Skip the $499.95/mo Semrush plan.
Semrush requires a Business plan just to unlock the API. RankParse charges per request — no subscription, no units expiring at end of month.
TL;DR
Pricing at three volume tiers
Even at 100K requests/mo, RankParse costs $299. Semrush's Business plan alone is $499.95/mo.
| Volume / mo | RankParse | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| 1K requests | Free tier | $499.95/mo (min) |
| 10K requests | $49 (Growth pack) | $499.95/mo + overages |
| 100K requests | $299 (Scale pack) | $499.95/mo + significant overages |
Feature parity
| RankParse | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Backlinks endpoint | ||
| Referring domains | ||
| Anchor text distribution | ||
| Domain authority score | ||
| Tech stack detection | ||
| Page metadata (title, h1, desc) | ||
| MCP server for AI agents | ||
| No subscription required | ||
| Credits never expire | ||
| Free tier (no card) | ||
| Keyword / SERP data | ||
| Position tracking | ||
| Site audit tool |
Migration in 3 lines
Swap the base URL and auth header. Same backlink data, no monthly plan.
# Semrush — requires $499.95/mo Business plan for API access
curl "https://api.semrush.com/?type=backlinks&target=stripe.com&key=YOUR_KEY&limit=10"
# Each unit consumed is 10–100 units/line. Units expire monthly.
# RankParse — no subscription, pay per request
curl "https://api.rankparse.com/v1/backlinks?domain=stripe.com&limit=100" \
-H "X-API-Key: rp_your_key"
# Cost: 2 credits ($0.006 at Growth tier). Credits never expire.When to stay with Semrush
Semrush is the right tool when:
- You use the full Semrush suite — keyword research, rank tracking, site audit, competitor analysis
- Your team already pays for Semrush Pro/Guru/Business and the API is a bonus
- You need Semrush's proprietary domain traffic estimates
- You need daily fresh link data for real-time monitoring
RankParse is the right tool when you need backlink and domain data via API without paying for a full SEO platform you don't use.
Common questions
Do I really need Semrush's $499.95/mo Business plan for API access?
Yes. As of 2026, the Semrush API requires the Business plan at $499.95/mo or higher. Guru ($229.95/mo) does not include API access. RankParse has no minimum — start for free.
Do Semrush API units expire?
Yes. Semrush API units are tied to your monthly plan and reset each billing cycle. Any unused units are lost. RankParse credits never expire.
Is RankParse a drop-in replacement for Semrush backlink data?
For backlinks, referring domains, and domain authority, yes — it's a parameter swap, not a rewrite. RankParse doesn't cover Semrush's keyword, rank tracking, or site audit features. If you need only the link intelligence endpoints, RankParse is a direct replacement at a fraction of the cost.
How does RankParse compare to Semrush's data quality?
Semrush crawls continuously and provides more frequently updated data. RankParse uses quarterly Common Crawl snapshots — 3B+ pages. For most reporting, enrichment, and AI agent use cases, quarterly freshness is sufficient.
Can I use RankParse in n8n, Make, or Zapier?
Yes. Any tool that can make HTTP requests with a header works. We're working on official n8n and Make integrations — check the docs for the current HTTP node setup.
No sales call. No contract.
100 free requests. No credit card. API key in 30 seconds.
Get API key — free