Ahrefs vs Screaming Frog:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Ahrefs had more branded searches than Screaming Frog among SEO tools in New Zealand. Ahrefs had about 900 branded searches, while Screaming Frog had 330. Ahrefs made up 23.3% of all SEO tool searches we track, and Screaming Frog accounted for 8.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SEO tools, Ahrefs appeared in four of the five answers and Screaming Frog in three. Ahrefs was mentioned before Screaming Frog in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Ahrefs, about 3 searches for every 1 for Screaming Frog
Who does AI mention more?
Ahrefs, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Screaming Frog in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Ahrefs, named ahead of Screaming Frog in 4 of 5 answers
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Top SEO tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ahrefs was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Screaming Frog was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Ahrefs was listed before Screaming Frog in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Semrush1st- Ahrefs2nd
Screaming Frog3rd
SE Ranking4th
Moz Pro5th
Ubersuggest–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Semrush5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ahrefs4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- SE Ranking4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Screaming Frog3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Moz Pro1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Ubersuggest0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about SEO tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which SEO tool should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best SEO tools in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best SEO tool in New Zealand for a marketing team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best seo tool”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“technical seo tool”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Ahrefs or Screaming Frog more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ahrefs and Screaming Frog by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six SEO tools we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Ahrefs, Screaming Frog. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Semrush | Ahrefs | Screaming Frog | Ubersuggest | SE Ranking | Moz Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.4% | 28.2% | 7.2% | 12.7% | 5.5% | 0.85% |
| Nov 2025 | 51.8% | 19% | 8.6% | 13% | 6.8% | 0.78% |
| Dec 2025 | 51.7% | 22.1% | 8.1% | 12.2% | 5.2% | 0.74% |
| Jan 2026 | 53.5% | 23.5% | 7% | 10.4% | 4.4% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 51.4% | 25.4% | 7% | 9.7% | 5.2% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 53% | 20.6% | 7.3% | 12.1% | 5.3% | 1.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.1% | 22.3% | 8.2% | 12.2% | 5.2% | 0.99% |
| May 2026 | 49.4% | 23.9% | 7.7% | 11.2% | 6.1% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 49.9% | 21.3% | 9.6% | 12% | 6.2% | 0.96% |
| Jul 2026 | 55.2% | 23.2% | 7% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 0.78% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.2% | 24.9% | 8.3% | 9.8% | 6.3% | 0.49% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.2% | 23.3% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 6.7% | 0.78% |
How has the Ahrefs and Screaming Frog comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Ahrefs was ahead of Screaming Frog in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ahrefs’ share of searches among SEO tools in New Zealand moved from 28.2% to 23.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.3K to 900.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Screaming Frog’s share of searches among SEO tools in New Zealand moved from 7.2% to 8.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 340 to 330.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand SEO tools in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Ahrefs lost share of searches among SEO tools in New Zealand, from 24.9% to 23.3%.
In September 2026, Screaming Frog rose from 4th to 3rd among SEO tools in New Zealand.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ahrefs’ and Screaming Frog’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Ahrefs
3 branded search terms
- ahrefs
- ahrefs backlink
- ahrefs keyword research
Screaming Frog
5 branded search terms
- screaming frog
- screaming frog backlinks
- screaming frog seo
- screamingfrog
- screamingfrog seo
Other head-to-heads among SEO tools
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