Head-to-head
SE Ranking vs Semrush: which one in 2026?
SE Ranking and Semrush are both subscription SEO platforms that cover keyword research, rank tracking, site audits, backlinks and AI visibility tracking. SE Ranking lists two main tiers with a 14-day trial, while Semrush has a free account and four paid steps that start higher.
Verdict
SE Ranking is the better fit for agencies and small teams that care about volume per euro, and it publishes a clear statement on AI training. Semrush costs more at every published step but covers advertising, content and local work under one login, and its free account lowers the first-look barrier. One gap on both sides: SE Ranking's page does not label which of its two prices is annual, so check the checkout before budgeting. Semrush's homepage also mentions an Adobe acquisition, so confirm the current vendor entity before signing a contract.
SE Ranking and Semrush side by side
| SE Ranking | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Price entry | €109 per month (Core, €87.20 billed annually) | €134 per month (SEO plan, €112.52 billed annually) |
| Published entry cost | Core shows 87.20 or 109.00 euros per month. The pricing page does not say which figure is annual and which is monthly. | SEO plan at 112.52 euros per month billed annually, or 134 euros monthly. Starter, Pro+ and Advanced sit above it. |
| Trying it first | A 14-day trial with full access to the product, and no credit card required to start it. | A free account with 1 demo project and 10 reports per day; the homepage also states a 7-day trial. |
| Tracked keywords and projects | Core: 10 projects and 2k daily tracked keywords. Growth: 30 projects and 5k daily keywords. | SEO plan: 5 websites and 500 keywords daily. Pro+: 15 websites and 1,500 keywords daily. |
| AI search tracking | SE Visible follows mentions, sentiment and share of voice across 5 AI engines. Core allows 25 prompts daily. | Prompt-level tracking across Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini. Starter allows 50 prompts daily, Pro+ allows 100. |
| Where data is stored | Hosting region not stated in the privacy policy, which points to a processors list. EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework participation is stated. | The security page says service data sits in US data centers (AWS, Google Cloud, Digital Reality). Transfers use Standard Contractual Clauses. |
| AI training on your data | The privacy policy says personal data is not used to train general AI or machine learning models, and prompts are covered. | The privacy policy makes no statement about whether customer data is used to train AI models. |
| Agency features | An Agency Pack add-on at 59 euros per month (annual billing only) adds white label reports, client seats and a lead generator. | Team users and reporting arrive on the custom-priced Advanced plan, which is sold through a demo request. |
| Automation and assistants | API endpoints plus MCP access from Core, with 25K API credits on that plan, for Claude and ChatGPT. | Semrush MCP from Starter, a Semrush app inside ChatGPT, and a public API with an App Center. |
Where each one wins
SE Ranking wins on
- More tracked keywords and projects at comparable prices, with a clear 14-day trial.
- States in its privacy policy that personal data does not train general AI models.
- Agency white labelling is a priced add-on rather than a custom quote.
Semrush wins on
- A free account exists, so teams can open the interface before paying.
- Adds content optimization, advertising research and local tools in one subscription.
- Ranks AI visibility across four named engines, with prompt allowances stepping up per plan.
Which to pick
Pick SE Ranking if
You manage several client sites, want high keyword counts per euro and need the vendor to say plainly that your data does not train general AI models.
Pick Semrush if
You want a free starting account, wider coverage (content, ads, local) and are comfortable with US-hosted data and a pricing ladder with four paid steps.
Each tool in context: SE Ranking profile, Semrush profile, and the full Best SEO Software in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, SE Ranking or Semrush?
On published figures SE Ranking is cheaper: Core shows 87.20 or 109.00 euros per month, against 112.52 euros annual or 134 euros monthly for the Semrush SEO plan. The SE Ranking page does not label which of its two numbers is annual, so the exact discount could not be confirmed. Both prices were read in November 2026.
Do SE Ranking and Semrush both track visibility in ChatGPT and Gemini?
Yes. SE Ranking's SE Visible tracks mentions, sentiment and share of voice across 5 AI engines including ChatGPT, Gemini, AI Overviews and AI Mode. Semrush tracks prompts across Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini. Prompt allowances differ: 25 daily on SE Ranking Core, 50 on Semrush Starter.
Can I try SE Ranking or Semrush without paying?
SE Ranking offers 14 days of full access with no credit card required. Semrush has a free account limited to 1 demo project and 10 reports per day across core tools, and its homepage states a 7-day trial. Neither page was checked for what happens to trial data afterward.
Which one is safer for client data under GDPR?
Neither vendor page gave a full answer. SE Ranking states EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework participation and no use of personal data for training general AI models, but no hosting region. Semrush says data is stored in US data centers and uses Standard Contractual Clauses. Neither mentioned SOC 2 or ISO 27001 on the pages opened.