Cancel Ahrefs the easy way

Overview

Ahrefs is a software-as-a-service SEO platform that provides backlink data, keyword research, site audits and rank tracking used by marketing teams and SEO professionals.

Who uses Ahrefs

Ahrefs targets digital marketing teams, SEO specialists, PPC professionals, content marketers and brand strategists. It is used by startups and large companies, including teams at Fortune 500 firms.

Key capabilities

Ahrefs offers site auditing, organic search reports, backlink index, keyword research, rank tracking and competitor analysis.

Web - Cancel via Account Settings

1. Sign in at ahrefs.com.
2. Open Account Settings.
3. Choose Billing then Subscriptions.
4. Click Cancel and follow the on-screen prompts.
5. Keep the on-screen confirmation and any confirmation email.

Email - Cancel via [email protected]

1. From the email address registered to your Ahrefs account, send a message to [email protected] with subject "Cancellation request".
2. Include your account email, plan name and last 4 digits of payment card (optional).
3. Keep the reply from Ahrefs as proof.

Live chat - Cancel via website chat

1. Open the Ahrefs website and click the live chat widget.
2. Request cancellation and confirm your account details.
3. Save a transcript or ask for confirmation by email.

Phone - If you have a phone contact

1. Ahrefs does not publish a public phone cancellation number; use email or live chat.

Post - Registered letter

1. Address a registered letter to Ahrefs, 156 2nd St, 94105 Singapore, Singapore requesting cancellation.
2. Include your account email address and a request for written confirmation.
3. Keep the registered post receipt as proof.

Cooling-off rights (14 day cooling-off period)

Under The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, UK consumers can cancel distance contracts within 14 days. For subscription contracts, the right to cancel applies during the initial cooling-off period and during any renewal cooling-off period. To exercise this right, notify Ahrefs by email to [email protected] or via the online cancellation path. The trader must refund payments within 14 days of being informed of cancellation. See Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Price increase

If Ahrefs raises the subscription price in a way that changes the contract terms, UK consumer law protects you from unfair term changes under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Provide the price increase notice received from Ahrefs and your account details when requesting cancellation. Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015 - protections against unfair contract terms.

Moving - change of circumstances

Relocation alone is not normally a contractual ground to force immediate pro rata refund unless the contract terms allow it or statutory cooling-off rights apply. Provide proof of new address (utility bill or tenancy agreement) when asking Ahrefs to consider exception. Relevant law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 for distance contracts; failure to supply exceptional acceptance is at the trader's discretion.

Death of the subscriber

To cancel on the basis of a subscriber's death, contact [email protected] and include a copy of the death certificate and the executor/administrator contact details. Ahrefs evaluates such requests; statutory consumer rights and the contract terms apply.

Legitimate grounds accepted by Ahrefs

Ahrefs accepts cancellation requests via the web interface, email to [email protected] and live chat. For refunds Ahrefs states it has no obligation to refund unless required by applicable law; consumers in the UK may be entitled to refunds under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. Provide account evidence and correspondence when requesting a refund. See Ahrefs terms at Ahrefs Terms.

End of commitment

If your plan is annual and you signed an annual Enterprise agreement, cancellation typically takes effect at the end of the paid annual period unless the contract includes an early-termination clause. For Enterprise customers the plan requires an annual commitment. Applicable law: contract terms and Consumer Rights Act 2015 regarding unfair cancellation penalties.

Before you cancel: negotiate

Ahrefs does not publish standard retention offers. To request a retention discount or a temporary pause, contact [email protected] or use live chat and ask for a retention offer or a billing pause. Mention your current plan, renewal date and reason for leaving. Ahrefs supports pausing subscriptions in some cases - see their help centre for details at Can I pause or suspend my subscription. Save any written offer you receive as proof.

What cancelling saves you - yearly math

Compute yearly costs by multiplying the monthly price by 12 unless an annual price is provided. Examples:

• Starter: £23 x 12 = £276 per year.
• Lite: £99 x 12 = £1,188 per year (annual equivalent shown as £83 per month giving £83 x 12 = £996 per year when billed annually).
• Standard: £199 x 12 = £2,388 per year (annual equivalent shown as £165.83 x 12 = £1,990 per year when billed annually).
• Advanced: £359 x 12 = £4,308 per year (annual equivalent shown as £299.17 x 12 = £3,590 per year when billed annually).
• Enterprise: monthly/annual shown as £1,199; annual commitment required, so yearly cost = £1,199 x 12 = £14,388.

Cheapest competitor alternative in the research: RnkRocket at £9.95 per month = £9.95 x 12 = £119.40 per year. Switching from Lite monthly (£99) to RnkRocket saves £1,068.60 per year (calculation: £99 x 12 = £1,188; minus £119.40 = £1,068.60).

Key UK consumer law

The main protections are The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 which give a 14-day cooling-off right for distance contracts, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which requires services to be performed with reasonable care and skill and restricts unfair contract terms. For updated statutory references on cooling-off rights see the UK government consolidation at Consumer Rights (2024) - Cooling-off rights.

Auto-renewal and CMA guidance

The Competition and Markets Authority scrutinises unclear auto-renewal and hard-to-cancel subscriptions. If you face unclear renewal terms or unfair cancellation barriers, report the issue to Citizens Advice or Trading Standards.

How to escalate

1. Complain to Ahrefs support at [email protected] and keep written records. 2. If unresolved, contact Citizens Advice and your local Trading Standards office. 3. For card payments, consider a chargeback via your card issuer or a Section 75 claim for qualifying credit card transactions. Keep receipts, contractual terms and correspondence.

Access and account status

After cancellation your account remains active until the end of the current billing cycle. When the billing period ends the account automatically downgrades to Ahrefs Free. Save or export any project data, site audit results or reports you need before the end of the paid cycle.

Payment methods and final billing

Ahrefs states payment methods can only be deleted once the account is on the free tier; while a subscription is active you can replace cards but not delete them. Check your final invoice and billing date in Account Settings - Billing to confirm the final charge.

Re-activation

You can re-activate by signing in and choosing a new plan. If you re-subscribe later, previous projects and data may be retained according to Ahrefs account policies; export critical data before cancellation.

Follow this checklist to cancel cleanly and preserve proof.

• Sign in and cancel via Account Settings - Billing - Subscriptions, then save the on-screen confirmation.
• If you prefer, email [email protected] from your account email with subject "Cancellation request" and keep the reply.
• Export site audits, keyword lists and backlinks you need before the billing period ends.
• Note the billing cycle end date and confirm no further charges in Account Settings.
• If you want your card removed, wait until the account is downgraded to the free tier and then delete the payment method.
• If you believe you are entitled to a refund, request it in writing to [email protected] and cite the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 if within 14 days.