Semrush
An all-in-one SEO and marketing suite covering research, audits and content
Best for: Agencies and serious marketers who need everything in one platform and can justify the investment
8 tools compared
Keyword Research Tools 2026
This guide compares the keyword research tools most often shortlisted, from full suites to low-cost specialists. The ranking reflects published features, data focus, ease of use and pricing structure, not who pays the highest affiliate commission. Whether you need an entry-level tool or a full platform, there's a right option for your situation. Check the plan table on each tool page for the current price and the date it was checked.
The tools, one by one
Ahrefs
A backlink-focused SEO suite with keyword, audit and content tools
Best for: SEO professionals whose work centres on backlink analysis and who want detailed link data
Mangools
Beautiful keyword research tools that don't need a manual
Best for: Bloggers, niche site builders, and freelancers who want keyword research without the Semrush price tag
KeySearch
No-frills keyword research for bloggers on a budget
Best for: New bloggers and niche site builders who want to keep their SEO tool budget as small as possible
LowFruits
Find low-competition keywords that forums and weak sites rank for
Best for: New site owners hunting for low-competition keywords they can realistically rank for
Serpstat
Growth hacking SEO platform with strong competitor analysis
Best for: Budget-conscious SEOs who want all-in-one features without the Semrush price tag
Ubersuggest
Neil Patel's freemium SEO tool for beginners and small businesses
Best for: Complete beginners who want to learn SEO with guided tutorials and a simple interface
WriterZen
AI-powered content workflow from keyword research to finished article
Best for: Content creators who want an end-to-end workflow from keyword research to AI-assisted draft
Feature coverage
| Feature | Semrush | Ahrefs | Mangools | KeySearch | LowFruits | Serpstat | Ubersuggest | WriterZen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyword research | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Backlink analysis | Included | Included | Included | Not included | Not included | Included | Included | Not included |
| Rank tracking | Included | Included | Included | Included | Not included | Included | Included | Not included |
| Site audit | Included | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included | Included | Not included |
| Content tools | Included | Included | Not included | Included | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| Competitor analysis | Included | Included | Included | Included | Not included | Included | Included | Not included |
| Local SEO | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| Reporting | Included | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included | Not included | Not included |
| White-label reports | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| API access | Included | Included | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included | Not included | Not included |
Coverage as recorded in our tool data; depth varies by plan. Swipe sideways to see every tool.
- Prices read from vendor site; some terms not published thereSemrush: prices read from semrush.com on . Shown in GBP as the vendor displayed it; not converted.
- Prices read from vendor site; some terms not published thereAhrefs: prices read from ahrefs.com on . Shown in GBP as the vendor displayed it; not converted.
- Checked on vendor siteMangools: prices read from mangools.com on .
- Checked on vendor siteKeySearch: prices read from keysearch.co on .
- Checked on vendor siteLowFruits: prices read from lowfruits.io on .
- Checked on vendor siteSerpstat: prices read from serpstat.com on .
- Checked on vendor siteUbersuggest: prices read from app.neilpatel.com and ubersuggest.com on . Shown in GBP as the vendor displayed it; not converted.
- Prices read from vendor site; some terms not published thereWriterZen: prices read from writerzen.net on .