backlink index, keyword database and price all differ between SEO suites; the free first-party tools belong in every stack regardless of which one you pick.