An SEO suite with an AI add-on, or a dedicated AI visibility tool?
SE Ranking is a full SEO suite that has covered rankings, backlinks, keywords and site audits since 2013, and it now adds AI visibility as one module. growResonance does one thing: it tracks every day how ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode talk about your brand, and turns that into tasks you can act on. So the real question isn't which tool is better. It's which problem you need to solve. growResonance is also open source: self-host it with your own API keys, or use the hosted version.
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The short answer
- Choose SE Ranking if classic SEO is your main job: keyword research, backlink analysis, rank tracking for thousands of keywords and technical audits. AI visibility is included in Core and Growth with 25 prompts, and an add-on starts at $71.20 per month.
- Choose growResonance if AI visibility is your core focus: daily tracking through the models' own interfaces, source analysis, sentiment with the original sentences, an agent that creates prioritized tasks, an article assistant and white-label reports.
- growResonance is open source. You can adapt the code on GitHub, self-host it and run it alongside your SEO suite, with no license fee for self-hosting.
- growResonance is not an SEO suite. It has no backlink index and no Google keyword rank tracking.
- Many teams run both: SE Ranking for Google, growResonance for AI search. Connect Google Search Console and you'll see your search queries next to your AI visibility.
- Price: growResonance Growth (150 prompts) costs €60 per month on a 12-month term, or €70 month to month.
Why teams choose growResonance over SE Ranking
SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) overlap, but they don't play by the same rules. On Google, you compete for a position in a list of links. In ChatGPT, Gemini or Google AI Mode, you compete to be mentioned at all inside a written answer, and for where and how you're mentioned. Teams that want to manage this channel properly tend to choose a dedicated tool for five reasons:
- Adaptable: open source, runs next to your SEO suite.
- Realistic: measured through the models' own interfaces.
- Deep: sources, sentiment and query fan-out instead of one score.
- Actionable: tasks, articles and a technical audit.
- European: built in Germany, hosted in Frankfurt.
1. Open source: a specialist tool that fits your stack
A specialist tool only pays off if it fits into the way you already work. The growResonance source code is public on GitHub under AGPL-3.0, so you can adapt it to your processes and run it next to your SEO suite instead of rebuilding your workflow around a closed system.
Self-hosting is free: you pay only for your own API usage and server. Your data stays on your infrastructure, the measurement method can be checked in the code, and there is no lock-in. If you'd rather not run a server, use the hosted version, hosted in the EU in Frankfurt. The documentation explains what the self-hosted edition includes.
2. It measures what your customers actually see
Every day, growResonance asks ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode your prompts through their user interfaces, the way real people ask, rather than through an API. Interface answers can differ from API answers because of web search, location and formatting. Every answer is stored, with position, sources and sentiment.
3. Depth, not just a score
A single visibility score tells you that you're missing. It doesn't tell you why. growResonance reports visibility, share of voice, average position, sentiment from 0 to 100 with the exact sentences, and your rank against competitors. You also see the sub-queries ChatGPT runs for a question (query fan-out) and the sources the models rely on, by domain, page and source type.
4. From data to action
Each measurement becomes a set of prioritized tasks. The agent knows your workspace data and explains why a model leaves you out of a given answer; nothing is created until you approve it. The article assistant writes from the AI answers and Google's top 10, with fact-checking and a content score for both Google and AI search. The technical audit checks AI bot access, llms.txt, structured data and page speed, with a fix prompt for each finding.
5. Built in Germany, hosted in Frankfurt
growResonance is hosted in Frankfurt, Germany, and is GDPR-compliant. Agency plans include a data processing agreement under Art. 28 GDPR by default.
Must-haves: growResonance and SE Ranking side by side
| Criterion | growResonance | SE Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Focus and openness | ||
| Focus | AI visibility (GEO) | Classic SEO suite with AI visibility as a module |
| Open source / self-hosting | Yes, source code on GitHub (AGPL-3.0), self-hosting free | No open source offering mentioned on the website |
| Google rank tracking | No | Yes, 2,000 keywords daily on Core, 5,000 on Growth |
| Backlink analysis and keyword database | No | Yes |
| Measurement and analysis | ||
| AI engines | ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode (daily); Claude and Perplexity coming soon | 5 AI engines per the pricing page, including AI Overviews, AI Mode, Gemini, ChatGPT, Copilot |
| AI prompts on the entry plan | 50 (Start) | 25 daily on Core and Growth |
| Measurement method | Models' user interfaces | Not described in detail on the website |
| Sentiment with original sentences | Yes | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Query fan-out | Yes | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Taking action | ||
| Agent with prioritized tasks | Yes | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Content for AI search | Yes, article assistant with fact-check | Content Marketing tool and Content Editor |
| Agencies, teams and hosting | ||
| White-label reports | Yes, on Studio and Agency | Yes, with the Agency Pack (+$69/mo, annual) |
| Unlimited seats | Yes | Core: 1 manager seat, Growth: 3 |
| Hosting | EU (Frankfurt) | Operated by SER Acquisition Inc., per the website |
As of October 29, 2026. Sources below.
growResonance vs. SE Ranking: Feature comparison
Tracking AI visibility
growResonance runs every prompt daily across three models through their interfaces. For each prompt you see the full answer, your position, the competitors named and the sources cited. You can slice results by location and product, and view trends over 7, 30 or 90 days. Failed queries are credited back to your quota.
SE Ranking treats AI visibility as part of the wider platform. According to its pricing page, Core and Growth include 25 prompts daily across 5 AI engines, and a standalone add-on starts at $71.20 per month, with tiers starting at 200 prompts. The homepage describes it as analyzing your brand's presence in AI search engines, including mentions, links and competitor benchmarks.
Competitors and sources
growResonance shows, per prompt and per model, who gets recommended instead of you and which pages the model cites to justify it. Sources are grouped into trade press, user-generated content, reference sites, your own site and competitors. You might find, for example, that for a local query a model leans on two business directories that list your competitor but not you.
SE Ranking is far broader for classic competitive research. Its website cites a database of 5.9 billion keywords and 1.6 billion domain profiles across 188 countries. growResonance offers nothing comparable for Google rankings, traffic estimates or competitor backlink profiles.
Acting on the data: tasks, agent and technical audit
growResonance turns every measurement into tasks, and once a task is done it shows how the affected prompts develop. The technical audit focuses on what AI systems need: can GPTBot read your site, is there an llms.txt file, is structured data in place, how fast does the page load.
SE Ranking offers a full technical site audit for classic SEO, with 250,000 pages per month on Core and 2 million on Growth, according to its pricing page. If you audit large sites for Google, you get far more crawl volume there.
Content for AI search
growResonance researches each article from the models' answers and Google's top 10, writes in your brand's style, checks facts and scores the draft for Google and for AI search. You can auto-optimize existing pages and turn any article into a social carousel. Export as HTML or Markdown.
SE Ranking provides a Content Marketing tool and a Content Editor with AI-driven optimization suggestions for existing pages.
Reporting for agencies
growResonance builds reports as slides, PDFs or links with your logo and each client's colors, and agency plans drop the growResonance notice. Links can be password-protected and set to expire after 7, 30 or 90 days. An account overview lists every client's visibility, change and rank side by side.
SE Ranking offers the Agency Pack for +$69 per month (annual billing only): 30 client seats, a white-label platform and reports, unlimited scheduled reports, a listing in the Agency Catalog and a lead generator. For agencies selling classic SEO to many clients, it's a strong package.
growResonance vs. SE Ranking: Pricing
| growResonance | SE Ranking | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosting | €0 / €0; your own API keys and server, cost depends on usage | No self-hosting offering mentioned on the website |
| Entry plan | Start: €20/mo (12-month term) or €25 month to month; 50 AI prompts, 3 models daily | Core: $103.20/mo billed annually or $129 monthly; 25 AI prompts, 2,000 keywords |
| Mid plan | Growth: €60 / €70; 150 AI prompts, 3 locations | Growth: $223.20 / $279; 25 AI prompts, 5,000 keywords |
| Larger plan | Scale: €115 / €135; 3 brands, 350 prompts | Enterprise: custom |
| More AI prompts | Included in higher plans | AI add-on from $71.20/mo (tiers from 200 prompts) |
| Agencies | Studio: €90 / €105 (5 clients) · Agency: €165 / €195 (10 clients), white-label included | Agency Pack +$69/mo (annual only), 30 client seats, white-label |
All prices are net, per month, as of October 29, 2026. growResonance in EUR; SE Ranking in USD as listed on its official pricing page. Currencies have not been converted. SE Ranking marks the lower figures as annual billing (20% savings).
Worked example: tracking 150 prompts
A marketing team wants to track 150 prompts a day in AI search.
- AI visibility only: growResonance Growth covers it for €60 per month on a 12-month term, or €70 month to month. On SE Ranking, the next step up would be the AI add-on from $71.20 per month, which starts at 200 prompts according to the pricing page. On price, the two routes are close. The difference lies in measurement method, depth of analysis and the tools for acting on the data.
- AI visibility plus classic SEO: If you also need rank tracking, backlinks and audits, SE Ranking Core ($103.20 billed annually) already includes 25 prompts tracked daily. For more prompts, the AI visibility add-on starts at $71.20 per month; check with SE Ranking whether it stacks on Core or is booked on its own. Alternatively, pair the SEO suite of your choice with growResonance Growth.
Which route costs less depends on the add-on tier you actually need at SE Ranking, so check its current pricing page.
What customers say about growResonance
"Finally, we can see in black and white whether ChatGPT and Gemini mention our clients." – Maximilian Boos, Managing Director, visseo medical (translated from German)
Measured for our customers: BOS Tuning, visseo medical, DUNE47.
Which tool fits which team?
SE Ranking is the better fit if you …
- run classic SEO as your main discipline and want rank tracking, backlinks and keyword research in one place,
- are an agency serving many clients with SEO reports and need 30 white-label client seats,
- are happy to start AI visibility with 25 prompts,
- want several AI engines, including AI Overviews and Copilot, in the same tool.
growResonance is the better fit if you …
- treat AI visibility as a channel of its own and need more than a single score,
- want to know why a model leaves you out, with concrete tasks to fix it,
- want to write content specifically for AI search and improve existing pages,
- care about EU hosting in Frankfurt and a GDPR data processing agreement,
- want to invite your whole team at no extra cost.
Use both if Google SEO and AI search matter equally to you. Connect Google Search Console in growResonance, turn your highest-click queries into prompts with one click, and see whether AI models mention you for the same topics.
FAQ
Is growResonance better than SE Ranking?
That depends on your goal. For classic Google SEO with backlinks and a keyword database, SE Ranking is the more complete option. When AI search is the priority, growResonance offers:
- daily tracking of ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode through their interfaces
- sentiment with original sentences, sources and query fan-out
- tasks, an article assistant and a technical audit for AI search
- open source code with free self-hosting
Why do teams choose growResonance over SE Ranking?
Usually because AI visibility has become a channel of its own:
- 150 AI prompts on the Growth plan from €60 per month
- analysis of why a model leaves the brand out
- unlimited seats on every plan
- adaptable code that runs next to the existing SEO suite
What are the differences between SE Ranking and growResonance?
The two tools have different focal points:
- SE Ranking: SEO suite with rank tracking, backlinks, audits and AI visibility as a module
- growResonance: dedicated to AI visibility, with no backlink or keyword database
- growResonance is open source; SE Ranking mentions no open source offering
- both offer white-label reports for agencies
Do I need both SE Ranking and growResonance?
If you take both classic SEO and AI visibility seriously, yes. SE Ranking covers Google rankings, backlinks and technical audits. growResonance covers how ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode answer, including sources, sentiment and tasks. If you only work on one of the two, one tool is enough.
What's the difference between SEO and GEO?
SEO optimizes for the list of links a search engine like Google returns. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) optimizes for being mentioned and cited inside AI-written answers. The foundations overlap, such as crawlability and strong content. GEO adds a focus on cited sources, mentions on third-party sites and the exact wording of answers.
Which AI models does growResonance track?
growResonance tracks ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode every day through their user interfaces. Claude and Perplexity are coming soon. SE Ranking lists five AI engines on its pricing page, including AI Overviews, AI Mode, Gemini, ChatGPT and Copilot.
Does growResonance offer white-label reports for agencies?
Yes. On Studio (5 clients, from €90 per month) and Agency (10 clients, from €165 per month), reports carry your logo and your clients' colors, with no growResonance notice. SE Ranking offers white-label through its Agency Pack for +$69 per month, billed annually.
Is growResonance open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub under AGPL-3.0. For SEO teams, that means you can adapt growResonance to your own workflows, pull its data into your systems and run it next to your SEO suite. If you'd rather not manage anything, the hosted version starts at €20 per month excluding VAT.
What does self-hosting cost?
You pay nothing for the software. The only costs are the ones that land directly with you: API usage at the AI providers and your server. How much that comes to depends on how many prompts you track and how often. The documentation describes what the self-hosted edition includes.
Can I try growResonance for free?
Yes. The free visibility check shows you, without signing up, whether ChatGPT and other models mention your brand. For the full product, create a free account.
growResonance helps teams get seen in AI answers
SE Ranking and growResonance solve different problems. SE Ranking is a broad SEO suite that brings AI visibility along as one module. growResonance is a specialist tool that measures AI search, explains it, and helps you improve it with tasks, content and reports. If AI search is a channel in its own right for you, the specialist tool is worth it, from €20 per month. And because growResonance is open source, you can also self-host it and adapt it to sit alongside your SEO suite.
Check for free whether AI mentions your brand
growResonance vs. the rest: more comparisons
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Explore the platform: AI visibility tracking · Pricing · Agency pricing · For agencies · MCP server · Docs
Related reading
- Agency guide: GEO in 14 days: How SEO agencies can add GEO as a service within two weeks.
- Documentation: how we measure: Why answers collected through the interface can differ from API answers.
- MCP server: Query AI visibility and Search Console data directly in Claude or ChatGPT.
Make your brand visible in AI answers
Sources
- SE Ranking, homepage: https://seranking.com/de/ (accessed October 29, 2026)
- SE Ranking, pricing: https://seranking.com/pricing.html (accessed October 29, 2026)
- growResonance, AI visibility: growresonance.ai/ai-visibility (accessed October 29, 2026)
- growResonance, agency plans: growresonance.ai/pricing/agencies (accessed October 29, 2026)
