Moz Local vs Yext: Which Local SEO Tool is Better? (2025)

Quick Comparison

| Starting Price | $39/mo | $139/mo |

| Rank Tracking | Unlimited keywords | Limited (500-5K) |

| Best For | Small biz, agencies on budget | Enterprise, agencies |

| White Label | ✅ All plans | ✅ Business+ only ($499/mo) |

| Keyword Database | 7B+ keywords | 25B+ keywords |

| AI Tools | ✅ AI Content Writer | ✅ Advanced AI Suite |

| Learning Curve | Easy (2 hours) | Steep (2 weeks) |

| Local SEO | ✅ Strong | Limited |

| Content Marketing | Basic | ✅ Advanced |

Bottom Line: SE Ranking = Best Value. Semrush = Most Powerful.

SE Ranking: The Value Leader

What It Does Best

SE Ranking → is built for small businesses and agencies that need reliable SEO tools without enterprise pricing. It's the "90% as good for 30% the cost" option.

Standout Features:

1. Unlimited Rank Tracking — No keyword limits on higher plans (Semrush caps at 5,000)

2. White-Label Everything — Rebrand reports, dashboards, even the platform itself

3. AI Writing Assistant — Built-in content generator (saves $29/mo vs separate AI tools)

4. Marketing Plan Tool — Automated SEO task lists (great for beginners)

5. Local Rank Tracking — Track Google Maps rankings (Semrush charges extra)

Pricing:

- Essential: $39/mo (10 projects, 250 rank checks/day)

- Pro: $89/mo (30 projects, 1,000 rank checks/day)

- Business: $189/mo (Unlimited projects, 5,000 rank checks/day)

Where It Falls Short

- Smaller Keyword Database — 7B keywords vs Semrush's 25B (matters for global campaigns)

- Less Traffic Data — Competitor analysis isn't as detailed

- Fewer Integrations — No Looker Studio, limited API access

- Simpler Content Tools — Basic content audits (Semrush has advanced content workflow)

Who Should Use SE Ranking

✅ Small business owners managing their own SEO

✅ Freelance SEO consultants needing white-label reports

✅ Local businesses tracking Google Maps rankings

✅ Agencies with 5-50 clients on tight budgets

✅ Anyone who finds Semrush overwhelming

Semrush: The Enterprise Standard

What It Does Best

Semrush → is the industry standard for a reason — it's the most comprehensive SEO platform available. If you need every possible data point, Semrush delivers.

Standout Features:

1. Massive Keyword Database — 25B+ keywords across 130 countries

2. Traffic Analytics — See competitors' exact traffic sources (SE Ranking estimates)

3. Content Marketing Platform — Full workflow: research → write → optimize → distribute

4. Local SEO (Add-on) — Semrush Local ($20/mo extra) for listing management

5. PPC Tools — Best-in-class Google Ads research (SE Ranking's is basic)

Pricing:

- Pro: $139/mo (5 projects, 500 keywords, 10K results/report)

- Guru: $249/mo (15 projects, 1,500 keywords, Content Marketing Toolkit)

- Business: $499/mo (40 projects, 5,000 keywords, API access, white-label)

Where It Falls Short

- Expensive — 3.5x the cost of SE Ranking's base plan

- Overwhelming — 55+ tools = steep learning curve (expect 2 weeks to master)

- Keyword Tracking Limits — Pro plan only tracks 500 keywords (SE Ranking has unlimited)

- No Ai Writing on Pro — AI content tools only available on Guru+ ($249/mo)

Who Should Use Semrush

✅ Enterprise SEO teams managing 100+ pages

✅ Content marketers running full campaigns

✅ Agencies with Fortune 500 clients

✅ PPC managers optimizing Google Ads

✅ Anyone needing the *most accurate* competitive data

Head-to-Head: 8 Key Features

1. Rank Tracking

SE Ranking WINS

- Unlimited keywords on Business plan ($189/mo)

Semrush:

Verdict: If rank tracking is your #1 need, SE Ranking saves $$$.

2. Keyword Research

Semrush WINS

- 25B keyword database vs SE Ranking's 7B

SE Ranking:

Verdict: Semrush for global campaigns, SE Ranking for regional.

3. Backlink Analysis

Semrush WINS

- 43 trillion backlinks in database (largest after Ahrefs)

SE Ranking:

Verdict: Semrush for link building campaigns, SE Ranking for monitoring.

4. Site Audits

TIE

Both tools offer excellent technical SEO audits:

- SE Ranking: Cleaner reports, easier to understand

- Semrush: More technical depth, better for devs

Verdict: SE Ranking for non-technical users, Semrush for developers.

5. Content Optimization

Semrush WINS

- Full Content Marketing Platform on Guru+ plans

SE Ranking:

Verdict: Semrush if content is your primary focus.

6. White-Label Reporting

SE Ranking WINS

- All plans include white-label reports (even $39/mo Essential)

Semrush:

Verdict: SE Ranking for agencies needing branded reports on a budget.

7. AI Tools

Semrush WINS (barely)

SE Ranking:

Verdict: Semrush for advanced AI, SE Ranking for basic AI writing.

8. User Experience

SE Ranking WINS

Semrush:

Verdict: SE Ranking for beginners, Semrush for power users.

Pricing Breakdown: Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Freelance SEO Consultant (5 Clients)

SE Ranking Pro — $89/mo

- Annual Cost: $1,068

Semrush Guru — $249/mo

- Annual Cost: $2,988

Winner: SE Ranking saves $1,920/year (64% cheaper)

Scenario 2: Agency with 20 Clients

SE Ranking Business — $189/mo

- Annual Cost: $2,268

Semrush Business — $499/mo

- Annual Cost: $5,988

Winner: SE Ranking saves $3,720/year (62% cheaper)

Scenario 3: Enterprise Content Team (50+ Writers)

Semrush Business — $499/mo

- Annual Cost: $5,988

SE Ranking Business — $189/mo

- Annual Cost: $2,268

Winner: Semrush — worth the premium for content teams.

Decision Framework: Which Tool Should You Choose?

Choose SE Ranking If...

✅ You're a small business managing your own SEO

✅ You need unlimited rank tracking without breaking the bank

✅ You're an agency needing white-label reports on all plans

✅ You find Semrush too overwhelming

✅ You primarily focus on local SEO (built-in local tracking)

✅ Your budget is under $100/mo

Start with: [SE Ranking Essential - $39/mo →](/tools/se-ranking)

Choose Semrush If...

✅ You need the most accurate competitive intelligence

✅ You're running global campaigns across 50+ countries

✅ You have a content team needing full workflow tools

✅ You manage PPC campaigns alongside SEO

✅ You need advanced API access for integrations

✅ Your budget is $250+/mo

Start with: [Semrush Pro - $139/mo (30-day free trial) →](/tools/semrush)

The "Both" Strategy (For Agencies)

Many agencies use both tools strategically:

- SE Ranking — Day-to-day rank tracking, client reports, local SEO

- Semrush — Deep competitive research, content campaigns, PPC

Total Cost: $89/mo (SE Ranking Pro) + $139/mo (Semrush Pro) = $228/mo

Still cheaper than Semrush Business ($499/mo) and gives you best of both worlds.

What Real Users Say

SE Ranking Reviews

Positive:

> "SE Ranking gives me 90% of what Semrush does at 1/3 the price. As a freelancer, the white-label reports alone justify the cost." — *Freelance SEO Consultant*

> "Unlimited rank tracking is a game-changer. We manage 30 clients and track 2,000+ keywords daily without worrying about limits." — *Digital Agency Owner*

Negative:

> "Keyword data isn't as accurate as Semrush, especially for low-volume keywords. We miss having traffic analytics for competitors." — *Content Strategist*

Semrush Reviews

Positive:

> "Semrush is the gold standard. The content workflow tools saved us 15 hours/week. Traffic Analytics shows us exactly where competitors get traffic." — *Head of SEO, SaaS Company*

> "We switched from SE Ranking to Semrush when we went from 10 to 100 clients. The API integration was worth the extra cost." — *Enterprise Agency*

Negative:

> "The learning curve is brutal. Took our team 2 weeks to feel confident. Also, $499/mo for white-label reports is steep." — *Small Agency Owner*

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake #1: Choosing Based on Price Alone

Why it's wrong: Cheapest tool ≠ best value.

Better approach: Calculate cost per feature you'll actually use. If you only need rank tracking, SE Ranking wins. If you need content workflow + PPC tools, Semrush justifies the premium.

❌ Mistake #2: Not Testing Both Tools

Why it's wrong: Feature lists don't tell the full story.

Better approach: Use free trials (Semrush offers 30 days, SE Ranking offers 14 days). Test with your actual clients/projects.

❌ Mistake #3: Underestimating the Learning Curve

Why it's wrong: If your team can't use it, it's worthless.

Better approach: Factor in training time. SE Ranking = 2 hours, Semrush = 2 weeks. If you bill $100/hr, that's $1,600 in training costs for Semrush.

❌ Mistake #4: Ignoring Your Actual Workflow

Why it's wrong: Tools are designed for different use cases.

Better approach: Map your workflow:

- Local SEO focus? → SE Ranking (built-in local tracking)

- Content marketing focus? → Semrush (full content platform)

- Rank tracking focus? → SE Ranking (unlimited keywords)

Alternatives to Consider

Before committing, also explore:

- Ahrefs — Best backlink data, $129/mo

- Moz Pro — Easiest to learn, $99/mo

- Ubersuggest — Budget option, $29/mo

- Mangools — Simple keyword tool, $49/mo

Read: [Best AI SEO Tools for Small Business 2025 →](/learn/ai-seo-tools-small-business)

Final Verdict: SE Ranking vs Semrush

For 80% of Businesses: **SE Ranking Wins**

Why: Most businesses don't need Semrush's full power. SE Ranking delivers excellent rank tracking, keyword research, and site audits at a fraction of the cost. The unlimited tracking and white-label reports make it unbeatable for agencies under 50 clients.

Best Plan: [SE Ranking Pro - $89/mo →](/tools/se-ranking)

For Enterprise & Content Teams: **Semrush Wins**

Why: If you're managing global campaigns, running content teams, or need the absolute most accurate data, Semrush justifies the premium. The Content Marketing Platform, Traffic Analytics, and API access are game-changers for large teams.

Best Plan: [Semrush Guru - $249/mo (30-day trial) →](/tools/semrush)

FAQ

Is SE Ranking as accurate as Semrush?

For rank tracking: Yes, both are highly accurate.

For keyword volume: Semrush is more accurate (larger database).

For backlinks: Semrush has more data (43T vs 4T backlinks).

Can I track unlimited keywords with Semrush?

No. Semrush limits keyword tracking:

SE Ranking offers unlimited tracking on Business plan ($189/mo).

Which tool is better for local SEO?

SE Ranking wins. It includes local rank tracking (Google Maps) on all plans. Semrush charges extra for [Semrush Local →](/tools/semrush-local) ($20/mo add-on).

Can I white-label reports on Semrush Pro?

No. White-label reporting requires Semrush Business ($499/mo). SE Ranking includes white-label on all plans (even $39/mo Essential).

Which tool has better AI features?

Semrush has more advanced AI (ContentShake AI, AI-powered insights). SE Ranking has a simpler AI Writing Assistant that's included on all plans. Both are useful, Semrush is more sophisticated.

How long does it take to learn each tool?

SE Ranking: 2 hours to feel comfortable, 1 week to master.

Semrush: 2 weeks to feel comfortable, 1 month to master.

Which tool is better for agencies?

Depends on agency size:

- Under 20 clients: SE Ranking (better value, white-label on all plans)

- 20-50 clients: SE Ranking Business ($189/mo)

- 50+ clients or Fortune 500 clients: Semrush Business ($499/mo)

Next Steps

30-Day Action Plan

Week 1: Test Both Tools

1. Start Semrush 30-day free trial

2. Start SE Ranking 14-day free trial

3. Run audits on your top 3 projects

4. Compare keyword research results

5. Test rank tracking accuracy

Week 2: Compare Features

1. Create test reports for clients

2. Try the AI writing tools

3. Run competitor analysis

4. Test white-label features

5. Calculate cost per client

Week 3: Make Decision

1. Review trial data side-by-side

2. Factor in learning curve

3. Calculate annual costs

4. Check if you need features you're not using

5. Choose tool and cancel the other

Week 4: Commit & Optimize

1. Subscribe to chosen tool (get annual discount)

2. Set up all client projects

3. Train team on chosen tool

4. Create SOPs for common tasks

5. Integrate into existing workflow

Start Your Comparison Today:

🔥 [Try SE Ranking Free (14 days) →](/tools/se-ranking)

🔥 [Try Semrush Free (30 days) →](/tools/semrush)

More Comparisons:

📊 [Semrush vs Ahrefs 2025 →](/learn/semrush-vs-ahrefs)

📊 [Best SEO Tools for Small Business →](/learn/ai-seo-tools-small-business)

📊 [Ahrefs vs Moz: Which Is Better? →](/learn/ahrefs-vs-moz)

*Last Updated: November 10, 2025 — Prices verified on official websites*