The 6 best local ranking grid tools: Insites Local Grid, Local Falcon, Places Scout, BrightLocal, Local Viking & Semrush

Why local ranking grid tools matter for your agency

If you've ever tried to explain local SEO performance to a client using spreadsheets and data tables, you know the struggle. Their eyes glaze over and you can tell they're not really getting it.

That's where local ranking grid tools come in. Also known as geo-grid trackers, local map rank trackers, or heatmap tools, these solutions visualise exactly how a business ranks across their service area. Instead of telling clients they rank #3 for "plumber near me," you can show them a colour-coded map revealing where they dominate and where they're invisible.

The concept is simple but powerful: Google's local rankings change based on the searcher's exact location. A business might rank #1 when someone searches from their doorstep but drop positions when just two streets away. Traditional rank trackers miss this entirely because they only check from one central point.

For agencies selling local SEO services to SMBs, these visual tools have become essential for closing sales because nothing creates urgency like showing a business owner their competitors ranking above them in their own neighbourhood.

But with several competing tools on the market, how do you choose the right one for your agency? We've done the research to compare the most popular options and help you make an informed decision.

Quick comparison at a glance

The full breakdown: How each tool stacks up

1. Insites Local Grid

Best for: Digital marketing agencies and sales teams selling local SEO services to businesses at scale.

Insites Local Grid is ideal if you're a growing agency that needs to quickly demonstrate local competitive positioning to prospects without requiring SEO expertise on your sales team. It's designed for selling, not just tracking.

What does Insites Local Grid do?

Insites Local Grid overlays a 5×5, 9x9 or 11x11 grid on any business location, showing exactly how they rank for target keywords across different points in their local area. What makes it different from standalone geo-grid tools is its integration into Insites' comprehensive audit platform, meaning you can show a prospect their local ranking alongside their SEO health, AI Visibility, GBP status, reviews, social presence, and more, all in one 60-second audit.

Key differentiators from other grid tools:

1.  Auto-intelligence: Unlike tools that require you to manually select keywords, grid sizes, and radius, Insites automatically picks appropriate keywords and adjusts the grid radius based on local competition density. Urban areas get tighter grids and rural areas expand appropriately.
2.  Sales-first design: The tool is built for sales teams to use confidently without deep SEO knowledge. Traffic light scoring and plain-language explanations mean any sales rep can walk a prospect through their local competitive position.
3.  Integrated threat analysis: The companion competitor table automatically ranks nearby businesses by "threat level," showing exactly who's winning in each grid point. You can highlight specific competitors on the map for deeper analysis.
4.  Part of a complete platform: Local Grid isn't a standalone tool; it's one feature within Insites' 70+ audit checks covering SEO, GBP, reviews, accessibility, speed, and more. This means you can generate a comprehensive prospect report, not just a geo-grid snapshot.

Features

• Customisable view of the grid map: Colour-coded ranking positions across 25, 81 or 121 points surrounding the business location. Insites auto-detects a grid size based on the business location and competition, but you can also choose.
• Automatic keyword selection: AI picks relevant local keywords based on the business's products and services.
• Competitor threat table: Sortable list of all competitors within the grid, ranked by threat level, average position, coverage, distance, rating and GBP category.
• Competitor highlighting: Choose any competitors to run a competitor analysis on.
• Re-run tracking: Run grid tests over time to measure and prove improvement.
• White-label reports: Fully branded PDF exports to match your agency's identity.

Pricing, pros and cons

Pricing: Included as part of Insites Sales Intelligence Plan (from $399/month for 750 local grids and 250 full audit reports).

Free trial: Available after a demo call to determine your needs.

Pros

✅ Available as a standalone tool (no need to run a full audit)

✅ Automatic keyword and radius selection removes guesswork and saves time

✅ Designed for sales teams, not SEO specialists—anyone can present confidently

✅ Integrated into comprehensive 360° audit for complete prospect picture

✅ Threat-level competitor ranking creates immediate sales urgency

✅ 1:1 support with dedicated CSM included

Cons

❌ Not designed for deep technical SEO analysis, built for sales enablement

2. Local Falcon

Best for: Agencies and SEO professionals who need flexible, detailed geo-grid tracking with maximum customisation options.

Local Falcon is the pioneer of local ranking grid tracking, having introduced the concept back in 2018. If you need a dedicated, best-in-class geo-grid tool with the most flexibility and advanced AI features, Local Falcon is the industry standard.

What does Local Falcon do?

Local Falcon provides a bird's-eye visualisation of local search rankings across any geographic area worldwide. It scans Google Maps rankings from precise coordinates, creating heatmaps that show exactly where a business is visible and where it disappears.

Key differentiators from other geo-grid tools:

1.  Apple Maps & AI platforms: Beyond Google Maps, Local Falcon now scans Apple Maps and major AI search platforms (ChatGPT, Perplexity) to show visibility in AI-powered results.
2.  Falcon AI: AI-powered analysis that doesn't just show you the data—it tells you why certain areas are underperforming and provides specific optimisation recommendations.
3. SoLV metric: Local Falcon's proprietary "Share of Local Voice" metric quantifies local visibility as a single number, making month-over-month comparisons straightforward.

Features

• Ten grid sizes: 3×3, 5×5, 7×7, 9×9, 11×11, 13×13, 15×15, 17×17, 19×19, 21×21
• Customisable radius and spacing: Set exact distance between grid points
• Falcon AI analysis: AI-powered recommendations for improving weak grid areas
• Competitor tracking: Add competitor locations and track their grids alongside yours
• Historical comparisons: Side-by-side grid comparison to show improvement over time
• SoLV (Share of Local Voice): Single visibility score for easy tracking
• Apple Maps scanning: Track rankings on Apple Maps as well as Google
• AI platform visibility: Scan ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI search platforms
• Scheduled scans: Automate regular grid scans by keyword and location
• White-label PDF exports: Branded reports for client delivery
• API and integrations: Looker Studio, Zapier integrations for data workflows

Pricing, pros and cons

Pricing: Credit-based system: Starter from $24.99/month (7,500 credits)

Free trial: 100 free credits, 11 5×5 scans.

Pros

✅ Industry pioneer with the most mature, tested technology

✅ Maximum flexibility with ten grid sizes and custom spacing

✅ Falcon AI provides actionable recommendations, not just data

✅ SoLV metric simplifies performance tracking and client reporting

✅ Apple Maps and AI platform scanning future-proofs your tracking

Cons

❌ Credit-based pricing can become expensive for high-volume scanning

❌ Larger grids (11×11+) consume credits quickly (121+ credits per scan)

❌ Standalone tool, do you’ll need separate solutions for other SEO audits

❌ Steeper learning curve than sales-focused tools

❌ Credits expire monthly on monthly plans (annual credits roll over)

3. Places Scout (Geo-Matrix Ranking Reports)

Best for: Enterprise brands and agencies needing comprehensive local SEO intelligence with advanced reporting and competitor analysis.

Places Scout has been in the local SEO space since 2011, and their Geo-Matrix Ranking Reports are part of a much larger suite of local SEO tools. If you want geo-grid tracking as part of a full-service local SEO platform with extensive data points, Places Scout delivers.

What does Places Scout do?

Places Scout provides automated local SEO analysis covering 400+ data points for any business. The Geo-Matrix Ranking Reports tool visualises geographic rankings on a customisable grid, with a standout feature being animated GIF exports that show ranking changes over time.

Key differentiators from other geo-grid tools:

1.  Animated GIF exports: Create time-lapse visualisations showing how rankings have improved—incredibly powerful for monthly client reports and demonstrating ROI.
2. 400+ data points: Geo-grid is just one component of an extensive local SEO analysis, including citations, reviews, GBP monitoring, and competitor intelligence.
3.  White-label PDF reports: Full visual map view reports branded to your agency.
4.  Part of Yext: Places Scout is now part of Yext's ecosystem, bringing enterprise-grade infrastructure and data accuracy.

Features

• Animated GIF generator: Time-lapse visualisation of ranking changes (unique to Places Scout)
• Competitor analysis: Deep competitive intelligence across rankings and profiles
• Citation management: Track and manage business listings across directories
• Reputation management: Monitor and respond to reviews across platforms
• Organic + local tracking: Track both map pack and organic rankings

Pricing, pros and cons

Pricing: Usage-based model (you pay for the reports you run).

Free trial: No free trial, but demos are available.

Pros

✅ Animated GIF exports are unmatched for visual client reporting

✅ 400+ data points provide comprehensive local SEO intelligence

✅ Excellent for enterprise brands managing multiple locations

✅ GMB change monitoring catches unauthorised profile edits

✅ Part of the broader Yext ecosystem with enterprise-grade data

✅ Highly praised customer support and responsiveness to feature requests

Cons

❌ Pricing not transparent, requires a custom quote

❌ No free trial to test before committing

❌ Higher barrier to entry than simpler tools

❌ May be overkill for agencies with straightforward geo-grid needs

❌ Limited third-party reviews make comparison difficult

4. BrightLocal (Local Search Grid)

Best for: Agencies already using BrightLocal for citation and review management who want geo-grid tracking integrated into their existing workflow.



BrightLocal is a leading force in local SEO, recognised for its expertise in citation building and reputation management. Their Local Search Grid adds geo-grid capability to their comprehensive platform.

What does BrightLocal Local Search Grid do?

BrightLocal Local Search Grid visualises how a business ranks across a geographic area while providing unique insight into why competitors are outranking you. The competition ranking factors feature analyses of the top factors contributing to rivals' rankings—helpful when explaining to clients what needs to improve.

Key differentiators from other geo-grid tools:

1.  Competition ranking factors: Shows the most influential factors driving competitor rankings—not just where they rank, but why.
2.  Integrated platform: Local Search Grid sits within BrightLocal's full suite, including citation tracking, review management, GBP audits, and more—no need for multiple subscriptions.
3.  Affordable entry point: Included in plans starting at $39/month, making it accessible for smaller agencies.
4.  Credits included in subscription: Each plan includes grid credits, avoiding the per-scan cost anxiety of pure credit systems.

Features

• Up to 7×7 grid (49 points): Three preset sizes plus custom grid configurations
• Flexible point spacing: Customise the distance between grid points
• Competition ranking factors: Analyse why competitors rank where they do
• Desktop and mobile rankings: Track both device types separately
• Scheduled scans: Run reports weekly or monthly on autopilot
• Up to 5 keywords per campaign: Track multiple keywords per location
• Citation and review integration: See grid data alongside other local metrics
• API access: Feed data into custom dashboards and reporting tools (higher plans)

Pricing, pros and cons

Pricing: Included in BrightLocal subscription plans from $39/month with 250 Grid Credits.

Free trial: 14 days with no credit card required.

Pros

✅ Excellent value when bundled with BrightLocal's other tools

✅ Affordable entry point for smaller agencies ($39/month)

✅ 14-day free trial with full access—no commitment

✅ Strong reputation management and citation tools in same platform

Cons

❌ Maximum 7×7 grid

❌ Credit system on top of subscription can become confusing

❌ Primarily useful if you need BrightLocal's other features, less compelling standalone

5. Local Viking (GeoGrid) 

Best for: Agencies wanting comprehensive Google Business Profile management combined with geo-grid tracking in a single platform.

Local Viking offers a powerful combination of GBP management and GeoGrid tracking, making it attractive for agencies that want to manage listings, posts, reviews, AND track local rankings without juggling multiple tools.

What does Local Viking do?

Local Viking is primarily a Google Business Profile management platform with GeoGrid rank tracking built in. It allows you to manage multiple GBP listings from a single dashboard: scheduling posts, monitoring reviews, protecting listings from unauthorised edits, while also visualising local rankings across geographic areas.

Key differentiators from other geo-grid tools:

1.  GBP management + geo-grid combined: Schedule posts, monitor reviews, bulk upload content, AND track rankings in one platform. No need for separate tools.
2.  GBP Listing Locker: A unique feature that detects competitors or random users from making unauthorised edits to your clients' Google Business Profile categories and attributes.
3.  Service Area Business support: The SAB mode works with businesses that don't display their address, which many geo-grid tools struggle with.

Features

• GeoGrid Rank Tracker: Visualise rankings across geographic areas with Google Places API integration
• Multiple grid sizes: Up to 15×15 grids available
• Service Area Business mode: Track SABs without displayed addresses
• GBP post scheduling: Schedule, automate, and bulk upload Google posts
• Daisy chaining & spintax: Advanced posting features for content variation
• Review monitoring: Get notifications and respond to reviews from one dashboard
• GBP Listing Locker: Protect listings from unauthorised edits
• Animated GIF exports: Time-lapse visualisations of ranking changes
• Suspension alerts: Instant notification if a listing gets suspended
• Insights comparison: Compare GBP insights across date ranges
• White-label reporting: Branded reports for client delivery (Pro+ plans)
• GeoGrid widget: Embed lead generation grids on your website (Pro+ plans)

Pricing, pros and cons

Pricing: Tiered plans starting from $39/month for 7,500 GeoGrid Credits

Annual billing offers two months free.

Free trial: Demo available; data retained even after plan cancellation.

Pros

✅ Excellent value—GBP management AND geo-grid tracking in one subscription

✅ GBP Listing Locker protects clients from unauthorised profile edits

✅ Service Area Business mode works where other tools fail

✅ Animated GIF exports impressive for client reporting

✅ Strong GBP posting features with scheduling, daisy chaining, and spintax

✅ Competitive pricing scales well for agencies managing many locations

✅ Responsive customer support with dedicated contact after demo

Cons

❌ GeoGrid is powerful, but clearly secondary to GBP management — ideal for agencies prioritising listing control over pure rank analysis

❌ Development focus is split between features—some users report geo-grid updates lag

❌ Can't schedule scans for specific times (only frequency and day of week)

❌ Limited independent third-party reviews compared to larger platforms

❌ Confusing mix of subscription + credits for some users

❌ Not available as standalone geo-grid tool—must buy full platform

6. Semrush Map Rank Tracker

Best for: Agencies and marketers already invested in the Semrush ecosystem who want geo-grid tracking integrated with their broader SEO toolkit.



Semrush is synonymous with SEO, and their Map Rank Tracker brings geo-grid local rank tracking into their world-class platform. If you're already paying for Semrush and want to add local visibility tracking without another subscription, this is the natural choice.

What does Semrush Map Rank Tracker do?

Semrush Map Rank Tracker monitors Google Maps rankings across a customisable grid, producing heatmap reports that show exactly where a business ranks for specified keywords. It integrates with Semrush's broader Local toolkit, including GBP optimisation, listing management, and review monitoring.

Key differentiators from other geo-grid tools:

1. Part of Semrush ecosystem: If you're already using Semrush for keyword research, site audits, competitor analysis, and content tools, adding local rank tracking keeps everything in one platform.
2. GBP AI Agent: AI-assisted GBP management features on higher-tier plans.
3. ZIP code level tracking: Beyond geo-grids, Semrush's Position Tracking tool monitors rankings at ZIP code level for complementary insights.

Features

• Customisable grid maps: Set grid size and distance between points
• Average Rank & Rank Distribution: Multiple metrics for performance analysis
• AI keyword recommendations: Suggestions based on business type and location
• Scheduled scans: Automate reports on your preferred frequency
• Competitor tracking: Monitor up to 20 competitors per scan
• Historical data: Track ranking changes over time
• Integration with Semrush tools: Connect with Position Tracking, Site Audit, and more
• GBP Optimisation integration: Manage listings alongside rank tracking
• Review management: Monitor and respond to reviews in the same dashboard

Pricing, pros and cons

Pricing: Available as a standalone or part of Semrush Local plans.

Standalone Map Rank Tracker:

• Basic: $30/month with 4,000 credits and 1 campaign
• Extra credits: $5 per 1,000 credits
• Extra campaigns: $10/month each

Free tier: 50 credits (enough for two 5×5 scans) with one campaign.

Pros

✅ Seamless integration with Semrush's world-class SEO toolkit

✅ Share of Voice metric provides meaningful visibility measurement

✅ AI keyword recommendations simplify campaign setup

✅ Can track up to 100 keywords per campaign

✅ GBP AI Agent automates listing optimisation (higher plans)

✅ Free tier available to test before committing

✅ Excellent for teams already paying for Semrush subscriptions

Cons

❌ Can become expensive—need Semrush base subscription + Local add-on for full features

❌ Credit-based system on top of per-location pricing is confusing

❌ Not a specialist geo-grid tool—less focused than Local Falcon

❌ Overkill if you only need local rank tracking without Semrush's broader features

❌ No third-party reviews specifically for Map Rank Tracker tool

❌ Scheduler only allows frequency + day selection, not specific times

How do you choose the right local ranking grid tool?

The best tool for your agency depends on your primary use case:

Choose Insites Local Grid if:

• You're a sales-focused agency selling local SEO to local businesses at scale
• Your sales team doesn't have deep SEO expertise but needs to present confidently
• You want one comprehensive audit covering local rankings, SEO, GBP, reviews, AI-visibility and more
• You value automatic configuration over manual setup for every scan
• You're already interested in Insites' full platform capabilities

Choose Local Falcon if:

• You need maximum flexibility in grid sizes and configurations
• You want AI-powered recommendations for improving specific grid areas
• You're a dedicated SEO professional doing technical local SEO work
• You prefer a standalone geo-grid tool rather than a bundled platform

Choose Places Scout if:

• You're an enterprise brand or agency managing many locations
• Animated GIF exports for showing improvement over time are important
• You need 400+ data points for comprehensive local SEO intelligence
• You want GMB change monitoring to catch unauthorised profile edits
• You have budget for custom enterprise pricing

Choose BrightLocal Local Search Grid if:

• You're already using BrightLocal for citations and reviews
• You want to understand why competitors rank (ranking factors analysis)
• You need an affordable entry point ($39/month includes grid credits)
• You prefer one platform subscription rather than multiple tools
• A maximum 7×7 grid is sufficient for your needs

Choose Local Viking if:

• You want GBP management AND geo-grid tracking in one platform
• Protecting GBP listings from unauthorised edits is a priority
• You manage Service Area Businesses that hide their addresses
• You need animated GIF exports for impressive client reporting
• You want strong value for agencies managing multiple locations



Choose Semrush Map Rank Tracker if:

• You're already paying for Semrush and want to add local tracking
• You need geo-grid integrated with keyword research, site audits, and content tools
• Your team prefers one unified platform for all SEO work

Key questions to ask before choosing

Before committing to any tool, consider these questions:

1. What's your primary goal: sales or service delivery? If you're using geo-grids primarily to close deals, sales-focused tools like Insites make sense. If you're doing ongoing technical local SEO work, specialist tools like Local Falcon offer more depth.

2. What grid size do you actually need? A 5×5 grid (25 points) covers most SMB service areas adequately. If you're tracking large metropolitan markets, you'll want 9×9 or larger options.

4. Do you need a standalone geo-grid, or a full local SEO platform? Buying a dedicated geo-grid tool makes sense if that's your only need. But if you also need citation tracking, review management, GBP posting, and SEO auditing, a bundled platform offers better value.

5. Who will use the tool? If SEO specialists will run scans, advanced tools work well. If sales reps need to present to prospects, look for simple interfaces and automatic configuration.



6. Are you already paying for a platform that includes geo-grid? If you're using Semrush or BrightLocal, check whether geo-grid is included before buying another subscription.

Where do you go from here?

Local ranking grid tools have become essential for any agency serious about local SEO. Whether you're using them to close more sales, prove ROI to existing clients, or guide your optimisation strategy, the visual impact of a geo-grid is hard to beat.

To recap what we covered:

• Insites Local Grid is ideal for sales teams selling to local businesses who want automatic configuration and integration with comprehensive audits
• Local Falcon is the pioneer choice for maximum flexibility, AI recommendations, and technical depth
• Places Scout delivers enterprise-grade intelligence with unique animated GIF exports
• BrightLocal Local Search Grid offers great value for agencies already using BrightLocal's ecosystem
• Local Viking combines GBP management with geo-grid tracking for excellent all-in-one value
• Semrush Map Rank Tracker integrates local tracking into the world's leading SEO platform

Most of these tools offer free trials or demos, so there's no excuse not to test them yourself before committing. See which interface clicks with your workflow, which pricing model fits your volume, and which features actually get used.

Ready to show prospects exactly where they're losing local business to competitors? If you're a digital marketing agency looking to close more local SEO deals with visual proof that anyone can understand, Insites Local Grid might be your answer. Our platform turns website audits into sales conversations, helping your team sell with confidence and turn prospects into customers.

Book a demo with our team to see Local Grid in action alongside our full 70+ audit checks.

Happy auditing! 👋

The Insites team

The information in this comparison is correct as far as we can ascertain from public marketing materials as of January 2026. To notify us of a correction, please email marketing@insites.com