Head-to-head
SE Ranking vs Mangools vs Semrush (2026): price, limits and AI-search tracking
By the BestProducts9 editorial team · Prices read from official pages on 2026-10-28 · How we research
Disclosure: we earn a commission if you sign up to SE Ranking or Mangools through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Every number below comes from the vendors’ own pages and the arithmetic is shown. Full disclosure · Editorial policy.
- 2,000 keywords tracked daily for $103.20/mo billed annually (Semrush SEO tracks 500 for $117.33)
- Site audits, backlink research and AI-search (GEO) tracking in the base plan
- 14-day free trial, no credit card; free assisted migration with annual plans
- KWFinder, SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner and SiteProfiler in one subscription
- AI Search Watcher PRO (500 prompts) included on every plan
- Free account, and a full refund within 48 hours of payment
Cost per tracked keyword
| Plan | Price (annual billing) | Keywords tracked | Rank updates | Cost per keyword per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangools Agency Lowest | $48.85/mo | 1,500 | daily | $0.033 |
| Mangools Premium | $26.35/mo | 700 | weekly | $0.038 |
| SE Ranking Core Best all-round | $103.20/mo | 2,000 | daily | $0.052 |
| Mangools Basic | $18.85/mo | 200 | weekly | $0.094 |
| Semrush SEO | $117.33/mo | 500 | daily | $0.235 |
Side-by-side
| Factor | SE Ranking Our pick | Mangools Budget pick | Semrush |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price (annual billing) | $103.20/mo (Core) | $18.85/mo (Basic) | $117.33/mo (SEO) |
| Free way to test | 14-day trial, no credit card | Free account; 48-hour money-back guarantee | Free plan (1 demo project); 7-day trial |
| Keywords tracked | 2,000 daily | 200 weekly (Basic) up to 1,500 daily (Agency) | 500 daily |
| Site audits | 250k audit pages a month, 10 projects | SiteProfiler for site analysis (20 per 24 hours on Basic) | 5 websites |
| AI-search tracking | 25 AI prompts a day, 5 AI engines | AI Search Watcher PRO, 500 prompts, every plan | Starts on Starter ($165.17/mo): 50 prompts a day |
| Extra seats | From $16 each | None on Basic; up to 3 on Premium; up to 5 on Agency | Extra users from $45/mo |
Why SE Ranking wins for most teams
- Four times the daily tracked keywords of Semrush SEO for $14.13 less per month on the annual plans compared here.
- Audits, backlinks and AI-search tracking in the base plan.
- A 14-day trial with no credit card, and free assisted migration with annual plans.
Where Semrush falls short
- It tracks only 500 keywords on 5 websites on the SEO plan.
- Extra users start at $45/mo, and share of voice is not included on the SEO tier.
- AI-prompt tracking needs the $165.17/mo Starter tier, and the trial is 7 days.
Pick by situation
| Your situation | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One blog or a small site on a tight budget | Mangools | From $18.85/mo, free account |
| Business that needs daily tracking and audits | SE Ranking | $103.20/mo for 2,000 daily keywords |
| Team of three on a budget | Mangools | Premium at $26.35/mo includes up to 3 extra seats |
| Already running ads, content and local SEO in one suite | Semrush | Wider toolkit, higher price |
Verdict
For most readers SE Ranking gives the most for the money, and Mangools is the cheapest way to start. Test either one free before you pay.
Method and sources
Read from the official pricing pages on 2026-10-28: SE Ranking, Mangools, Semrush. Cost per keyword = monthly price ÷ tracked keywords.
Go deeper: Best SEO tools in 2026 · SE Ranking review · Mangools review · Semrush alternatives
Frequently asked questions
SE Ranking, Mangools or Semrush: which is best?
SE Ranking for most businesses: $103.20/mo billed annually tracks 2,000 keywords daily with audits and AI-search tracking. Mangools for the lowest price (from $18.85/mo). Semrush only when you need its wider marketing suite and can pay $117.33/mo for 500 tracked keywords.
Which is cheapest per tracked keyword?
Mangools Agency ($0.033) and Premium ($0.038), then SE Ranking Core ($0.052). Semrush SEO is $0.235, about 4.5 times SE Ranking Core.
Which has a longer free trial?
SE Ranking: 14 days, no credit card. Semrush: 7 days. Mangools: a free account and a 48-hour money-back guarantee.
Which tracks AI-search visibility?
Mangools includes AI Search Watcher PRO (500 prompts) on every plan and SE Ranking Core includes 25 AI prompts a day across 5 AI engines. Semrush starts AI-prompt tracking on its Starter tier ($165.17/mo billed annually, 50 prompts a day).
Do you earn commission?
Yes, from SE Ranking and Mangools.
Prices can change; always confirm on the official sites. Last verified: 2026-10-28