Ahrefs and Semrush are well-known SEO tools that provide robust keyword monitoring solutions. They’re popular choices for businesses wanting to stay competitive. But when it comes to local rank tracking, how do these two stack up against each other?
In this article, we’ll explore how Ahrefs and Semrush handle local rank tracking, comparing their key features, ease of use, and pricing. We’ll also introduce you to Keyword.com, a more budget-friendly option that specializes in local rank tracking.
What is Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is one of the most popular SEO tools out there, and for good reason. It helps marketers and businesses keep tabs on rankings, backlinks, and site audits — you name it. If you’re looking to boost your local SEO efforts, Ahrefs lets you track keyword rankings down to the city, state, or even zip code level. This makes it a valuable tool if you want to stand out in specific geographic areas.
What sets Ahrefs apart is its detailed data analysis. Want to know what your competitors are up to? Ahrefs gives you the inside scoop on their SEO strategies, keywords, and backlinks. This intel can be a huge help for businesses looking to dominate their local markets by fine-tuning their strategies to improve visibility where it counts.
Key Features
- Local rank tracking: Ahrefs allows you to track rankings for up to 10,000 keywords, segmented by specific locations (city, state, and postal code) for both mobile and desktop searches.
- SERP features tracking: it automatically tracks various SERP features, such as local packs, featured snippets, and knowledge panels, to help you monitor keyword prominence.
- Competitor analysis: Ahrefs provides detailed reports comparing your keyword rankings with up to 10 competitors in local search. It also offers insights to help you monitor who’s gaining traction in local searches.
- Scheduled reports: you can set up regular email reports to stay updated on how your local rankings are evolving.
- Google Search Console integration: Ahrefs syncs with Google Search Console to help users track keyword performance over time, with added metrics like clicks and impressions
What is Semrush?
Semrush is an all-in-one digital marketing platform known for its wide range of tools, including SEO, SEM, and content marketing functionalities.
With tools like Position Tracking and Map Rank Tracker, Semrush helps businesses monitor how their website performs in specific local areas, making it easier to boost visibility where it counts.
What makes Semrush stand out? It combines keyword tracking with robust competitor analysis in local markets. You can see how your business ranks on Google Maps, in local packs, and even across different cities or ZIP codes. This gives you detailed insights into how you’re performing locally and where you can improve.
Key Features
- Map rank tracker: this tool visually shows your local rankings with heatmaps, highlighting how your business performs in different areas based on keyword searches.
- Position tracking for specific locations: Semrush enables you to track keyword rankings on a ZIP code level and see how your local rankings evolve over time—ideal for targeting multiple regions.
- Competitor Analysis: You can compare your local rankings with competitors, identifying areas where they outperform you and pinpointing opportunities to refine your strategy.
- SERP features tracking: Like Ahrefs, Semrush tracks SERP features such as local packs, knowledge panels, and featured snippets, helping you determine how you rank across various features of Google’s local results.
- Automated reports: Semrush provides automated, detailed reports on your local rankings, making it easy to track progress and share insights with stakeholders
Ahrefs vs. Semrush: Local Rank Tracking Features
| Ahrefs | Semrush | |
| Local tank tracking | Tracks rankings by city, state, and ZIP code | Tracks rankings on a city, state, and ZIP code level with a heatmap view |
| Competitor analysis | Up to 10 competitors per tracked keyword | In-depth analysis of local competitors across multiple keywords |
| SERP features tracking | Yes | Yes
|
| Mobile and desktop tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Automated reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Integration with Google Search Console | Yes | Yes |
| Unique features | Backlink Analysis and Visibility Score for keywords | Map Rank Tracker provides a heatmap of rankings and visibility per location |
Our verdict: Semrush wins. Both tools offer powerful local rank tracking, but Semrush pulls ahead with its Map Rank Tracker, which gives you a heatmap view of local rankings. Plus, its integration with Google Business Profile offers deeper insights into local visibility, making it a better choice for businesses with multiple locations or those highly focused on Google Maps rankings.
Ahrefs vs. Semrush: Pricing
Ahrefs and Semrush use tiered pricing, but Ahrefs offers slightly cheaper and more flexible plans. Let’s discuss this further.
Ahrefs Pricing Plans
Ahrefs offers four pricing plans:
- Lite at $108/month
- Standard at $208/month
- Advanced at $374/month
- Enterprise at $14,990/year.
Each plan adjusts based on the number of features, projects, and tracked keywords. For instance, the Lite plan lets you track up to 750 keywords — plenty for smaller operations. At the top end, the Enterprise plan tracks up to 10,000 keywords, so it’s ideal for larger businesses.
Ahrefs doesn’t offer discounts but has free Webmaster Tools, which give you access to essentials like Site Explorer and Site Audit. These can be great starting points if you’re just getting your feet wet.
Semrush Pricing Plans
Semrush offers three main pricing tiers:
- Pro at $139.95/month
- Guru at $249.95/month
- Enterprise starting at $5,000/month.
The Pro plan supports up to 500 tracked keywords and five projects — ideal for freelancers and small teams. The Guru plan increases this to 1,500 keywords and 15 projects, adding features like multi-location tracking and historical data. If you’re running a larger operation, the Enterprise plan gives you over 5,000 keywords and brings in features like AI SEO automation and API access.
Semrush also offers Semrush Local add-ons for businesses with local SEO in mind. The Basic plan is $20/month and covers listing and review management, while the Premium plan ($40/month) adds Map Rank Tracker and AI-powered review responses. Plus, there’s a 7-day money-back guarantee, which is a nice safety net if you’re evaluating options.
Our Verdict: Semrush wins. While both tools offer robust pricing structures, Semrush edges out Ahrefs when it comes to bang for your buck, especially at the mid-tier level. Features like historical data and competitive tracking are more accessible, making it a smart choice if you want to scale local rank tracking without jumping straight into enterprise-level pricing.
Ahrefs vs. Semrush: User Experience
Ahrefs shines with its clean, intuitive interface, which feels easy to navigate even if you’re new to SEO tools. The dashboard gives you all the key metrics at a glance, and the visualized data helps you make decisions quickly. It’s simple without skimping on the features you need.
Semrush, meanwhile, goes deep — offering loads of detailed insights and advanced capabilities. That depth, though, comes with a bit of a learning curve. But if you’re an experienced marketer or agency that craves customizable reporting and integrations, it’s a huge win.
Our Verdict: Ahrefs wins. The tool is simple and easy to use, perfect if you prefer a clean and straightforward interface. That said, if you’re aiming for advanced capabilities and customization, Semrush offers all the bells and whistles, though it might take a little more time to master.
Overall, Which SEO Rank Tracker Wins?
Ahrefs and Semrush both offer excellent SEO tools, each with strong local rank tracking features. But when it comes to depth, Semrush is a clear winner. Its Map Rank Tracker is a standout, providing more comprehensive local SEO insights, perfect for businesses that need competitor analysis or multi-location tracking.
While Semrush has a learning curve, its range of customization options and integrations, like Semrush Local, make it a powerful choice — especially for larger businesses and agencies that are serious about local SEO.
Keyword.com: The Most Accurate Alternative to Ahrefs and Semrush
If local rank tracking is what you’re after, Keyword.com shines because of its precision and affordability. It’s built for businesses that want sharp, real-time insights on how they rank in local searches—without the overwhelming extras of larger SEO tools.
Why Choose Keyword.com for Local Rank Tracking?
You get accurate local SERP tracking down to the city level, daily updates to stay on top of keyword shifts, and real-time data that keeps your SEO insights fresh. Plus, you can easily track competitors and tweak your strategy based on what’s working for them.
Oh, and the affordable plans make it a no-brainer if you need powerful rank tracking without a hefty price tag. Here’s what one of our customers has to say:
“The best thing about Keyword.com is its accuracy in ranking. Previously, we checked rankings manually or with some other tools like Ahrefs. But Keyword.com’s ranking data is much more accurate and adds an extra layer to our client reporting. It’s easy to use, and we can connect it to our other tools via its API integration.”
Ready to see for yourself? Try Keyword.com for free, and let us know how it works for you.
Ahrefs vs. Semrush FAQs
Find answers to common questions about local rank tracking tools.
1. What is a Local Rank Tracker?
A local rank tracker monitors your website’s ranking in search results for specific locations. It’s essential for tracking your local SEO performance and ensuring your visibility to the right audience.
2. What is the Best Rank Tracker Alternative to Ahrefs and Semrush?
Keyword.com is the best alternative to Ahrefs and Semrush for rank tracking. It’s known for its accuracy and ease of use, specifically designed to excel in local rank tracking. Plus, it’s more affordable, making it a great choice for businesses wanting reliable results without breaking the bank.
3. Do Ahrefs and Semrush Offer Any Integrations With Other SEO Tools?
Yes, both Ahrefs and Semrush offer several SEO integrations. Ahrefs connects with tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, plus it works with AgencyAnalytics for reports and Looker Studio for SEO dashboards. Semrush plays well with Zapier for automating tasks, Google My Business to boost local SEO efforts, and Google Search Console for more insights into performance.
