> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.crakseo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> For SEO data and indexing, start with /seo-mcp/overview.md and /seo-mcp/connect.md, then read the focused server reference.
> The documentation search MCP at https://docs.crakseo.com/mcp searches documentation only. Product tools use https://crakseo.com/mcp/<server>.
> Check tool availability and API credit balance before paid calls. Request owner approval for paid indexing. Never invent prices, indexing guarantees or directory approval.

# Semrush MCP alternative: pay-per-call SEO data

> CrakSEO vs Semrush MCP: subscription requirements, API units, data coverage, indexing and Search Console. When to use each.

Semrush MCP is Semrush's hosted server at `https://mcp.semrush.com/v2/mcp`. It needs an eligible Semrush subscription and uses the same API units as Semrush's API. CrakSEO is pay per call with no subscription, and adds URL indexing and a free Search Console server.

## Side by side

| | Semrush MCP | CrakSEO |
| - | - | - |
| Access | Semrush One Starter, One Pro+, SEO Classic Pro or Guru (50,000 API units included), or Business and One Advanced with an API units package | No plan. Prepaid API credits |
| Usage | Semrush API units per request | Per-call prices from your credits balance |
| Data | Semrush's SEO API, Trends API (with a Trends plan) and read-only Projects data | SERP, keyword, backlink, ranking, audit, local and AI visibility data from third-party data suppliers |
| Sign-in | OAuth, or `Authorization: Apikey` | OAuth, or a bearer API key |
| URL indexing | Not included | [URL Indexing MCP](https://docs.crakseo.com/mcp-servers/url-indexing.md) |
| Search Console and Bing Webmaster | Not included in the MCP | [Free Search Console MCP](https://docs.crakseo.com/mcp-servers/search-console.md) |

Semrush facts checked October 24, 2026 on Semrush's MCP page and developer docs. Check their site for current terms.

## Choose Semrush MCP when

* You already have an eligible Semrush plan.
* You need Semrush-specific data such as Trends traffic estimates or your Semrush projects.

## Choose CrakSEO when

* You want SEO data in your AI client without a Semrush subscription.
* Your usage is occasional or unpredictable.
* You also need indexing and your own Search Console and Bing data.

## Switch in one step

```bash theme={null}
claude mcp add --transport http crakseo-seo https://crakseo.com/mcp/seo
```

Other clients: see the [quickstarts](https://docs.crakseo.com/quickstarts/claude-code.md).


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