What it does
Ahrefs combines keyword and competitor research, backlink reports, rank tracking and site crawling. Its free account gives website owners limited access to Site Explorer and Site Audit for verified sites. Paid plans add broader competitor analysis, tracking capacity and historical data.
Start with your own website
Ahrefs Free is a lasting account, not a timed trial. Verify your website to examine its organic keywords, referring pages and technical issues. Paid access is useful when you need to investigate competitors as well as your own pages.
Main subscriptions
The pricing page lists these monthly USD rates. Annual billing offers a discount.
| Plan | Monthly price | Selected allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $29 | Entry-level competitor and keyword access |
| Lite | $129 | 750 tracked keywords and 100,000 crawl credits |
| Standard | $249 | 2,000 tracked keywords and two years of history |
| Advanced | $449 | 5,000 tracked keywords and five years of history |
| Enterprise | $1,499 | Annual commitment and tailored limits |
Use Site Explorer for a domain's backlinks and search pages, Keywords Explorer for query ideas, and Site Audit for technical checks. Rank Tracker follows selected keywords. These are separate tasks within the same account, so a small site can begin with its free audit before paying for competitor work.
Strengths
- Verified websites can use limited Site Explorer and Site Audit tools free
- Keyword, backlink and technical reports share the same account
- Paid plans document API access for connecting data to other software
Watch out for
- Free Site Explorer access is restricted to verified websites
- Additional users cost extra on the main paid plans
- Historical data depth varies by subscription
Best for
- Website owners auditing their own sites before buying a subscription
- SEO teams comparing competitors' pages and backlinks
Sources
- Ahrefs SEO and marketing tools (Oct 27, 2026)
- Ahrefs plans and pricing (Oct 27, 2026)
- Ahrefs Free account (Oct 27, 2026)