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SpyFu vs Semrush for Agencies (2026): Which Is Better?
By Red Kite Search Agency Created Updated 7 min read
Summary
Choose SpyFu for low-cost competitor and PPC research. Choose Semrush for a full workflow suite. Prices and ratings were checked in October 2026.
SpyFu vs Semrush: which is better for agencies in 2026?
SpyFu and Semrush both offer competitor research for SEO and PPC. SpyFu is cheaper and more focused. Semrush is a full suite.
We compared price, scope, and agency features.
| Tool | Editorial score | Review-site ratings | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpyFu | 4.2 / 5 | G2 4.6 | Basic $29-$39, Professional $89-$119, and Team $187-$249 per month (annual vs monthly billing). | Small to mid-size agencies |
| 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 |
How do SpyFu and Semrush compare on price?
SpyFu costs $29 per month for Basic on annual billing, $89 for Professional, and $187 for Team. Semrush SEO costs $139 per month on monthly billing ($117.33 annually).
| Tool | Plan | Price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpyFu | Basic | $29 per month (annual billing); $39 monthly | 1 user, 5,000 weekly tracked keywords, site audit of 50,000 pages, 10 automated reports |
| SpyFu | Professional | $89 per month (annual billing); $119 monthly | 1 user, 15,000 tracked keywords, white-labeled reporting, API access, Search Console, 500,000 audit pages |
| SpyFu | Team | $187 per month (annual billing); $249 monthly | 5 users, 50,000 tracked keywords, unlimited reports and tracking projects, 2 million audit pages |
| 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 |
Which costs less?
SpyFu, by a clear margin, especially on Basic and Professional. Both charge for extra users.
Semrush limits grow with plan tiers, so compare the plan you would actually need.
Which has more depth?
Semrush, as a full suite with audits, tracking, content tools, and reporting. SpyFu focuses on competitor keywords and PPC history, with a site audit and tracking.
SpyFu includes ten years of history on higher plans.
Which is better for white-label reports?
Both offer white-label options. SpyFu includes white-labeled reporting from Professional, while Semrush sells reporting features as part of its plans and add-ons.
Check how each looks to a client.
How do SpyFu and Semrush 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 | SpyFu | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | Google Search Console and API access from Professional, plus pre-built Google Ads campaigns; Looker Studio was not stated | 26 partner integrations listed on the partner integrations page; Notable: Wix, Yoast, AIOSEO, Storyblok, Umbraco, Surfer, Databox, monday.com |
| Security | GDPR, SOC 2, SSO and two-factor authentication were not stated, and its security page returned an error | 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 |
| Support | Email, live chat and phone are listed for account changes; Hours and response times are not stated | 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 |
| Apps | No mobile app stated | iOS app (iPhone only, needs a Position Tracking campaign set up first); no Android app found |
What are the pros and cons of SpyFu and Semrush?
Here is where each tool helps agencies and where it can get in the way, based on plan details and public feedback.
SpyFu pros
- Competitor SEO and PPC keyword research with 10 or more years of history on higher plans.
- White-labeled reporting, API access and Search Console integration from Professional.
- Team plan includes 5 users and 50,000 weekly tracked keywords.
- Good G2 reviews from a large base.
SpyFu cons
- Extra users cost a monthly fee on every plan.
- Basic has no white-label reports, API or Search Console integration.
- Professional shows a discounted first month and a higher regular price.
- No free trial was stated, and security and support details were not available.
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.
What do reviewers say about SpyFu and Semrush?
G2 shows SpyFu at 4.6 from 518 reviews and Semrush at 4.4 from 4,069 reviews. SpyFu is praised as a great option for lower budgets.
| Tool | Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpyFu | G2 | 4.6 / 5 | 518 |
| Semrush | Capterra | 4.6 / 5 | 2,325 |
| Semrush | G2 | 4.4 / 5 | 4,069 |
Reviewer themes for SpyFu
- G2 shows SpyFu at 4.6 from 518 reviews.
- G2 reviewers call it a great option for lower budgets with a user-friendly dashboard.
- Reviewers value seeing the organic keywords competitors rank for.
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.
How does setup differ between SpyFu and Semrush?
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.
SpyFu: Start with one client, load their competitors, and pull the organic and paid keyword gaps.
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.
What should agencies check before choosing between SpyFu and Semrush?
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 SpyFu
- Total users and tracked keywords.
- Confirm the regular price after the first-month discount.
- Check that white-label reports meet client needs.
- Compare data with another tool.
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.
How should you test SpyFu and Semrush 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 SpyFu versus Semrush.
- 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: SpyFu or Semrush?
Choose SpyFu for low-cost competitor and PPC research. Choose Semrush for a full workflow suite.
Many agencies start on SpyFu and add Semrush later.
Choose SpyFu if
- You do both SEO and PPC research for clients.
- You want white-label reports and API from Professional.
- You want strong competitor data at a mid-range price.
Skip SpyFu if
- You need many users on a low budget.
- You need published security details.
- You need a free trial.
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.
Frequently asked questions
- Is SpyFu or Semrush better?
- SpyFu for cost and PPC research, Semrush for a full suite.
- Which is cheaper?
- SpyFu.
- Which has white-label reports?
- SpyFu from Professional, and Semrush through its reporting features.
- Which has a free trial?
- Semrush offers a 7-day trial. SpyFu did not state one.
- Can I use both?
- Yes, for research and for the full workflow.
Sources
Prices, plan limits, and ratings were gathered in October 2026 from:
- SpyFu pricing page
- Semrush pricing page
- G2