If you’ve been searching for a free trial of Ahrefs, you might be disappointed to learn that it’s no longer available. The company once offered a 7-day trial, but that option has been removed, and their refund policy is very strict.
Still, there’s good news—Ahrefs provides several free tools that let you access key SEO features without spending money.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to use Ahrefs for free, what features are included, the pricing of paid plans, and alternative SEO tools that do offer free trials.
Does Ahrefs Offer A Free Trial?
The short answer? No.
Ahrefs no longer provides a free trial for its paid plans. In the past, they had a 7-day trial, but that’s now gone for good. Unlike some SEO tools that offer free trials or money-back guarantees, Ahrefs is very clear about its policy: there’s no free trial and no refunds unless the tools have not been used within the first 48 hours of purchase.
However, there’s still a way to use Ahrefs for free, thanks to Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT). It’s not the full Ahrefs experience, but it gives you access to some powerful SEO tools without needing to pay for a subscription.
How To Use Ahrefs For Free
Even though Ahrefs doesn’t offer a full trial, there are still two ways you can use it without paying.
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT) – The Best Free Option
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is a completely free version of Ahrefs that gives you access to a limited version of two important features: Site Explorer and Site Audit.
To use AWT, you need to verify your website (either through Google Search Console or DNS verification). Once you do that, you’ll get access to detailed SEO data for your own site, including:
- Backlink analysis to see who’s linking to you
- Keyword insights to understand what keywords you’re ranking for
- Site health reports that flag SEO issues like broken links, slow pages, or duplicate content
While AWT doesn’t give you access to competitor data, it’s still one of the best free SEO tools you can use today for your personal website.
Ahrefs’ Free SEO Tools (No Account Needed!)
If you don’t want to verify a website, Ahrefs also offers several free SEO tools that don’t require an account or even an email address. You can use them instantly on their website.
For example, their Keyword Generator helps you find hundreds of keyword ideas along with search volume and difficulty scores. Their Backlink Checker lets you see the top 100 backlinks for any website. Other free tools include the SERP Checker, Website Authority Checker, and Broken Link Checker.
These tools aren’t as powerful as the full Ahrefs experience, but they still provide valuable insights—especially if you’re just getting started with SEO.
What Can You Do With Ahrefs Webmaster Tools?
If you decide to sign up for Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, here’s what you’ll be able to do for free:
1. Site Explorer – The Best Free Backlink Tool
Site Explorer gives you a detailed look at your website’s SEO performance. You can see:
- Backlink data to understand which websites are linking to you
- Organic traffic analysis to see what keywords you’re ranking for
- Top pages on your site based on search traffic
If you’re serious about SEO, tracking backlinks and organic rankings is crucial. With Site Explorer, you’ll get real insights into how your website is performing in Google.
2. Site Audit – Improve Your Website’s SEO Health
Site Audit scans your entire website and reports on SEO issues that might be hurting your rankings. It checks for:
- Broken links that need fixing
- Slow-loading pages that affect user experience
- Duplicate content that can harm SEO
If you want to fix your website’s SEO and improve its search rankings, this tool is a must-use. And the best part? It’s completely free with AWT.
Ahrefs’ Pricing Plans
If you need more than what the free tools offer, you’ll have to sign up for a paid plan. Ahrefs has three pricing tiers:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price (Save up to 17%) |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $129/month | $108/month ($1,290/year) |
| Standard | $249/month | $208/month ($2,490/year) |
| Advanced | $449/month | $374/month ($4,490/year) |
| Enterprise | $1,499/month | $1,499/month |
Unfortunately, Ahrefs does not offer discounts or refunds after the initial 48-hour period with no usage, so make sure you’re ready before committing to a paid plan.
Best Ahrefs Free Trial Alternatives
Since Ahrefs doesn’t offer a free trial, you might want to try an alternative SEO tool that does. Here are some of the best options:
1. Semrush – 14-Day Free Trial
Semrush is one of Ahrefs’ biggest competitors and often offers an exclusive 14-day free trial for both its Pro and Guru plans. It has similar features, including keyword research, backlink tracking, and site audits. If you’re looking for an Ahrefs alternative with a trial, Semrush is a great choice.
2. Moz Pro – 30-Day Free Trial
Moz Pro gives you a full month to test its SEO tools for free. It includes keyword research, site audits, and link tracking, making it a solid alternative.
3. Ubersuggest – 7-Day Free Trial
If you need a budget-friendly SEO tool, Ubersuggest is worth considering. It offers a 7-day free trial for its monthly plans, and famously provides a lifetime subscription option, which includes a 30-day money-back guarantee instead of a direct trial. It’s not as powerful as Ahrefs, but it provides useful SEO insights.
4. SE Ranking – 14-Day Free Trial
SE Ranking is an easy-to-use SEO platform with a 14-day free trial. It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for something affordable and beginner-friendly.
5. Mangools – 10-Day Free Trial
Mangools specializes in keyword research and backlink tracking, offering a 10-day free trial to test its tools. If you’re a beginner looking for a simple SEO tool, Mangools is a great option.
Is Ahrefs Worth It?
Ahrefs is one of the most powerful SEO tools available, but it’s also expensive. If you’re a beginner or small business owner, you might be better off starting with free tools or a cheaper alternative like SE Ranking.
However, if you’re an SEO professional or run a marketing agency, Ahrefs is definitely worth the investment. It provides some of the most accurate backlink and keyword data available, making it an essential tool for serious SEO work.
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Final Thoughts: Ahrefs Doesn’t Offer A Free Trial!
Even though Ahrefs does not offer a traditional free trial for its full paid plans, you can still leverage some of its powerful features for free with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools and its suite of free SEO tools.
If you’re serious about SEO and want advanced features, you’ll eventually need a paid plan, but for beginners, the free tools are more than enough to get started.
If you’re not ready to pay for Ahrefs, consider trying Semrush, Moz, or SE Ranking, which all offer free trials before you commit.
So, are you planning to try Ahrefs’ free tools or looking for an alternative? Let me know what you think!
