SEMrush vs Shield: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of SEMrush and Shield. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: SEMrush starts at $10/mo, making it $5/mo cheaper than Shield ($15/mo). Shield offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
SEMrush vs Shield: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | SEMrush | Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $15/mo |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 3 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | flat | flat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
SEMrush is the more affordable option, starting at $10/mo compared to Shield's $15/mo. Both are Other tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 25 features compared.
Shield stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Other needs.
| Pricing Plans |  SEMrush Try it free |  Shield Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Additional Users $45/month Includes
| |
| Tier 2 | Lead Generation $90/month Includes
| ProPopular $15/monthCheapest $12 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Base Report $10/monthCheapest Includes
| Enterprise Custom pricing Includes
|
| Tier 4 | Pro Report $20/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
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SEMrush
SEMrush starts at $5/mo lower ($10/mo vs $15/mo), offers 4 tiers vs 3.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: SEMrush
Try SEMrush freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose SEMrush if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—SEMrush starts at $10/mo, saving $5/mo compared to Shield at $15/mo
- •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—SEMrush offers 9 additional features across its plans
Choose Shield if:
- •You need a free plan with Basic features, Community support—Shield offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Shield offers negotiated terms for large deployments
- •You prioritize Shield's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
Shield offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while SEMrush requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Shield a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Shield's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately $15/mo provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against SEMrush's tiering starting at $10/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Shield's 3 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while SEMrush's 4 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Shield is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.
Frequently Asked Questions: SEMrush vs Shield
Which is cheaper, SEMrush or Shield?
How many pricing plans does SEMrush have vs Shield?
Does SEMrush or Shield offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for SEMrush or Shield?
What is the most popular Shield plan?
Does SEMrush or Shield offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do SEMrush and Shield compare for Other?
Sources
- SEMrush Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Shield Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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