VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★

PRICE: 5 CENTS

Sunday, October 5, 2025

View AhrefsView Open Payments (CMS)Back to Home

Head-to-head

Ahrefs vs Open Payments (CMS) comparison

Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.

Quick takeaways

Ahrefs adds App & Website Traffic coverage that Open Payments (CMS) skips.

Open Payments (CMS) includes Data APIs, Data Visualizations, and Regulatory Filings Monitoring categories that Ahrefs omits.

Ahrefs highlights: Comprehensive toolkit: Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Site Audit, Rank Tracker, Content Explorer, and Web Analytics., Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (free) provides a lighter version of Site Explorer and Site Audit, plus Web Analytics for verified sites., and Looker Studio connectors available for Site Explorer, Rank Tracker, and Site Audit — reserved for Advanced and above..

Open Payments (CMS) is known for: Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests., Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal., and Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style)..

Ahrefs logo

Ahrefs

ahrefs.com

A leading SEO and web-traffic intelligence suite. The free Ahrefs Webmaster Tools unlocks limited access to Site Explorer, Site Audit, and Web Analytics for verified sites, while full platform plans expand into deep backlink, keyword, and content analysis. Higher-tier subscriptions govern credits, export limits, historical data windows, and API access.

Platforms

Web
API

Pricing

Free
Subscription

Quick highlights

  • Comprehensive toolkit: Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Site Audit, Rank Tracker, Content Explorer, and Web Analytics.
  • Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (free) provides a lighter version of Site Explorer and Site Audit, plus Web Analytics for verified sites.
  • Looker Studio connectors available for Site Explorer, Rank Tracker, and Site Audit — reserved for Advanced and above.
  • Automated email alerts for new or lost backlinks, keyword changes, and web mentions, with flexible delivery options.
  • API v3 is included with Enterprise plans (with limited test queries available to all users).

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Open Payments (CMS) logo

Open Payments (CMS)

openpaymentsdata.cms.gov

U.S. federal open‑data program (Affordable Care Act ‘Sunshine Act’) that publishes financial relationships between drug/device manufacturers (and GPOs) and healthcare providers (physicians, NPPs since PY2021, and teaching hospitals). CMS publishes the prior program year’s full datasets on or before June 30 each year and issues a January refresh. Data are accessible via the web search tool, bulk downloads, and a REST Open Data API (filter, query, aggregate).

Platforms

Web
API

Pricing

Free

Quick highlights

  • Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests.
  • Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal.
  • Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style).
  • Publication cadence: initial annual publication on/around June 30 for the prior year, plus a January data refresh.
  • Pre‑publication workflow: 45‑day recipient review & dispute (Apr 1–May 15) + 15‑day correction window (May 16–May 30).

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Overlap

Shared focus areas

1 overlap

Both tools cover this research theme.

Where they differ

Ahrefs

Distinct strengths include:

App & Website Traffic
  • Comprehensive toolkit: Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Site Audit, Rank Tracker, Content Explorer, and Web Analytics.
  • Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (free) provides a lighter version of Site Explorer and Site Audit, plus Web Analytics for verified sites.
  • Looker Studio connectors available for Site Explorer, Rank Tracker, and Site Audit — reserved for Advanced and above.
  • Automated email alerts for new or lost backlinks, keyword changes, and web mentions, with flexible delivery options.

Open Payments (CMS)

Distinct strengths include:

Data APIs
Data Visualizations
Regulatory Filings Monitoring
  • Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests.
  • Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal.
  • Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style).
  • Publication cadence: initial annual publication on/around June 30 for the prior year, plus a January data refresh.

Feature-by-feature breakdown

AttributeAhrefsOpen Payments (CMS)
Categories

Which research workflows each platform targets

Shared: APIs & SDKs

Unique: App & Website Traffic

Shared: APIs & SDKs

Unique: Data APIs, Data Visualizations, Regulatory Filings Monitoring

Asset types

Supported asset classes and universes

Other

Other

Experience levels

Who each product is built for

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Platforms

Where you can access the product

Web, API

Web, API

Pricing

High-level pricing models

Free, Subscription

Free

Key features

Core capabilities called out by each vendor

Unique

  • Comprehensive toolkit: Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Site Audit, Rank Tracker, Content Explorer, and Web Analytics.
  • Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (free) provides a lighter version of Site Explorer and Site Audit, plus Web Analytics for verified sites.
  • Looker Studio connectors available for Site Explorer, Rank Tracker, and Site Audit — reserved for Advanced and above.
  • Automated email alerts for new or lost backlinks, keyword changes, and web mentions, with flexible delivery options.
  • API v3 is included with Enterprise plans (with limited test queries available to all users).
  • Enterprise also adds SSO, two-factor authentication, and higher data allowances.

Unique

  • Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests.
  • Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal.
  • Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style).
  • Publication cadence: initial annual publication on/around June 30 for the prior year, plus a January data refresh.
  • Pre‑publication workflow: 45‑day recipient review & dispute (Apr 1–May 15) + 15‑day correction window (May 16–May 30).
  • Supplemental/lookup tables (e.g., Covered Recipient Profile Supplement; distinct physician profile) to aid joins.
Tested

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Editor pick

Featured inside curated shortlists

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which workflows do Ahrefs and Open Payments (CMS) both support?

Both platforms cover APIs & SDKs workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.

Do Ahrefs and Open Payments (CMS) require subscriptions?

Both Ahrefs and Open Payments (CMS) keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.

How can you access Ahrefs and Open Payments (CMS)?

Both Ahrefs and Open Payments (CMS) prioritize web or desktop access. Investors wanting a mobile-first workflow may need to rely on responsive web views.

What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?

Ahrefs differentiates itself with Comprehensive toolkit: Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Site Audit, Rank Tracker, Content Explorer, and Web Analytics., Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (free) provides a lighter version of Site Explorer and Site Audit, plus Web Analytics for verified sites., and Looker Studio connectors available for Site Explorer, Rank Tracker, and Site Audit — reserved for Advanced and above., whereas Open Payments (CMS) stands out for Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests., Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal., and Open Data API (ODA) for programmatic access with filtering, querying, and aggregation (SoQL‑style)..

Keep exploring

Stay on top of related tools

Browse the categories and profiles that overlap most with this comparison to round out your shortlist.

Recommended tools

These profiles share overlapping coverage with both sides of this matchup.

Curation & Accuracy

This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.