Semrush is a search marketing platform used by millions of marketers. It covers keyword research, competitor analysis, technical site audits, rank tracking, backlink analysis and content optimization, plus tools for local SEO, PPC and reporting.
Its 2026 plans are built around SEO plus AI search. Paid plans now track your performance in AI assistants, monitor AI sentiment, generate AI visibility reports for any domain and monitor custom prompts, so you can see how your brand appears in ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI answers as well as classic search results.
Key features
- Keyword research with volume, difficulty, intent and keyword gap analysis.
- Competitor insights for organic traffic, top pages and backlinks of any domain.
- Site Audit including an AI-ready audit for how AI crawlers see your site.
- Position Tracking with multi-location and device tracking on Pro+.
- AI Visibility with tracked prompts, AI sentiment and brand performance reports.
- Content optimization and cannibalization analysis on Pro+ and above.
- MCP access to connect Semrush data to AI assistants and agents.
Semrush pricing
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual (per month) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 1 demo project, 10 reports per day |
| SEO | $139/month | $117.33 | 5 sites, 500 tracked keywords, basic research, AI search tracking |
| Starter (SEO + AI Search) | $199/month | $165.17 | Keyword and competitor tools, 50 tracked AI prompts, MCP access |
| Pro+ (SEO + AI Search) | $299/month | $248.17 | 15 sites, 1,500 keywords, historical data, content optimization, 100 prompts |
| Advanced | Custom | Custom | 40+ sites, 5,000+ keywords, API, team users, unlimited prompts |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Multi-brand AI visibility, SSO, SLA, dedicated manager |
Annual billing saves up to 17%. Additional users start at $45 per month, and reporting add-ons cost $10 to $20 per month.
Our experience using Semrush
Semrush makes it easy to go from a competitor’s domain to a list of keywords you are missing and a content plan to close the gap. Site Audit is thorough and well explained, and Position Tracking is reliable.
The AI Visibility features are the most complete we have seen in a mainstream SEO suite, which matters now that more searches end in an AI answer. Backlink analysis is strong, though many link builders still prefer Ahrefs.
Who should use Semrush?
Semrush is best for in-house marketing teams, agencies and consultants who want SEO, competitor research and AI search visibility in one subscription. Freelancers can start on the SEO plan; teams working on AI visibility should choose Starter or Pro+.
Semrush vs alternatives
Ahrefs is the closest rival and is often preferred for backlinks. Moz is cheaper with simpler tools, and Ubersuggest is the budget pick. For writing optimized content, combine Semrush with Surfer SEO or Frase.
Compare all AI for SEO tools, or see AI for Marketing.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is Semrush free?
Yes. The Free plan includes one demo project and 10 reports per day across core tools, with no credit card required.
How much does Semrush cost?
Paid plans start at $139 per month for SEO, $199 for Starter and $299 for Pro+, with up to 17% off on annual billing.
Does Semrush track AI search?
Yes. Paid plans include AI Visibility features such as tracked prompts, AI sentiment and AI brand performance reports.
Is Semrush better than Ahrefs?
Semrush covers more channels and has stronger AI Visibility tools, while Ahrefs is often preferred for backlink analysis.
Does Semrush have a free trial?
Yes. Paid plans offer a free trial before you subscribe.
