# Semrush API + MCP vs Similarweb > Semrush API + MCP scores 53.1 (D) on agent readiness against Similarweb's 46 (D), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Both do seo keywords. Category scores, facts, verdicts and agent notes side by side. - Canonical: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/semrush-vs-similarweb - Markdown: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/semrush-vs-similarweb.md (~2,000 tokens) - Slim: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/semrush-vs-similarweb.min.md (~630 tokens, same facts, less prose, for token-sensitive contexts) - JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/semrush-vs-similarweb.json (this page as data, same URL with Accept: application/json) - Site index for agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt (full text: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms-full.txt) - API: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json - Updated: 2026-10-08 Semrush API + MCP scores 53.1 (D) on agent readiness against Similarweb's 46 (D), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Both do seo keywords. - Semrush API + MCP: grade D, 53.1/100, rank #487 of 629. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/semrush.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/semrush.json - Similarweb: grade D, 46/100, rank #566 of 629. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/similarweb.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/similarweb.json ## Which one, for what ### Semrush API + MCP (D) Good for: Teams already paying for Semrush who want an agent to pull keyword, backlink, ranking and traffic estimates in one place, mainly through the MCP server. Ahead on: - Schema & documentation, 70 against 63 - Agent ergonomics, 77 against 67 - Payments & pricing, 17 against 5 - Maintenance & community, 57 against 33 - Transparency & trust, 67 against 60 Watch for: Domain, URL, Trends, Position Tracking and Site Audit reports are version 3 only, where the one key is a URL parameter and can't be revoked ### Similarweb (D) Good for: Traffic and engagement estimates, traffic channel mix and keyword click data for domains an agent doesn't own, with app, company and retail data on the same key. Watch for: API and MCP access need a Business, Enterprise or API-only plan bought through sales. The FAQ says there's no API test without a subscription ## Score by category | Category | Weight | Semrush API + MCP | Similarweb | Edge | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 34 | 35 | Similarweb +1 | | Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run | | Schema & documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 70 | 63 | Semrush API + MCP +7 | | Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 77 | 67 | Semrush API + MCP +10 | | Security & auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 54 | 52 | Semrush API + MCP +2 | | Payments & pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 17 | 5 | Semrush API + MCP +12 | | Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run | | Maintenance & community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 57 | 33 | Semrush API + MCP +24 | | Transparency & trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 67 | 60 | Semrush API + MCP +7 | | Negative events | ≤15 | 0 | 0 | | | **Total** | | **53.1 · D** | **46 · D** | | ## Facts side by side | Fact | Semrush API + MCP | Similarweb | | --- | --- | --- | | Kind | HTTP API | HTTP API | | Vendor | Semrush Inc. (an Adobe company) | Similarweb Ltd. | | Hosted endpoint | `https://api.semrush.com` | `https://api.similarweb.com` | | Transports | HTTP, Streamable HTTP | HTTP | | Auth | OAuth or key | OAuth or key | | Pricing | Paid | Paid | | x402 | no | no | | Licence | Proprietary service under the Semrush terms of service | Proprietary service under Similarweb's terms of use | | Tools exposed | 14 | none | | Read-only variant documented | yes | no | | llms.txt | yes | yes | | Last release | 2026-09-04 | 2026-09-24 | | Terms last updated | 2026-08-25 | 2025-03-19 | | Privacy policy last updated | 2025-10-13 | 2026-06-30 | | Customer content may train models | not found in the text | not found in the text | | Terms restrict automated access | yes | yes | | Terms restrict benchmarking | yes | yes | | Terms or service can change without notice | not found in the text | not found in the text | | Arbitration or class-action waiver | yes | not found in the text | ## Verdicts **Semrush API + MCP.** The hosted MCP server exposes 14 tools that load a report's parameters on demand, and version 4 API keys can be read-only, time-limited and revoked. Most reports still sit in version 3, whose single key travels in the URL and can't be revoked. No status page, OpenAPI file or API unit price was found. **Similarweb.** The V5 API returns traffic estimates, keyword clicks and SERP positions with selectable metrics, and the hosted MCP server accepts OAuth with a read scope. Access needs a Business, Enterprise or API-only subscription sold through sales, with no API trial, public price per credit or public status page found. ## Before you call either ### Semrush API + MCP 1. Use the MCP server at https://mcp.semrush.com/v2/mcp where the host supports it. Call a discovery tool, then `get_report_schema`, then `execute_report` 2. Set `limit` or `display_limit` on every per-line report. A backlinks row costs 40 to 45 units and a historical keyword row 50 3. Check the unit balance before large pulls. A per-line report returns only the lines the balance covers, with no error 4. Send the version 4 key as `Authorization: Apikey `, never as `?key=`. Version 3 accepts only the query parameter, so keep those URLs out of logs 5. Stay under 10 requests a second and 10 concurrent requests per account, and retry only when `error.retryable` is true ### Similarweb 1. Send the key in the `api-key` header. The capabilities endpoint documents `?api_key=` in the URL, which puts the secret in logs 2. Stay under 10 requests a second. A 429 can also mean the monthly credit allowance is spent, so call `/capabilities` (free) before retrying 3. Pass domains in lower case without `www.` or a path. The docs list 401 as data not found for a malformed domain 4. Request only the metrics, countries and months needed. Credits multiply across domains, metrics, countries and periods, and daily granularity costs about 30 times monthly 5. Website keywords accept monthly granularity for the last three months only, and `position` isn't returned for worldwide ## Questions ### Which is better for AI agents, Semrush API + MCP or Similarweb? Semrush API + MCP scores 53.1 (D) on agent readiness against Similarweb's 46 (D), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. ### Do Semrush API + MCP and Similarweb need an API key? Both take an API key or an OAuth sign-in. ### Can an agent call Semrush API + MCP and Similarweb without installing anything? Yes. Semrush API + MCP has a hosted endpoint at https://api.semrush.com and Similarweb at https://api.similarweb.com. ## For agents - This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/semrush-vs-similarweb.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/semrush-vs-similarweb.min.md - Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {"a": "semrush", "b": "similarweb"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare semrush similarweb` - Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/semrush.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/similarweb.json ## Other comparisons with Semrush API + MCP or Similarweb - [Ahrefs vs Semrush API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ahrefs-vs-semrush.md) - [Ahrefs vs Similarweb](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ahrefs-vs-similarweb.md) - [DataForSEO vs Semrush API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/dataforseo-vs-semrush.md) - [DataForSEO vs Similarweb](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/dataforseo-vs-similarweb.md) - [Manifold vs Semrush API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/manifold-mcp-vs-semrush.md) - [Manifold vs Similarweb](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/manifold-mcp-vs-similarweb.md) - [Moz API vs Semrush API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/moz-api-vs-semrush.md) - [Moz API vs Similarweb](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/moz-api-vs-similarweb.md)