9 Best Keyword Research Tools for SEO Success in 2025

by | Last updated Jun 28, 2025

Best Overall
semrush
9.0
  • SEO Toolkit
  • Content Marketing
  • Market Research Toolkit
  • Advertising Toolkit
  • Social Media Toolkit
  • Free trial available
  • Paid Plans from $117.33/month
Best Value
Surfer SEO
8.5
  • SERP Analyzer
  • Content Editor
  • Keyword Research
  • Grow Flow
  • Google Docs Integration
  • 7-Day Money Back
  • Paid Plans from $79.00/month
Most Featured
Best section img 10
8.0
  • Site Explorer
  • Keywords Explorer
  • Rank Tracker
  • Brand Radar
  • Site Audit
  • Free trial available
  • Paid Plans from $108/month
best keyword research tools

Are you trying to make your website more visible online?

Do you want more people to find your business through search engines?

It can be tough to know what words people actually search for.

This makes it hard to get your content seen.

But what if there were a way to find exactly what your audience is looking for?

Good keyword research tools can help you do just that. 

This article will show you the 9 best keyword research tools out there.

We’ll help you pick the right one to boost your SEO success in 2025!

What Are the Best Keyword Research Tools?

Finding the right keywords is crucial for your website to appear in search results.

But with so many tools out there, how do you pick the best one?

We’ve done the hard work for you.

Here’s our list of the top 9 tools to help you succeed.

1. Semrush

Semrush is like a Swiss Army knife for SEO.

It helps you find keywords, check out what your competitors are doing, and even audit your website for problems.

It’s great for getting a full picture of your online marketing.

Unlock its potential with our Semrush tutorial.

image 45

Our Take

9out of 10

Seven million users saw a 152% increase in website traffic with Semrush. Could you be next? Explore it out to discover the secrets to online success.

Key Benefits

  • A very broad range of marketing tools.
  • Offers excellent competitive analysis.
  • Provides a holistic approach to SEO.
  • Extensive keyword research.
  • Detailed site audit capabilities.

Pricing

All the plans will be billed annually.

  • Pro Plan ($117.33/month): Competitor analysis, keyword research, and website audit.
  • Guru Plan ($208.33/month): Content Marketing Toolkit and historical data.
  • Business Plan ($416.66/month): Share of Voice, extended limits, API access, PLA, and analytics.
Semrush Pricing

Pros

  • Very complete toolset.
  • Data is very accurate.
  • Great for competitor analysis.
  • Provides deep insights.
  • Excellent site audit.

Cons

  • Can be overwhelming.
  • Learning curve is steep.
  • Some features cost extra.
  • Reports can be complex.

2. Surfer SEO

Surfer SEO helps you write content that Google will love.

It analyzes what’s already ranking high and tells you what keywords to use.

It also suggests how long your content should be.

Unlock its potential with our Surfer SEO tutorial.

image 44

Our Take

8.5out of 10

Cut your keyword research time in half! Surfer SEO streamlines the process, helping you quickly find the terms that will give your content a boost on search engines.

Key Benefits

  • Focuses on on-page SEO.
  • Provides real-time content suggestions.
  • Offers data-driven recommendations.
  • Content Editor for live optimization.
  • Audit tool for existing content.

Pricing

All the plans are annually billed.

  • Essential: $79/month
  • Scale: $175/month
  • Enterprise: Contact them for pricing.
Untitled design 13

Pros

  • Provides clear, actionable insights.
  • Gives clear recommendations.
  • Helps you write better content.
  • Improved my website traffic.
  • Integrates with Google Docs.

Cons

  • Focuses primarily on on-page SEO.
  • Sometimes feels a bit restrictive.
  • Not as good for creative writing.
  • The interface can be overwhelming.

3. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is super strong when it comes to checking out backlinks.

It helps you find what keywords your audience is searching for.

You can also see what content is doing well for others.

Unlock its potential with our Ahrefs tutorial.

image 52

Our Take

8out of 10

With Ahrefs, you can discover 28.7 billion keyword ideas and analyze 267.6 million domains. Stop guessing with your SEO strategy. Create your account today and see how Ahrefs can help you acquire organic traffic growth!

Key Benefits

  • Industry-leading backlink data.
  • The second most active web crawler after Google.
  • Offers deep competitor insights.
  • Site Explorer for competitive analysis.
  • Keyword Explorer with traffic values.

Pricing

All the plans will be billed annually.

  • Lite: $108/month. You get 5 projects and 750 tracked keywords. This is for small businesses.
  • Standard: $208/month. You get 20 projects and 2,000 tracked keywords. This is great for growing websites.
  • Advanced: $374/month. This plan offers 50 projects and 5,000 tracked keywords. It’s for bigger teams.
Ahrefs Pricing

Pros

  • Comprehensive data for SEO analysis.
  • Excellent keyword research capabilities.
  • Robust backlink analysis features.
  • User-friendly interface for navigation.
  • Great for competitor insights.

Cons

  • Subscription plans can be costly.
  • Data sometimes has minor discrepancies.
  • Steep learning curve for beginners.
  • Some features lack full depth.

4. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest is a good tool for getting new keyword ideas.

It shows you how many people search for a term and how hard it might be to rank.

It’s pretty easy to use, even for beginners.

Unlock its potential with our Ubersuggest tutorial.

image 46

Our Take

7.5out of 10

Ready to boost your traffic? Join 3 million users who trust Ubersuggest. Discover 1000s of new keywords and improve your SEO today. Create your account!

Key Benefits

  • Very user-friendly interface.
  • One-time payment options are available.
  • Offers comprehensive keyword data.
  • Robust keyword research.
  • Website audit for quick fixes.

Pricing

  • Individual ($120/Lifetime)
  • Business ($200/Lifetime)
  • Enterprise ($400/Lifetime)
Ubersuggest Pricing

Pros

  • Very affordable pricing.
  • Easy to understand.
  • Lifetime deal available.
  • Good for beginners.
  • Clear user interface.

Cons

  • Fewer advanced features.
  • Not as comprehensive.
  • Customer support is slower.
  • Lacks some deep insights.

5. Moz

Moz helps you explore keywords and see how hard it is to rank for them.

It also shows you what words your site already ranks for.

Plus, it gives you tips to make your content better.

Unlock its potential with our Moz tutorial.

image 47

Our Take

7.5out of 10

Boost your SEO! Over 500,000 marketers trust Moz. Users like Tinuiti saw a 1,143% increase in keyword rankings. Ready to use Moz like an expert? Click to start improving your SEO today!

Key Benefits

  • Industry-standard Domain Authority.
  • Strong focus on link analysis.
  • Offers detailed site crawl reports.
  • Keyword Explorer for insights.
  • Link Explorer for backlink data.

Pricing

All the plans will be billed annually.

  • Starter ($39/month)
  • Standard ($79/month)
  • Medium ($143/month)
  • Large ($239/month)
Moz Pricing

Pros

  • Trusted Domain Authority.
  • The interface is appealing.
  • Excellent link analysis features.
  • Great for local SEO efforts.
  • Good educational resources provided

Cons

  • The keyword database is smaller.
  • Competitor analysis is less in-depth.
  • Lacks content marketing features.
  • Some tools feel less robust

6. Content Raptor

Content Raptor helps you make your existing content better for SEO.

It gives you tips on what to add to your articles.

It also connects with Google Search Console for real-time insights.

Unlock its potential with our Content Raptor tutorial.

image 48

Our Take

7out of 10

Discover how Content Raptorโ€™s AI-driven entity optimization and integrated Google Search Console insights can streamline your SEO strategy. Access the detailed feature analysis.

Key Benefits

  • Excellent for content optimization.
  • Integrates with Google Search Console.
  • Provides unique entity coverage score.
  • Content optimization engine.
  • Daily keyword rank tracking.

Pricing

  • Free ($0)
  • Pro ($47/month)
  • Enterprise (Contact them for custom pricing)
content raptor PRICING

Pros

  • Very affordable pricing plans.
  • Excellent for content optimization.
  • The user interface is clean.
  • AI writing tools are helpful.
  • Quickly improves content quality.

Cons

  • Limited general SEO features.
  • Less competitor analysis data.
  • No technical SEO audit.
  • Smaller keyword database.

7. SE Ranking

SE Ranking is an all-in-one SEO tool.

It helps you track your keyword rankings and see what your competitors are up to.

It’s also great for checking your backlinks and making sure your website is healthy.

Unlock its potential with our SE Ranking tutorial.

image 49

Our Take

7out of 10

Join over 1 million SE Ranking users who track 10M+ keywords daily and save 3.6B+ positions yearly.

Key Benefits

  • Precise keyword rank tracking.
  • Strong competitive research features.
  • Offers white-label reporting.
  • Comprehensive website audits.
  • Backlink monitoring and analysis.

Pricing

SE Ranking offers a variety of pricing plans to suit your needs & budget (Billed Annually)

  • Essential: $52.00/month. 1 manager seat, 5 projects, Rank Tracker.
  • Pro: $95.20/month. 3 Manager seats, 30 projects, On-page and SERP analysis, Share of voice metric.
  • Business: $207.20/month. 5 Manager seats, unlimited projects, Maximize data reach, Team Training, Data Insights.
SE Ranking

Pros

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Excellent Value for Money
  • Strong Customer Support
  • Flexible and Customizable

Cons

  • Limited white-labeling options
  • Occasional data discrepancies
  • Need improvement in content marketing features
  • Some features require an upgrade.

8. Ranktracker

Ranktracker focuses on showing you where your website ranks in search results.

You can track your keywords over time and see how your competitors are doing.

It’s good for seeing your progress.

Unlock its potential with our Ranktracker tutorial.

image 51

Our Take

7out of 10

Ready to skyrocket your SEO performance? Ranktrackerโ€™s powerful features are trusted by thousands. Unleash your websiteโ€™s potential โ€“ start your journey to the top today!

Key Benefits

  • Precise keyword position tracking.
  • Monitors 43K+ cities for local SEO.
  • Offers AI-suggested keywords.
  • Daily keyword rank updates.
  • SERP feature tracking (snippets, videos).

Pricing

All the plans will be billed annually.

  • Starter: $14.00/month
  • Double Data: $34.41/month
  • Quad Data: $63.58/month
  • Hex Data: $121.91/month
Ranktracker Pricing

Pros

  • Intuitive interface
  • Accurate data
  • Comprehensive features
  • Value for money
  • Great customer support

Cons

  • It can be overwhelming for beginners
  • Limited historical data
  • No free plan
  • Occasional glitches

9. Raven Tools

Raven Tools is an all-around marketing platform.

It helps with SEO audits, tracking rankings, and finding keywords.

It can also help you keep an eye on your competitors and manage social media.

Unlock its potential with our Raven Tools tutorial.

image 50

Our Take

6.5out of 10

Join thousands of businesses already using this powerful tool. Raven Tools integration allows you to accurately track ranking for 15,000+ keywords and effortlessly create comprehensive keyword research reports. Stop guessing; start growing!

Key Benefits

  • Strong focus on customizable reports.
  • Integrates many marketing channels.
  • Offers a real-time social stream.
  • SEO auditing and analysis.
  • Backlink analysis (Majestic data).

Pricing

  • Small Biz ($39/month)
  • Start ($79/month)
  • Grow ($139/month)
  • Thrive ($249/month)
  • Lead ($399/month)
Raven Tools Pricing

Pros

  • More affordable pricing options.
  • Excellent white-label reporting.
  • Good for client management.
  • Includes many user seats.
  • Site audit is quite thorough.

Cons

  • The keyword database is smaller.
  • Lacks advanced SEO features.
  • Not as deep as some rivals.
  • Some data syncing issues occur.

What to Look for When Choosing a Keyword Research Tool?

  • Accurate Search Volume: Shows how many people search each month.
  • Keyword Difficulty Score: Tells you how tough it is to rank.
  • Search Intent Analysis: Helps understand why people search for specific terms.
  • Competitor Insights: Reveals keywords your rivals are using.
  • Long-Tail Keyword Ideas: Find less competitive, specific phrases.
  • SERP Features Data: Shows if featured snippets are possible.
  • Filtering Options: Easily narrow down your results.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The tool features a clear & intuitive interface, making it very easy to navigate and understand.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Fits your budget, whether you’re looking for free or paid options.
  • Regular Data Updates: Ensures you’re working with current information.

How Can Keyword Research Tools Help You in SEO?

You’re looking to make your website easier to find.

Keyword research tools are like a map for this. They help you see what words people type into Google.

This means you can write content that real people are searching for.

These tools also show you how popular a search term is.

They tell you how hard it might be to get your site to show up for that word.

This helps you pick smart keywords.

You can also peek at what your online rivals are doing.

Using these tools helps you make better choices about your website’s content.

You’ll know what to write about.

This can attract more visitors to the site & help your business expand.

Buyers Guide

We wanted to find the best tools out there. Here’s how we looked at each one:

  • Exact keywords to include: We searched using terms such as platform, app, free keyword research tool, keyword magic tool, Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, free plan, software, keyword search, best free keyword research tool, SEO tools, keyword data, Ahrefs, keyword tool, and PPC.
  • Pricing: We checked the cost of each product.
  • Features: We looked for the best features of each product.
  • Negatives: We noted what was missing from each product.
  • Support or Refund: We determined if they offer community support or a refund policy.

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it!

We’ve talked about the top 9 best keyword research tools out there.

We also examined what makes a good tool and how it can enhance your SEO.

Selecting the best tool can significantly impact your website’s online performance.

Finding the right words for your content is super important.

It helps more people find you. We’ve gone through all the details to help you make a smart choice.

Our goal is to help you get more visitors to the site & grow your online presence.

Trust our guide to help you pick the perfect tool for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is keyword research?

Keyword research is finding words and phrases people type into search engines. It helps you understand what the audience wants. This way, you can create content that appears when they search, attracting more visitors to your website.

Why is keyword research important for SEO?

It’s extremely important for SEO because it enables you to target the right audience. By knowing what people search for, you can make content that answers their questions. This allows the website to rank higher in search results, driving more organic traffic.

How do I choose the best keyword research tool?

Look for tools that show accurate search volume and keyword difficulty. Additionally, verify if they provide competitor insights and assistance with long-tail keywords. A user-friendly interface and a good support system are also key factors to consider.

Can I do keyword research for free?

Yes, you can start with some free tools like Google Keyword Planner. While paid tools offer more in-depth data and features, free options are great for beginners. They help you get a basic understanding of keywords and start your SEO journey.

How often should I do keyword research?

Keyword research isn’t a one-time thing. Search trends change, so it’s essential to revisit your keywords regularly. Doing it every few months or when planning new content helps you stay updated and maintain a strong SEO.

Fahim Joharder

Fahim Joharder

Author

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for AI and software innovations. He simplifies complex topics to help readers stay ahead in the digital world.

Affiliate Disclosure:

Weโ€™re reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our site.

Experts make our reviews before being written and come from real-world experience.Check our Editorial Guidelines and Privacy Policy