# Manifold vs OpenSEO: two hosted SEO MCP servers for small budgets

> Both are hosted MCP servers that sell SEO data by usage. OpenSEO is a $10 a month plan that includes $10 of usage, with rank tracking and an open-source code base. Manifold has a free plan with 250 credits a month and Pro from $20, and adds AI answers, social, Reddit, ad libraries and leads on the same balance. Pick by what you need besides SEO.

| | |
| --- | --- |
| OpenSEO entry price | $10 a month, includes $10 of usage |
| Manifold entry price | $0, 250 credits a month |
| Search Console data | Free on both |
| Checked | openseo.so/pricing, 26 October 2026 |

## Side by side

| | OpenSEO | Manifold |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Entry price | $10 a month, includes $10 of usage | Free plan, 250 credits a month, no card |
| Trial | $0.50 of credits | The free plan, every month |
| Subscription needed | Yes, top-ups included | No for the free credits; top-ups come with Pro or Max |
| Unused credits | Plan usage resets; top-ups roll over | Plan credits reset; top-ups never expire |
| SEO data | Keywords, backlinks, domain overview, site audit | Keywords, SERPs, backlinks, domains, technical crawl |
| Rank tracking over time | Yes | Position checks on demand, no saved history |
| AI visibility | Mentions, citations and prompt tracking | Any prompt on six engines, on demand |
| Search Console | Free, outside the $10 | Free, plus Bing Webmaster Tools |
| Reddit, social, ads, leads | Not in its feature list | Yes, on the same balance |
| Open source | Yes, and you can self-host it free | No; the marketing skills library is MIT |
| Works in | Claude, Cursor and ChatGPT, among others | Claude, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Cursor, Codex, Gemini CLI and others |

OpenSEO's prices and features are from its [pricing page](https://openseo.so/pricing) and [homepage](https://openseo.so/), read on 26 October 2026.

## Who each one is for

**OpenSEO** is for someone who wants a low-cost SEO platform they can also run themselves: keyword research, backlinks, rank tracking and site audits, in its own app or from an agent over MCP.

**Manifold** is for someone who wants their agent to reach SEO data and the rest of marketing from one connection: AI answers, Reddit, social, ad libraries and leads, with a free plan.

Both use DataForSEO for their search data.

## When to pick which

- **Pick OpenSEO** if SEO is the whole job, you want rank tracking with history, or you want to host the tool yourself.
- **Pick Manifold** if your agent also needs AI answers, Reddit, social, ad or lead data, or if you want to start without a subscription.

## Questions

### Is OpenSEO or Manifold cheaper for SEO data?

It depends on use. OpenSEO needs a $10 monthly subscription that includes $10 of usage. Manifold needs no subscription for its free credits, then Pro starts at a monthly price for a set of credits. Compare the calls you make most.

### Does Manifold track rankings over time?

Your agent can check a site's position for a keyword at any time. Manifold does not keep a ranking history for you today; OpenSEO includes rank tracking.

### Is either one open source?

OpenSEO says it is open source and links its code on GitHub. Manifold's server is not open source; its marketing skills library is free under the MIT licence.

### Do I need a subscription?

OpenSEO needs an active subscription to use its credits, top-ups included. Manifold's free plan needs no card, and top-ups come with Pro or Max.

## Next

- [SEO MCP server](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/seo)
- [The best SEO MCP servers, compared](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/best-seo-mcp-servers)
- [Pricing](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/pricing)

## Sources

- [OpenSEO pricing (read 26 October 2026)](https://openseo.so/pricing)
- [OpenSEO homepage (read 26 October 2026)](https://openseo.so/)

Published 7 October 2026. Updated 26 October 2026.