Everyone knows choosing the right keyword research tool can make or break your SEO strategy.
But what are they, exactly?
In this guide, you’ll get a complete cheatsheet to decide between long tail pro vs ahrefs.
Some are packed with link intelligence.
Some focus on long-tail keyword mining.
Some offer all-in-one SEO suites.
Some excel in ease-of-use for beginners.
Some come at premium price points.
Let’s dive right in.
Introduction
Keyword research is at the heart of every successful SEO campaign. Tools like Long Tail Pro and Ahrefs help marketers uncover search queries that drive qualified traffic.
Long Tail Pro was designed to simplify long-tail keyword discovery. Ahrefs began as a backlink analysis platform before expanding into an all-in-one SEO suite. According to Top10SEOSoftware, these tools evolved from specialized offerings into multi-feature SEO platforms.
In this comparison, we’ll dig deep into both tools’ strengths, weaknesses, pricing, and use cases. By the end, you’ll know whether long tail pro vs ahrefs is the right choice for your goals.
Overview of Long Tail Pro
Long Tail Pro launched in 2011 as a dedicated long-tail keyword generator. Over time, it added rank tracking, SERP analysis, and even basic site audits to stay competitive.
- Long-Tail Keyword Suggestions: Generates extensive lists of low-frequency keywords with high intent.
- Keyword Competitiveness (KC): Proprietary score (0–100) that gauges how hard it is to rank for each term UnbeatableSoftware.
- Rank Tracker: Daily updates on keyword positions across search engines.
- SERP Analysis: Breaks down top-ranking pages by domain authority, backlink count, and content length.
- Custom Filters & Tags: Organize keywords by volume, CPC, or competition.
Pros
- Focused on long-tail keywords—ideal for niche sites.
- User-friendly interface—with guided workflows.
- Affordable pricing tiers for small businesses.
- Built-in rank tracker with automated updates.
Cons
- Limited backlink data—no native link index.
- No advanced site audit module.
- Fewer integrations than major SEO suites.
- Interface feels dated to some power users.
Overview of Ahrefs
Ahrefs entered the SEO world in 2011 as a backlink explorer. Today, it boasts one of the largest link indexes in the industry—over 19.4 billion historical backlinks, according to 99signals.
- Site Explorer: In-depth backlink and organic traffic analysis for any domain.
- Keywords Explorer: Access to billions of keywords with metrics like search volume, Keyword Difficulty (KD), clicks, and return rate.
- Content Explorer: Discover high-performing content by topic, shares, and referring domains.
- Rank Tracker: Track keyword positions daily across desktop and mobile.
- Site Audit: Technical health checks with prioritized recommendations.
Pros
- Massive backlink database—ideal for link building research.
- Robust site audit gives technical insights.
- Advanced keyword metrics, including click data and return rate.
- Intuitive interface—fast, responsive, and visually rich.
Cons
- Higher price point—steeper barrier for freelancers.
- Learning curve for new users—many features to master.
- Can be overkill if you only need long-tail keyword data.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Let’s break down long tail pro vs ahrefs side by side.
1. Keyword Research Capabilities
Long Tail Pro excels at generating low-frequency, high-intent keywords with its KC score. It pulls data from over 7 billion queries and filters by volume, CPC, or competition. However, Ahrefs taps into a database of over 10 billion keywords, offering metrics like click-through rates, return rate, and parent topic clustering. This gives you a broader view of search behavior and user intent.
2. Competition & SERP Analysis
Long Tail Pro’s SERP analysis highlights domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), and backlink counts. In contrast, Ahrefs dives deeper—anchor text distribution, new vs. lost links, traffic estimates for each ranking page, and advanced filters for link type and language Top10SEOSoftware.
3. Backlink Analysis
Ahrefs is the undisputed leader in backlink data. You can audit referring domains, spot toxic links, and track link growth trends over time. Long Tail Pro lacks a native backlink index, forcing you to rely on third-party tools for link research.
4. User Interface & Ease of Use
Long Tail Pro offers a clean, minimalistic UI with guided tutorials—perfect for beginners. Ahrefs provides a modern, interactive dashboard with customizable charts and reports. Yet new users may feel overwhelmed by its depth.
5. Reporting & Integrations
Long Tail Pro offers basic CSV/Excel exports and project-based rank tracking. Ahrefs wins again with white-label PDF reports, custom dashboards, and seamless integrations with Google Analytics and Data Studio.
6. Embedded Video Review: Long Tail Pro vs KeywordTool.io
Pricing and Plans
Budget matters. Here’s how long tail pro vs ahrefs stack up:
Long Tail Pro Pricing
- Starter: $37/month (400 keyword credits, 1 project).
- Pro: $67/month (800 credits, 5 projects, advanced filters).
- Agency: $147/month (unlimited credits, 15 projects, multi-user).
Affordable for bloggers and small businesses.
Ahrefs Pricing
- Lite: $99/month (2k tracked keywords, 2 projects).
- Standard: $199/month (500 tracked keywords, 20 projects).
- Advanced: $399/month (1k keywords, 35 projects).
- Enterprise: $999/month (custom limits & API access).
Premium pricing for agencies and enterprises.
Use Cases and Ideal User Profiles
Best for Beginners & Small Businesses
Long Tail Pro’s guided workflows, straightforward filters, and lower entry cost make it ideal for new SEO practitioners, niche bloggers, and small companies.
Best for Agencies & SEO Pros
Ahrefs is designed for professionals who need expansive backlink intelligence, site audits, and white-label reporting. Its extensive data justifies the steeper investment.
Need External Help?
If you’re a startup looking for expert guidance on your SEO strategy, check out our resource on the best SEO agency for startups.
Step-by-Step Guide: Getting Started
Both platforms offer free trials. Here’s a quick setup:
Signing Up
Long Tail Pro: Verify your email, connect Google Search Console, and start generating keyword lists.
Ahrefs: Link Google Analytics, enter your site URL, and run an initial site audit.
First Keyword Project
Long Tail Pro: Create a project, enter your seed keywords, select location, and apply KC filters.
Ahrefs: Use Keywords Explorer to input seed terms, choose country filters, and review KD, volume, and parent topic data.
Taking Action
Filter out keywords above your KC/KD threshold (e.g., >30), focus on mid-volume (100–1k searches), group by themes, and map to content ideas.
Case Studies and Examples
Success with Long Tail Pro
A health blogger used Long Tail Pro to identify 50 new nutrition-focused long-tail keywords. After optimizing 15 articles, organic traffic rose by 120% in three months—and AdSense revenue jumped 35%.
Success with Ahrefs
An e-commerce site leveraged Ahrefs’ Site Explorer and Content Explorer to uncover high-potential keywords and monitor competitor backlinks. By targeting topic clusters and securing relevant links, they doubled organic revenue in six months.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
No one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s a quick decision framework:
- Need focused long-tail keywords on a budget? Go with Long Tail Pro.
- Require comprehensive backlink data, audits, and reporting? Opt for Ahrefs.
- Still unsure? Try both free trials, document your findings, and align your choice with your SEO roadmap.
Conclusion
Long Tail Pro shines for targeted long-tail research at an accessible price. Ahrefs offers an all-in-one suite with unmatched backlink intelligence and technical audits.
Evaluate your needs, budget, and expertise. Then pick the tool that fuels your SEO growth—whether that’s deep link analysis, advanced keyword metrics, or quick long-tail ideation.
Ready to take the next step? Test both tools side by side and optimize your keyword strategy for 2025 and beyond.
Last updated Aug. 03, 2025