HubSpot

AI-powered CRM platform for marketing, sales, and customer service

Ahrefs

AI-enhanced SEO toolset with industry-leading backlink index and keyword research capabilities

HubSpot

Moderate

16/25

Ahrefs

Moderate

14/25

Score Breakdown

DimensionHubSpotAhrefs

Data Residency

Where is your data stored and processed?

HubSpot: EU data hosting on AWS EU is available for Professional and Enterprise tiers but requires explicit configuration.

Ahrefs: Singapore-incorporated and bootstrapped; data processed across global infrastructure; no formal per-customer data residency selection but alternative jurisdiction to US CLOUD Act-covered vendors

3/5

EU data hosting on AWS EU is available for Professional and Enterprise tiers but requires explicit configuration.

3/5

Singapore-incorporated and bootstrapped; data processed across global infrastructure; no formal per-customer data residency selection but alternative jurisdiction to US CLOUD Act-covered vendors

Legal Jurisdiction

Which laws govern the company and your data?

HubSpot: US-incorporated public company on the NYSE, subject to CLOUD Act, with SCCs available for EU data transfers.

Ahrefs: Singapore incorporation provides a favourable alternative to US-based alternatives; Singapore has PDPA data protection legislation and is not subject to US CLOUD Act; GDPR DPA available

2/5

US-incorporated public company on the NYSE, subject to CLOUD Act, with SCCs available for EU data transfers.

3/5

Singapore incorporation provides a favourable alternative to US-based alternatives; Singapore has PDPA data protection legislation and is not subject to US CLOUD Act; GDPR DPA available

Data Retention & Training

Is your data used for model training?

HubSpot: Does not train AI models on customer CRM data; configurable data retention and deletion controls are available.

Ahrefs: Primarily processes public web index data; customer account and project data retained per privacy policy; no known use of customer data for model training

4/5

Does not train AI models on customer CRM data; configurable data retention and deletion controls are available.

3/5

Primarily processes public web index data; customer account and project data retained per privacy policy; no known use of customer data for model training

Certifications

ISO 27001, SOC 2, Cyber Essentials, etc.

HubSpot: Holds both SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001, with a detailed sub-processor list and DPA available for all customers.

Ahrefs: No publicly confirmed SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certifications; GDPR DPA available; cookie-free Web Analytics reduces personal data exposure

4/5

Holds both SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001, with a detailed sub-processor list and DPA available for all customers.

2/5

No publicly confirmed SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certifications; GDPR DPA available; cookie-free Web Analytics reduces personal data exposure

Regulatory Fit

Suitability for regulated industries and professional services

HubSpot: Adequate for most EU businesses when EU hosting is confirmed and DPA signed; regulated sectors should validate sub-processors.

Ahrefs: Bootstrap model and Singapore jurisdiction are notable differentiators; absence of formal security certifications limits suitability for highly regulated sectors requiring SOC 2 evidence

3/5

Adequate for most EU businesses when EU hosting is confirmed and DPA signed; regulated sectors should validate sub-processors.

3/5

Bootstrap model and Singapore jurisdiction are notable differentiators; absence of formal security certifications limits suitability for highly regulated sectors requiring SOC 2 evidence

Total Score

16/25

14/25

Best For

HubSpot

Best for teams that prioritise data residency (scores 3/5) and need a bronze-tier tool.

Ahrefs

Best for privacy-conscious teams who need strong data retention controls; teams on a tight budget.

Detailed Comparison

Ahrefs vs HubSpot: Trust & Compliance Comparison

Ahrefs (Ahrefs, SG) scores 14/25 overall with a Bronze (Moderate) trust badge. AI-enhanced SEO toolset with industry-leading backlink index and keyword research capabilities. HubSpot (HubSpot, US) scores 16/25 with a Bronze (Moderate) trust badge. AI-powered CRM platform for marketing, sales, and customer service.

Dimension-by-Dimension Breakdown

#### Data Residency

Both score equally at 3/5.

●Ahrefs (3/5): Singapore-incorporated and bootstrapped; data processed across global infrastructure; no formal per-customer data residency selection but alternative jurisdiction to US CLOUD Act-covered vendors

●HubSpot (3/5): EU data hosting on AWS EU is available for Professional and Enterprise tiers but requires explicit configuration.

#### Legal Jurisdiction

Ahrefs leads with 3/5 vs 2/5.

●Ahrefs (3/5): Singapore incorporation provides a favourable alternative to US-based alternatives; Singapore has PDPA data protection legislation and is not subject to US CLOUD Act; GDPR DPA available

●HubSpot (2/5): US-incorporated public company on the NYSE, subject to CLOUD Act, with SCCs available for EU data transfers.

#### Data Retention & Training

HubSpot leads with 4/5 vs 3/5.

●Ahrefs (3/5): Primarily processes public web index data; customer account and project data retained per privacy policy; no known use of customer data for model training

●HubSpot (4/5): Does not train AI models on customer CRM data; configurable data retention and deletion controls are available.

#### Certifications

HubSpot leads with 4/5 vs 2/5.

●Ahrefs (2/5): No publicly confirmed SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certifications; GDPR DPA available; cookie-free Web Analytics reduces personal data exposure

●HubSpot (4/5): Holds both SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001, with a detailed sub-processor list and DPA available for all customers.

#### Regulatory Fit

Both score equally at 3/5.

●Ahrefs (3/5): Bootstrap model and Singapore jurisdiction are notable differentiators; absence of formal security certifications limits suitability for highly regulated sectors requiring SOC 2 evidence

●HubSpot (3/5): Adequate for most EU businesses when EU hosting is confirmed and DPA signed; regulated sectors should validate sub-processors.

Certifications at a Glance

Certification	Ahrefs	HubSpot
ISO 27001	No	Yes
SOC 2 Type II	No	Yes

Overall Verdict

HubSpot has a clear trust advantage, scoring 16/25 compared to Ahrefs's 14/25. HubSpot particularly excels in data retention & training, certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for EU compliance, HubSpot or Ahrefs?

HubSpot has a TrustKit score of 16/25 while Ahrefs scores 14/25. HubSpot currently rates higher across data residency, legal jurisdiction, data retention, certifications, and regulatory fit.

How do HubSpot and Ahrefs compare on data residency?

HubSpot scores 3/5 for data residency (EU data hosting on AWS EU is available for Professional and Enterprise tiers but requires explicit configuration.), while Ahrefs scores 3/5 (Singapore-incorporated and bootstrapped; data processed across global infrastructure; no formal per-customer data residency selection but alternative jurisdiction to US CLOUD Act-covered vendors).

Are HubSpot and Ahrefs GDPR compliant?

Both tools are assessed across five compliance dimensions. HubSpot has a regulatory fit score of 3/5 and Ahrefs scores 3/5. Check the full comparison above for a detailed breakdown.

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