When choosing between SEMrush and Ahrefs, Ahrefs is often preferred for its robust backlink analysis and ease of use. It offers comprehensive link-building tools and detailed competitor analysis, making it ideal for SEO professionals focused on organic growth. Ahrefs also excels in keyword research with a vast database and intuitive interface.

While SEMrush is strong in overall digital marketing capabilities, including PPC and content marketing, Ahrefs' strengths in SEO-specific features make it the top choice if your primary goal is optimizing organic search performance.

Therefore, Ahrefs would be my pick for its SEO-focused advantages.