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Comparison · Marketing
Open Web Analytics vs Semrush
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Open Web Analytics and Semrush — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Open Web Analytics vs Semrush: at a glance
| Feature | Open Web Analytics | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Marketing | Marketing |
| Velocity score | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Sparks · 30d | 0 | 0 |
| Top themes | web-analytics, self-hosted, security, php | adobe, ai-visibility, connectors, mcp |
| Last editorial update | 1d ago | 12d ago |
| Website | Visit → | — |
What is Open Web Analytics?
Open Web Analytics 1.14.7 ships unspecified security fixes and a field-clearing command.
Open Web Analytics is a self-hosted web analytics tool. Release 1.14.7 includes security fixes it does not describe, recommends upgrading, needs no schema changes and adds a clear-field-values CLI command with a dry-run mode. It follows a run of 1.14 patches that closed cross-site record access, restored heatmaps broken since 1.10.1 and 1.13.0, and fixed relative date periods that covered the wrong days.
What is Semrush?
Semrush, now an Adobe company, is putting its data inside AI assistants.
Semrush now describes itself as an Adobe company, and the two have shipped Adobe Brand Visibility, which pairs Semrush's AI visibility data with Adobe's content optimization. On the product side it added connectors for Perplexity and Claude, AI-powered Traffic Insights, and Crazy Egg in the App Center. Its latest entry is an awards note.
Open Web Analytics vs Semrush: editorial side-by-side
Open Web Analytics
5.0MARKETING
Open Web Analytics 1.14.7 ships unspecified security fixes and a field-clearing command.
◆ Current state
Open Web Analytics is a self-hosted web analytics tool. Release 1.14.7 includes security fixes it does not describe, recommends upgrading, needs no schema changes and adds a clear-field-values CLI command with a dry-run mode. It follows a run of 1.14 patches that closed cross-site record access, restored heatmaps broken since 1.10.1 and 1.13.0, and fixed relative date periods that covered the wrong days.
◆ Where it's heading
The 1.14 line is cleanup after the large 1.11 to 1.13 rework (date partitioning, a job scheduler, custom reports and new admin URLs), with fixes landing every few days. The 1.13.0 notes describe it as preparation for a 2.0 branch, so the patch stream is clearing debt before that.
◆ Prediction
Expect more 1.14.x patches for regressions and access checks. The entries say a 2.0 branch is coming but give no date or scope.
Semrush
2.5MARKETING
Semrush, now an Adobe company, is putting its data inside AI assistants.
◆ Current state
Semrush now describes itself as an Adobe company, and the two have shipped Adobe Brand Visibility, which pairs Semrush's AI visibility data with Adobe's content optimization. On the product side it added connectors for Perplexity and Claude, AI-powered Traffic Insights, and Crazy Egg in the App Center. Its latest entry is an awards note.
◆ Where it's heading
Semrush is following its users into AI interfaces. MCP and native connectors put its search data inside Perplexity and Claude, while the Adobe product moves the AI visibility line toward enterprise brand teams. The App Center keeps adding third-party tools around that core.
◆ Prediction
Expect connectors for more AI clients and further joint work with Adobe's content tools. How the standalone product is packaged inside Adobe is not visible in these entries.
Alternatives to Open Web Analytics and Semrush
Other Marketing products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Open Web Analytics or Semrush.
Demand Gen Report
Demand Gen Report covers Salesforce's AI sales agent research and click-free measurement.
Metricool
Metricool's feed is all how-to guides, now including one for its ChatGPT connection.
Swello
Swello adds a notification center for approvals, mentions and expired logins.
SocialBee
SocialBee retires category sequencing and Next Posts in its first product change in months.
Umbraco CMS
Umbraco 19 reaches its first release candidate on .NET 11 GA.
See all Open Web Analytics alternatives → · See all Semrush alternatives →
Recent activity from Open Web Analytics and Semrush
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 1d agoOpen Web AnalyticsSecurity fixes and a command to clear stored field values
- 12d agoOpen Web AnalyticsRelative date periods fixed, including an eight-day 'last seven'
- 13d agoOpen Web AnalyticsHeatmaps show clicks again after a 1.13.0 regression
- 13d agoOpen Web AnalyticsHeatmap overlay link restored and limited to the site's domain
- 17d agoSemrushSemrush Wins Best Software Innovation and Best SEO Platform at Global Industry Awards
- 22d agoOpen Web AnalyticsURL filter truncation and proxy sign-in fixes
- 22d agoOpen Web AnalyticsFix lets per-site users stop reading other sites' records
- 2mo agoSemrushSemrush Launches Official Connector for Claude, Bringing Marketing Intelligence into AI Conversations
- 3mo agoSemrushSemrush Introduces Crazy Egg to its App Center
- 5mo agoSemrushIntroducing Adobe Brand Visibility: A Unified Solution for the AI Search Era
- 5mo agoSemrushSemrush’s New Traffic Insights Explains Changes In Competitor Traffic Performance
- 5mo agoSemrushSemrush Launches MCP Connector in Perplexity, Integrating Search Intelligence Within the AI Search Engine
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Open Web Analytics and Semrush?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Open Web Analytics is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 2.5), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is Open Web Analytics better than Semrush?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Open Web Analytics is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 2.5), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Marketing products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to Open Web Analytics?
Top Open Web Analytics alternatives in Marketing are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Open Web Analytics alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/open-web-analytics for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to Semrush?
Top Semrush alternatives in Marketing are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Semrush alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/semrush for the full list with editorial commentary on each.