Are you ready to enhance your small business’s online presence and rank higher in Google search results? With 90% of customers using search engines for local information, effective SEO tools can boost your visibility online. Listing your business on all relevant local directories can help you rank higher and get more visitors.

Semrush Local and RelateLocal are two of the most prominent platforms for managing local listings, tracking local rankings, and improving search visibility. But which one is the best fit for your business?

Let’s break it down in a simple, straightforward manner so that by the end of our Semrush Local vs RelateLocal review and comparison, you’ll clearly understand which option may be best for you.

Semrush Local vs RelateLocal: Brief Overview

What is Semrush Local?

If you’ve ever used Semrush for SEO or marketing, you may already be familiar with its powerful tools. Semrush Local is an extension of the Semrush marketing suite, designed to manage local search presence.

With features for automated local listing management, review monitoring, and competitor benchmarking, Semrush Local helps businesses optimize their online profiles for better local search rankings.

However, whether it’s the best choice depends on your specific business needs.

What is RelateLocal?

Powered by Namecheap, RelateLocal is a dedicated local SEO platform that helps small businesses gain visibility in geo-targeted searches. It provides tools for managing customer reviews, optimizing for “near me” searches, and running location-based promotions.

Unlike Semrush Local, which is an add-on to an existing SEO platform, Relatelocal is built specifically for local marketing, making it an excellent option for businesses that prioritize hyper-local reach.

But is a more focused tool always the better choice? Let’s compare.

Price Flexibility, Costs, and Affordability of Semrush Local and RelateLocal

Are you looking for an affordable local SEO tool that fits your budget? If so, pricing and flexibility of Semrush Local and RelateLocal are key considerations.

• Semrush Local follows a per-location monthly pricing model and offers advanced SEO tools such as GEO Grid Local Rank Tracking, AI-powered GBP management, and competitor analytics—features that justify its higher price point.
• On the other hand, RelateLocal offers monthly and yearly plans, making it a flexible choice for businesses of all sizes. It provides essential local listing management, competitor tracking, and AI-powered review replies at a lower price.

Feature	Semrush Local	RelateLocal
Subscription Type	Monthly (per location)	Monthly & Yearly
Pricing Plan Options	Local Light ($30), Local Essentials ($50), Local Advanced ($60), Ultimate ($99)	From $6.88 per month, the annual plan starts from $54.88 per year.
Refund Policy	No standalone free trial (available with the full Semrush suite)	30-day money-back guarantee
	Visit Semrush Local site	Visit RelateLocal site

💡 Tip: If budget is a primary concern, RelateLocal is more affordable. Why?

Semrush Local typically starts at a higher price point, as it often requires a subscription to the full Semrush platform, making it more expensive than a standalone Relate Local plan.

In contrast, Relate Local is generally considered more affordable, especially when comparing the cost per location managed, as its starting price tends to be lower.

However, while one option is more budget-friendly than the other, it is important to assess the value of each, not just the cost.

Local SEO and business listing management

Both platforms provide local listing management but take different approaches to helping businesses improve their local search presence.

Semrush Local offers an advanced, data-driven solution that goes beyond simple business listings. It provides automated listing distribution across 70+ directories, ensuring accurate and consistent business information across multiple platforms. Additionally, it offers;

•  Google Business Profile (GBP) insights,
• Listing Management
• AI-powered review management
•  GEO Grid Local Rank Tracking

 This allows businesses to monitor their local search performance in a highly detailed way. However, these robust features come at a higher price point, which may be a concern for small businesses with limited budgets.

On the other hand, RelateLocal is a more affordable and user-friendly option, making it ideal for small businesses that need straightforward directory listings and basic reputation management. It allows businesses to list their information on Google, Facebook, Foursquare, and up to 40+ directories, ensuring they maintain a visible and trustworthy online presence.

Additionally, it includes AI-assisted customer review replies and social media posting, helping small businesses engage with their audience efficiently.

With its flexible monthly and yearly subscription plans, RelateLocal provides a budget-friendly option for businesses that need local SEO support without the complexity of advanced analytics.

Feature	Semrush Local	RelateLocal
Listing Distribution	70+ directories (automated)	Google, Facebook, Foursquare & up to 40+ directories
Google Business Profile	Insights, AI-powered posting & review management	Basic listing management
Review Management	AI-powered replies & competitor review tracking	AI-assisted reply feature
	Visit Semrush Local site	Visit RelateLocal site

Marketing and Geo-Targeting Features

Beyond SEO, both Semrush Local and RelateLocal provide additional marketing tools aimed at helping businesses enhance their online visibility and attract more local customers. However, their approaches to marketing and geo-targeting differ in scale, depth, and the degree of integration with other digital strategies.

Semrush Local is an excellent option for businesses looking to enhance their local SEO as part of a comprehensive digital marketing strategy. It offers seamless integration with paid advertising campaigns, content marketing tools, and advanced competitor analysis, enabling businesses to fine-tune their marketing efforts and maintain a competitive advantage.

By utilizing GEO Grid Local Rank Tracking, businesses can monitor their rankings in different locations and improve their visibility across various geographic regions. This feature is especially valuable for multi-location businesses or companies aiming to expand their presence in a broader service area.

RelateLocal, on the other hand, prioritizes hyper-local marketing, making it ideal for small businesses focused on ranking higher in “near me” searches and promoting local offers. Rather than emphasizing large-scale marketing campaigns,

RelateLocal helps businesses connect with their immediate communities by ensuring accurate business listings and reputation management. This makes it especially useful for businesses looking to increase foot traffic, improve local search relevance, and enhance customer relationships within a specific neighbourhood or city.

Customer Support: AI-Powered Engagement and Reliable Assistance for Small Businesses

For small businesses, having responsive and effective customer support is essential when using local SEO tools to improve their online presence.

Quickly resolving issues, gaining insights, and staying engaged with customers can greatly impact a business’s reputation and visibility.

Semrush Local and RelateLocal offer AI-powered engagement features designed to help businesses interact efficiently with their audience. However, their support structures differ in scale and accessibility.

Both platforms offer features that help businesses maintain strong relationships with their customers:

• AI-Assisted Reply Features: Automates responses to customer comments, allowing businesses to engage quickly and build brand trust.
• Social Media Management: Users can schedule and publish social media posts on multiple platforms like Facebook and Google Business Profile, ensuring consistent online interaction.

When it comes to direct support, Semrush Local offers a more extensive support system that includes live chat, email assistance, and a comprehensive knowledge base.

These resources ensure that businesses can quickly find solutions to their issues, whether through real-time interaction with a support team or self-service options.

This makes Semrush Local an excellent choice for businesses that require immediate assistance or prefer a well-structured support system with detailed documentation.  

In contrast, RelateLocal provides email support and has a dedicated help center, making it a practical option for small businesses with simpler support needs. Ultimately, the choice between these two platforms depends on how much hands-on support a business requires.

Final Thoughts on Semrush Local Compared to RelateLocal

Choosing between Semrush Local and RelateLocal depends on your business’s specific needs, budget, and marketing goals.

Suppose you want a comprehensive solution that provides advanced local SEO tools, AI-driven review management, and detailed competitor tracking. In that case, Semrush Local is an excellent option, particularly for businesses pursuing a more extensive digital marketing strategy. However, keep in mind that it is priced on the higher side.

On the other hand, RelateLocal is a more budget-friendly and user-friendly option, making it ideal for small businesses that prioritize cost-effective local listing management and hyper-local marketing.

With AI-powered customer engagement tools and flexible pricing, RelateLocal provides an accessible way to enhance local visibility without the complexity of a larger SEO platform.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your business’s needs and budget. Think about which features are most important to you and how they align with your goals.

If you require a powerful, data-driven local SEO tool with advanced automation, Semrush Local may be the better fit. However, if you prefer a simpler, cost-effective solution that focuses on essential local listing management and customer engagement, RelateLocal is a strong option.

Which Local SEO platform stands out to you between Semrush Local and RelateLocal? 

Are there specific features you prioritize for your type of online business? 

Selecting the right Local SEO marketing tool can significantly impact your business growth, so take the time to evaluate your options and make an informed decision.