SE Ranking vs Semrush
Ranjeeth Kumar
Last updated on
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The short answer
SE Ranking and Semrush are both full-stack SEO platforms that cover rank tracking, keyword research, site audits, and backlink analysis. The honest split comes down to scale versus cost. Semrush carries the largest keyword database (27.9 billion keywords) and backlink index (43 trillion links) on the market, plus a built-in link-building CRM and Google Shopping ad research. SE Ranking is a leaner, lower-priced alternative with more generous project and crawl limits at its entry tier, a no-card 14-day trial, and white-label reporting available without upgrading to a mid-tier plan.
If budget is a real constraint, you manage many client projects as a freelancer or agency, you want white-label reporting from an entry plan, or local SEO including Google Maps tracking matters, SE Ranking gives you 10 projects and 250k pages/mo audit at $103.20/mo annual (vs. Semrush Pro’s 5 projects and 100k pages).
If data depth is non-negotiable (27.9 billion keywords, 43 trillion backlinks), you need a built-in link-building outreach CRM, you research Google Shopping ads, or you want AI visibility tracking with #1 G2 Spring 2026 recognition, Semrush is the larger and more complete platform, starting at $117.33/mo annual (Classic Pro).
At a glance
| SE Ranking | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded / Vendor | SE Ranking (seranking.com), 2012 | Semrush (semrush.com), 2008 |
| Category | All-in-one SEO platform | All-in-one online marketing platform |
| Starting price | $103.20/mo (Core, annual billing) | $117.33/mo (Classic Pro, annual billing) |
| Public rating | 4.8/5 G2 (~1,400 to 2,400 reviews, verify live) | 4.5/5 G2 (~3,400 reviews, verify live) |
| Best for | Agencies and freelancers prioritizing value and project volume | Teams needing the largest data indexes and broadest toolkit |
Vendor profile
SE Ranking
SE Ranking launched in 2012 and is headquartered in Watford, Hertfordshire, UK, with additional offices in Miami, Wroclaw, and Kyiv. The platform covers rank tracking, keyword research, site auditing, backlink analysis, content optimization, local SEO, and social media analytics. It serves over 800,000 users across 150+ countries. G2 reviewers consistently flag ease of use and value for money as its strongest points, with a G2 ease-of-use score of 9.3/10. The platform restructured its plan names in early 2026 from Essential/Pro/Business to Core/Growth/Enterprise; some third-party sources still cite the old Essential plan at $65/mo, which is no longer listed on the live pricing page as of June 2026.
- Vendor
- SE Ranking (seranking.com)
- Founded
- 2012
- HQ
- Watford, Hertfordshire, UK (additional offices: Miami USA, Wroclaw Poland, Kyiv Ukraine)
- Team size
- 237 employees (as of June 2026, via highperformr.ai)
- Users
- 800,000+ across 150+ countries
- Public rating
- 4.8/5 G2 (review count reported as ~1,400 to 2,400; verify live)
Semrush
Semrush was founded in 2008 in St. Petersburg, Russia by Oleg Shchegolev and Dmitry Melnikov, and is now headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. It is NYSE-listed (ticker SEMR), positioning it as the most institutionally credible option in this comparison. The platform covers SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media, competitive intelligence, and AI search visibility. It runs two parallel pricing tracks as of 2026: Classic SEO plans and Semrush One (which bundles the AI Visibility Toolkit). Semrush swept G2 Spring 2026 with number-one rankings in six categories under its Semrush Unified Intelligence offering.
- Vendor
- Semrush (semrush.com)
- Founded
- 2008
- HQ
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Founders
- Oleg Shchegolev and Dmitry Melnikov
- Stock
- NYSE-listed (SEMR)
- Public rating
- 4.5/5 G2 (~3,400 reviews, verify live); Trustpilot diverges at 2.8 (reflect billing/cancellation friction)
Pricing: what you'll actually pay
Pricing is verified from each vendor’s live pricing page as of June 2026. SE Ranking restructured its plan names in early 2026; the old Essential plan at $65/mo is no longer listed. Semrush runs two parallel pricing tracks: Classic SEO plans and Semrush One (which adds the AI Visibility Toolkit). Add-ons and extra seats can push total Semrush cost well above $500/mo at scale. Verify current terms live before purchase.
| SE Ranking | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (annual billing) | $103.20/mo (Core) | $117.33/mo (Classic Pro) |
| Starting price (monthly billing) | $129/mo (Core) | $139.95/mo (Classic Pro) |
| Typical operating range | $103.20 to $223.20/mo (Core to Growth, annual) | $117.33 to $416.66/mo (Pro to Business, annual); Semrush One from $165.17/mo annual |
| Entry project / site limit | 10 projects | 5 projects |
| Entry crawl allowance | 250k pages/mo | 100k pages/mo |
| White-label minimum | Core + Agency Pack ($69/mo add-on, annual) | Guru plan ($208.33/mo annual minimum) |
| Extra user seats | Included per-seat per plan | $45 to $100/mo per additional seat |
| Free trial | 14 days, no credit card required | 7 days (14-day trial reported via some partner links; verify live) |
| Pricing model | Tiered subscription; add-ons for Agency Pack and AI Search | Two parallel tracks (Classic + Semrush One) plus 6+ standalone toolkit add-ons |
Capability comparison
Both platforms cover the core SEO toolkit. The differences widen on data volume, outreach, paid search research, and how local SEO and white-label features are priced. SE Ranking leads on entry-tier value and ease of use; Semrush leads on raw data depth and toolkit breadth.
| Service | SE Ranking | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Rank tracking (multi-location, multi-device) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyword research | ✓ (5.4B keywords) | ✓ (27.9B keywords) |
| Site audit | ✓ (250k pages/mo on Core) | ✓ (100k pages/mo on Pro) |
| Backlink analysis | ✓ (2.9T links) | ✓ (43T links) |
| Link-building outreach CRM | ✕ | ✓ |
| Google Shopping / PLA ad research | ✕ | ✓ |
| Local SEO / Google Maps tracking | ✓ (built-in) | Partial (add-on, from $30/mo) |
| White-label reporting | ✓ (Agency Pack add-on, Core+, $69/mo annual) | Partial (Guru plan minimum, $208.33/mo annual) |
| AI search visibility / GEO tracking | Partial (add-on $89/mo; reliability questioned in one 60-day test) | ✓ (bundled in Semrush One; #1 G2 Spring 2026) |
| Historical data | From ~2020 | From 2012 |
| Content marketing toolkit | ✓ (content editor built-in) | Partial (Guru and above, or add-on) |
| Social media analytics | ✓ (built-in) | Partial (add-on, from $20/mo) |
| Free trial | 14 days, no credit card | 7 days |
Decision matrix - who fits which side
| Criterion | SE Ranking | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Tighter budget, more projects at entry tier | ✓ | – |
| Largest keyword and backlink databases | ✕ | ✓ |
| White-label reporting without a plan upgrade | ✓ | – |
| Built-in link-building outreach CRM | ✕ | ✓ |
| Google Shopping and PLA ad research | ✕ | ✓ |
| Local SEO and Google Maps tracking built-in | ✓ | – |
| Longer free trial (14 days, no card) | ✓ | – |
| AI search visibility with top G2 recognition | – | ✓ |
| Higher G2 rating and ease-of-use score | ✓ | – |
| Deepest historical data (back to 2012) | ✕ | ✓ |
Check = clear edge. Dash = capable but not the stronger pick. Cross = outside the model or not available.
Strengths & tradeoffs
Both tools cover the core SEO job well. The differences that matter are at the edges, and each side wins meaningful rows.
| Axis | SE Ranking | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword database | 5.4 billion keywords | 27.9 billion keywords (roughly 5x larger) |
| Backlink database | 2.9 trillion links | 43 trillion links (roughly 15x larger) |
| Entry project limits | 10 projects, 250k pages/mo audit on Core | 5 projects, 100k pages/mo audit on Pro |
| Entry price (annual) | $103.20/mo (Core) | $117.33/mo (Classic Pro) |
| White-label access | Core plan + Agency Pack add-on ($69/mo annual) | Guru plan minimum ($208.33/mo annual) |
| Outreach CRM | Not available | Built-in link-building prospect and outreach tool |
| Google Shopping ads | Not available | Included in PPC research |
| Local SEO | Built-in (Google Maps tracking included) | Separate add-on (from $30/mo) |
| AI visibility (GEO) | Add-on at $89/mo; one 60-day test reported unreliable results | Bundled in Semrush One; #1 in 6 G2 Spring 2026 categories |
| Historical data | From approximately 2020 | From 2012 |
| Free trial | 14 days, no credit card | 7 days |
| G2 rating and ease of use | 4.8/5; ease of use 9.3/10 | 4.5/5; ease of use 8.4/10 |
| Pricing complexity | Simpler tiered model; one plan track | Two parallel tracks (Classic + Semrush One) plus 6+ add-on toolkits; cost can exceed $500/mo at scale |
Ratings & track record
| Metric | SE Ranking | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| G2 rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| G2 review count | ~1,400 to 2,400 (verify live) | ~3,400 (verify live) |
| G2 ease of use | 9.3 / 10 | 8.4 / 10 |
| G2 customer support | 9.4 / 10 | Not reported in dossier |
| Trustpilot | Not identified | Reported 2.8 (billing and cancellation friction) |
| Founded | 2012 | 2008 |
| G2 awards | Not reported | #1 in 6 G2 Spring 2026 categories; top 20 Best Global Software |
SE Ranking holds the higher G2 rating (4.8 vs. 4.5) and a notably higher ease-of-use score (9.3 vs. 8.4), but its review pool is smaller (~1,400 to 2,400 vs. Semrush’s ~3,400). Semrush’s G2 number rests on far more reviews and includes recognition across multiple award categories in Spring 2026. One counter-signal: Semrush’s Trustpilot rating is reported at 2.8, which reviewers attribute to billing and cancellation friction rather than product quality. Both G2 review counts were inferred from search metadata (direct G2 fetches returned 403 errors); verify live before citing.
Both tools’ data is sourced from publicly available information as of June 2026. Prices, plan names, and ratings change. SE Ranking restructured its plan names in early 2026, and some third-party sources still cite the old Essential plan at $65/mo. Semrush’s Semrush One pricing was verified via DemandSage rather than the vendor’s pricing page directly. Verify all pricing and terms directly with each vendor before purchase. This comparison is independent; we take no affiliate or referral fees from either.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SE Ranking and Semrush?
Is SE Ranking cheaper than Semrush?
Which has a better G2 rating, SE Ranking or Semrush?
Does SE Ranking have a link-building CRM like Semrush?
How does SE Ranking's free trial compare to Semrush's?
Which tool is better for agencies managing multiple client projects?
Sources and references
- SE Ranking homepage (accessed June 2026)
- SE Ranking pricing page (accessed June 2026)
- SE Ranking features page (accessed June 2026)
- SE Ranking company profile (HQ, team, founding) (accessed June 2026)
- SE Ranking G2 reviews page (accessed June 2026)
- SE Ranking G2 sellers page (title shows 2,396 reviews) (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush homepage (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush pricing and subscriptions KB (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush One vs SEO Toolkit comparison (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush One pricing page (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush features page (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush G2 reviews page (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush G2 sellers page (title shows 3,434 reviews) (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush G2 Spring 2026 awards announcement (accessed June 2026)
- SE Ranking vs Semrush comparison (Style Factory, 2026) (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush pricing breakdown (DemandSage, 2026) (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush review and Trustpilot divergence note (docket.io) (accessed June 2026)
- Semrush Wikipedia (founding, HQ) (accessed June 2026)
Want an outside opinion before you commit?
This comparison is independent — we don't take referral fees from either agency. If you'd like a second read from a B2B SaaS specialist on which fits your stage, PipeRocket is happy to give you an honest one. No obligation.
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