SE Ranking vs Semrush
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of SE Ranking 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 · Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
Semrush edges ahead overall with a rating of 4.5/5. However, SE Ranking (4.2/5) may be the better fit if you prioritise Freelancers and SMEs wanting comprehensive SEO tools at affordable pricing. Read on for the full breakdown.
SE Ranking vs Semrush at a Glance
SE Ranking
★ 4.2SE Ranking is a cost-effective, all-in-one SEO platform that offers keyword research, rank tracking, site audits, competitor analysis, and backlink monitoring. Known for providing comprehensive SEO tools at a fraction of the price of Semrush or Ahrefs, making it popular with freelancers, SMEs, and budget-conscious agencies.
Starting from: £35/month
Best for: Freelancers and SMEs wanting comprehensive SEO tools at affordable pricing
Read full review →Semrush
★ 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: £100/month
Best for: Agencies and marketing teams wanting the most comprehensive SEO and digital marketing toolkit
Read full review →SE Ranking vs Semrush Feature Comparison
Here is how SE Ranking and Semrush compare across the features that matter most. We have tested both platforms extensively across client implementations.
| Feature | SE Ranking | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | No | No |
| Starting Price | £35/month | £100/month |
| Best For | Freelancers and SMEs wanting comprehensive SEO tools at affordable pricing | Agencies and marketing teams wanting the most comprehensive SEO and digital marketing toolkit |
| Our Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Mobile App | Limited | Limited |
| Email Marketing | No | No |
| Automation | Limited | Limited |
| Reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Limited | Limited |
| API Access | Limited | Limited |
| Ikaroa Exclusive Discount | N/A | N/A |
SE Ranking vs Semrush Pricing
Pricing is often the deciding factor. Here is a full breakdown of what each platform charges at every tier:
SE Ranking Pricing
Essential
£35/month
- ✓1 user
- ✓500 keywords
- ✓Site audit (40,000 pages)
- ✓Backlink monitoring
Pro
£69/month
- ✓3 users
- ✓2,000 keywords
- ✓Site audit (250,000 pages)
- ✓Historical data
Business
£155/month
- ✓5 users
- ✓5,000 keywords
- ✓Site audit (700,000 pages)
- ✓API access
Semrush Pricing
Pro
£100/month
- ✓5 projects
- ✓500 keywords to track
- ✓10,000 results per report
- ✓SEO, PPC, and research tools
Guru
£190/month
- ✓15 projects
- ✓1,500 keywords
- ✓30,000 results per report
- ✓Content marketing toolkit
Business
£350/month
- ✓40 projects
- ✓5,000 keywords
- ✓50,000 results per report
- ✓API access
Not sure which to pick?
Our team has implemented both SE Ranking and Semrush for clients. We can help you decide based on your specific needs.
SE Ranking Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Excellent value for money
- •Comprehensive feature set for the price
- •Accurate rank tracking
- •White-label reports for agencies
- •Good local SEO tools
✗Cons
- •Smaller keyword database than Semrush
- •Less well-known brand
- •Backlink data less comprehensive than Ahrefs
- •Interface could be more polished
- •Content tools are newer and less mature
Semrush Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Most comprehensive SEO toolkit available
- •Excellent keyword research database
- •Strong competitor analysis tools
- •Content marketing features included
- •Regular feature updates and improvements
✗Cons
- •Expensive, especially for individuals
- •Per-user pricing adds significant cost
- •Can be overwhelming for beginners
- •Some data can be less accurate for UK-specific searches
- •Learning curve for the full toolkit
Our Verdict: SE Ranking vs Semrush
Both SE Ranking and Semrush are solid options, but they serve different needs. Having implemented both for multiple clients, here is our recommendation:
Choose SE Ranking if you need Freelancers and SMEs wanting comprehensive SEO tools at affordable pricing. With a starting price of £35/month and a rating of 4.2/5, it offers excellent value for money.
Choose Semrush if you need Agencies and marketing teams wanting the most comprehensive SEO and digital marketing toolkit. Starting at £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.
🎁 Get either product at a discount through Ikaroa Partners
Consider Open Doors Instead
Why choose between SE Ranking 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 £97/month with unlimited contacts.
Need implementation help?
Ikaroa can set up SE Ranking or Semrush for your business, migrate your data, and train your team. We have done it dozens of times.
Free consultation. No obligation.