Ahrefs vs SE Ranking
Both sit in SEO & marketing. Here is how they differ on the things you can actually check.
On price: Ahrefs starts $100 a month cheaper than SE Ranking ($29 against $129, 78% less) on its Starter tier. Paying annually takes SE Ranking to $103.2/mo (20% off). Both figures were read from the vendors' own pricing pages on the dates shown below.
Ahrefs
ahrefs.com
A very large link index plus keyword, rank-tracking and site-audit tooling. The reference point for backlink data.
SE Ranking
seranking.com
Rank tracking, audits, keyword and competitor research with white-label reporting — a common budget alternative to Ahrefs and Semrush.
| Ahrefs | SE Ranking | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $29/mo | $129/mo |
| Entry plan | Starter | Core |
| Paid annually | — | $103.2/mosave 20% |
| Price checked | 6 Sept 2026 | 21 Sept 2026 |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free trial |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Category | SEO & Marketing | SEO & Marketing |
| Around since | 2011 | 2013 |
Every price here was read from the vendor's own pricing page, most recently on 21 Sept 2026. Entry tier only — vendors change pricing without notice.
Ahrefs vs SE Ranking, answered
- Is Ahrefs cheaper than SE Ranking?
- Yes. Ahrefs starts at $29 a month against SE Ranking's $129, 78% less.
- Do Ahrefs or SE Ranking have a free plan?
- Neither publishes an ongoing free plan. Check each vendor for a trial.
- What is the difference between Ahrefs and SE Ranking?
- Ahrefs: A very large link index plus keyword, rank-tracking and site-audit tooling. The reference point for backlink data. SE Ranking: Rank tracking, audits, keyword and competitor research with white-label reporting — a common budget alternative to Ahrefs and Semrush.
- Which one is cheaper paid annually?
- Ahrefs, at $29 a month against SE Ranking's $103.20. Ahrefs publishes no annual discount we could read, so it stays at $29, while SE Ranking drops to $103.20 a month paid yearly (20% off).
