Semrush vs SpyFu: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right seo & marketing tool for your needs.

Our Pick: Semrush

Semrush has a significantly higher overall rating (9 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
S
Semrush(Winner)
S
SpyFu
Overall Rating
9/10
7.5/10
Starting Price
$129.95/mo
$39/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
any
small
Ease of Use
8/10
8/10
Features
10/10
7/10
Value for Money
7/10
8/10
Support
8/10
7/10

Overview

S

Semrush

Semrush is a comprehensive SEO and digital marketing platform offering keyword research, competitor analysis, site audits, and content marketing tools. Industry standard for marketing agencies.

S

SpyFu

SpyFu specializes in competitor analysis, letting you see any domain's paid and organic keywords, ad history, and ranking changes.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: SpyFu
S

Semrush

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$129.95/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
S

SpyFu

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$39/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Semrush
FeatureSemrushSpyFu
Keyword Research
Backlink Analysis
Rank Tracking
Site Audit
Basic
Competitor Analysis
Content Optimization
Local Seo
Ppc Tools
Projects
5-40
Unlimited
Keywords Tracked
500-5000
Unlimited

2

features unique to Semrush

0

features unique to SpyFu

Pros & Cons

S

Semrush

Pros

  • Most comprehensive feature set
  • Excellent competitor analysis
  • Largest keyword database
  • Great content marketing tools
  • Integrations with Google tools

Cons

  • Expensive for small businesses
  • Can be overwhelming for beginners
  • Limited projects on lower tiers
  • Add-ons increase cost further
S

SpyFu

Pros

  • Excellent competitor PPC analysis
  • Historical data going back years
  • Unlimited search/export on all plans
  • Good Google Ads insights
  • Affordable pricing

Cons

  • US-focused (limited international)
  • Site audit not as strong
  • Interface feels dated
  • Backlink data less comprehensive

The Verdict: Semrush Wins

After thorough evaluation, Semrush emerges as the clear winner in this comparison. With an overall rating of 9/10 compared to 7.5/10, it offers a noticeably better experience across most evaluation criteria.

Semrush particularly excels in SEO agencies and consultants and Enterprise marketing teams, making it the go-to choice for most users looking for a seo & marketing solution.

Our recommendation: We confidently recommend Semrush for most users. However, SpyFu remains a viable option if you specifically need ppc competitor research.

Choose Semrush if you...

  • • Need seo agencies and consultants
  • • Need enterprise marketing teams
  • • Need comprehensive digital marketing

Choose SpyFu if you...

  • • Need ppc competitor research
  • • Need understanding competitor ad spend
  • • Need us market seo/sem

Ready to Get Started?

Try SemrushTry SpyFu

Read our full reviews:

Semrush Full ReviewSpyFu Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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Semrush vs SpyFu FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Semrush has a slight edge with an overall rating of 9/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, SpyFu is more affordable with plans starting at $39/month, compared to $129.95/month for the other.
Both tools have similar ease of use ratings at 8/10.
Yes, migration between Semrush and SpyFu is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, SpyFu is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Both tools require paid plans, so factor pricing into your runway calculations.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Semrush excels at: SEO agencies and consultants, Enterprise marketing teams. SpyFu is better for: PPC competitor research, Understanding competitor ad spend. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Semrush rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to SpyFu (7/10).
SpyFu offers better value for money with a rating of 8/10 compared to Semrush's 7/10.
Consider switching if SpyFu's strengths (PPC competitor research) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.