Ahrefs
An SEO platform known for backlink data, with a free tier for your own sites and paid plans from $29 (Starter) to $1,499 a month (Enterprise).
- Free plan
- Monthly subscription
- Cloud
- Backlink data
- Independent sources
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 1 sourceLinked, typed and dated
- Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Ahrefs?
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.
- Best forSEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data
- Team size fitSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises
- PricingFree for your own verified sites; Starter $29 and Lite $129 per month.
- Main limitationThere is no free trial, and refunds are generally not issued.
- AlternativesSemrush, SE Ranking, Moz Pro, Serpstat · compare all
Ahrefs overview: who it is for and what it does.
Ahrefs is an SEO platform best known for its backlink index, alongside Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Rank Tracker, Site Audit and Content Explorer.
Ahrefs' pricing page, as listed on 30 October 2026, shows Starter at $29 a month, Lite at $129, Standard at $249, Advanced at $449 and Enterprise at $1,499, with about 16.7% off annual billing on Lite to Advanced. Lite includes 1,000 credits per user; Standard and above are unlimited.
Ahrefs Free gives limited Site Explorer and Site Audit for sites you verify. There is no free trial, Ahrefs says it never runs discounts, and add-ons include Content Kit ($99), Report Builder ($99) and Brand Radar AI (from $199).
Main problem it solves
Shows who links to and ranks for any site so teams can plan content and links.
Typical customer segment
Solo SEOs on Starter and Lite through agencies and enterprises.
Target users
- SEO specialists focused on links
- Content teams researching topics
- Agencies auditing client sites
Primary use cases
- Backlink analysis
- Keyword research
- Rank tracking
- Site audits
- AI brand visibility (add-on)
What makes it distinct
- Credit-based usage on Lite; unlimited from Standard.
- Free tier for verified sites.
- No discounts or free trial.
Ahrefs features explained.
Plans
- Starter
- $29 a month, monthly only, 200 credits, no extra users.
- Lite
- $129 a month, 1,000 credits per user.
- Standard and Advanced
- Unlimited credits; Standard adds two years of history and Content Explorer.
Users
- Lite
- Up to 2 extra users billed by usage.
- Standard and Advanced
- Up to 5 and 10 extra users at $60 and $80 each.
- Enterprise
- 3 users included, more at $100 each.
Add-ons
- Content Kit
- $99 a month.
- Brand Radar AI
- From $199 a month.
- Traffic Analytics
- $99 a month.
Ahrefs pricing and plans.
Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 10 Nov 2026 against Ryan Doser.
Pricing model
Monthly or annual subscription by plan; credits on Lite; paid users and add-ons.
Free plan
Yes (own sites)
Free trial
No
Ahrefs plans and prices (USD)
Free
$0
Free
Verified sites only.
Starter
$29 per month
Monthly only
200 credits.
Lite
$129 per month; $1,290 a year
Monthly or annual
1,000 credits per user.
Standard
$249 per month; $2,490 a year
Monthly or annual
Unlimited credits.
Advanced
$449 per month; $4,490 a year
Monthly or annual
Unlimited credits.
Enterprise
$1,499 per month
Annual
3 users included.
Prices are as listed on Ahrefs' pricing page on 30 October 2026, reported by an independent guide.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesAhrefs integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Content Kit (add-on)
- Report Builder (add-on)
- Brand Radar AI (add-on)
Supported platforms
- Web
API
Starter has no API or MCP access; higher plans were not reviewed.
Data import and export
Not reviewed for this profile.
Integration coverage was not assessed in full. Check Ahrefs's integrations directory and documentation for your tools.
Ahrefs pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
Limitations
Best for
- 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
May be less suited to
- Buyers who want a free trial
- Very small budgets needing many users
Top Ahrefs alternatives and competitors.
Semrush
An all-in-one SEO and online visibility platform with Pro, Guru and Business plans from about $140 a…
Explore →Related productSE Ranking
A cost-effective SEO platform with Core and Growth plans from $129 a month, unlimited projects on Growth…
Explore →Related productMoz Pro
Moz's SEO suite with Starter, Standard, Medium and Large plans from $49 a month, a 30-day free trial and…
Explore →Related productSerpstat
An affordable SEO platform with Individual, Team and Agency plans from $50 a month ($31 billed annually)…
Explore →Ahrefs compared with similar SEO software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Free plan | Rank tracking | Backlink data | AI search tracking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | Monthly by plan; credits on Lite | Yes (own verified sites) | Yes (separate limits) | Yes (core strength) | Brand Radar AI add-on |
| Mangools | Monthly by plan | No; 10-day trial | 200 to 1,500 keywords | Yes (LinkMiner) | AI Search Watcher |
| Moz Pro | Monthly by plan | Free tools; 30-day trial | 50 to 3,000 keywords | Yes (Link Explorer) | Not reviewed |
| Screaming Frog SEO Spider | Annual licence per user (EUR) | Yes (500 URLs) | No | No | Not reviewed |
| SE Ranking | Monthly by plan; add-ons | No; free trial | 2,000 to 5,000 checks a day | Yes | AI Search add-on |
| Semrush | Monthly by plan; users extra | No; free trial | 500 to 5,000 keywords | Yes | Not reviewed |
Ahrefs vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Each comparison has a feature table, pricing side by side, strengths and limits, and best-fit scenarios.
Ahrefs discussions and buying questions.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
Ahrefs questions and answers
What is Ahrefs used for?
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. Typical uses include backlink analysis, keyword research, rank tracking, site audits.
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.
Does Ahrefs have a free trial?
No. Ahrefs offers a free tier for your own verified sites instead.
What are Ahrefs credits?
Lite includes 1,000 credits per user for reports; Standard and above have unlimited credits.
How does Ahrefs compare with its competitors?
Stack18 publishes head-to-head comparisons of Ahrefs vs SE Ranking and Semrush vs Ahrefs, each with a feature table, pricing and best-fit scenarios.
What are the main alternatives to Ahrefs?
The main alternatives to Ahrefs covered on Stack18 are Semrush, SE Ranking, Moz Pro and Serpstat. Semrush may suit marketing teams that want one broad SEO and competitive research suite. SE Ranking may suit agencies and small teams that want rank tracking at scale for less. Moz Pro may suit small teams that want an approachable SEO suite with a long trial. See the Ahrefs alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
What are the pros and cons of Ahrefs?
Strengths: A free tier covers Site Explorer and Site Audit for your own sites. Standard and above have unlimited credits. Limitations: There is no free trial, and refunds are generally not issued. Lite is credit-limited, with top-ups at $50 per 500 credits.
Who is Ahrefs best for?
Ahrefs may suit 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. It may be less suited to buyers who want a free trial; very small budgets needing many users.
What integrations does Ahrefs support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Content Kit (add-on), Report Builder (add-on), Brand Radar AI (add-on). API: Starter has no API or MCP access; higher plans were not reviewed.
When was the Ahrefs profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 10 Nov 2026. 1 source is listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Ahrefs Pricing 2026: Where the Cheap Plan Stops Being Cheap Ryan Doser Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are taken from independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Prices come from an independent guide quoting Ahrefs' pricing page on 30 October 2026. Capabilities were not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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