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Surfer SEO and Ahrefs are two powerful SEO tools.
I tested and used Surfer SEO while working as a contractor for different brands. And I’ve always liked Ahrefs since I used it for many months at a B2B content marketing agency.
Like me, many SEO experts and marketers swear by both tools. Both SEO tools have loyal followings, stellar reviews, and boast impressive features. But what you need is one out of both game-changing tools.
This post will detail what you need to know about Surfer SEO and Ahrefs, so you can decide which one deserves a spot in your toolbox.
In this Surfer SEO vs Ahrefs comparison, I’ll highlight:
- The key features of Surfer SEO and Ahrefs
- The strengths of Surfer SEO and Ahrefs
- The disadvantages of both optimization tools
- Pricing of Surfer SEO and Ahref
What is Surfer SEO?
Surfer SEO is one of the best SEO content optimization tools for creating content that ranks.
By analyzing the top-performing pages for your target keywords, Surfer SEO provides actionable insights into what your content needs to outrank the competition. This includes suggestions for word count, keyword density, and even your article structure.
Folks who use Surfer SEO included SEO consultants, marketers, and agencies who want to ensure their content is fully optimized before it goes live.
What is Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is an all-in-one SEO suite that is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive tools available.
With Ahrefs, users can do backlink analysis, keyword research, site audits, rank tracking, competitor analysis, and many more.
Ahrefs is popular among SEO professionals who need a robust tool for in-depth research and strategy development. With its vast index and powerful algorithms, Ahrefs offers insights that can help you optimize your content, understand your competitive landscape, and monitor your site’s performance.
Feature Comparison of Surfer SEO vs Ahrefs
Content Optimization
Surfer SEO shines here with its in-depth analysis of top-ranking pages. It offers a unique content editor that guides you in optimizing your content in real-time, based on your target keyword. Ahrefs, while offering some content optimization features, doesn’t delve as deep as Surfer SEO in this area.
Keyword Research
Ahrefs takes the lead with its expansive keyword database and advanced filtering options. It allows you to find keyword opportunities across various regions and languages, giving you a global perspective. Surfer SEO also offers keyword research, but it’s more focused on content-related keywords.
AI Capabilities
Surfer SEO has integrated AI into its platform with Surfer AI, a feature that sets it apart from many other SEO tools, including Ahrefs. Surfer AI can generate complete, SEO-optimized articles based on specific keywords. This makes Surfer SEO a powerful tool for content marketers who want to streamline their content creation process and save resources. Ahrefs has yet to integrate AI similarly, focusing instead on data analytics and research.
Backlink Analysis
Ahrefs is a powerhouse in backlink analysis, providing detailed insights into your backlink profile and your competitors. Surfer SEO does not focus on backlinks, so if this is crucial for your strategy, Ahrefs is the clear winner.
Site Audit
Ahrefs includes a comprehensive site audit feature that helps you identify technical SEO issues. Surfer SEO lacks this capability, focusing more on content rather than technical SEO.
Competitor Analysis
Both tools offer competitor analysis, but Ahrefs provides more extensive data, including backlink profiles, organic keywords, and traffic estimates, giving you a complete picture of your competition.
Free trial
Users can try Surfer SEO for 7-days free. For Ahrefs, the 7-day trial cost $7.
Pricing of Surfer SEO vs Ahrefs
Surfer SEO Pricing: Surfer SEO offers a more affordable entry point, with pricing plans starting at around $89 per month. This makes it accessible for freelancers and small businesses. The higher-tier plans, which offer more features and higher limits, can go up to $299 per month.
- Essential Plan – $89/month (for writing and optimizing up to 10 articles
- Scale Plan – $129/month (for writing and optimizing 30 articles)
- Max Plan – $299/month (for optimizing 70 articles)
- Custom Plan – To optimize more content, you’d need to contact Surfer SEO.
Ahrefs Pricing: Ahrefs is more expensive, with its plans starting at $99 per month. However, this price reflects its broad range of features and the depth of data it provides. For larger agencies and businesses that need a comprehensive SEO solution, Ahrefs offers plans that go up to $359 per month.
- Lite Plan – $99 per month
- Standard Plan – $199 per month
- Advanced Plan – $359 per month
- Enterprise Plan – $11,990 per year
The Verdict: Choosing Between Surfer SEO and Ahrefs
In choosing between Surfer SEO and Ahrefs, your specific needs should guide your decision.
If you’re focused on creating and optimizing content that ranks, Surfer SEO might be the tool you need. Its content-first approach makes it invaluable for content marketers and creators. However, if you want a robust, all-in-one SEO tool that covers everything from backlinks to keyword research, Ahrefs is the superior choice, especially for larger-scale SEO efforts.
Remember, the best tool is the one that aligns with your goals, budget, and workflow. Whether you go with Surfer SEO or Ahrefs, you’re equipping yourself with tools that can propel your SEO strategy to new heights. Try Surfer SEO free today or check out Ahrefs.
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