Ahrefs vs SE Ranking: Which SEO Tool Delivers Better Value in 2025?
Choosing between Ahrefs and SE Ranking depends on your budget, team size, and specific SEO needs. While Ahrefs dominates with the largest backlink database and advanced features, SE Ranking offers exceptional value with comprehensive features at a fraction of the cost.
Quick Overview
Ahrefs
Starting from $29/month
Industry-leading SEO platform specializing in backlink analysis, keyword research, and competitor tracking with the largest link database
SE Ranking
Starting from $39.2/month
All-in-one SEO platform with powerful rank tracking, competitor analysis, and white-label reporting at competitive prices
Our Testing Methodology
Testing Period & Data Sources
Testing Period: 30-day evaluation period (December 2024)
- Official vendor pricing pages (Ahrefs.com, Serpstat.com)
- Direct platform testing and usage
- Vendor-provided feature documentation
- Industry reports and third-party reviews
Evaluation Criteria & Limitations
- Database size and data accuracy
- Feature completeness and usability
- Pricing value and cost-effectiveness
- User interface and learning curve
- Customer support quality
- Update frequency and innovation
- Pricing may vary by region and currency
- Features may change with platform updates
- Individual user experience may vary
- Testing conducted on Pro/Standard plans only
Feature Comparison
Data Performance
Ahrefs
- SEO professionals
- Content marketers
- Link builders
- Digital agencies
- Website owners
SE Ranking
- Small to medium businesses
- Digital marketing agencies
- In-house SEO teams
- Freelancers
- E-commerce businesses
Pricing Plans
Ahrefs
- Starter - $29
- Lite - $99
- Standard - $199
- Advanced - $399
SE Ranking
- Essential - $39.2
- Pro - $87.2
- Business - $191.2
Pros and Cons
Ahrefs
Pros
- Largest backlink database in the industry
- Excellent keyword research tools
- Powerful competitor analysis features
- Comprehensive site audit functionality
- User-friendly interface
- Accurate data and metrics
- Excellent content research tools
- Regular feature updates
- Advanced SERP analysis
- Robust API access
Cons
- Premium pricing
- No free trial available
- Can be expensive for small businesses
- Learning curve for new users
- Limited keyword tracking in lower plans
SE Ranking
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set
- Competitive pricing
- Accurate rank tracking
- White label reporting
- Good backlink monitoring
- User-friendly interface
- Excellent customer support
- Regular updates
- Social media tools included
- Flexible payment options
Cons
- Limited keyword database
- Basic content optimization tools
- Some features need improvement
- Mobile app could be better
- Limited historical data
Pricing and Value Comparison
SE Ranking - Budget-Friendly Winner
SE Ranking can be up to 3-5 times more cost-effective than Ahrefs:
Ahrefs - Premium Pricing
Ahrefs has introduced more affordable pricing but remains expensive:
SE Ranking provides more generous data limits and includes multiple user seats in its pricing, making it significantly more affordable for teams and agencies.
Backlink Analysis Capabilities
Ahrefs - Industry Leader
Ahrefs boasts the largest commercial backlink database:
SE Ranking - Substantial but Smaller
SE Ranking offers solid backlink analysis:
While SE Ranking has impressive backlink capabilities, Ahrefs maintains a clear advantage in database size and link analysis depth.
Keyword Research and Database Size
Ahrefs - Massive Database
Ahrefs leads in keyword research:
SE Ranking - Quality Over Quantity
SE Ranking focuses on practical keyword research:
Ahrefs provides more comprehensive data, while SE Ranking offers more actionable insights for everyday SEO work.
User Experience and Interface
SE Ranking - User-Friendly Design
SE Ranking excels in usability:
Ahrefs - Advanced but Complex
Ahrefs offers powerful features with complexity:
SE Ranking is ideal for users who want powerful features without the complexity, while Ahrefs serves professionals who need maximum functionality.
Rank Tracking and Monitoring
SE Ranking - Superior Rank Tracking
SE Ranking leads in rank tracking capabilities:
Ahrefs - Basic Rank Tracking
Ahrefs provides standard rank tracking:
For dedicated rank tracking needs, SE Ranking is the clear winner with more accurate and comprehensive tracking features.
Site Auditing and Technical SEO
SE Ranking - Comprehensive Auditing
SE Ranking provides thorough site analysis:
Ahrefs - Large-Scale Auditing
Ahrefs handles larger sites:
SE Ranking excels at providing actionable insights for most websites, while Ahrefs better serves large enterprise sites requiring massive-scale auditing.
Summary
SE Ranking takes the lead for most users, especially small businesses, agencies, and those new to SEO. It offers excellent value with comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and competitive pricing. Ahrefs remains the premium choice for enterprises and professionals requiring the most extensive backlink data and advanced capabilities.
Final Verdict
Choose Ahrefs if you need:
- Largest backlink database in the industry
- Advanced keyword research with 28+ billion keywords
- Professional-grade features for experienced users
- Better for large enterprise websites
- Superior content research capabilities
- More comprehensive international data
Choose SE Ranking if you need:
- 3-5x more cost-effective pricing
- Superior rank tracking accuracy
- More user-friendly interface
- Better value for agencies and teams
- More comprehensive site auditing
- Dedicated on-page SEO tools
- Better local SEO features
- Excellent customer support
Overall Recommendation:
SE Ranking wins for most users due to its exceptional value, comprehensive features, and user-friendly approach. Choose Ahrefs only if you specifically need the largest backlink database and have a larger budget for premium SEO tools.