SE Ranking vs Semrush 2026: Which SEO Platform Gives You More for Less?

Semrush is the default choice for SEO professionals. With 10 million+ users and the largest keyword database in the industry, it's the tool everyone knows. But SE Ranking has been quietly building an alternative that covers nearly everything Semrush does — at a significantly lower price point.

We used both platforms across real client work for three weeks. The honest assessment: SE Ranking is a genuine Semrush competitor, not a cheap knockoff. But the right choice depends on your team size, budget, and whether you need Semrush's depth or SE Ranking's value.

What Are SE Ranking and Semrush?

Semrush is the largest SEO platform with 10M+ users and a keyword database of 26 billion+ keywords. It covers every aspect of SEO: keyword research, competitive analysis, backlink auditing, site audit, position tracking, content marketing, and PPC analysis. It's the tool that enterprise SEO teams and top agencies build their workflows around.

SE Ranking positions itself as a full-featured SEO platform at a more accessible price. It covers rank tracking, keyword research, competitor analysis, website audit, backlink monitoring, content marketing, and local SEO. Its modular add-on system (Agency Pack, AI Search Toolkit, API) lets you pay only for what you need. Endorsed by well-known SEO professionals like Aleyda Solis.

Feature Comparison

AI Search Tracking: SE Ranking's Edge

This is where SE Ranking pulls ahead. Its AI Search Toolkit ($71/month add-on) tracks your brand visibility across AI Overviews, AI Mode, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. You get 200-1000 daily prompt tracking slots, unlimited competitor research across all AI platforms, and access to SE Visible — a strategic dashboard for brand mentions, citations, and sentiment trends.

Semrush's AI visibility tracking — covering LLMs including Grok and Claude — is only available at the Enterprise level (custom pricing, typically $500+/month). For most teams, that means Semrush simply doesn't offer AI search tracking at an accessible price point.

Winner: SE Ranking. AI search visibility for $71/month vs Semrush's Enterprise-only access. For teams that care about how AI platforms cite their content, this is a significant differentiator.

Pricing Breakdown

SE Ranking is 25-30% cheaper than Semrush at every comparable tier. Core ($103) vs Pro ($140). Growth ($223) vs Guru ($250). And SE Ranking gives you more at each level: Core includes 2,000 daily keywords vs Semrush Pro's 500. Core includes 10 projects vs Semrush Pro's 5.

The add-on model is SE Ranking's secret weapon. You start with Core at $103/month and add only what you need: Agency Pack ($69/month) for white-label and client seats, AI Search Toolkit ($71/month) for AI visibility, API ($149/month) for automation. With Semrush, many of these features are locked behind the $250+ Guru or $500 Business tiers.

For Agencies: SE Ranking's Agency Pack

SE Ranking's Agency Pack ($69/month add-on, annual only) is purpose-built for agencies. It includes 30+ client seats, white-label platform and reporting, unlimited scheduled reports with AI summaries, agency catalog placement, and a lead generator. For an agency running 10-20 client projects, the total cost is Core + Agency Pack = $172/month.

Semrush offers agency features too — branded profiles on the Semrush Agency Partners platform, lead generation, and white-label reports ($20/month add-on). But the base cost is higher and additional user seats start at $45/month each. An agency with 5 team members on Semrush Guru would pay $250 + (4 × $45) = $430/month vs SE Ranking Growth + Agency Pack at $292/month.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Final Verdict

SE Ranking is the better choice for agencies, freelancers, and small-to-mid businesses who want comprehensive SEO tools without Semrush pricing. The AI Search Toolkit gives it a genuine feature advantage at the mid-tier level. The 14-day free trial makes it zero-risk to evaluate.

Semrush is the better choice for enterprise teams, large agencies, and SEO professionals who need the deepest competitive data available. Its 26B+ keyword database, PPC tools, and massive ecosystem are unmatched. If your clients expect Semrush-level reporting, switching to SE Ranking may raise questions.

Our recommendation: start with SE Ranking's 14-day trial. If it covers your needs (it will for 80% of teams), you'll save $400-2,000/year vs Semrush. If you hit limitations, Semrush is always there.

Frequently Asked Questions