ahrefs vs sistrix
Ahrefs vs Sistrix — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
Ahrefs and Sistrix represent two different philosophies in SEO tooling. Ahrefs built its reputation on having the web's largest backlink index and aggressive feature expansion, while Sistrix focuses on proprietary metrics like the Visibility Index that European SEOs swear by. Both start at $99/month, but deliver vastly different experiences.
The choice typically comes down to geographic focus and data philosophy. Ahrefs excels globally with comprehensive backlink data and keyword volumes, while Sistrix specializes in European markets with unique visibility tracking that many agencies prefer for client reporting.
Feature Comparison
Ahrefs dominates in raw data volume — their backlink index crawls 8 billion pages daily and claims to update every 15 minutes. Their Keywords Explorer covers 171 countries with clickstream data from real users, not just search volume estimates. Site Explorer shows comprehensive backlink profiles with referring domains, anchor text analysis, and lost link alerts. Their newer features include AI-powered content optimization and SERP analysis with click-through rate predictions. Sistrix takes a different approach with their modular system and signature Visibility Index. This metric tracks how visible a domain is in search results across millions of keywords, creating a single score that's easier to track than traditional rankings. Their toolbox includes separate modules for keywords, links, ads, social, and marketplace (Amazon) data. The OnPage module provides technical SEO audits, while their Content Assistant helps with topic research and optimization. Ahrefs' Content Explorer lets you search through 7 billion pages by keyword, social shares, or backlinks — invaluable for content research. Sistrix's strength lies in competitive intelligence, especially their ability to track competitor visibility changes and identify content gaps in European markets.
Pricing Comparison
Both tools start at $99/month, but you get different value propositions. Ahrefs' Lite plan includes most core features but limits you to 5 projects and 300 keywords to track. Their Standard plan at $199/month removes most restrictions and adds Content Explorer. The Advanced ($399) and Agency ($999) plans scale up project limits and user accounts. Sistrix uses a modular pricing approach where the $99 Optimizer package includes keywords, SEO, and links modules. Additional modules (Ads, Social, Marketplace) cost extra, potentially making it more expensive if you need everything. However, if you only need specific functionality, Sistrix can be more cost-effective since you're not paying for unused features.
Best For
Choose Ahrefs if you need comprehensive global SEO data, extensive backlink analysis, or work with clients across multiple continents. Their keyword data accuracy in English-speaking markets is exceptional, and their Content Explorer is unmatched for content research. The tool excels for agencies handling diverse international clients or businesses doing serious link building campaigns. Choose Sistrix if you focus primarily on European markets, need client-friendly reporting with the Visibility Index, or prefer a modular approach where you only pay for needed features. German and European SEOs often find Sistrix's local data more accurate than global tools, and the Visibility Index provides cleaner client reporting than traditional ranking metrics.
The Verdict
Ahrefs wins for most SEO professionals due to its comprehensive global data, frequent updates, and superior backlink intelligence. Unless you're specifically focused on European markets or need Sistrix's unique Visibility Index for client reporting, Ahrefs delivers more actionable data across more use cases. The choice narrows considerably if your work centers on German or European SEO, where Sistrix's local expertise becomes invaluable.