Quick Verdict
Both Cairrot and LLMrefs launched in 2025 to solve the same problem: tracking when AI systems mention your site. But they've taken wildly different approaches. Cairrot bets on WordPress agencies needing white-label solutions and API access, while LLMrefs builds around prompt automation using a massive ChatGPT dataset.
The core difference is methodology. Cairrot offers manual prompt tracking with beautiful competitor heatmaps, targeting agencies that want client-facing reports. LLMrefs generates thousands of prompts automatically from their 4.5M prompt database, running statistical significance tests to catch mentions you'd never think to track manually.
Score comparison
Score Comparison
| Dimension | Cairrot | LLMrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Depth | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| Ease of Use | 35.0 | 35.0 |
| Data Quality | 48.0 | 32.0 |
| Value for Money | 79.0 | 75.0 |
| Integration | 20.0 | 0.0 |
| Market Traction | 4.0 | 9.0 |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Cairrot | LLMrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Platform Citation Tracking | — | ✓ |
| 4.5M+ ChatGPT Dataset | — | ✓ |
| AI Crawlability Checker | — | ✓ |
| LLMs.txt Generator | — | ✓ |
| Reddit Threads Finder | — | ✓ |
| A/B Content Tester | — | ✓ |
| AI Tools Directory | — | ✓ |
Pricing comparison
| Plan | Cairrot | LLMrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $39.99/mo | $0 |
| Pro | $99/mo | Contact for pricing |
Feature Comparison
LLMrefs has more platform coverage and automation. They crawl ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, AI Mode, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude using real UI crawling. Their statistical approach runs multiple variations of each prompt to validate results. Cairrot tracks ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, Grok, and DeepSeek but relies on manual prompt input. Cairrot's WordPress plugin logs LLM crawler activity on your site — something LLMrefs doesn't offer. The AI Readiness Audit feature helps WordPress sites optimize for AI discovery. For agencies, Cairrot's competitor heatmaps and API access on all plans beat LLMrefs' more research-focused approach. LLMrefs includes tools like their Reddit thread finder and free llms.txt generator that Cairrot lacks. Their automated prompt generation from real ChatGPT conversations often uncovers visibility opportunities you wouldn't manually test for.
Pricing Comparison
LLMrefs starts free, making it accessible for individual site owners testing AI visibility. Cairrot's $39.99 Starter plan and $99 Pro plan target agencies with client budgets. The pricing gap reflects their different audiences — LLMrefs serves bootstrapped marketers while Cairrot bills agency clients. Cairrot includes API access on every plan, which agencies need for custom dashboards and client reporting. LLMrefs doesn't publish API pricing, suggesting it's either not available or requires custom Enterprise deals.
Best For
Cairrot works better for WordPress agencies managing multiple client sites. The plugin integration, competitor heatmaps, and API access support white-label SEO services. If you're billing clients for AI visibility tracking, Cairrot's agency-focused features justify the higher cost. LLMrefs suits individual marketers and smaller teams who want comprehensive coverage without manual work. The automated prompt generation discovers visibility opportunities across a broader range of queries. Their statistical approach provides more confidence in results than single-prompt testing.
The Verdict
Choose LLMrefs for personal use or small teams wanting automated coverage across the most AI platforms. Their free tier and prompt automation make it the obvious budget choice. Pick Cairrot if you're running an agency and need WordPress integration, client reporting tools, and API access to build custom solutions. Start with LLMrefs' free plan to test the concept, then upgrade to Cairrot when you're ready to bill clients for AI visibility services.
Our verdict
For features, llmrefs leads. On a budget, go with llmrefs.