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Semrush vs SE Ranking for Agencies (2026): Which Is Better?
By Red Kite Search Agency Created Updated 9 min read
Summary
Choose SE Ranking if you are a small to mid-size agency that wants broad SEO tooling and white-label reports at a lower price. Choose Semrush if you need the deepest data and the broadest workflow and can afford it. Prices and ratings were checked in October 2026.
Semrush vs SE Ranking: which is better for agencies in 2026?
Semrush and SE Ranking compete for the same agencies: teams that want one SEO platform covering research, audits, tracking, and client reports. Semrush is the larger, more expensive suite. SE Ranking is the value alternative, with a clear add-on for white-label agency reporting.
We compared price once agency features are included, data depth, and fit for small agencies.
| Tool | Editorial score | Review-site ratings | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semrush | 4.5 / 5 | Capterra 4.6, G2 4.4 | Free account with limits, 7-day trial. Paid plans start at roughly $117.33-$139 per month (billed annually vs monthly) and go up with projects and tracked keywords. | Solo consultants to large agencies |
| SE Ranking | 4.3 / 5 | G2 4.7 | Core about $103.20-$129 and Growth about $223.20-$279 per month (annual vs monthly). Agency Pack adds about $69 per month. 14-day free trial. | Small to mid-size agencies |
How do Semrush and SE Ranking compare on price?
SE Ranking is cheaper. Core is about $103.20 per month on annual billing and Growth about $223.20, against Semrush at roughly $117.33 to $139 for SEO and about $248.17 to $299 for Pro+. SE Ranking adds white-label reporting and 30 client seats through an Agency Pack at about $69 a month, billed annually. Semrush puts fuller white-label customization and extra users on higher plans and add-ons.
| Tool | Plan | Price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semrush | Free | $0 | 1 demo project, 10 reports per day, no credit card |
| Semrush | SEO | $117.33 per month (annual billing); $139 monthly | 5 websites, 500 daily keywords |
| Semrush | Starter | $165.17 per month (annual billing); $199 monthly | 5 websites, 500 daily keywords; adds AI visibility features |
| Semrush | Pro+ | $248.17 per month (annual billing); $299 monthly | 15 websites, 1,500 daily keywords, historical data |
| Semrush | Advanced | Custom | 40+ websites, 5,000+ daily keywords, team users, API |
| SE Ranking | Core | $103.20 per month (annual billing); $129 monthly | 10 projects, 2,000 daily keywords, 1 manager seat, 100 AI prompts a day, 14-day trial |
| SE Ranking | Growth | $223.20 per month (annual billing); $279 monthly | 30 projects, 5,000 keywords, 3 manager seats, 250 AI prompts a day, 14-day trial |
| SE Ranking | Agency Pack (add-on) | $69 per month (annual billing) | White-label reports, 30 client seats, scheduled reports; annual billing only |
| SE Ranking | AI Search (add-on) | $71.20 per month (annual billing); $89 monthly | AI Overviews, AI Mode, Perplexity and ChatGPT tracking |
| SE Ranking | API (add-on) | $45 per month (annual billing) | Annual billing only |
| SE Ranking | Enterprise | Custom | Custom limits and terms |
Which is cheaper once you add white-label reports?
SE Ranking is cheaper once white-label reports are in the picture. Core at $103.20 plus the Agency Pack at $69 comes to a monthly total on annual billing that is still below Semrush Pro+ at $248.17, the tier where fuller white-label customization sits. At entry level, Semrush SEO at $117.33 is cheaper but lacks those client-reporting features. The Agency Pack includes unlimited scheduled reports with AI summaries and client seats.
Semrush reports are strong, but the white-label and user features that agencies want are on higher tiers and add-ons.
Which has deeper data?
Semrush. It has one of the largest keyword and competitor databases in the market, and reviewers praise its depth. SE Ranking has a smaller database, and some users report occasional data discrepancies.
For day-to-day rank tracking and audits the difference is small for many agencies. For deep research across many markets, Semrush has the advantage.
Which is better for a small agency?
SE Ranking is often the better fit. G2 describes it as suited to small to mid-sized agencies, reviewers praise the intuitive interface and clear dashboards, and the price is lower. A 14-day trial needs no credit card.
Semrush suits agencies that value breadth, a free account, and the deepest data, and can absorb a higher bill.
How do Semrush and SE Ranking compare on integrations, security, and support?
Beyond price, agencies ask about connections to their other tools, what to tell clients about security, and how quickly they can get help. This is what each vendor states publicly, as checked in October 2026.
| Area | Semrush | SE Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | 26 partner integrations listed on the partner integrations page; Notable: Wix, Yoast, AIOSEO, Storyblok, Umbraco, Surfer, Databox, monday.com | Integrations page lists Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, Google Ads, Matomo, Data Studio, Whatagraph, AgencyAnalytics, and Reports.io; no total count is stated |
| Security | GDPR adherence stated and PCI DSS Level 1 certification confirmed yearly by an independent audit; SSO via SAML is available on request; the pricing page lists SSO, team governance, and audit logs under Enterprise; Two-factor authentication is supported; SOC 2 and ISO 27001 were not mentioned on the security page | Security certifications were not stated on the pages we could read (the security page returned an error) |
| Support | Contact support form, knowledge base, blog, and webinars through its academy; Support hours and priority tiers were not stated on the pages we could open | Help Center, Academy resources, and chat and email support for all customers; Customer Success support on higher-tier plans, with dedicated customer support on the tier below Enterprise |
| Apps | iOS app (iPhone only, needs a Position Tracking campaign set up first); no Android app found | No mobile app listed on the pages we checked |
What are the pros and cons of Semrush and SE Ranking?
Here is where each tool helps agencies and where it can get in the way, based on plan details and public feedback.
Semrush pros
- Very deep keyword and competitor data across many markets.
- Covers the full workflow: research, technical audits, position tracking, and reporting.
- Shared projects and reports suit teams that work on the same accounts.
- Free account and a 7-day trial make it easy to test.
Semrush cons
- Price: plans start well above most point tools, and extras are sold as separate add-ons.
- Project and keyword limits push growing agencies up to higher tiers.
- White-label reporting and team users are tied to the more expensive plans.
- AI search tracking is newer than the specialist tools built only for that.
SE Ranking pros
- Priced below Semrush and Ahrefs, with generous keyword and crawl limits.
- Agency Pack adds white-label reports and 30 client seats.
- AI search tracking across several assistants is included in plans.
- Reviewers praise clear dashboards and responsive support.
SE Ranking cons
- Agency features are an extra monthly add-on, billed annually only.
- Some users report occasional data discrepancies.
- Smaller backlink and keyword database than the market leaders.
- The AI search add-on pricing is harder to read across prompt tiers.
What do reviewers say about Semrush and SE Ranking?
SE Ranking shows 4.7 on G2 from 2,729 reviews. Semrush shows 4.6 on Capterra from 2,325 reviews and 4.4 on G2. Written feedback praises SE Ranking for value, dashboards, and support, and Semrush for data and coverage. Semrush draws more complaints about price.
| Tool | Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semrush | Capterra | 4.6 / 5 | 2,325 |
| Semrush | G2 | 4.4 / 5 | 4,069 |
| SE Ranking | G2 | 4.7 / 5 | 2,729 |
Reviewer themes for Semrush
- Capterra shows Semrush at 4.6 from 2,325 reviews, and G2 at 4.4 from 4,069.
- Independent reviews praise keyword and backlink data, competitor analysis, rank tracking, and client reporting.
- An independent review gave it 8.3 out of 10 overall, leading on keyword intelligence.
Reviewer themes for SE Ranking
- G2 shows SE Ranking at 4.7 out of 5 from 2,729 reviews.
- G2 describes it as suited to small to mid-sized agencies and in-house teams.
- Reviewers like the intuitive interface and clear dashboards, and agencies value customizable reporting.
How does setup differ between Semrush and SE Ranking?
Getting value from either tool depends on how you set it up, and the first steps differ. Here is the practical starting point for each.
Semrush: Create one project per client domain and enter the keywords you already track. Keep names consistent so reports are easy to find, and set up a weekly or monthly schedule for site audits so issues are flagged without anyone remembering.
SE Ranking: Use the 14-day trial on a real client site. Add the project, enter your keywords, run a site audit, and compare the numbers with another source so you trust the data before rolling it out.
What should agencies check before choosing between Semrush and SE Ranking?
Small details in plans and limits decide whether a tool works in practice. Check these points for each tool during a trial on a real client account.
Before you buy Semrush
- Model your project and tracked keyword counts against plan limits.
- Check which plan includes white-label reports and extra users.
- Find out which add-ons you need and what they cost.
- Check the price for your region, since vendors can show different prices by country.
Before you buy SE Ranking
- Add the Agency Pack to your budget if you need white-label reports.
- Compare key numbers against another source for your markets.
- Check AI search add-on tiers and what each includes.
- Confirm project and seat limits on your chosen plan.
How should you test Semrush and SE Ranking before deciding?
The fairest test is to run both tools on the same real client account for two weeks, with the same people, and compare the results rather than first impressions.
What to measure
- How long it takes a new team member to be productive in Semrush versus SE Ranking.
- How often people open each tool without being reminded.
- Whether the plan you need includes the features you tested, not just the entry price.
- How a client reacts if you invite them to either tool.
- How much time the team spends on notifications, setup, and cleanup each week.
Which should you choose: Semrush or SE Ranking?
Choose SE Ranking if you are a small to mid-size agency that wants broad SEO tooling and white-label reports at a lower price. Choose Semrush if you need the deepest data and the broadest workflow and can afford it.
For many small agencies, SE Ranking delivers most of what Semrush does for less. Run a trial on a real client site and compare key numbers before deciding.
Choose Semrush if
- You want one tool for research, audits, tracking, and reporting across clients.
- You value deep keyword and competitor data.
- You want a free account and trial to test before paying.
Skip Semrush if
- Your budget is small and a cheaper tool would cover your needs.
- You depend mainly on backlink research, where Ahrefs is often preferred.
- You need deep AI visibility tracking and plan to rely on one specialist tool.
Choose SE Ranking if
- You want broad SEO tools and white-label reports at a lower price.
- You are a small or mid-size agency serving several clients.
- You want a 14-day trial without a credit card.
Skip SE Ranking if
- You depend on the deepest backlink or keyword database.
- You cannot commit to annual billing for the Agency Pack.
- You need very large enterprise limits on a small budget.
Frequently asked questions
- Is SE Ranking better than Semrush?
- It is better value for small agencies. Semrush has deeper data and a broader workflow.
- Which is cheaper?
- SE Ranking, including its Agency Pack add-on.
- Do both have white-label reports?
- SE Ranking through the Agency Pack, and Semrush on higher plans.
- Do both track AI search?
- Yes, both include AI search tracking in some form, with add-ons for more.
- Which has a free trial?
- SE Ranking offers 14 days. Semrush offers a free account and a 7-day trial.
Sources
Prices, plan limits, and ratings were gathered in October 2026 from:
- Semrush pricing page
- SE Ranking pricing page
- G2
- Capterra
- MADX Digital