Sage vs Semrush
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Sage and Semrush. We compare features, pricing, ease of use, and value for money to help you make the right choice in 2026.
Reviewed by the Ikaroa team Β· Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
Semrush edges ahead overall with a rating of 4.5/5. However, Sage (3.9/5) may be the better fit if you prioritise UK businesses wanting a trusted, established accounting platform with strong tax compliance. Read on for the full breakdown.
Sage vs Semrush at a Glance
Sage
β 3.9Sage is a long-established accounting software provider with products ranging from simple cloud accounting to enterprise-grade ERP systems. Sage Accounting (formerly Sage One) is its cloud product for small businesses, offering invoicing, expense management, VAT returns, and bank feeds. Trusted by UK businesses for decades.
Starting from: Β£12/month
Best for: UK businesses wanting a trusted, established accounting platform with strong tax compliance
Read full review βSemrush
β 4.5Semrush is the most comprehensive SEO and digital marketing toolkit on the market. It offers keyword research, site audits, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, content marketing tools, and PPC research. Used by agencies and in-house marketing teams worldwide as their primary SEO platform.
Starting from: Β£100/month
Best for: Agencies and marketing teams wanting the most comprehensive SEO and digital marketing toolkit
Read full review βSage vs Semrush Feature Comparison
Here is how Sage and Semrush compare across the features that matter most. We have tested both platforms extensively across client implementations.
| Feature | Sage | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | No | No |
| Starting Price | Β£12/month | Β£100/month |
| Best For | UK businesses wanting a trusted, established accounting platform with strong tax compliance | Agencies and marketing teams wanting the most comprehensive SEO and digital marketing toolkit |
| Our Rating | 3.9/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Mobile App | Yes | Limited |
| Email Marketing | No | No |
| Automation | Limited | Limited |
| Reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Extensive | Limited |
| API Access | Limited | Limited |
| Ikaroa Exclusive Discount | N/A | N/A |
Sage vs Semrush Pricing
Pricing is often the deciding factor. Here is a full breakdown of what each platform charges at every tier:
Sage Pricing
Accounting Start
Β£12/month
- βInvoicing
- βExpense tracking
- βBank feeds
- βFinancial summaries
Accounting
Β£26/month
- βEverything in Start
- βCash flow forecasting
- βQuotes & estimates
- βPurchase invoices
- βMulti-currency
Accounting Plus
Custom
- βEverything in Accounting
- βInventory management
- βMultiple tax rates
- βProject tracking
Semrush Pricing
Pro
Β£100/month
- β5 projects
- β500 keywords to track
- β10,000 results per report
- βSEO, PPC, and research tools
Guru
Β£190/month
- β15 projects
- β1,500 keywords
- β30,000 results per report
- βContent marketing toolkit
Business
Β£350/month
- β40 projects
- β5,000 keywords
- β50,000 results per report
- βAPI access
Not sure which to pick?
Our team has implemented both Sage and Semrush for clients. We can help you decide based on your specific needs.
Sage Pros and Cons
βPros
- β’Trusted UK brand with decades of history
- β’Strong compliance with UK tax requirements
- β’Good for businesses growing from simple to complex
- β’Direct HMRC submission for VAT
- β’Solid bank feed integrations
βCons
- β’Interface feels less modern than Xero
- β’Limited integrations compared to Xero
- β’Customer support has mixed reviews
- β’Pricing has increased significantly
- β’Add-on costs can add up
Semrush Pros and Cons
βPros
- β’Most comprehensive SEO toolkit available
- β’Excellent keyword research database
- β’Strong competitor analysis tools
- β’Content marketing features included
- β’Regular feature updates and improvements
βCons
- β’Expensive, especially for individuals
- β’Per-user pricing adds significant cost
- β’Can be overwhelming for beginners
- β’Some data can be less accurate for UK-specific searches
- β’Learning curve for the full toolkit
Our Verdict: Sage vs Semrush
Both Sage and Semrush are solid options, but they serve different needs. Having implemented both for multiple clients, here is our recommendation:
Choose Sage if you need UK businesses wanting a trusted, established accounting platform with strong tax compliance. With a starting price of Β£12/month and a rating of 3.9/5, it offers trusted uk brand with decades of history.
Choose Semrush if you need Agencies and marketing teams wanting the most comprehensive SEO and digital marketing toolkit. Starting at Β£100/month with a 4.5/5 rating, it excels at most comprehensive seo toolkit available.
Still not sure? Talk to the Ikaroa team. We have helped hundreds of businesses make this exact decision, and we are happy to point you in the right direction.
π Get either product at a discount through Ikaroa Partners
Consider Open Doors Instead
Why choose between Sage and Semrush? Open Doors gives you the best features of both in one platform, for less. It is an all-in-one CRM with email marketing, SMS, funnels, booking, invoicing, automation, and more, starting at just Β£97/month with unlimited contacts.
Need implementation help?
Ikaroa can set up Sage or Semrush for your business, migrate your data, and train your team. We have done it dozens of times.
Free consultation. No obligation.