Ahrefs vs SE Ranking
Choose Ahrefs for the strongest backlink data and competitor research; choose SE Ranking if you are an agency that mainly needs rank tracking and client reporting. Ahrefs goes deeper on data, SE Ranking is built around reporting workflows.
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| Ahrefs | SE Ranking | |
|---|---|---|
| Overlord Score | 8.9/10 | 8/10 |
| Best for | Backlink research and competitor analysis, SEO professionals and agencies | Agencies managing many client projects, Rank tracking and client reporting |
| Starting price | $29/mo | $103.20/mo (billed annually) |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Pricing | Starter $29/mo; Lite $129/mo | Core $129/mo, or $103.20/mo billed annually |
| Free trial | Free SEO tools, no free plan | 14-day trial, no card |
| Backlinks | One of the best backlink databases | Backlink analysis, less depth in places |
| Rank tracking | Rank Tracker included | Strong rank tracking is its core strength |
| Agency features | Usage limits and add-ons for teams | White-label reporting |
Ahrefs or SE Ranking: which should you choose?
Choose Ahrefs if…
Choose Ahrefs if backlink research and competitor analysis drive your SEO decisions.
Try Ahrefs →Choose SE Ranking if…
Choose SE Ranking if you manage client projects and want rank tracking and white-label reports in one suite.
Try SE Ranking →Ahrefs vs SE Ranking pricing
Ahrefs
- Starter $29/mo
- Lite $129/mo
- Standard $249/mo
- Advanced $449/mo
- Enterprise $1,499/mo
There is no free version of the paid toolset, but Ahrefs Free (Ahrefs Webmaster Tools) gives free site audit and backlink data for websites you own. The pricing page does not mention a free trial for paid plans.
Full Ahrefs pricing →SE Ranking
- Core $129/mo
- Growth $279/mo
- Enterprise Custom
No free plan. Core and Growth come with a 14-day free trial, no credit card required, with starter limits such as 750 tracked keywords per day.
Full SE Ranking pricing →Strengths and weaknesses
Ahrefs
The backlink index the professionals actually trust, with keyword data to match. The full plans are priced for people already making money from search; start on Starter or the free tools until you are.
Strengths
- One of the best backlink databases available
- Clean, fast interface
- Useful free tools
Weaknesses
- Full plans start at $129/mo
- Usage limits and add-ons raise the real cost
- Starter plan is limited
SE Ranking
A capable, agency-friendly alternative to Semrush and Ahrefs. It is no longer the cheap option it was before the 2026 plan shake-up, but rank tracking and reporting remain excellent.
Strengths
- Strong rank tracking and reporting
- Good agency features
- 14-day trial without a card
Weaknesses
- Entry price rose with the new Core/Growth plans
- Data depth trails Ahrefs and Semrush in places
Questions the Humans Keep Asking
Is SE Ranking cheaper than Ahrefs?
At the full-plan level they are close: SE Ranking Core is $129/mo monthly (less annually) and Ahrefs Lite is $129/mo. Ahrefs also has a limited $29 Starter plan.
Is SE Ranking as accurate as Ahrefs?
For backlinks, Ahrefs is generally deeper. SE Ranking is competitive for rank tracking and audits.