Ahrefs vs Buffer
Ahrefs
ahrefs.com
Buffer
buffer.comSide by side
| Figure | Ahrefs | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $29/mo | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 5 |
| Spec score · Hashtag Generator Tools | 9.2 (#2) | 9.5 (#1) |
| API access | API access is included in paid plans, with uncapped access for Enterprise. | Plans include API access with plan-specific API key and request limits. |
| Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Ahrefs offers native Ahrefs integration, Looker Studio integration, and connections to AI chatbots. | Buffer's integrations directory lists 24 apps, including Canva, ChatGPT, Claude, Dropbox, Google Drive, IFTTT, Make, n8n, WordPress, and Zapier. |
| Paid from | 29 | 5 |
Plans
Ahrefs
- Ahrefs FreeFree
- Starter$29 a month
- Lite$129 a month
- Standard$249 a month
- Advanced$449 a month
- Enterprise$1,499 a month
- Basic prompt package$50 a month
- Growth prompt package$100 a month
- Brand Radar$199 a month
- Scale prompt package$250 a month
Buffer
- FreeFree
- Essentials$5 a month
- Essentials$60 a year
- Team$10 a month
- Team$120 a year
In their own words
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a web and API platform for SEO research, including keyword research, rank tracking, site audits, backlink analysis and competitor research. It also provides content tools, AI assistants and MCP access. Content Explorer can find web mentions and link prospects, while AI Content Helper supports content improvement. The free plan provides site data and fixes with limited access to Site Explorer and Site Audit. Paid plans start with Starter at $29 a month. Lite costs $129 a month and includes five projects, 750 tracked keywords, 100,000 monthly crawl credits and one user; its Site Audit allowance has a 25,000-page project maximum. Annual payment saves up to 17%. Enterprise costs $1,499 a month and requires an annual commitment; it includes SSO, two-factor authentication, ISO27001 certification, access management, audit logs and unlimited additional users. Ahrefs says its web index contains 170 trillion pages, tracks 41.9 billion keywords and filters 28.7 billion keywords; AhrefsBot crawls 8 billion pages daily. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Singapore. Multilingual support is available five days a week.
Buffer
Buffer is a social media management tool for scheduling posts, developing content, and reviewing performance across supported channels. Its tools include an idea library, an AI Assistant, and options to brainstorm, rewrite, and shape posts for specific platforms. A community inbox brings comments from multiple accounts into one dashboard for replies, while teams can edit and approve posts together. The free plan lasts indefinitely and supports up to three connected channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 100 ideas, and one user. Essentials and Team include a 14-day free trial; annual billing starts at $5 per month for one channel. Team adds unlimited team members and approval workflows. Buffer supports Android, iOS, web, browser extensions, and API access. Supported channels include Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, YouTube Shorts, Pinterest, Google Business, Mastodon, and X. Integrations include Canva, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zapier.