SE Ranking vs Semrush
Pick Semrush if you want the deepest keyword and competitor data and the broadest marketing toolkit; pick SE Ranking if rank tracking and client reporting for many projects matter most. Their entry plans now cost about the same, roughly $129-140/mo on monthly billing. SE Ranking is no longer the bargain bin option, so choose on features.
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| SE Ranking | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Overlord Score | 8/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Best for | Agencies managing many client projects, Rank tracking and client reporting | Keyword and competitor research, SEO agencies |
| Starting price | $103.20/mo (billed annually) | $117.33/mo (billed annually) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Pricing | Core $129/mo ($103.20 annual); Growth $279/mo ($223.20 annual). | Pro about $139.95/mo; Guru about $249.95/mo; Business about $499.95/mo. |
| Trial / free | 14-day trial, no card required. | Limited free account. |
| Data depth | Trails Semrush in places. | Massive keyword and competitor database. |
| Rank tracking | A core strength, with white-label reports. | Rank tracking included, with strong client reporting. |
| AI search | AI search visibility tracking. | AI search visibility tracking. |
| Ease of use | Straightforward, agency-friendly. | Covers more ground; can overwhelm at first. |
SE Ranking or Semrush: which should you choose?
Choose SE Ranking if…
Choose SE Ranking if you manage many client sites and mainly need rank tracking, audits and white-label reporting.
Try SE Ranking →Choose Semrush if…
Choose Semrush if you need the most comprehensive keyword, competitor and backlink data in one suite.
Try Semrush →SE Ranking vs Semrush pricing
SE Ranking
- Core $129/mo
- Growth $279/mo
- Enterprise Custom
No free plan. Core and Growth come with a 14-day free trial, no credit card required, with starter limits such as 750 tracked keywords per day.
Full SE Ranking pricing →Semrush
- Free Free
- SEO $139/mo
- Starter (SEO + AI Search) $199/mo
- Pro+ (SEO + AI Search) $299/mo
- Advanced (SEO + AI Search) $549/mo
- Enterprise Custom
Yes. Semrush's free plan needs no credit card and gives 1 demo project and 10 reports per day; paid plans also offer a 7-day free trial.
Full Semrush pricing →Strengths and weaknesses
SE Ranking
A capable, agency-friendly alternative to Semrush and Ahrefs. It is no longer the cheap option it was before the 2026 plan shake-up, but rank tracking and reporting remain excellent.
Strengths
- Strong rank tracking and reporting
- Good agency features
- 14-day trial without a card
Weaknesses
- Entry price rose with the new Core/Growth plans
- Data depth trails Ahrefs and Semrush in places
Semrush
The Swiss Army knife of search marketing. If you want to see exactly what your competitors rank for and take their traffic, this is the weapon.
Strengths
- Massive keyword and competitor database
- Covers almost every SEO task
- Strong reporting for clients
Weaknesses
- Expensive for solo beginners
- Can be overwhelming at first
Questions the Humans Keep Asking
Is SE Ranking cheaper than Semrush?
Only slightly at the entry level now. SE Ranking Core is $129/mo monthly or $103.20/mo annually, versus about $139.95/mo for Semrush Pro on monthly billing.
Is SE Ranking as accurate as Semrush?
SE Ranking's data is solid for most tasks, but Semrush has the larger keyword and competitor database.
Which is better for agencies?
Both serve agencies. SE Ranking stands out for white-label reporting and rank tracking; Semrush for research depth.