Software · head to head
Google Analytics vs SEMrush
SEMrush
Software
Do SEO, content marketing, competitor research, PPC and social media marketing from just one platfor
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires; SEMrush free tier limited to 10 reports per day across all tools
- They diverge on capability: Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, SEMrush covers Keyword research.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Analytics and SEMrush actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Analytics | SEMrush |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web | Web, Mobile app |
| Founded | 1998 | 2008 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Google Analytics
- Real-time analytics
- Audience insights
- Acquisition tracking
- Behavior flow
- Conversion tracking
- Custom reports
- Mobile analytics
- E-commerce tracking
Only in SEMrush
- Keyword research
- Site audit
- Competitor analysis
- Backlink analytics
- Rank tracking
- Content marketing
- PPC research
- Social media tools
Both cover
- Google Ads
- Google Search Console
- Google Data Studio
- SOC2
- ISO27001
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Google Analytics
- Website and web application analyticsnot SEMrush
- Event tracking and user behaviour analysisnot SEMrush
- Traffic source and conversion trackingnot SEMrush
SEMrush
- SEO keyword research and competitor analysisnot Google Analytics
- Website performance tracking and auditingnot Google Analytics
- Content marketing optimizationnot Google Analytics
- PPC advertising researchnot Google Analytics
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Google Analytics
- Data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
- Large and XL properties capped at 2-month data retention only
- Age, gender, and interest data always expire after 2 months regardless of retention settings
- Free tier does not include GA360 advanced features
SEMrush
- Free tier limited to 10 reports per day across all tools
- Keyword tracking capped at 500 per month on entry tiers (SEO and Starter plans)
- Additional users cost £45/month per user above base subscription
- Most advanced features require Advanced plan (£455.67/month), making entry cost significant for small teams
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Analytics
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics review.
SEMrush
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the SEMrush review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Analytics if
- You need real-time analytics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want audience insights.
Choose SEMrush if
- You need keyword research.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile app.
- You also want site audit.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Analytics or SEMrush better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Analytics starts at Free and SEMrush at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Analytics or SEMrush?
- Google Analytics starts at Free and SEMrush at Free.
- Does Google Analytics or SEMrush run on more platforms?
- Google Analytics runs on Web. SEMrush runs on Web, Mobile app.
- Can I use Google Analytics for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Google Analytics best used for?
- Google Analytics is most often used for website and web application analytics, event tracking and user behaviour analysis, traffic source and conversion tracking. Of those, website and web application analytics and event tracking and user behaviour analysis are not what SEMrush is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Analytics do that SEMrush cannot?
- Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. SEMrush covers Keyword research, Site audit, Competitor analysis, Backlink analytics. Both handle Google Ads, Google Search Console, Google Data Studio, SOC2.