QueryTraceSemrush and QueryTrace both track how often AI models mention your brand. Semrush bundles that into a massive all-in-one SEO suite, while QueryTrace is built to do just the one thing well, at a much lower price.
Semrush is an all-in-one SEO and digital marketing platform used by companies like Shopify and Netflix, with an AI Visibility Toolkit bundled into its paid plans.
QueryTrace is the better pick for most people comparing the two: a founder or small team that only wants AI mention tracking, without paying for a full SEO suite they won't use.
Semrush is worth it only if you're the exception: a marketing team that already wants, or has, a full SEO toolkit, keyword research, backlinks, site audits, and PPC included, and is fine paying for all of that to get AI visibility as part of it.
How they compare
| QueryTrace | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10 a month, AI tracking is the whole product | $117 a month billed annually ($139 a month month-to-month) for its cheapest plan that includes AI visibility |
| Tracked queries | Unlimited on every plan | 50 to 200 AI prompts a day depending on plan |
| Free trial | 14 days, no card needed | 7 days |
| Free tier | Free one-shot check, no signup | Free tier available (1 project, limited daily reports) |
| AI models tracked | ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity | Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini, plus traditional Google search rankings |
| What you're buying | Just AI mention tracking | A full SEO suite, keyword research, backlinks, site audits, PPC, with AI visibility as one part of it |
| Built for | Solo founders and small teams | Marketing teams already using, or wanting, a full SEO toolkit |
Choose QueryTrace if
- You only want AI mention tracking, nothing else
- You don't want to pay for keyword research, backlinks, and site audit tools you won't use
- You want unlimited tracked queries instead of a 50 to 200 prompt daily cap
Choose Semrush if
- You already use, or want, a full SEO toolkit: keyword research, backlinks, site audits, PPC
- You want traditional Google rankings tracked alongside AI visibility
- You're fine paying $117 a month or more to get AI tracking as part of a bigger platform
Frequently asked questions
Is Semrush more expensive than QueryTrace?
Yes, considerably, if you're comparing plans that include AI visibility tracking. Semrush's cheapest AI-inclusive plan is $117 a month billed annually. QueryTrace starts at $10 a month, built to do just this one thing.
Do I need Semrush's other tools to get AI visibility tracking?
No, but it comes bundled with keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and more, even if you only care about AI mentions. QueryTrace skips all of that and focuses on tracking how AI models mention your brand.
Which one should I pick?
If you specifically want AI mention tracking and nothing else, QueryTrace is built for exactly that at a fraction of the price. Semrush makes more sense if you already use it, or want to use it, for keyword research, backlinks, and the rest of its SEO toolkit, and want AI visibility folded into that.
See where you stand for free
Run a free AI visibility check on your own domain first, no signup required.
Check my companySemrush's pricing and features are current as of 2026-08-08 and may have changed. Check their site for the latest.