Comparison · SEO tools
Screaming Frog SEO Spider vs Semrush: which is better in 2026?
Semrush ranks higher in our list of SEO tools (#2 against #3, score 93.5 against 91.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 91.5Editorial score93.5
- 3Platforms1
- YesFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose Screaming Frog SEO Spider if you want
Technical SEO audits on a desktop.
The best desktop crawler for technical audits, and its free version handles small sites. Crawls stop at 500 URLs without a paid license, and it does not track rankings or research keywords.
Choose Semrush if you want
Marketing teams that want SEO and AI visibility in one tool.
Broad data and many tools, with a free plan for trying the platform. It covers more marketing channels than most SEO-only tools, but its SEO plans cost more and the interface takes time to learn.
The main differences
- Only Screaming Frog SEO Spider runs on Linux.
- Only Screaming Frog SEO Spider runs on Windows.
- Only Screaming Frog SEO Spider runs on macOS.
- Only Semrush runs on Web.
Side by side
 Screaming Frog SEO Spider |  Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 91.5 | 93.5 |
| Rank in list | #3 of 10 | #2 of 10 |
| Price | Free plan, paid upgradesFree up to 500 URLs; paid yearly license for larger crawls | Free plan, paid upgradesFree plan for trying the platform; SEO plan from $139 a month |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | WindowsmacOSLinuxWindows, macOS, Linux | WebWeb |
| Made by | Not stated | Not stated |
| Data it works from | Your own crawl of the site | Traffic and keyword dataset |
| Site audit | Desktop crawler, up to 500 URLs free | Site Audit and site health |
| Rank tracking | Not offered | Position tracking with daily keyword quotas |
| Best for | Technical SEO audits on a desktop | Marketing teams that want SEO and AI visibility in one tool |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Screaming Frog SEO Spider vs Semrush
- Is Semrush better than Screaming Frog SEO Spider?
- Semrush ranks higher in our list of SEO tools (#2 against #3, score 93.5 against 91.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Screaming Frog SEO Spider is best for: technical SEO audits on a desktop. Semrush is best for: marketing teams that want SEO and AI visibility in one tool.
- Which is cheaper, Screaming Frog SEO Spider or Semrush?
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Free up to 500 URLs; paid yearly license for larger crawls. Semrush: Free plan for trying the platform; SEO plan from $139 a month.
- Do Screaming Frog SEO Spider and Semrush run on the same platforms?
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider supports Windows, macOS, Linux. Semrush supports Web.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
