Best tools for tracking AI search visibility
Seeing whether ChatGPT, Perplexity and AI Overviews mention your brand — and for which prompts.
| # | Tool | Starting price | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Semrush Top pick | £113/mo | Teams that want every SEO and AI-search job in a single suite and can justify the price. | | Visit |
| 2 | SE Ranking | £95/mo | Freelancers and small agencies who want most of a full suite at a fraction of the price. | | Visit |
| 3 | Ahrefs | Free, then £23/mo Free tier | Anyone whose SEO work centres on links and competitor research. | | Visit |
| 4 | Mangools | $61/mo | Bloggers and beginners who mainly need keyword research and a simple rank tracker. | | Visit |
Ranked on weighted capability scores, weighted most heavily towards AI-search tracking and rank tracking. Commission is not an input — see methodology.
How this ranking was weighted
| Dimension | Weight | Semrush | SE Ranking | Ahrefs | Mangools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI-search tracking | ×4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Rank tracking | ×2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Site audits | ×1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Value for money | ×1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Weighted total | 93 | 85 | 75 | 53 |
Capability scores are 1–5 per dimension. Weights reflect what matters for this use case. A tool we have not assessed on a dimension scores 3, not 0.
Why Semrush wins here
Strengths
- +The widest toolset in the category — keyword research, rank tracking, audits, competitor analysis and AI-search tracking in one login.
- +Every plan includes some AI-search tracking; Starter and above add daily prompt tracking, starting at 50 prompts.
- +Tracks rankings daily and supports multi-location and device tracking on Pro+ and above.
Limitations
- −Expensive — £113 a month for the entry SEO plan, and extra users cost from £36 a month each.
- −Historical SEO data and content optimisation tools start at Pro+, £242 a month.
- −The sheer number of tools makes it slow to learn for a first-time user.
The case for SE Ranking
A capable all-round SEO platform priced well below the big two, with strong rank tracking and AI-search (GEO) tools. Freelancers and small agencies who want most of a full suite at a fraction of the price.
Full Semrush vs SE Ranking comparison →
Common questions
Best tools for tracking AI search visibility?
Semrush scores highest for AI search visibility, at 93 out of 100 when weighted for AI-search tracking and rank tracking. SE Ranking is second on 85.
Sources & verification
- ahrefs.com — checked 23 September 2026Ahrefs Free covers data for sites you own; researching competitors needs a paid plan.
- mangools.com — checked 23 September 2026No free plan, though Mangools publishes several free standalone SEO tools.
- seranking.com — checked 23 September 2026No free plan; a 14-day free trial with no card required.
- semrush.com — checked 23 September 2026Free trial available on paid plans; no free plan listed on the pricing page.