SEO & Marketing
Editor's Choice· reviewed September 28, 2026
Semrush review
Broad SEO suite with daily rank tracking and AI search visibility tools
Semrush is a subscription SEO platform that combines keyword research, backlink analysis, technical site audits and daily rank tracking in one workspace, with daily AI prompt tracking on its Starter plan and above. A limited free plan and a 7-day free trial on eligible plans let you test it before paying. Local, content, social, advertising and market-intelligence toolkits are sold separately, so the total cost depends on which modules your team needs.
Best for
- In-house marketing teams
- Agencies managing several client sites
- Teams tracking both Google rankings and AI search visibility
- Marketers who want daily rank tracking
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you.
Semrush vs alternatives
| Feature | SemrushReviewed | Ahrefs | Moz Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyword and backlink research | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Technical site audit | Yes | Yes (limited free access for sites you own) | Yes |
| Free option | Limited free plan | Ahrefs Free (limited, for sites you own) | Free account with limited tools |
| Free trial | 7 days on eligible plans | No | Medium monthly plan only |
| Rank tracking updates | Daily | Weekly | Weekly |
| AI visibility tracking | Daily prompt tracking on Starter and up | Daily prompt tracking on Lite and up | Weekly prompt tracking on Standard and up |
| Site authority metric | Authority Score | Domain Rating (DR) | Domain Authority (DA) |
| API access | Advanced and up (API units extra) | Lite and up (limits vary by plan) | Sold separately (Moz API) |
Feature checklist
Included: Free plan
1 demo project and 10 reports per day
Included: Keyword research
Included: Backlink analysis
Included: Technical site audit
Included: Daily rank tracking
Keyword limits vary by plan
Included: AI prompt tracking
Starter plan and above
Included: Historical SEO data
Pro+ plan and above
Not included: Multiple user seats
One user per plan; additional users cost extra
Pros and cons
Pros
- Keyword research, backlinks, site audits and rank tracking live in one workspace
- Rank tracking updates daily on every paid plan
- A free plan and a 7-day free trial on eligible plans let you evaluate it before paying
- Daily AI prompt tracking sits alongside classic SEO metrics on Starter and higher plans
- Modular toolkits let teams add local, content, social or ads features only if needed
Cons
- In our view, paid plans are a significant cost for solo site owners and small budgets
- Each plan includes one user seat; additional users are billed per month
- Historical data, content optimization and API access are reserved for higher tiers
- Specialist toolkits such as Local and Traffic & Market cost extra, raising the total bill
Pricing
Semrush offers a free plan (1 demo project, 10 reports per day) and a 7-day free trial on eligible plans, available once per account. Paid plans are tiered as SEO, then Starter, Pro+ and Advanced (which add AI search features), with custom Enterprise pricing; billing is monthly or annual (annual is paid upfront and saves up to 17%). Each plan includes one user, and specialist toolkits such as Local, Content and Traffic & Market cost extra. As of September 2026, the entry SEO plan is listed at $139 per month on monthly billing ($117.33 per month billed annually); check the official Semrush pricing page for current pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Does Semrush have a free plan or free trial?
Yes to both. The free plan includes one demo project and 10 reports per day, which suits exploring the interface rather than running ongoing campaigns. You can also take a 7-day free trial of eligible paid plans; each toolkit trial is available once per account, and it converts to a paid subscription unless you cancel before it ends.
Can I get a refund if Semrush is not right for me?
Only in limited cases. Semrush's published Cancellation and Refund Policy offers a one-time 7-day money-back guarantee on initial subscriptions of 12 months or longer bought directly from Semrush.com with a credit card. Month-to-month subscriptions are not refundable, so cancel a trial or monthly plan before the next billing date if you decide not to continue.
How does Semrush compare with Ahrefs and Moz Pro?
All three cover keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits and rank tracking. Semrush updates rankings daily on its paid plans, while Ahrefs and Moz Pro list weekly rank updates. Ahrefs has no free trial but offers limited free access for sites you own; Moz Pro offers a trial on its Medium monthly plan and uses Domain Authority. The right choice depends on your workflow and budget.
Does Semrush track visibility in AI search tools like ChatGPT?
Yes. The Starter, Pro+ and Advanced plans include daily AI prompt tracking (50, 100 and 200 prompts) and AI brand performance reporting, and a standalone AI Visibility Toolkit is sold separately. Semrush says its AI visibility features cover platforms including ChatGPT, Google AI Mode and AI Overviews, Gemini and Perplexity, though coverage varies by report. The entry SEO plan does not include prompt tracking.
Can several people on my team share one Semrush subscription?
Each Semrush plan includes one user seat by default. Additional users can be added for a monthly per-user fee that rises with your plan tier, and each added user gets a separate login that shares the subscription's limits. For larger teams, factor these seat costs into your budget before committing.
Our verdict
In our editorial view, Semrush is a strong fit for marketers and agencies who want keyword research, backlink data, technical audits and daily rank tracking under one login, with AI prompt tracking on Starter and higher plans. It is worth shortlisting if daily ranking data and breadth matter more to you than a low price. Solo site owners on tight budgets may find the paid tiers and add-on costs hard to justify, so start with the free plan or 7-day trial and compare it with Ahrefs and Moz Pro before committing.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you.