The Semrush AI Visibility Toolkit is a $99/mo-per-domain add-on — not a free feature of core Semrush and not, on its own, a full AEO program. If you do not already live in Semrush, the best alternatives in 2026 are Peec AI (dedicated tracking, unlimited seats, $95/mo), Frase (track plus fix, $39/mo), and Otterly.AI ($29/mo to start). To fix a specific page for citability without any subscription, Metricus Forager is the only truly free page-level AI visibility optimizer here. Verified the week of August 3, 2026: the toolkit is $99/mo per domain (25 prompts), +$60/mo per 50 extra prompts, +$99/mo per extra domain, no free trial; it can be bought standalone or bundled into Semrush One (Starter $199/mo).
Standalone or add-on? The pricing, resolved
Sources conflict on whether the toolkit requires a Semrush base plan. Vendor and multiple independent trackers (verified August 2026) confirm it is available standalone at $99/mo per domain, and can also be bundled via Semrush One. Earlier "requires a base plan" claims are outdated. There is also a separate free one-time AI-visibility checker at semrush.com/free-tools that needs no subscription at all.
The 7 best Semrush AI Toolkit alternatives, compared
| Rank | Tool | Best for | Engines | Entry price | Free tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peec AI | Dedicated tracking | 3 of 7 | $95/mo | 7-day trial |
| 2 | Frase | Track + fix | 5 major | $39/mo (yr) | Free checker |
| 3 | Otterly.AI | Budget | 4 base | $29/mo | 7-day trial |
| 4 | Profound | Enterprise | up to 10 | ~$99/mo | None |
| 5 | AthenaHQ | GEO analytics | Broad | Self-serve | Free sampler |
| 6 | Writesonic | Mention + sentiment | Select | Self-serve | 7-day trial |
| 7 | Metricus Forager | Fixing a page, free | Page-level | Free | Truly free |
1) Peec AI
Peec AI is the strongest dedicated alternative when AI visibility is your primary metric, not one KPI in a suite: $95/$245/$495 for 50/150/350 prompts, unlimited seats, 7-day trial. Where the Semrush toolkit charges $99 per domain and $60 per 50 extra prompts, Peec's per-project economics scale more cleanly for single-brand programs.
2) Frase
Frase replaces "AI data in a dashboard" with "AI data that drives a content fix" — track five engines, then draft and publish the fix, from $39/mo yearly with a free checker.
3) Otterly.AI
Otterly.AI is the cheapest starting point at $29/mo (15 prompts), rising to $189/$489. Four engines included; Gemini/AI Mode add-ons. A validation entry before committing budget.
4) Profound
Profound is the enterprise alternative with first-party crawler data and compliance the Semrush add-on doesn't match — but at ~$399/mo for real multi-engine coverage.
5) AthenaHQ
AthenaHQ pairs tracking with attribution and an action center, plus a free sampler; a dedicated-tool step up from a suite add-on.
6) Writesonic
Writesonic bundles tracking with AI writing; the "free" entry is a 7-day/25-prompt trial.
7) Metricus Forager
Metricus Forager is the free page-fixer none of the above (or Semrush) includes: rewrite a page and re-test it for citability with the free AI visibility optimizer, no card. Documented one-time audit: Metricus Snapshot, $499 one-time, no subscription.
Comparing dedicated trackers? See Peec AI alternatives 2026 and best free AI visibility tools 2026. Then make the page itself citable: how to get recommended by ChatGPT.