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If you’re learning about SEO and digital marketing tools, you’ve probably heard of SEMrush – one of the most powerful platforms for keyword research, competitor analysis, PPC insights, and more. But with so many features, you might be wondering:
👉 Is SEMrush free to use?
👉 What’s included in the free version?
👉 When should you upgrade to a paid plan?
This article breaks down everything you need to know about SEMrush’s free and paid features so you can decide what makes sense for your own needs.
Is SEMrush Free to Use?
Yes – SEMrush offers a limited free version, but it’s restricted compared to the paid plans. You can create a free account and access some essential reports, but many advanced features are locked behind subscriptions.
Think of the free version as a starter preview – useful for quick checks, basic research, and trying the platform before upgrading.
What You Can Do with the Free Version
When you sign up for a free SEMrush account, you typically get limited access to key tools:
🔹 Basic Keyword Research
- See a small number of keyword results
- Check search volume and difficulty basics
🔹 Domain Overview
- Limited insights into domain keywords
- Traffic estimates (partial)
🔹 Site Audit (Limited Usage)
- Run a reduced number of site audit checks
- Get basic health score insights
🔹 Competitive Insight Snippets
- Sample competitor keywords
- Limited comparison data
🔹 Position Tracking (Limited)
- Track only a few keywords
- Limited historical data
Note: These limits often mean you can run only a few queries per day, and you may not see full datasets.
What You Can’t Do with the Free Version
The free SEMrush account does not include:
❌ Full keyword databases
❌ Complete competitor reports
❌ Unlimited site audits
❌ Backlink analysis tools
❌ Content marketing tools
❌ PPC research features
❌ Historical trend data
❌ Project dashboards
In short, most of the powerful professional features are unavailable without a paid plan.
Overview of Paid SEMrush Plans
SEMrush offers several paid plans – typically:
🥉 Pro Plan
- Best for freelancers and beginners
- Access to most SEO tools
- Limited projects and tracking
🥈 Guru Plan
- Ideal for small businesses and growing teams
- More limits raised
- Content marketing features included
🏆 Business Plan
- Designed for agencies and enterprises
- Highest limits
- API access, extended reports
Prices vary and depend on your region, but all paid plans unlock full tool access, higher limits, and advanced data.
When Should You Consider Upgrading?
You should consider moving from free to paid when:
✔ You need full keyword research for SEO
✔ You want complete competitor intelligence
✔ You run multiple sites or clients
✔ You need backlink analytics
✔ You want detailed site audits and recommendations
✔ You need content strategy tools
For serious SEO and marketing work, the free version becomes limiting quickly.
Is the Free Version Worth It?
Yes, but with conditions:
🎯 Good for beginners to explore the interface
🎯 Useful for quick, light checks
🎯 Great trial before subscribing
❌ Not ideal for ongoing SEO campaigns
❌ Not sufficient for agencies or serious marketing teams
Think of the free SEMrush account as a gateway – a sampling that helps you decide if the full toolset is worth your investment.
Conclusion
Is SEMrush free to use?
✔ Yes — but only with limited features.
When should you upgrade?
➡ When you need advanced SEO, PPC, and competitive insights.
SEMush’s free version gives you a taste of its capabilities, but most professional users find that the paid plans are where the real power lies.