kitio.aiAhrefs vs vidIQ
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. vidIQ has the lower starting price: about $19 a month, against $129 for Ahrefs.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Site Explorer
- Keywords Explorer
- Site Audit
- Rank Tracker
- Brand Radar
- Daily video ideas
- Keyword research
- AI YouTube coach
- Thumbnail maker
- Competitor tracking
- Short clipping
| Feature | Ahrefs | vidIQ |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | SEO toolset known for its backlink index and keyword data | AI tools for YouTube ideas, keyword research and channel growth |
| Category | Marketing | Marketing |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $129/mo | $19/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Ahrefs | vidIQ |
| Based in | Singapore | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
vidIQ has the lower starting price: about $19 a month, against $129 for Ahrefs.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Free
Free
- Limited site audit and explorer data
- For verified websites
Lite
$129/mo
- 1 user, up to 2 extra at $40/mo
- 750 tracked keywords
- 6 months of history
- 100,000 crawl credits
Standard
$249/mo
- 1 user, up to 5 extra at $60/mo
- 2,000 tracked keywords
- 2 years of history
- 500,000 crawl credits
Advanced
$449/mo
- 1 user, up to 10 extra at $80/mo
- 5,000 tracked keywords
- 5 years of history
- 1.5M crawl credits
Enterprise
$1499/mo
- Annual commitment required
- From 3 users
- Uncapped API access
- Custom API endpoints
4 plans
Free
Free
- 150 AI credits per month
- Trend and idea research
- vidIQ MCP access
Boost
$19/mo
- 2,000 AI credits per month
- Thumbnail creation
- Unlimited trend research
- Creator masterclasses
MAX
$49/mo
- 6,000 AI credits per month
- More AI Coach conversations
- Max Mode AI strategy
- Up to 11 hours of clipping
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Access for every channel
- Team roles and permissions
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Ahrefs
- Strong backlink data
- Clean, fast interface
- Free tools for your own sites
- Starter plan has tight limits
- Add-ons raise the real cost quickly
vidIQ
- Free plan includes 150 AI credits
- Works as a Chrome extension
- MCP access on every plan
- Covers YouTube and Instagram
- AI credits limit heavy use
- Clipping hours are capped even on MAX
- List prices are per channel
Which one should you choose?
Choose Ahrefs if you want:
- Strong backlink data
- Clean, fast interface
- Free tools for your own sites
Watch out: starter plan has tight limits.
Choose vidIQ if you want:
- Free plan includes 150 AI credits
- Works as a Chrome extension
- MCP access on every plan
Watch out: ai credits limit heavy use.
Ahrefs vs vidIQ FAQ
What is the difference between Ahrefs and vidIQ?
Ahrefs: SEO toolset known for its backlink index and keyword data. vidIQ: AI tools for YouTube ideas, keyword research and channel growth. Both are marketing tools.
Is Ahrefs or vidIQ cheaper?
vidIQ has the lower starting price: about $19 a month, against $129 for Ahrefs.
Do Ahrefs and vidIQ have free plans?
Ahrefs: Yes. vidIQ: Yes.
Who makes Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is made by Ahrefs, based in Singapore.
Who makes vidIQ?
vidIQ is made by vidIQ, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Ahrefs or vidIQ?
Choose Ahrefs if you value strong backlink data and clean, fast interface. Choose vidIQ if you value free plan includes 150 ai credits and works as a chrome extension.