18 Top SEO Tools You Should Use for Keyword Research and Analysis
Solid keyword research is essential if you’re trying to win on Google’s Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). But with so many SEO tools out there, figuring out which one is right for you can make the difference between utilizing and eating your budget. In this blog, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 18 top SEO tools that you can use for keyword research and analysis. We’ve also categorized them into paid and free options to make it easy for you. Top Paid SEO Tools for Keyword Research and Analysis If you’re running a business or managing a growing niche site, investing in a premium tool is the right choice for you. These tools offer richer data and more accurate keyword metrics. You also get better competitor insights, including extras like backlink tracking and site audits. Here are the 8 top paid SEO tools you can consider: 1. SEMrush Best for: All-in-one SEO management, agencies, and competitor tracking. SEMrush is a veteran SEO tool, and for good reasons. Its notorious Keyword Magic Tool lets you explore thousands of keyword variations. You can get question-based queries and broad match or related keywords instantly. What sets SEMrush apart from every other tool is its ability to tie keyword research into everything else. You can conduct site audits and build backlink profiles. You can also track how well your ads are performing and even monitor your social media strategy. Here are some standout features in SEMrush: 2. Ahrefs Best for: Data reliability, backlink + keyword analysis, and content marketing teams. Ahrefs is perfect for those who want accuracy and depth. Its Keyword Explorer gives you thousands of suggestions by analyzing multiple search engines like Google, YouTube, and Bing. The reports also contain click potential, parent topics, and SERP overviews. But Ahrefs doesn’t just help with keywords; it’s the best choice for backlink analysis. You can use it as a dual powerhouse for keyword and link-building strategies. Here are some standout features in Ahrefs: 3. Moz Pro Best for: Beginners and content strategists who want simplicity with power. Moz Pro is an ideal choice if you’re just getting started and don’t want to be overwhelmed by complex dashboards. Its Keyword Explorer shows simple metrics like Priority Score that consider volume, difficulty, and organic CTR. This helps you focus on the keywords that actually matter. Moz Pro also includes SERP feature tracking to help you understand when you’re competing with snippets, images, or ads. Learn More: SEO audit Here are some standout features in Moz Pro: 4. SE Ranking Best for: Small businesses, freelancers, and teams on a budget. SE Ranking delivers a robust SEO toolkit at a fraction of the price. Its Keyword Research tool lets you analyze keyword difficulty, search volume, CPC, and suggested keyword variations. However, SE Ranking is not an ideal choice for a deeper analysis like Ahrefs and SEMrush. But, it’s more than enough for small teams. You can also pair your targeted keywords with its rank tracker, site audit, and marketing plan tools. Here are some standout features in SE Ranking: 5. Serpstat Best for: Teams that want advanced tools and a scalable dashboard. Serpstat combines keyword research, PPC analysis, and competitor auditing in a single tool. It also has Keyword Clustering and Text Analysis tools, which help build topic clusters and content briefs. Here are some standout features in Serpstat: 6. KWFinder (by Mangools) KWFinder is the right choice if you want to focus on long-tail SEO or niche blogging. It has one of the cleanest interfaces in the SEO tools industry. KWFinder lets you search volume, keyword difficulty, and SERP analysis in one go. Here are some standout features in KWFinder: 7. SpyFu Best for: Reverse-engineering competitors’ SEO and paid keyword strategies. SpyFu is ideal for businesses that want to focus less on volume and more on strategy. It gives you access to your competitor’s keyword lists and historical ranking data. You can also use SpyFu for paid vs. organic comparisons. Here are some standout features in SpyFu: 8. Ubersuggest (Premium) Best for: Beginners and solopreneurs who want a low-cost starting point. Ubersuggest has made significant improvements over the years. It was created by Neil Patel and now provides keyword suggestions and content ideas. You can also get domain overviews and conduct basic SEO audits. Ubersuggest is a good entry point if you want to get started with SEO. Here are some standout features in Ubersuggest: 9. cognitiveSEO Best for: SEO professionals focused on advanced keyword and content optimization. cognitiveSEO is a new powerhouse that offers deep keyword analysis and content optimization. It helps in writing better content using TF-IDF analysis and NLP models. It also incorporates keyword opportunity insights. Here are some standout features in cognitiveSEO: Best Free SEO Tools for Keyword Research and Analysis Not everyone has the budget to afford a $100+ monthly subscription for SEO tools. If you’re a freelancer or a solo-preneur, here are some free SEO tools that can help you uncover keyword opportunities. 10. Google Keyword Planner Best for: Getting reliable search volume data straight from Google. Originally, Google Keyword Planner was built for advertisers. But it’s still a trusted source for SEO keyword ideas. It’s powered by Google’s own search data, which makes it incredibly valuable. Here are some standout features in Google Keyword Planner: 11. Google Search Console Best for: Tracking how your site performs in organic search. While Google Search Console doesn’t generate keyword ideas per se, it is a great tool to analyze the keywords your website is already ranking for. It also shows you how users interact with your pages in the search results. Here are some standout features in Google Search Console: 12. Google Trends Best for: Understanding search behavior over time and spotting trending topics. If you want to know when and what people are searching, then Google Trends is a perfect starting point for you. It also lets you compare interest in two different terms. You can use Google Trends for seasonal