Quick picks
The best choice for each typical need.
Full comparison
Cheapest listed plan per month. Pick a need to filter.
| Tool | Cheapest plan | Free option | Best for |
|---|
💡 Start with free tools
Google Search Console and Screaming Frog's free version cover the basics. Pay for a suite when you need keyword research and competitor data every week.
How to choose
1. Keyword research
Semrush, Ahrefs and Mangools show what people search for.
2. Competitor spying
SpyFu and Semrush show which keywords competitors rank and pay for.
3. Technical checks
Screaming Frog crawls your site and finds broken links and errors.
4. Local businesses
BrightLocal and Moz Local help you show up on Google Maps.
FAQ
Semrush or Ahrefs?
Both are leading all-in-one suites. Semrush also covers ads and content marketing; Ahrefs is known for its backlink data. Ahrefs has a cheaper Starter plan.
What is the best free SEO tool?
Google Search Console is free and essential. Screaming Frog is free for crawling up to 500 URLs.
What is the cheapest SEO tool?
Moz Pro and SpyFu start around $39 per month; Mangools and Ahrefs Starter start around $29.
Do I need an SEO tool for a small website?
Not at the start. Use free tools first and upgrade when you publish content regularly.