# Semrush MCP alternative

> Keyword research, rankings, search competitors and backlinks from Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor, paid per call. No Semrush plan and no API units to buy.

## Connect

One server URL for every client: `https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp`, streamable HTTP, with OAuth or an API key as a bearer token. Every workspace starts with 500 free credits and no card.

- [Claude](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/claude): Go to Settings, then Connectors, and add a custom connector. Paste the URL and sign in.
- [Claude Code](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/claude-code): Run this, then /mcp to sign in. `claude mcp add --transport http manifold https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp`
- [ChatGPT](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/chatgpt): Turn on developer mode. Go to Settings, then Apps & Connectors, and choose Create. Paste the URL.
- [Codex](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/codex): Run this, then codex mcp login manifold to sign in. `codex mcp add manifold --url https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp`
- [Cursor](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/cursor): One click, or paste the URL in the MCP section of Cursor Settings.
- [Gemini CLI](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/gemini): Run this, then /mcp auth manifold to sign in. `gemini mcp add --transport http manifold https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp`
- [Grok](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/grok): Go to Settings, then Connectors, and add a connector. Paste the URL and sign in.
- [Grok Bot](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/grok-bot): Paste this to the bot. It adds Manifold and asks you to sign in. `Add the Manifold MCP server as a plugin: https://mcp.manifoldmcp.com/mcp.`
- [OpenCode](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/opencode): Run opencode mcp add, choose Remote and paste the URL.
- [Any other client](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/other): Add it as a remote MCP server in any other client.

## The tools your agent gets

- [`seo_search_keywords`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_search_keywords): Get keyword ideas. Candidate keywords around a seed, with volume, difficulty, intent, CPC and trend for each. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_get_keyword_metrics`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_keyword_metrics): Check keyword metrics. Volume, difficulty, intent, CPC and 12-month trend for keywords you already have, with AI-engine prompt volume on request. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_get_serp`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_serp): Get search results for a query. The top organic results and SERP features Google shows for one query. From 1 credit.
- [`seo_get_ranked_keywords`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_ranked_keywords): Get a domain's ranked keywords. Keywords a domain or one page ranks for in the top 100, with position, URL and metrics. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_get_serp_competitors`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_serp_competitors): Find search competitors. Domains that share search results with a target, with how many keywords overlap. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_get_keyword_gap`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_keyword_gap): Find keyword gaps. Keywords one competitor ranks for in the top 100 that the target does not rank for at all. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_get_domain_overview`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_domain_overview): Get a domain overview. Traffic estimate, ranked keyword count, position spread, top pages and domain rank for one domain. From 5 credits.
- [`seo_get_traffic_estimates`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_traffic_estimates): Get traffic estimates in bulk. Estimated monthly organic and paid traffic for up to 1,000 domains in one call. From 50 credits.
- [`seo_get_backlink_summary`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_backlink_summary): Get a backlink summary. Link totals for a domain or page: backlinks, referring domains, dofollow share, link types and domain rank. From 10 credits.

Every parameter and return field: [SEO tools in the docs](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo.md).

## The questions you ask Semrush, without the plan

Semrush’s own MCP server is hosted and spends API units that come with some Semrush plans and are bought separately on others. Manifold answers the same kinds of questions from DataForSEO’s data and charges per call.

| | Semrush MCP | Semrush in the browser | Manifold |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Needs a Semrush plan | Yes, with API units | Yes | No |
| Keywords, rankings and gaps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Traffic estimates | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semrush’s own database | Yes | Yes | No, DataForSEO’s |
| Setup | Paste a URL | None | Paste one URL |
| Social, Reddit and leads beside it | No | No | Yes |

## Things to ask

- Who are our search competitors, and how many keywords do we share? [our site]
- Estimate monthly organic traffic for these 20 competitors.
- Find keyword ideas around “meal kits” with volume, difficulty and intent.
- Which keywords does our competitor rank for that we don’t? [competitor.com]
- Where do we rank for “project management software”?
- Summarise the backlink profile of this domain. [domain]

## Pay per call

- Get keyword ideas: From 5 credits
- Check keyword metrics: From 5 credits
- Get search results for a query: From 1 credit
- The same answer again, from the cache: 25% or less

Details: [pricing](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/pricing.md) and [how credits work](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/credits.md).

## Questions about the Semrush MCP alternative

### Is it the same data as Semrush?

No. Manifold’s SEO tools run on DataForSEO, so volumes, difficulty and traffic estimates will differ from Semrush’s own. Both are estimates; use one source consistently.

### Do I need a Semrush account?

No. You spend credits from one Manifold balance, which also covers AI answers, Reddit, social and leads.

### Does it track AI search visibility too?

Yes, on the same server: what ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google’s AI answers say about a brand and which sources they cite. [AI visibility MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/ai-visibility.md).

### Which clients does it work with?

Claude, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Grok, OpenCode and any other client that connects to a remote MCP server. Sign in with OAuth, or use an API key from the dashboard for scripts. [Setup guides for every client](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients.md).

### What does it cost?

Per call, in credits, with the price stated before your agent calls. A repeat of a recent call costs a fraction of the price. [Plans and pricing](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/pricing.md).

## On the same server

- [Ahrefs MCP alternative](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/ahrefs.md): Keywords and backlinks without an Ahrefs plan.
- [DataForSEO MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/dataforseo.md): DataForSEO's data, hosted, with no account.
- [SEO MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/seo.md): Keywords, rankings, backlinks and audits.
- [AI visibility MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/ai-visibility.md): What ChatGPT, Gemini and others say and cite.
- [Reddit MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/reddit.md): Threads, comments and subreddits.
- [LinkedIn MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/linkedin.md): Posts, profiles and company pages.
- [YouTube MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/youtube.md): Videos, channels, comments and transcripts.
- [Apollo MCP alternative](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/apollo.md): Companies, people and verified work emails.
- [All MCP servers](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp.md)