Ahrefs vs SE Ranking: SEO Software Compared (2026)
Ahrefs and SE Ranking are two widely compared SEO tools. Ahrefs is an SEO platform for backlink analysis, keyword research, rank tracking and site audits, sold in Starter, Lite, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise plans, with Ahrefs Free for verified sites. SE Ranking is an SEO platform for rank tracking, site audits, keyword and competitor research, sold in Core, Growth and Enterprise plans with paid add-ons.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
Ahrefs vs SE Ranking: the short answer
Ahrefs is an SEO platform for backlink analysis, keyword research, rank tracking and site audits, sold in Starter, Lite, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise plans, with Ahrefs Free for verified sites. SE Ranking is an SEO platform for rank tracking, site audits, keyword and competitor research, sold in Core, Growth and Enterprise plans with paid add-ons. Both are SEO tools, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, Ahrefs is described as: monthly or annual subscription by plan; credits on Lite; paid users and add-ons; SE Ranking as: monthly or annual subscription by plan; add-ons extra. Ahrefs lists a free option: own sites. SE Ranking does not document a permanent free plan. Ahrefs is positioned for SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data, and SE Ranking for agencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 2 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
Ahrefs and SE Ranking at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs · SEO Software
Ahrefs is an SEO platform for backlink analysis, keyword research, rank tracking and site audits, sold in Starter, Lite, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise plans, with Ahrefs Free for verified sites.
- Pricing
- Free for your own verified sites; Starter $29 and Lite $129 per month.
- Best for
- SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data
SE Ranking
SE Ranking · SEO Software
SE Ranking is an SEO platform for rank tracking, site audits, keyword and competitor research, sold in Core, Growth and Enterprise plans with paid add-ons.
- Pricing
- Core reported at $129 per month (3 seats, 30 projects); 20% off annually.
- Best for
- Agencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less
Ahrefs vs SE Ranking: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  Ahrefs |  SE Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesSEO and backlink analysis platform (SaaS) | YesSEO platform (SaaS) |
| VendorDiffers | YesAhrefs | YesSE Ranking |
| Best forDiffers | YesSEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data | YesAgencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesMonthly or annual subscription by plan; credits on Lite; paid users and add-ons. | YesMonthly or annual subscription by plan; add-ons extra. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | YesFree for your own verified sites; Starter $29 and Lite $129 per month. | PartialCore reported at $129 per month (3 seats, 30 projects); 20% off annually. |
| Free planDiffers | YesYes (own sites) | NoNo |
| Free trialDiffers | NoNo | YesYes |
| SEO Software criteria | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesMonthly by plan; credits on Lite | YesMonthly by plan; add-ons |
| Rank trackingDiffers | YesYes (separate limits) | Yes2,000 to 5,000 checks a day |
| Backlink dataDiffers | YesYes (core strength) | YesYes |
| AI search trackingDiffers | YesBrand Radar AI add-on | YesAI Search add-on |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team size | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| Platforms | YesWeb | YesWeb |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesContent Kit (add-on), Report Builder (add-on), Brand Radar AI (add-on) | YesAI Search, Content and Local add-ons |
| APIDiffers | YesStarter has no API or MCP access; higher plans were not reviewed. | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. |
Ahrefs vs SE Ranking pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
Ahrefs pricing
Monthly or annual subscription by plan; credits on Lite; paid users and add-ons.
- Free$0 · Free
- Starter$29 per month · Monthly only
- Lite$129 per month; $1,290 a year · Monthly or annual
- Standard$249 per month; $2,490 a year · Monthly or annual
- Advanced$449 per month; $4,490 a year · Monthly or annual
- Enterprise$1,499 per month · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Prices are as listed on Ahrefs' pricing page on 30 October 2026, reported by an independent guide. Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Ahrefs plans and sources
SE Ranking pricing
Monthly or annual subscription by plan; add-ons extra.
- Core$129 per month · Monthly or annual (20% off)
- Growth$279 per month · Monthly or annual
- EnterpriseContact sales · Contract
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Older guides use plan names Essential, Pro and Business. SE Ranking's own page was not reviewed directly. Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All SE Ranking plans and sourcesAhrefs vs SE Ranking: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
Ahrefs: monthly or annual subscription by plan; credits on Lite; paid users and add-ons. Prices are as listed on Ahrefs' pricing page on 30 October 2026, reported by an independent guide. SE Ranking: monthly or annual subscription by plan; add-ons extra. Older guides use plan names Essential, Pro and Business. SE Ranking's own page was not reviewed directly. Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The Ahrefs profile highlights: credit-based usage on Lite; unlimited from Standard; free tier for verified sites; no discounts or free trial. The SE Ranking profile highlights: unlimited projects on Growth; daily keyword checks as the main limit; AI Search add-on.
Integrations and ecosystem
Ahrefs integrations named in its sources: Content Kit (add-on), Report Builder (add-on) and Brand Radar AI (add-on). SE Ranking: AI Search, Content and Local add-ons. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
Ahrefs runs on Web and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. SE Ranking runs on Web and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
Ahrefs and SE Ranking: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
Ahrefs
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- A free tier covers Site Explorer and Site Audit for your own sites.
- Standard and above have unlimited credits.
- Starter offers paid access from $29 a month.
- There is no free trial, and refunds are generally not issued.
- Lite is credit-limited, with top-ups at $50 per 500 credits.
- Starter has no extra users, add-ons or API.
- Extra users cost $60 to $100 a month on higher plans.
SE Ranking
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Growth includes unlimited projects.
- Annual billing saves 20%.
- A free trial is available.
- There is no permanent free plan.
- AI Search, Content and Local cost extra.
- Limits are daily keyword checks rather than tracked keywords.
Ahrefs or SE Ranking: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose Ahrefs if you are…
- SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data
- Content teams researching topics at scale
- Site owners who want free audits of their own sites
Less suited to: buyers who want a free trial; very small budgets needing many users.
See the Ahrefs profile
Choose SE Ranking if you are…
- Agencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less
- Teams with many projects
- Freelancers reporting to clients
Less suited to: teams wanting a free plan; users needing the largest backlink index.
See the SE Ranking profileSwitching between Ahrefs and SE Ranking.
Moving off Ahrefs or SE Ranking usually means exporting tracked keywords, projects and historical ranking data, re-creating site audits and reports, and re-connecting Google Search Console and Analytics. Ranking history rarely transfers, so keep Ahrefs or SE Ranking running briefly or export reports first. Track the same keywords and audit the same site in each shortlisted tool for two weeks and compare the data.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
Ahrefs vs SE Ranking: questions and answers
What is the difference between Ahrefs and SE Ranking?
Ahrefs is an SEO platform for backlink analysis, keyword research, rank tracking and site audits, sold in Starter, Lite, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise plans, with Ahrefs Free for verified sites. SE Ranking is an SEO platform for rank tracking, site audits, keyword and competitor research, sold in Core, Growth and Enterprise plans with paid add-ons. Both are SEO tools, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. Ahrefs is positioned for SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data; SE Ranking for agencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less.
Is Ahrefs cheaper than SE Ranking?
It depends on your volume and plan. Ahrefs: Free for your own verified sites; Starter $29 and Lite $129 per month. SE Ranking: Core reported at $129 per month (3 seats, 30 projects); 20% off annually. Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do Ahrefs or SE Ranking have a free plan?
Ahrefs lists a free option: own sites. SE Ranking does not document a permanent free plan. Ahrefs free trial: No. SE Ranking free trial: Yes.
Ahrefs or SE Ranking: which is better for small teams?
Ahrefs and SE Ranking are both documented for small teams. Ahrefs suits SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data; SE Ranking suits agencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of Ahrefs and SE Ranking?
Ahrefs: There is no free trial, and refunds are generally not issued. SE Ranking: There is no permanent free plan.
How much does Ahrefs cost?
As listed on 30 October 2026: Starter $29, Lite $129, Standard $249, Advanced $449 and Enterprise $1,499 a month.
How much does SE Ranking cost?
A November 2026 listing shows Core at $129 and Growth at $279 a month, with Enterprise by quote.
What are the alternatives to Ahrefs and SE Ranking?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: Ahrefs alternatives and SE Ranking alternatives, each comparing at least four other SEO tools on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The SEO Software category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- Ahrefs Pricing 2026: Where the Cheap Plan Stops Being Cheap Ryan Doser Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
- SE Ranking Pricing Toolradar Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the Ahrefs and SE Ranking profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test Ahrefs and SE Ranking?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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