There are multiple ways to invest in gold. Here’s a detailed guide on how you can determine the price of gold and make the best of your gold investment.

Here’s a detailed guide on how you can determine the price of gold and make the best of your gold investment.

Table of Content

• Latest Gold News In India
• How is the Price of Gold Determined?
• Gold Price Discovery
• How to Trade in Gold in India
• Ways To Buy Gold
• Gold Import Duty in India
• Bottom Line
• FAQs

Gold Price In Indian Cities

The price of gold (XAU) today, as of 9:34am, is INR 6,316 per gram of 24-carat gold. That's up 0.26% on yesterday's close of INR 6,299.

Compared to last week, Gold is up 2.21%. It's up 1.19% on one month ago.

The 52-week gold price high is INR 6,414, while the 52-week gold price low is INR 5,746.

The price per gram of 22-carat gold is INR 5,789.

Gold prices vary by city. Check out below to see the price of gold where you live.

Compare 22K & 24K Gold Rate In India (Yesterday & 10 May 2024)

24 Carat Gold Rate Today

22 Carat Gold Rate Today

*The gold price data above is provided by Zyla Labs, which sources asset price data from a wide range of sources. This gold price represents an average of spot gold prices on several leading metals exchanges. Prices are updated every business day.

Gold Rate Today: May 10, 2024—XAU's Price Rises

The price of gold (XAU) today, as of 9:34am, is INR 6,316 per gram of 24-carat gold. It's up 0.26% on yesterday's close of INR 6,299, up 2.21% on last week and up 1.19% on one month ago.

The 52-week gold price high is INR 6,414, while the 52-week gold price low is INR 5,746.

The price per gram of 22-carat gold is INR 5,789.

Gold ROI

If you purchased a gram of 24-carat gold at today’s price of INR 6,316 and sold it in 10 years at an average annualized return of 10%, you’d earn approximately INR 10,850 in interest, assuming daily compounding.

If you want to start investing in gold digitally, there are a few ways to do so. Digital gold is a method by which you can invest in the yellow metal in small fractions anytime and anywhere with the convenience of digital access to the commodity. Keep in mind you may owe taxes on any gains you realize.

Gold Rate Over Time

The 24-carat gold price has increased by 0.26% from yesterday’s closing price. Overall, the price of gold has moved up this year. Over the past 90 days, it has increased to its current price. Gold’s price today is in line with its average for the first half of the year of INR 6,316 per gram of 24-carat gold.

Gold Rate In India Today: May 10, 2024

Gold Price Comparison For The Last 10-Days

Monthly Graph of Gold Rate in India (24K Gold)

Monthly Graph of Gold Rate in India (22K Gold)

Factors that Determine Gold Price in India

Typically, the demand and supply for an asset class determines its price. This phenomenon is no different for gold. However, the price of gold is heavily dependent on other key factors including:

Central Bank Gold Reserves

Gold is considered an important reserve for any central bank worldwide given its ability to support the national currency. For instance, all banknotes issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are backed by gold.

When a country exports gold and continues to have rich gold reserves, such a situation automatically helps in strengthening its currency. Countries with low gold reserves or seen importing more gold may witness their currency getting devalued with the passage of time.

This explains why the Indian government recently hiked import duty on gold from 10.75% to 15% to stifle an increase in gold imports, which was putting pressure on the country’s current account deficit. By making gold purchases expensive, gold imports could be brought down consequently preserving foreign reserves.

In general, when a central bank or government buys more gold, its prices tend to increase. Exports may result in lower gold prices in the home country.

Strength of the U.S. Dollar

The price of gold is inversely proportional to the value of the U.S. dollar. When the U.S. dollar strengthens, the price of gold falls and vice versa. Amid high inflation, the capacity to purchase more goods decreases, thereby denting the value of the U.S. dollar. As the U.S. dollar depreciates, the price of gold picks up.

In India, to determine the price of gold, the U.S. dollar’s conversion to the Indian rupee is considered. When the Indian rupee depreciates against the U.S. dollar, the price of gold is likely to fall.

Demand for Gold

When the demand for gold rises, it pushes its prices higher. The demand for gold can increase via two ways:

• Household and Industrial demand

Household demand for gold is fuelled by the demand for gold jewelry or other physical forms of gold purchases such as bars and coins. India is among the top physical gold buying countries. When the demand dips, supply increases, weakening the price of gold.

• Industrial demand is fuelled by electronic and medical device manufacturers who require gold for productions of their goods. When the demand dips, the price of gold is likely to fall.

• Investment demand

Investment demand is mostly fuelled by ETFs houses worldwide who purchase gold to cater to their investing clients’ requirements. Q1 2022 Gold Demand Trends report by Gold.org shows gold ETFs had their strongest quarterly inflows since Q3 2020, fuelled by safe-haven demand. Holdings jumped by 269 trillion, more than reversing the 174 trillion annual net outflow from 2021.

Gold Production Capacity

Gold is a commodity that is available in limited quantities and miners have to ensure the demand is being constantly met. The same report by Gold.org mentioned above also showed mine production hitting an all-time first-quarter high, which dates back to 2000, to 4% and a 15% year-on-year high to 310 tonnes jump in resurgent recycling marking the strongest first quarter for gold recycling activity for six years.

As a general demand-supply rule, when the supply of gold increases, its price is likely to fall if the demand remains unchanged.

Interest rates

The price of gold is significantly influenced by fluctuations in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-bearing assets like gold increases. Investors tend to favor interest-bearing assets such as bonds and savings accounts over gold in such situations because they can earn income from these investments. As a result, the demand for gold diminishes, leading to a decrease in its price.

Higher interest rates can also make borrowing more expensive, which can reduce economic activity and decrease the demand for gold in industries like jewelry and manufacturing. This negative correlation between interest rates and gold prices is a key factor in understanding how monetary policy decisions can impact the precious metal's value.

Conversely, when interest rates fall, the appeal of gold as an investment option tends to rise. Lower interest rates can lead to diminished returns from traditional interest-bearing investments, prompting investors to seek alternative assets, such as gold, which doesn't rely on interest income. The increased demand for gold in a low-interest-rate environment can drive up its price. Moreover, lower interest rates can stimulate economic activity by making borrowing more affordable, which may boost the demand for gold in industries and drive its price higher.

In summary, the inverse relationship between interest rates and gold prices is rooted in the changing opportunity costs and the shifting preferences of investors during different economic conditions.

Making charges

The making charges of gold jewelry significantly impact the overall price of gold. Making charges are the fees applied by jewelry manufacturers and retailers to cover the cost of crafting, designing, and marketing the jewelry. These charges are usually expressed as a percentage of the gold's base price. The higher the making charges, the more expensive the piece of gold jewelry becomes. Consumers should be aware of these charges when purchasing gold ornaments, as they can vary widely from one jeweler to another. Therefore, when evaluating the price of gold jewelry, it's essential to consider both the prevailing market price of gold and the making charges to determine the total cost.

Festivals

In India, the price of gold is intricately linked to the festival season. Gold is a traditional and auspicious gift during festivals and special occasions like Diwali, Dhanteras, Akshaya Tritiya, and weddings. During these festive periods, the demand for gold surges as people purchase it for gifting, wearing, and investment. This increased demand can put upward pressure on gold prices.

Jewelers and retailers often anticipate this heightened demand and may adjust their prices accordingly. Therefore, it's not uncommon to see gold prices rise in the run-up to major festivals as people rush to buy gold, and jewelers accommodate the higher demand with potential price increases. After the festivals, prices may stabilize or even dip, as demand normalizes. So, for many in India, the festival season plays a crucial role in influencing their gold buying decisions and, consequently, the pricing dynamics of this precious metal.

Inflation

Inflation and the price of gold often have a complex relationship. Gold is often considered a hedge against inflation, and its price tends to rise when inflation is a concern. Here's how inflation influences the price of gold:

• Preservation of Value: Gold is a tangible asset that retains its value over time. During periods of inflation, the value of fiat currencies tends to erode as prices for goods and services increase. Investors often turn to gold as a store of value to protect their wealth from the impact of rising prices.
• Safe-Haven Asset: Gold is perceived as a safe-haven asset, especially during economic uncertainties and high inflation. When investors are concerned about the purchasing power of their money, they may increase their investments in gold, which drives up demand and, subsequently, the price.
• Negative Real Interest Rates: Gold tends to perform well when real interest rates (nominal interest rates minus inflation) are low or negative. During periods of high inflation, central banks may keep interest rates low to stimulate economic growth. When real interest rates are low or negative, the opportunity cost of holding gold (which does not provide interest or dividends) is reduced, making gold more attractive as an investment.
• Supply and Demand Dynamics: Inflation can also affect the supply and demand dynamics of gold. For instance, if inflation leads to increased demand for gold jewelry and industrial applications, it can put upward pressure on gold prices.

Why Do Gold Rates Vary Across Different Indian Cities?

Gold rates vary across different Indian cities due to several factors, including:

Local Demand and Supply: The demand for gold can differ significantly from one city to another based on cultural practices, traditions, and local preferences. Cities with higher demand may experience slightly higher prices. Additionally, the supply of gold jewelry and bullion in a particular region can influence prices.

Transportation and Logistics Costs: The cost of transporting gold to various cities, as well as the operational expenses of maintaining jewelry stores, can affect prices. Cities located closer to major gold markets or refineries may have lower transportation costs, which can translate into lower gold prices.

Taxes and Duties: Local taxes and duties, such as state-level value-added tax (VAT) and excise duties, can differ between states and union territories. These taxes are added to the base gold price and can result in variations in the final price of gold jewelry.

Local Economic Conditions: The economic conditions and income levels of residents in different cities can impact gold prices. Wealthier cities may see higher demand for luxury gold items, which can affect pricing.

Currency Exchange Rates: Since gold is traded internationally in U.S. dollars, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Indian Rupee and the U.S. dollar can lead to variations in gold prices across cities.

Making Charges: Making charges set by local jewelers can also vary from one city to another. These charges, which cover the cost of crafting and designing jewelry, are added to the base gold price and can differ based on local preferences and craftsmanship.

Local Competition: The level of competition among jewelry retailers in a particular city can influence pricing. A city with more jewelers may have more competitive pricing.

Government Regulations: Local or state government regulations can impact gold prices. For example, certain regions may have stricter regulations on hallmarking, which can affect the quality and price of gold jewelry.

Global Market Trends: While local factors play a significant role, gold prices are also influenced by global market trends, such as international supply and demand, geopolitical events, and economic conditions, which can affect prices uniformly across all cities.

Due to these multifaceted factors, gold rates can vary from city to city within India. It's essential for consumers to be aware of these influences and compare prices when buying gold to ensure they get the best deal.

Gold Price Discovery

Gold prices are fixed twice a day by five London Bullion Market Association (LMBA) market makers who comprise the London Gold Market Fixing Limited. They set the prices for gold that are globally considered as the international standard for gold pricing. Bids are collected from buyers and sellers and a price is discovered as fixed price for the day.

Two kinds of gold prices are discovered via the LMBA market makers:

• Spot price: This is the market price at which gold is bought and sold on the spot, and involves immediate exchange of payments and delivery of gold.
• Futures price: This is the set market price at which buyers and sellers agree to carry out gold trade at a determined future date.

In India, gold prices are determined by the Indian Bullion Jewellers Association (IBJA). IBJA invites “bid” and “ask” quotes from the top ten gold dealers in India who arrive at a price suggestion by factoring in the international price of gold and multiplying it with the currency exchange value, import duty and other taxes and their margins.

IBJA then determines a mean price for gold on a particular day. This mean price is further corrected by adding any other taxes needed to derive a gold rate for the day.

How to Trade Gold in India

In India, gold is traded on a government-run dedicated stock market exchange called the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). A gold trade on the MCX implies trading in future contracts of gold, also called gold futures.

The way a futures contract works is that an agreement is made to buy or sell gold at a future date for a set price. While the investor has the option of taking the physical possession of gold at the determined future date, it is more common for them to settle the futures contracts in cash.

The MCX permits the investor to trade in gold via four kinds of futures contracts. These include:

• Gold
• Gold Mini
• Gold Guinea
• Gold Petal

To trade in a gold futures contract, you need to have a trading account with a commodity account with the commodity exchange of your choice. Besides the MCX, global commodity exchanges are popular for gold futures trading. Top commodity exchanges for gold trade include:

• London Metal Exchange (LME)
• Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
• Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)
• Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM)

The price of gold traded on the MCX is determined by the following factors:

1. International price of gold
2. USD conversion to INR
3. Troy ounce to gold conversion (gold prices globally are tracked in troy ounces instead of grams, a gold weight measure used by the MCX)
4. Trading activity on MCX (supply-demand of gold)

1 troy ounce is equal to 31.103 grams.

The quoted price of gold on the MCX is 10 gms for 1 unit of gold. Hence to determine the price of gold on the MCX, the calculation formula is:

Price of 1 Unit = International gold price x USD-INR conversion / troy ounce to grams conversion

Ways To Buy Gold In India

Investment in gold can be via multiple ways depending on which market instrument the investor is most interested in. Among popular ways to invest in gold are:

1) Physical Gold

To make a physical gold purchase, investors can choose between:

Gold Jewelry

The best way to buy and sell gold jewelry is via jewelers. Choosing hallmarked jewelry is a sure shot way to ensure you aren’t paying more than the value of the purchase.

Any purchase of gold jewelry attracts cost of making and taxes, namely the Goods and Services Tax or the GST. Making charges to the tune of 5% to 20% and GST of 3% are standard.

When you sell this gold jewelry, you may not be able to retrieve the making charges and the GST paid at the time of purchase. You may need to pay capital gains tax over the proceeds you make from selling your jewelry—short-term capital gains tax for jewelry below the period of 36 months and long-term capital gains tax of flat 20% if held above 36 months.

Gold coins and bars

The best way to buy and sell gold coins and bars is via jewelers, bullion traders or government-backed institutions such as the MMTC. You must check the hallmark on the gold coins and bars before buying.

Gold coins and bars attract making charges to the tune of 2% to 10%, and a GST of 3% similar to what one pays for the purchase of gold jewelry. This GST value is not retrievable at the time of sale.

2) Digital Gold

Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)

Sovereign gold bonds are government-backed securities available in denominations of grams. The minimum investment in a sovereign gold bond can be 1 gram and the maximum investment limit can go up to 4 kilograms per year for an individual and 20 kilograms for trusts.

SGBs are issued for a lock-in period of eight years and their early redemption is permitted after the first five years of investment. Investors can’t redeem SGBs on any given day; instead, they can redeem their SGBs on interest payment dates announced by the RBI.

Sovereign gold bonds are considered better investments than physical gold as purchase of these bonds attracts lower costs and better annual returns. Investors are paid an assured interest rate of 2.5% semi-annually. Upon redemption of SGBs, interest paid to the investor is taxable while the capital gains upon maturity of these are tax-exempt for individual investors. This tax exemption is not applicable for trusts, however. Click the following link to read our guide on how to buy sovereign gold bond.

Gold ETFs

Gold ETFs are units of gold held in a dematerialized form, and are available to trade in similar to how mutual fund units are available on the stock market exchanges.

Investing in gold ETFs is simple: you need to choose your preferred gold ETF listed by your brokerage company or fund house on the stock exchanges and begin trading via your demat account.

Gold ETFs do not have lock-ins and are fairly easy to enter and exit. Whenever a gold ETF trade is conducted, a brokerage charge is applicable. The fund house also charges processing fees.

The taxation on gold ETFs is similar to the taxation of any market-linked asset linked on the stock exchanges. Investors pay capital gains tax on making a profit and do not need to pay any GST like in the case of physical gold.

Digital Gold Wallets

With digital gold wallets, users can download the mobile applications of the gold wallet provider and invest as low as INR 1 in the gold wallet through various online fund transfer facilities. This is similar to buying INR 1 gold.

These companies store this gold in the lockers of MMTC-PAMP.

The purity of gold is predefined and the gold can be sold and bought any time and from anywhere through these mobile applications.

In the recent past, many companies have introduced gold wallets. These companies include the likes of PhonePe, GPay, Paytm, among others, who provide their users this facility.

Gold Import Duty in India

Import duty is the tax the government imposes on the import of goods into the country. This import duty has to be borne by the consumer who has imported the goods in question, and the purpose of levying import duty is to check the movement of goods and also protect domestic industries besides earning state revenue.

Import duty falls under the category of indirect taxes in India and is commonly referred to as customs duty as well. For the import of gold, the Indian government has set a limit of 1 kg of physical gold and any import above 1 kg is taxed heavily.

Here’s how the gold import duty in India looks like:

• Import on gold jewelry, bars and coins is currently set at 12.5%. When GST is added over this duty, the final tax on the physical gold asset turns out to be 12.5% + 3% flat GST + 5% GST on making charges.

• Import on gold jewelry, bars and coins above 1 kg is set at 36.05%. Upon adding GST, the final tax on the physical gold asset turns out to be 36.05% + 3% flat GST + 5% GST on making charges.

Bottom Line

Investing in gold must be done under supervision and with the help of financial experts or portfolio managers. While gold investing has its sheen, creating an all-gold portfolio isn’t considered the wisest choice. As a thumb rule, gold should be used to add a more stable asset class to your financial portfolio, and help you in diversifying your investments to some extent.

Investing in the best altcoins can be rewarding as they offer diversification and potentially higher returns. However, it is important to approach the altcoin landscape with caution and do a thorough research. Understanding the development team, technology, community and use case of altcoins are vital factors for making informed decisions. 

Additionally, it is essential to be updated on market trends and regulatory changes for navigating the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape. By evaluating these key factors, investors can make strategic decisions when considering altcoin investments. Let us see some altcoins to consider buying for the next bull run in 2024. 

Best Altcoins for Next Bull Run

Ethereum (ETH)

Market cap: $352.50 billion

Ethereum is one of the biggest altcoins on the crypto market. Of the almost $2.16 trillion that portrays the total market capitalization of the 20,000-plus crypto assets, more than 17% is held in ETH. It is a distributed computing network where users can use the blockchain to run dApps and host smart contracts. 

Ethereum critics point to high fees for running transactions. However, ETH is here to stay with thousands of apps and other altcoins powered by its blockchain.

Solana (SOL)

Market cap: $59.55 billion

Solana gained popularity among crypto investors helped by its lightning-fast transaction speeds along with low fees. It is a blockchain platform that is highly focused on overcoming the challenges of speed and scalability faced by many existing blockchains.

On March 4, 2024, it surged by approximately 7% in 24 hours, surpassing the BNB coin and securing a higher rank among the top five cryptocurrencies. Solana has jumped nearly 16.60% in the last seven days. 

On May 2, 2024, it surged by approximately 10.12% in 24 hours, but BNB coin surpassed and secured a higher rank among the top five cryptocurrencies due to Solana being down by 8.85% in the last seven days. 

The surge in SOL brought the digital asset to its highest point in two years, reaching levels last observed in April 2022 which was three months after the culmination of the bull cycle in 2021.However, it dropped slightly and landed on the fifth slot, with BNB regaining dominance shortly after on March 4. 

Dogecoin (DOGE)

Market cap: $0.1294

Dogecoin is a dog-inspired crypto and the original meme token. True to its fame, it has been one of the most highly volatile yet rewarding investments. As of May 2, 2024, DOGE is up by 4.56% in the last 24 hours and is trading at $0.1295. 

Over the years, this meme coin has been criticized for offering a small-scale real-world utility, a centralized holder base, and an unlimited supply. However, it is tricky to debate these criticisms; DOGE has gained ground in network usage over the past year, as it has been up by around 65.35%. On top of that, it’s tough to deny the gigantic community support with the support of industry-notable celebrities such as Elon Musk. I think this crypto is here to stay for a very long time.

Cosmos (ATOM-USD)

Market cap: $8.94 billion

Cosmos (ATOM-USD) is in charge of solving some slow transactions and high-cost problems. It emerged with Tendermint (software) to create an interconnected network of blockchains. ATOM—a native token of Cosmos, is a decentralized network that provides developers with open-source tools to create their own interoperable blockchains. Cosmos is working to become the “internet for blockchain”.

The Cosmos ecosystem permits blockchains to willingly share tokens and data across all the blockchains in the system. One of its essential roles is to secure the Cosmos Hub and regulate the network of the ATOM tokens obtained via a proof-of-stake algorithm. 

A recent report by the Cosmos blog focuses on the steadiness of Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) volume and close connections that assure high diversity in tokens and, in turn, higher liquidity. The interchain ecosystem is an area where blockchains act as joined blocks that communicate via the IBC protocol, where developers can run their rare chains as different blocks with different practicality. 

Kaspa (KAS-USD)

Market cap: $2.53 billion

Kaspa cryptocurrency was launched in the year 2021 with its implementation of the GHOSTDAG protocol, working on blockDAG for fast confirmation and high block rates. The Kaspa community projects it as a cryptocurrency that unfolds the blockchain trilemma which will stabilize security, speed and scalability. In the year 2023, this project encountered transformational developments including the switch to state-of-the-art ASIC miners.

In addition, Kaspa had planned listings on exchanges and launched ideas like the Kaspium mobile wallet and Wrapped Kaspa. It has very aspiring plans for the time ahead including sophisticated smart contract functionalities, Rusy Kaspa Testnet 11 public and exceeding ten blocks per second.  

Stellar (XLM-USD)

Market cap: $3.92 billion

Stellar (XL,-USD) is a decentralized, public blockchain that presents developers with tools to create experiences that are more likely cash than crypto. It can be a great altcoin to add to your investment portfolio in this bull run given its accountability for peer-to-peer connecting the world’s financial system. 

The biggest aim of Stellar is to make money move easily and fast. The network is cheaper, faster and more energy-efficient than most systems based on blockchain. Lumens behave as mediators for transactions and keep a smooth running system. Its strength is its security. With XLM holders holding the keys, it makes the network more secure for transactions. 

Stellar has lately launched some very amazing features such as Soroban and spread Lumens into positive projects through its Community Fund. Additionally, through the compassionate side of the project via Stellar Aid Assist, it has already helped those in need by sending over $2 million to them. 

Note: The market capitalization is taken from CoinMarketCap as of May 2, 2024.

Factors Driving Altcoin’s Growth

Market Demand: Altcoins are initially driven by market demands. Investors are more likely to invest in altcoins that have a higher growth potential. Factors that contribute to the market demand for altcoin are consumer sentiments, market trends and investors confidence. 

Regulatory Policy: The regulatory policies that can play a very important role in the development and growth of altcoins. Regulatory bodies or governments can impose restrictions on the usage of cryptocurrency, which definitely affects the demand for it.

Technology: The primary or basic technology behind an altcoin is also a factor that affects its growth and development. Altcoins that have unique features or innovative technology are more likely to gain popularity among others.

Competition: Competition is huge in the world of the cryptocurrency market and it can also affect the growth and development of altcoins. Altcoins offering similar features might struggle to gain market share.

Economic Conditions: It is another factor that can affect the altcoin’s growth and development. For instance, in times of economic uncertainty, investors are more likely to invest in altcoins as an economic instability or hedge against inflation. 

Altcoin Investment Strategies for the Next Bull Run

Support strategies by avoiding decisions made with emotions involved and create an effective investment plan that involves target prices for entry and exit. You must stay abreast of market events and news but also limit your social media consumption which many times encourages greedy behavior. Let us see altcoin investment strategies for the next bull run. 

Risk Management

Risk management is the initial step every trader needs to think and learn while strategizing their investment plans, but it is the step that is generally overlooked until it’s very late. Investors need to manage risk productively by calculating how much is affordable to risk on an all-inclusive investment and then stick to it by using a stop-loss order to limit losses when the market is not in your favor.

Investment Plan

As we are aware that the crypto market is highly unpredictable and volatile. It is highly recommended to steer clear of the temptation to spring into buying on the very first sign of a rally with all your savings. Carefully evaluate how much you’re willing to invest in other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum and also in altcoins. 

While investing in altcoins, you may benefit by considering industries that have high potential and divide your portfolio between them. For example, 30% to Real World Assets, 20% to AI, 10% to Layer-2s etc. Then consider rupee-cost averaging into your position in order to benefit from any dips. 

Stick To Profit Targets

One of the major errors in investing is not being aware of when to take profits. This is accurate, especially for crypto, where the market is highly volatile and driven by social media, overnight sensations, emotion and greed. As prices increase, set realistic targets for gaining profits and cling to them. A well-disciplined approach to profit targets can protect you from unexpected market downturns.

If you have no clue where you want to exit, then scaling out is the best strategy by using rupee-cost averaging to sell. For example, sell 25% altcoin at price points 1 and 2 each, etc. This will help assure you take profits while still benefiting from further upside.

Diversify Your Risk 

Many investors look to altcoin for higher risk-reward assets while considering BTC and ETH as blue-chip cryptocurrencies. Given the high risk of altcoins, investors should consider restricting them to a mini portion of their portfolio. The reward opportunity is higher. So, investors still have the potential for fair gains without over-granting and exposing them to excessive downside. 

Remember that any gains can be temporary and many altcoins are not fit for long-term buy-and-hold portfolios. The majority of altcoins usually fall out of favor between market cycles and downturns of 95%. 

This means it’s crucial to have a logical exit strategy with your targeted price set before you enter the trade. So, if investors want to consider a portfolio with altcoins then settle it with a mixture of high-cap cryptos and altcoins to ease volatility. 

Decision Making

It’s a very bad decision to invest based on hype or fear of missing out (FOMO). Cryptocurrency is a unique asset class because every transaction is recorded on a chain for public display. It means you have enough information and tools available to help you make informed decisions, instead of having to shift through the tea leaves like in many other markets. 

Below are a few free tools you can use:

• Ai: Put in any address to get a methodical breakdown of transactions, portfolio and more. Get an analysis of in-depth data for individual blockchains. Layer-2s, dApps and DeFi with metrics like trade volume and total value locked. 
• Fi: It is like an antivirus scanner for cryptocurrency and smart contracts with the intention to detect harmful or flawed smart contract codes or intentional rug-pulls. 
• Arkham Intelligence: Arkham is a blockchain observer that lets you see the relationship between wallets in an understandable way. You can use it to mark shady transfers or stop a Sybil mistake when airdrop framing. 
• Cryto-fundraising.info: Using this tool will track investors’ VC funding for new crypto projects, giving them insights related to the firms and the amount raised. 

Use the above tools to conduct thorough research into a project’s fundamentals, market position and team. You can also do this by conducting a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. Always challenge your thesis and look for reasons why a project will crash, rather than information that confirms your existing bias.

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Pros & Cons

• Affordable plans
• Deeper discount for long-term contracts
• Use on ten devices

• No added features
• Doesn’t work for Linux users
• Very few server locations

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ExpressVPN

3.2

Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Pricing (annual)

INR 6,678.06 ($80.04)

Devices (max)

Five

Server locations

94

Pricing (annual)

INR 6,678.06 ($80.04)

Devices (max)

Five

Server locations

94

Why We Picked It

ExpressVPN is a well-known VPN service that offers one of the most comprehensive server location lists around—it has servers in 94 countries. Another benefit of using ExpressVPN is that you can use it on almost any device, including routers. You can configure the service to work on your home router, which will help you protect all your smart home devices at once. Additionally, ExpressVPN gives all subscribers an ad blocker, so you can prevent social media and snooping websites from targeting you for specific ads.

All these features come at a cost, though. ExpressVPN costs INR 6,678.06 ($80.04) per year, or INR 556.51 ($6.67) per month when paid annually (with three months added for free). You can also get a slight discount for a six-month contract and pay just INR 833.51 ($9.99) per month, if paid biannually or INR 5,001.04 ($59.94 total). You’ll only be able to connect up to five devices on one subscription, though.

Pros & Cons

• Use on routers
• Includes ad blocker
• Offers 94 server locations

• Expensive plans
• Only live chat support
• Support only five devices

How Avast SecureLine VPN vs. ExpressVPN Stack Up

	Avast SecureLine VPN	ExpressVPN
Pricing (Annual)	INR 4,996.03 ($59.88)	INR 6,678.06 ($80.04)
Compatibility	Android iOS Windows Mac Linux Android TV Routers	Android iOS Windows Mac Linux Android TV Routers
Number of Devices (Max)	Ten	Five
Server Locations	34	94
Money-Back Guarantee	30 days	30 days
Customer Support	24/7 Phone, live chat and email	24/7 Live chat
Read Reviews	Read Avast SecureLine VPN Review	Read ExpressVPN Review

When comparing Avast SecureLine VPN vs. ExpressVPN, we considered more than pricing, but it’s a good place to start. Avast SecureLine VPN’s annual plan is far more affordable than ExpressVPN—you’ll save more than INR 3,337.36 ($40). It’s important to also consider whether you can use the VPN service on your devices. ExpressVPN works on more platforms than Avast SecureLine VPN.

Avast SecureLine VPN allows you twice as many connected devices as ExpressVPN, but remember that ExpressVPN lets you connect your router to a VPN, so you could cover a lot of devices with a protected home network. ExpressVPN really pulls ahead with 50 more server locations than Avast—that means far more choice for where you want to connect.

Both VPN services give you a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you aren’t satisfied with the speed of the service or server locations (or anything, really), you can get a refund in that month-long window. They also offer 24/7 customer support, but Avast offers phone support, which isn’t common among VPN services.

Note: We didn’t include a comparison of security protocols used because what’s most important is that VPN services use industry-standard AES 256-bit keys, which both Avast SecureLine VPN and ExpressVPN do.

All-in-One Protection

Although neither VPN service offers malware protection as a feature or an add-on, Avast does have a separate product that combines its antivirus software with a built-in VPN known as Avast One. If you’re looking to protect both online activity and what you download or click on, this might be a better choice for you. ExpressVPN offers nothing like this.

Ad Blocker

ExpressVPN includes an ad blocker that the company has labeled as a threat manager. What it does is block sites from using trackers on you, so you should stop getting those related ads that tend to pop up on your social media feeds. Essentially, this is a DNS blocker. Avast SecureLine VPN doesn’t include this feature.

Bottom Line

In our comparison of Avast SecureLine VPN vs. ExpressVPN, Forbes Advisor suggests ExpressVPN for most users. Although ExpressVPN is a much pricier choice, it offers global server coverage, which can unlock more content for you. You can connect your home router to a VPN and use the included ad blocker to gain more privacy, too. Avast SecureLine VPN is good for those who want nothing more than a secure and reliable VPN at a lower price.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are many solutions for designing a website. Squarespace and Webflow remain two of the most popular website builders, allowing you to create stunning websites without coding. Read our comprehensive Webflow vs. Squarespace comparison to discover the best website builder for your unique goals, budget and desired features.

Squarespace vs. Webflow: At a Glance

In its simplest terms, Webflow is a no-code website builder that lets you design a website exactly how you want it. With its drag-and-drop capabilities, you can adjust the size and placement of every piece of text, image, icon, or form—you name it. Webflow caters to many people by offering plans for individuals, web designers, agencies, and enterprise companies.

Squarespace is another web builder that enables you to create a stunning website for your portfolio, blog, or business. It’s relatively affordable and you don’t need to touch a single line of code to get up and running (unless you want to)!

It may sound like Webflow and Squarespace are similar, and while they help you achieve similar results, there are still some key differences. Webflow lets you edit the nitty-gritty elements of your site—you can change the sizing and placement of most elements on a page. While that kind of flexibility is powerful, it can be overwhelming or unnecessary for specific users. Webflow also offers fewer features on its lower-tier plans, making it a more costly option.

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webflow

3.7

Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Free trial

Free forever plan

Bandwidth

Starts at 1 GB

Great for

Web designers or companies looking for full creative control

Free trial

Free forever plan

Bandwidth

Starts at 1 GB

Great for

Web designers or companies looking for full creative control

Why We Picked It

Webflow sits at the forefront of the no-code movement by giving individuals, designers and companies the power to create whatever they set their minds to. Beyond just offering pre-made templates, Webflow lets you drag, drop and color nearly every element on every page to get a look and feel you’re completely happy with.

If you’ve never touched a line of code but want to create a site that’s beyond the realm of a template, Webflow can make it happen. Its CMS and Workspace capabilities also make it a suitable professional option for designers or agencies who manage several client websites.

Pros & Cons

• Very customizable
• Powerful content management system
• No coding necessary

• Expensive e-commerce plans
• Need to connect an external domain
• No 24/7 support

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Squarespace

4.2

Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Free trial

14 days, no credit card required

Bandwidth

Unlimited

Great for

Anyone looking for a professional site

Free trial

14 days, no credit card required

Bandwidth

Unlimited

Great for

Anyone looking for a professional site

Why We Picked It

Squarespace is highly regarded for its simplicity and beauty. Its templates are some of the cleanest-looking in the industry. You don’t need to put in a ton of effort to create a modern, sleek-looking website—anyone can publish their site within a matter of minutes.

For new customers, Squarespace offers an attractive first-year deal with a free custom domain name. Its pricing is also on the affordable side relative to what you can accomplish for your business.

Pros & Cons

• Beautiful free templates
• Option to purchase domain within platform
• 24/7 support

• Limited customization options
• No autosave
• Doesn’t scale with larger businesses well

How Webflow and Squarespace Stack Up

Pricing and Plans

Webflow and Squarespace break down their pricing and plans very differently. Webflow has three different types of plans: Site plans, e-commerce plans and Workspace plans.

Site plans let you design and publish your site. You’ll need to pay at least INR 1,001.21 ($12) per month if you want a custom domain name, and at least INR 1,334.94 ($16) per month if you want access to its CMS features. Individuals or freelancers looking to build and manage a single site, it claims, tend to go with a paid Site plan in conjunction with the free Workspace plan.

The Workspace plans center on collaboration, site permissions and the number of sites you can control at once. Similar to the Site plans, they start at $0 and increase if you want more features. The paid Workspace plans allow you to add collaborators, add custom code and give specific permissions to certain members of your team. With paid Workspace plans starting at INR 1,585.25 ($19) per month, Webflow can be a hefty monthly or yearly expense, so keep this in mind.

E-commerce plans are completely separate from both Site and Workspace plans but include elements of certain Site plans. There is no free option—the least expensive option is INR 2,419.59 ($29) per month and comes with a 2% transaction fee. The most expensive option is $212 per month and has a limit of 3,000 items.

Instead of a free plan, Squarespace offers a two-week free trial. Once that trial is over, you must pick from one of its four paid plans to continue using your site. Its most popular plan is the Business plan, which runs for INR 2,753.32 ($33) per month.

All plans come with SSL security, a custom domain name, 30 minutes of video storage and 24/7 support. The lowest plan, Personal, does not come with any commerce capabilities and gives you very limited access to its marketing features.

In terms of e-commerce plans, Squarespace does not charge a transaction fee if you’re on its Commerce plans. It does charge a 3% fee if you’re on its Business plan. There is no item limit on any plan.

Templates

Webflow and Squarespace have two of the best template libraries to choose from. The main differences are that all of Squarespace’s templates are free, whereas most of Webflow’s templates require a purchase. On the flip side, you will have significantly more opportunities to customize Webflow’s templates than you will with Squarespace.

Bandwidth and Storage

Squarespace gives every single plan unlimited bandwidth, even if you’re on its lowest tier. Webflow, on the other hand, only gives 50 GB on its lowest-paid site plan and 400 GB on its most expensive site plan.

Neither Squarespace nor Webflow has any storage limitations. However, Webflow does limit you on how many items you can store in its CMS. You can’t store any items on its $12 per month Site plan (billed yearly), but you can store up to 10,000 items on its $36 per month Site plan (billed yearly).

SEO Tools

Squarespace and Webflow are similar in the SEO department because they both provide pretty basic to poor SEO functions. You’ll get a basic site map, robots.txt and the ability to customize your URLs and meta descriptions.

Beyond that, you won’t see a ton of control. Squarespace sites have been known to not rank as highly in Google search engine result pages. If SEO is a top priority, we recommend checking out WordPress instead.

Bottom Line

Overall, Webflow and Squarespace let you build a website that looks like it was built by a professional designer. Both are beginner-friendly and come with basic SEO capabilities as well.

If you’re looking to have near-total control over your site’s look and feel, Webflow may be the best choice. If you want to spend less upfront, or if you plan to sell products and services, Squarespace is the stronger option.

A solid credit history, rewards and cashback, and varied credit utilization are just a few benefits of having multiple credit cards. It does have certain drawbacks, though, such as making several payments more difficult, being more likely to overspend, and having a detrimental effect on credit score. 

Finding a balance that serves your needs and your financial objectives is essential. In this blog, we will discuss the things to think about when choosing how many credit cards to have, the benefits and drawbacks of having several credit cards, and suggestions for how many credit cards to have depending on your financial circumstances.

Is It Beneficial To Have Many Credit Cards?

Having many credit cards can be advantageous as long as you handle each one wisely.

Your credit score is influenced by the number and type of credit accounts you have. If you want to establish or maintain a strong credit score, it is normally advised to have two to three credit card accounts and other forms of credit. This combination might boost your credit score.

When viewing your credit report, lenders and creditors want to see a diverse range of credit types. Maintaining several credit accounts gives lenders the impression that you know how credit operates and can control the amount you borrow.

Additionally, many credit cards give users access to exclusive reward schemes. These could be vacation perks, cashback opportunities on specific purchases, or other incentives.

Things To Consider Before Having Multiple Credit Cards

Various credit card options can help with rewards and cashback, diversifying your use of credit, and establishing a solid credit history, among other things. Before submitting applications for various credit cards, it’s crucial to consider a few things. Before obtaining numerous credit cards, take into account the following factors:

Credit Score 

One of the most crucial things to consider when applying for several credit cards is your credit score. A high credit score indicates careful borrowing and timely debt repayment in the past. Applying for numerous credit cards might lower your credit score if you already have a poor score, making it harder to get approved for loans or other credit in the future. As a result, before applying for several credit cards, you must focus on raising your credit score.

Income Level 

Before applying for several credit cards, you should carefully evaluate your income level. If your income is high, you can handle several credit cards without problems. Managing several credit cards, however, can be difficult if you have a low income and run the risk of accruing debt you cannot pay back. Therefore, before applying, it’s crucial to assess your income level and make sure you can afford to pay the balances on several credit cards.

Spending Patterns 

It’s also important to consider your spending patterns before applying for several credit cards. It might not be a good idea to have several credit cards if you tend to overspend or accumulate debt. However, if you manage your money well and make your bill payments on time, having several credit cards can have advantages, like cashback and perks.

Debt Management 

It’s essential to assess your ability to manage your bills before applying for multiple credit cards. Having more than one credit card may worsen matters if you have a past of accruing debt or find it difficult to make ends meet. Therefore, before applying for several credit cards, you must strengthen your debt management abilities.

Costs and Interest Rates 

It’s crucial to consider each credit card’s costs and interest rates while applying for several of them. Certain credit cards can be more costly than others due to their high-interest rates or yearly fees. It is crucial to compare each credit card’s costs and interest rates and select the ones that provide the most value for your money.

Know More: Credit Card Interest Rates May 2024

Rewards and perks 

Lastly, assessing each credit card’s rewards and perks is critical when comparing them to other options. Credit cards sometimes offer cashback, travel rewards, and other benefits that can help you save money or accrue incentives. Consequently, selecting credit cards that provide the greatest perks and rewards for your spending patterns and financial objectives is critical.

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?

Since every person’s circumstances are unique, there is no set number of cards that are ideal for you to possess. However, to profit from the inherent ease, security, and other advantages, there’s a compelling case to be made for owning at least one credit card. Whether you need additional credit lines to meet your monthly spending needs or want to use your regular purchases to earn benefits like cash back, points, or airline miles, it might help you justify owning multiple credit cards.

Many people struggle to manage more than two or three credit cards. However, because your credit requirements and financial position are unique, there is no hard and fast rule about how many credit cards are too many. The most important thing is to utilize your credit cards properly.

Read More: Best Credit Cards in India

Pros and Cons of Having Multiple Credit Cards

Having many credit cards might provide several benefits, but it also has some cons. Here are some important pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Maintains a Low Credit Utilization Ratio: Using 90% of your credit limit on a single card will automatically lower your credit utilization score if you have only one card. Nonetheless, you can maintain an optimal utilization ratio by using just 50% of your credit limit when using multiple cards.
• Aids in Credit Score Development: Those who maintain many credit cards and consistently make all their payments on schedule will have excellent credit scores. As a result, the person will have more creditworthiness and be eligible for more credit opportunities.
• Boosts Credit Limit: A cardholder with multiple credit cards can obtain a bigger credit limit. However, this should be exercised with caution.
• Increased Cashbacks and Rewards: Having multiple credit cards allows users to take advantage of additional card-related incentives, such as rewards and cashbacks.

Cons

• Difficult to Manage: Managing multiple cards requires keeping track of each billing cycle, credit limit, and payment due date, which can be challenging. This may become very stressful, and failing to make even one payment on time can lower credit scores.
• Can Lead to Unnecessary Debt: It’s often appealing to have additional credit available. However, this may result in overspending, which would increase debt. Careless cardholders run the risk of overspending.

Tips on Managing Multiple Cards

Here are some ideas for efficiently managing multiple credit cards:

• Set up automated payments: To prevent missing due dates and suffering late penalties, set up automatic payments for the minimum amount owed on each card. This can help you remain on top of your payments and maintain a positive payment history, which is important for your credit score.
• Keep track of your spending on all cards: Consider using budgeting software or a spreadsheet to track your balances, due dates, and expenditure categories. This can help you avoid overpaying and ensure you use the correct card for the relevant purchases to maximize your benefits.
• Prioritize high-interest debt: If you have balances, pay off the card with the highest interest rate first. This can help you save money on interest fees in the long term.
• Use balance transfer offers strategically: If you’re struggling with high-interest debt, try taking advantage of balance transfer offers from other cards with low introductory APRs. This can provide temporary relief and allow you to pay your obligations without accumulating too much interest.
• Review and change your credit limits. Regularly evaluate your credit limits and alter them as appropriate. If your income or expenses have changed, you may seek a higher limit on your main card or decrease limits on cards you don’t use as frequently.

Bottom Line

The right amount of credit cards to hold is a personal choice that needs to consider your spending patterns, financial objectives, and capacity for responsible account management. Even though having several credit cards might have benefits like higher credit limits, access to a variety of rewards programs, and improved fraud protection, it’s important to maintain moderation and stay away from potential traps like overspending or late payments.

Managing many credit cards effectively ultimately depends on your ability to be organized and practice financial discipline. You may take advantage of having numerous credit cards while keeping your credit profile in good standing by keeping a close eye on your spending, making timely payments on your balances, assessing your credit utilization, and mixing regularly.

It’s crucial to remember that having a lot of credit cards isn’t the only thing that affects your credit score. Regardless of the number of cards you own, responsible credit management—which includes making on-time payments and using your credit responsibly—is essential to keeping your credit score high.

Ahrefs and Semrush are leading SEO tools that help you rank higher in organic search and get more traffic. Both platforms offer a suite of SEO features including a keyword planner, rank tracker, link tracker, competitor analysis, and more. However, each offers its unique benefits. To help you choose Ahrefs vs. Semrush, we compared the two options in terms of pricing, features, ease of use, customer service, and more to determine which one is right for you.

Ahrefs vs Semrush: At a Glance

Ahrefs offers all the core SEO features you’d expect, including a site explorer, keyword explorer, site audit, rank tracker and content explorer. Prices range from INR 6,925.03 ($83) to INR 27,783.54 ($333) per month, paid annually, for one power user. Additional users cost between INR 1,668.68 ($20) and INR 4,171.70 ($50) per user, paid annually. It also offers an enterprise solution at INR 69,500.56 ($833) per month, paid annually. While Ahrefs doesn’t offer a free trial, it does have a suite of limited free SEO tools you can use.

Semrush offers similar SEO features as well as additional marketing features you can purchase as an add-on, such as local SEO, social media management, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising research and consumer trends. Prices start higher than Ahrefs at INR 9038.41 ($108.33) to INR 34,763.63 ($416.66) per month, paid annually. Additional users can be added at a cost of INR 3,754.53 ($45) to INR 8,343.41 ($100) per monthly user. Semrush offers a free seven-day trial, after which your account will default to a limited free version if canceled.

For this reason, Semrush is the best choice for businesses that are willing to pay for a more powerful marketing suite that includes great SEO tools. Ahrefs is a better choice for those who only need a solid set of SEO features at a more reasonable price. Both Ahrefs and Semrush offer relatively intuitive dashboards; however, Semrush only offers email support while Ahrefs offers email and live chat.

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Ahrefs

Starting cost

INR 6,925.03 ($83) per month, paid annually

Free Trial

No

Standout features

SERP comparison, email alerts, robust site explorer

Starting cost

INR 6,925.03 ($83) per month, paid annually

Free Trial

No

Standout features

SERP comparison, email alerts, robust site explorer

Why We Picked It

Ahrefs is one of the most popular SEO tools on the market and is rated our top overall SEO software with prices starting at INR 6,925.03 ($83) per month, paid annually for one user. Additional users can be added for INR 1,668.68 ($20) to INR 4,171.70 ($50) per month. Ahrefs offers tools such as an SEO dashboard with reporting metrics, site explorer, keyword explorer, site audit, rank tracker and SERP comparison tool. It also includes email alerts for ranking changes, new or lost backlinks as well as mentions.

Ahrefs is a great SEO platform that gives you all the functionality you need to manage your SEO strategy, including technical analysis, content planning and link building. It’s fairly easy to use and offers email and live chat support. For this reason, if you need a powerful yet well-priced SEO tool that doesn’t offer the additional marketing features that Semrush does, Ahrefs is the right choice for you.

Pros & Cons

• Limited free tools available
• Advanced content explorer
• Offers email and live chat support

• No free trial
• Doesn’t have additional marketing features
• Additional users cost extra

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Semrush

Starting cost

INR 9,038.41 ($108.33) per month, paid annually

Free trial

Seven days

Standout features

Local SEO, SEO content templates, competitor PR monitoring

Starting cost

INR 9,038.41 ($108.33) per month, paid annually

Free trial

Seven days

Standout features

Local SEO, SEO content templates, competitor PR monitoring

Why We Picked It

Semrush is a powerful SEO platform with advanced SEO features and add-on upgrades for additional marketing features. Prices range from INR 9,038.41 ($108.33) to INR 34,763.63 ($416.66) per month, paid annually, with additional users costing between INR 3,754.53 ($45) to INR 8,343.41 ($100) per month. Semrush includes a keyword tracker, backlink analytics, domain analytics, a content marketing platform with templates and suggestions as well as robust reporting with Looker Studio integration.

What sets Semrush apart, however, is its suite of add-on marketing upgrades, which include features such as local SEO, website monetization, social media management, PPC keyword research and more. These additional features can cost an additional INR 1,647.82 ($19.75) to INR 16,686.81 ($200) per month, paid annually. For this reason, Semrush is best for those needing an all-in-one marketing tool with top-notch SEO features.

Learn more: Read our full Semrush review.

Pros & Cons

• Free trial that defaults to limited free version if canceled
• Robust set of marketing features
• Intuitive and easy to use

• Prices may be high for some
• Doesn’t offer live chat support
• Additional users cost extra

How Ahrefs vs. Semrush Stack Up

Now that we’ve compared and contrasted Ahrefs vs. Semrush at a high level, let’s dig deeper into the key benefits and features that set these two SEO tools apart. We’ll not only take a look at basic and advanced features, but also consider pricing and other factors that can help you in your decision.

Keyword Research Tool

Ahrefs offers a keyword research tool called Keyword Explorer that lets you search for keyword traffic and ranking difficulty as well as additional keyword suggestions. It even lets you group relevant keyword ideas into clusters. Semrush also offers a keyword research tool that includes a keyword overview, keyword gap analysis, keyword manager and a keyword magic tool that generates thousands of potential keywords from a single seed keyword.

Rank Tracking

Both Ahrefs and Semrush include rank tracking that helps you track specific keyword progress on both desktop and mobile as well as by country. Not only can you track the performance of keyword traffic and positioning on your own domain, but you can also track the keyword progress of your competitors to ensure you’re always staying ahead.

Site Audit

Ahrefs and Semrush also both offer a robust site audit that automatically scans your website and alerts you of any SEO issues. Run an SEO site audit with either tool to uncover any technical or on-page SEO issues with your website. You can choose to crawl either the mobile or desktop version of your website to get a detailed breakdown of any SEO issues across device type.

Competitor Analysis

Ahrefs offers a competitor analysis tool called Site Explorer that lets you research your competitors’ backlinks and keyword rankings. Upgrade to its premium tiers to take advantage of additional capabilities such as content gaps, broken backlink opportunities and more. Semrush offers similar competitor analysis features but includes additional tools such as advertising research and a social media tracker to analyze your competitors’ social media activity.

Link Building Tools

Both Ahrefs and Semrush offer link building tools that help you track the number of gained or lost backlinks, any broken links as well as sites that are linking to your competitors but not you. However, Semrush offers additional link building features such as a backlink audit tool, backlink gap analysis and a link building tool to help with outreach campaigns.

Content Marketing Platform

While Ahrefs offers a suite of powerful SEO features, Semrush offers additional SEO and marketing features such as a content marketing platform. Included in its content platform is a content calendar, SEO content templates and an SEO writing assistant. These are features not offered by Ahrefs.

Cost of Ahrefs vs. Semrush

Ahrefs is more inexpensive than Semrush with three plans that range from INR 6,925.03 ($83) to INR 27,783.54 ($333) per month, paid annually, for one power user. Additional users cost between INR 1,668.68 ($20) and INR 4,171.70 ($50) per user. It also offers an enterprise version at INR 69,500.56 ($833) per month, paid annually for a custom number of users, as well as a limited suite of free tools you can use for basic SEO. Ahrefs doesn’t offer a free trial.

Semrush is pricier than Ahrefs with three plans ranging from INR 9,038.41 ($108.33) to INR 34,763.63 ($416.66) per month, paid annually for one user. Additional users can be purchased for between INR 3,754.53 ($45) to INR 8,343.41 ($100) per month. Semrush offers a free seven-day trial where you can test its full suite of features. If you decide to cancel before the trial ends, your account defaults to a limited free version for basic SEO. Semrush doesn’t offer a standard enterprise solution but you can request a custom plan.

Customer Reviews & Reputation

Ahrefs has garnered a 4.5 rating on the third-party review site G2 with over 500 total reviews. However, its rating on the review site Trustpilot is poor at 2.1 out of five with over 200 reviews. Those who’ve complained about Ahrefs point to its opaque pricing plan and potentially inaccurate data.

Semrush also has a 4.5-star rating out of five on G2 with almost 1,900 reviews. Unlike Ahrefs, it also scored relatively well on the review site Trustpilot with a 3.3 average rating across over 400 reviews. Disgruntled users cite its high cost and an inability to get in touch with customer service to solve basic billing issues.

Customer Service

Both Ahrefs and Semrush offer robust knowledge bases that include a help center, blog and SEO academy with video courses and more. However, Ahrefs offers both email and live chat support 24/5 while Semrush only offers email support. Semrush is responsive via email but if you need more immediate support help, then Ahrefs may be a better option.

Top Ahrefs and Semrush Alternatives

While Ahrefs and Semrush are two leading SEO software platforms, there are other options that may be a good fit for you. Below are three top alternatives to Ahrefs and Semrush that made our list of the best SEO software. The options below offer lower price points than both Ahrefs and Semrush, but may be missing some of the features you need.

Bottom Line

Overall, both Ahrefs and Semrush are leading SEO tools with a range of features that help you rank higher in search results and get more organic traffic. Ahrefs offers a strong set of SEO features at a lower overall price point than Semrush. On the other hand, Semrush offers more features than Ahrefs and a free seven-day trial, but comes with a higher cost. Use Ahrefs if you need a well-priced SEO tool or Semrush if you need a fuller marketing suite with SEO features.

Ahrefs is best for:

• Businesses that only need core SEO tools
• Those who need a lower price point than Semrush
• People wanting a live chat customer service option

Semrush is best for:

• Companies that want a more fully featured marketing option
• Advanced SEO features such as local SEO and a content platform
• Individuals who want to take advantage of a free trial before purchasing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)