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Head-to-head · AI SEO Software

Semrush vs SpyFu

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Semrush #1 in AI SEO Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Semrush
SpyFu #7 in AI SEO Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit SpyFu

Semrush leads on 0 checks, SpyFu on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSemrush · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Semrush

Semrush scores higher on our rubric for ai seo software: 9.3 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

Semrush is the better fit for established SEO and marketing teams. SpyFu is the better fit for competitive SEO and PPC research.

  • Semrush fits best

    Established SEO and marketing teams

  • SpyFu fits best

    Competitive SEO and PPC research

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Semrush 9.3/10 Visit ↗ SpyFu 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.1
Ranking #1 in AI SEO Software #7 in AI SEO Software
Best for Established SEO and marketing teams Competitive SEO and PPC research
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $29/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Tickets, Docs, Community Live chat, Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations 20+ integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Semrush 0/1 · SpyFu 0/1
SEO content briefs Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Keyword research Not checked yet Not checked yet
Content optimization Not checked yet Not checked yet
Rank tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Technical SEO audits Not checked yet Not checked yet
Competitor analysis Not checked yet Not checked yet
Publishing workflows Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers keywords, rankings, audits, backlinks, competitors, and reporting
  • Includes keyword metrics for search volume, difficulty, intent, and CPC
  • Offers scheduled audits, recurring crawls, exports, and API access
  • Combines organic keyword, paid search, backlink, and competitor research
  • Includes 5,000 weekly tracked keyword rankings on Basic
  • Offers site audits, reporting, integrations, and API access
Cons
  • Monitoring is capped at 5 websites on the SEO and Starter plans
  • Daily keyword tracking starts at 500 keywords on entry plans
  • Advanced capabilities are split across multiple paid plan tiers
  • The free version has restricted results
  • Basic includes only one live site tracking project
  • Team / Agency pricing starts at $187 per month with annual billing
Our verdict

Semrush is an online visibility management platform for marketers, agencies, and businesses. Its SEO toolkit brings together keyword discovery, competitor research, position tracking, technical website crawling, backlink analysis,…

Read the review →

SpyFu is a web-based SEO and PPC competitive-intelligence platform for marketers, agencies, and businesses. Its core use is researching competitors’ organic and paid keywords, advertising history, rankings, backlinks, and keyword…

Read the review →
  1. SemrushAI SEO Software 9.3Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. SpyFuAI SEO Software 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Semrush — where it wins

    • Covers keywords, rankings, audits, backlinks, competitors, and reporting
    • Includes keyword metrics for search volume, difficulty, intent, and CPC
    • Offers scheduled audits, recurring crawls, exports, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Monitoring is capped at 5 websites on the SEO and Starter plans
    • Daily keyword tracking starts at 500 keywords on entry plans
    • Advanced capabilities are split across multiple paid plan tiers

  • SpyFu — where it wins

    • Combines organic keyword, paid search, backlink, and competitor research
    • Includes 5,000 weekly tracked keyword rankings on Basic
    • Offers site audits, reporting, integrations, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • The free version has restricted results
    • Basic includes only one live site tracking project
    • Team / Agency pricing starts at $187 per month with annual billing
  • Semrush9.3/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A broad SEO platform for teams that need research, monitoring, audits, and reporting in one place.

    Visit SemrushFull verdict →
  • SpyFu8.1/10 · Free plan

    A broad competitor research suite with strong keyword, PPC, tracking, and API coverage.

    Visit SpyFuFull verdict →

More comparisons

All AI SEO software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update