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Semrush vs SpyFu
Semrush and SpyFu are both SEO, AEO & SERP Intelligence tools. Here is how they compare on pricing, free plans, AI integrations and platforms, and when each is the better fit.
Side by side
| Feature | Semrush | SpyFu |
|---|---|---|
| Category | SEO, AEO & SERP Intelligence | SEO, AEO & SERP Intelligence |
| Pricing | $139–$299/mo | From $29/mo |
| Free option | Yes | Not listed |
| AI integrations | MCP server, Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Gemini, Perplexity | ChatGPT |
| Best for | — | SEO professionals, PPC advertisers, Digital agencies |
| Links | Semrush listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) | SpyFu listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) |
Which to choose
Choose Semrush if
- want a permanent free tier to start without a credit card
- need to track brand citations and sentiment across LLM platforms
- want official Model Context Protocol integrations for Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Cursor
- need broader toolkits covering content creation, local search and social media
Choose SpyFu if
- want a lower paid entry price starting from $29 per month
- focus heavily on competitor Google Ads history, ad split tests and negative match suggestions
- need access to over 18 years of historical search data
- want unlimited search data exports on Pro and Team plans
Verdict
Semrush suits marketing teams, agencies and enterprise organisations that want an all-in-one platform for SEO, AI search visibility, content, local search and social media. It stands out for tracking brand mentions inside LLMs and connecting live data to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Cursor via its Model Context Protocol server. The trade-off is a high starting price for paid plans, extra costs for additional seats and a steep learning curve.
SpyFu suits SEO specialists, PPC advertisers and digital agencies focused primarily on Google search and Google Ads competitive research. Starting from $29 per month, it offers a much lower entry price and over 18 years of historical data on competitor keywords and ad copy tests. However, its intelligence focuses mainly on Google rather than alternative platforms or multi-LLM brand tracking.
FAQ
- How does pricing compare between Semrush and SpyFu?
Semrush charges a flat rate between $139 and $299 per month, with extra fees for additional team seats and specialised reporting add-ons. SpyFu uses a per-seat model starting from $29 per month, though extra user seats and high-volume API usage require higher tiers or add-on fees.
- Do Semrush and SpyFu offer free plans?
Semrush offers a permanent free tier that does not require a credit card. The SpyFu listing does not mention a free option.
- How do the AI integrations differ between the two platforms?
Semrush connects to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Cursor through native apps and an official Model Context Protocol server, and also tracks brand citations across LLMs. SpyFu integrates with ChatGPT via SpyFu GPT and provides AI-powered site audit recommendations.
- Which tool is better for Google Ads competitor research?
SpyFu is built specifically for analysing competitor strategies across Google Ads and organic search. It provides over 18 years of historical search data, historical ad split tests and a Google Ads advisor for keyword and negative match suggestions.