Affordable SEO Tools - 10 Best Budget-Friendly SEO Software Tools (2024)
Do you subconsciously equate the value of SEO tools with their price tags? You might think, "The more expensive the tool is, the better the results are."
But expensive ≠ better.
Remember, high price tags don't necessarily guarantee stellar results, and low-cost tools aren't all about compromises.
There are various top-of-the-line, feature-rich, affordable SEO tools delivering results at par (or even better than them!) It’s all about finding a balance between affordability and efficiency.
This blog post covers the 10 best affordable SEO tools that deliver top-notch results without burning a hole in the pocket. Let’s get started!
10 Best Affordable SEO Tools in 2024
Tool Name | Unique Features | Pricing |
Writesonic | AI-powered content creation and comprehensive SEO toolkit | Free plan available. Paid plan starts at $12/month. |
Semrush | Keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audit | Semrush offers a 7-day free trial. The paid plan starts at $139.95/month. |
Ahrefs | Backlink analysis, content explorer, rank tracker | Free tools available. The paid plan starts at just $129/month. |
Screaming Frog | Technical SEO audits | Screaming Frog is free to crawl up to 500 URLs. For access and advanced features, you can go for a paid plan starting at just £199.00/year. |
KWFinder | Long-tail keyword research | Free trial available. The paid plan starts at $24.50/month. |
Ubersuggest | Keyword ideas, content ideas | Ubersuggest offers a 7-day free trial. The paid plan starts at just $12/month. |
Google Search Console | Performance reports, indexing status, mobile usability | Completely free to use. |
Answer The Public | Question-based keyword research, visual data | Answer The Public offers a 7-day trial. The paid plan starts at $5/month. |
Serpstat | Keyword research, competitor analysis, site audit | Serpstat offers a 7-day free trial. The paid plan starts at $59/month. |
SpyFu | Competitor keyword research, backlink outreach | SpyFu paid plan starts at $39/month. |
1. Writesonic
Best suited for: Content marketers, SEO professionals, and businesses looking to boost their online presence.
About the tool:
Writesonic is an all-in-one content creation tool and optimization tool designed specifically for marketers, agencies, and enterprises. From creating high-quality content to optimizing it to rank on the top of SERPs, Writesonic can help you with all.
Writesonic leverages advanced AI models to create high-quality and contextually relevant content across diverse areas. Its robust features include a user-friendly interface, an extensive template library, and integration capabilities with other marketing tools.
Have a look at the SEO tools offered by Writesonic:
AI Article Writer
Looking to generate SEO-optimized articles at lightning speed? Writesonic AI Article Writer can help!
The advanced tool can help you come up with factually accurate, high-quality, and SEO-optimized articles aligned with your brand voice in seconds.
How to use: Say you want to write a blog post on "AI writing tools." Simply add this topic, select keywords, and the AI Article Writer will create a comprehensive, SEO-friendly article that covers all the essential aspects, complete with headings, subheadings, and relevant information.
Use case: Perfect for crafting various forms of blog posts and articles like how-tos, listicles, and more that can rank well on search engines.
Interesting, isn’t it?
Generate an SEO-optimized article today!
Topic Cluster Generator
Build a killer content strategy using Writesonic’s Topic Cluster Generator. The tool can help you find pillar page topics and sub-topics that you can create content on.
How to use: Go to Writesonic’s Topic Clusters and add the primary keyword in the input section. Let’s say you add ‘AI writing tools,’ the tool will provide a list of sub-topics like ‘best free AI writing tools,’ ‘SEO AI writing tools,’ and more to choose from.
Use case: Ideal for creating a content calendar and ensuring that you cover all the aspects of the topic to boost your topical authority.
Sounds like having a brainstorming session with an SEO expert, right?
Why not give it a try?
Start creating topic clusters!
Content Gap Analyzer
Stay ahead of your competitors with Writesonic’s Content Gap Analyzer tool. The powerful tool can help you find the content opportunities your competitors are capitalizing on, and you’re missing out on.
How to use: Simply go to Writesonic’s Content Gap Analyzer, add the content, file, or link that you want to analyze, and hit the ‘Next’ button. Then, add the keywords you would like to rank for, select the top 4 competitors, and hit ‘Start Analysis.’ And ta-da! There you go!
Use case: Content Gap Analyzer is great for finding new content ideas and ensuring you don’t miss out on any important keywords.
Ready to analyze your content piece?
On-Page SEO Checker
Ensure that your content is fully SEO-optimized before you hit the publish button with Writesonic’s On-Page SEO Checker. Get real-time SEO insights and improve your content accordingly to make it rank higher on SERPs.
How to use: Go to Writesonic’s On-Page SEO Checker and add the content you want to optimize. Then, add the details and hit ‘Start Analysis.’ The tool will come up with a content score and a few recommendations on how to improve your content. You can also use the ‘Improve SEO’ feature to quickly optimize your content.
Use case: Use this tool to fine-tune your content (blog posts, articles, landing pages, and more) for better search engine rankings and to ensure you're following SEO best practices.
Ready to optimize your content?
Answer The People
Discover the questions your audience is asking about your topic. Writesonic’s Answer The People tool helps you create content that directly addresses user queries, improving your chances of appearing in featured snippets and voice search results.
How to use: Simply go to Writesonic’s Answer The People tool, add the topic, and hit ‘Get Suggestions,’ and there you go. The tool will come up with comprehensive data related to your question/topic.
Use case: The tool can help you come up with FAQs section, blog post ideas, and long-tail keywords that your audience is interested in.
Generate question-based keywords related to your topic, address user queries, and improve your chances of appearing in the featured snippets.
Ratings:
G2: 4.7/5
Capterra: 4.8/5
Pricing:
Writesonic offers a free plan where you get 25 free credits. The paid plan starts at just $12/month.
2. Semrush
Best suited for: SEO professionals, digital marketers, and businesses.
About the tool:
Semrush is the powerhouse when it comes to SEO and digital marketing. From keyword research and on-page optimization to competitor analysis and site audit, the comprehensive SEO tool offers a wide range of features.
Semrush is a go-to tool for anyone looking to improve their online presence and drive traffic to their website. While some of its features are limited to paid plans and are on the pricier side of our "affordable" list, its robust capabilities make it worth considering for serious SEO enthusiasts.
Pros:
- All-in-one SEO and content creation tool.
- Huge database of keywords and backlinks.
- Offers user-friendly interface.
- Excellent competitor analysis feature.
Cons:
- Can be a bit overwhelming for beginners.
- Data covers only Google and not other search engines.
Why go for it:
Semrush is a powerhouse in the SEO world, and its free tier offers significant value. While the paid plans can be pricey, the features available in the free version make it a must-try for anyone serious about SEO.
Ratings:
G2: 4.5/5
Capterra: 4.7/5
Pricing:
Semrush offers a 7-day free trial. The paid plan starts at $139.95/month.
Now let’s move on to the next affordable gem of SEO tools…
3. Ahrefs
Best suited for: SEO professionals, digital marketers, and businesses looking for an all-in-one SEO toolkit.
About the tool:
Ahrefs is a comprehensive (and often pricey) SEO suite known for its powerful backlink analysis tools, but it also offers excellent keyword research and content exploration features. It's a favorite among SEO professionals for its depth of data and user-friendly interface.
Ahrefs also offers a free version called Ahrefs Webmaster Tools. This tool is a godsend for those looking to dive into backlink analysis and site audits without spending a dime.
Pros:
- All-in-one SEO and content creation tool.
- Offers one of the largest backlink databases.
- Extensive keyword data across various search engines.
Cons:
- High learning curve.
- No integration with Google Analytics or Search Console.
- Can be a bit pricy for individuals and small businesses.
Why go for it:
While it doesn't offer the full power of the paid Ahrefs suite, the Webmaster Tools version is an excellent starting point for those on a tight budget. It's particularly useful for understanding your backlink profile and identifying potential SEO issues on your site.
Ratings:
G2: 4.5/5
Capterra: 4.7/5
Pricing:
Ahrefs offers Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, where you get free limited access to a few features. The paid plan starts at just $129/month.
4. Screaming Frog
Best suited for: SEO specialists, website owners, and marketers looking for a powerful SEO tool for technical website audits.
About the tool:
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a must-have tool for technical SEO audits.
The powerful desktop-based website crawler helps to crawl websites efficiently and analyze results in real time. It can quickly find broken links, audit redirects, analyze page titles and meta titles, discover duplicate content, and do much more.
Screaming Frog offers a free version that allows users to crawl up to 500 URLs, making it an excellent option for small websites or those just starting with technical SEO.
Pros:
- Extremely detailed technical SEO analysis.
- Generates detailed reports that can help make necessary changes.
- Highly customizable and can suit the specific needs of users.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve.
- Limited features as compared to other tools.
Why go for it:
While it can be a bit overwhelming for new users, Screaming Frog is a great tool for technical SEO audits. Moreover, the free version offers significant value, making it a must-have for any SEO toolkit.
Ratings:
G2: 4.7/5
Capterra: 4.9/5
Pricing:
Screaming Frog is free to crawl up to 500 URLs. For access and advanced features, you can go for a paid plan starting at just £199.00/year.
5. KWFinder
Best suited for: Content creators, SEO specialists, and marketers looking for an easy-to-use long-tail keyword research tool.
About the tool:
KWFinder by Mangools is a powerful tool designed to help users find long-tail keywords with low competition.
KWFinder is an excellent tool for those looking to target niche markets or find untapped keyword opportunities to improve their rankings without getting overwhelmed by the complex data.
Pros:
- Excellent for finding long-tail and low-competition keywords.
- Offers an easy-to-use interface.
- Provide accurate search volume and historical data.
Cons:
- Offers limited features.
- Keyword data is not as comprehensive as compared to other tools.
Why go for it:
KWFinder is an excellent choice for people looking to simplify their keyword research process. The easy-to-use interface makes it an ideal tool for beginners and small businesses. If you are looking for long-tail keywords with low competition without investing much, you can go for a free trial.
Ratings:
G2: 4.4/5
Capterra: 4.7/5
Pricing:
KWFinder offers a free version where you get 5 lookups per 24 hours, with 15 related and 5 competitors keywords. The paid plan starts at $24.50/month.
6. Ubersuggest
Best suited for: Content creators, SEO specialists, and marketers looking for an affordable keyword research tool.
About the tool:
Ubersuggest is a tool developed by Neil Patel to simplify the keyword research process. Known for its simplicity and affordability, Ubersuggest offers a wide range of tools, including keyword suggestions, content ideas, and site audits.
Ubersuggest offers a free version with limited features, making it easier for anyone to start their SEO journey.
Pros:
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
- Very affordable and generous plans.
- Provides actionable keyword insights.
Cons:
- Offers limited features as compared to other tools.
- Very basic features, not suitable for advanced users.
Why go for it:
Ubersuggest is an excellent choice for those looking for a keyword research tool with a limited budget. It’s a straightforward approach to keyword research and SEO insights making it a go-to tool for beginners looking to optimize their website without getting overwhelmed.
Ratings:
G2: 4.2/5
Capterra: 4.4/5
Pricing:
Ubersuggest offers a 7-day free trial. The paid plan starts at just $12/month.
7. Google Search Console
Best suited for: Website owners, SEO experts, and businesses looking to get insights from Google about their website’s performance.
About the tool:
Google Search Console is a free tool offered by Google that helps you monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your site's presence in Google Search results.
It helps to understand how Google views your website and improve the website’s SEO performance.
Pros:
- Provides data directly from Google about the website’s search performance.
- Offers insights about indexing issues, mobile usability, etc.
- Helps to quickly identify and fix issues affecting the rankings.
Cons:
- Limited to Google search results only.
- Can be overwhelming at the start because of the amount of data.
Why go for it:
GSC is one of the most important tools for anyone looking to improve their website’s SEO. It provides data from Google helping you quickly understand how your website performs in search results and identify areas of improvement.
Ratings:
G2: 4.7/5
Capterra: 4.8/5
Pricing:
Google Search Console is completely free to use.
8. Answer The Public
Best suited for: Content creators, SEO experts, marketers, and businesses looking to understand what users are searching for and generate content ideas.
About the tool:
Answer The Public is a search listening tool that helps to get insights into what people are searching for. It’s an excellent tool for content ideation and understanding user intent.
Answer The Public tool presents the data in a visually appealing format, making it extremely easy to identify the search trends and patterns in behavior.
Pros:
- Comprehensive keyword discovery and question generation.
- Visually appealing data presentation.
- Helps to identify content gaps and opportunities.
Cons:
- Focuses solely on question-based queries.
- Limited searches on the free plan.
Why go for it:
Answer The Public is a fantastic tool to understand what your audience is asking. While it’s not a comprehensive SEO tool, it can prove to be an invaluable tool for content planning and addressing user intent in your SEO strategy.
Ratings:
G2: 4.5/5
Capterra: 4.6/5
Pricing:
Answer The Public offers a 7-day trial. The paid plan starts at $5/month.
9. Serpstat
Best suited for: SEO experts, marketers, and businesses looking for an affordable all-in-one SEO toolkit.
About the tool:
Serpstat is a growing player in the SEO market, offering a comprehensive suite of tools like keyword research, content generation, competitor analysis, and site auditing. It helps to optimize websites, improve rankings, and gain insights into competitors’ strategies.
Serpstat is a great tool known for its affordable pricing and user-friendly interface.
Pros:
- Comprehensive SEO toolkit.
- User-friendly interface with a clean design.
- Regular updates and improvements in the tool.
Cons:
- Database is not as extensive as other tools.
- Some features might require a learning curve, making it hard for beginners.
Why go for it:
Serpstat is an excellent choice for people looking for a comprehensive SEO tool at a cheaper price. The wide range of features makes it a great tool for optimizing websites and climbing SERPs.
Ratings:
G2: 4.6/5
Capterra: 4.7/5
Pricing:
Serpstat offers a 7-day free trial. The paid plan starts at $59/month.
10. SpyFu
Best suited for: Digital marketers, SEO professionals, and businesses looking to gain competitive insights and improve marketing strategies.
SpyFu is a competitor research and keyword analysis tool that helps users see the competitors’ most profitable keywords and ads. It’s a great tool for those looking to gain an edge in your niche.
SpyFu provides comprehensive data on competitors’ keywords, ad copy, and search rankings, helping users uncover valuable insights and opportunities.
Pros:
- Excellent competitors’ analysis features.
- Helps with both PPC and SEO.
- User-friendly interface with intuitive data visualization.
Cons:
- Focus on competitor analysis means less comprehensive general SEO features.
- U.S.-centric data may be less useful for international markets.
Why go for it:
SpyFu is a great choice for marketers and businesses looking to gain a competitive edge in their marketing efforts. Its focus on actionable insights and competitor analysis makes it a valuable tool for those who are looking to outsmart competitors without breaking the bank.
Ratings:
G2: 4.6/5
Capterra: 4.5/5
Pricing:
SpyFu paid plan starts at $39/month.
Expensive vs. Cheap SEO tools: What's the real difference?
Now that we've explored some affordable SEO tools, you might be wondering: "What am I missing out on by not investing in the most expensive tools?" Let's break it down:
Features | Expensive Tools | Affordable Tools |
Data comprehensiveness | Often offer more comprehensive data. | May have smaller databases but are often sufficient for most small to medium-sized businesses. |
Update frequency | Typically offers real-time or very frequent data updates. | It may update less frequently but still provide valuable, actionable data. |
Advanced features | Often include AI-powered insights, predictive analytics, and advanced reporting. | Focus on core SEO functionalities that cover most users' needs. |
Customer support | Usually offers dedicated account managers and 24/7 support. | May have limited support options but often compensate with robust community forums and knowledge bases. |
Integration capabilities | Often offer extensive API access and integrate with a wide range of other tools. | It may have limited integrations but usually covers the most essential connections. |
Scalability | Designed to handle enterprise-level data and user loads. | Perfect for individuals and SMBs, but may struggle with very large websites or agencies managing multiple high-traffic clients. |
The bottom line? Expensive doesn't always mean better.
While expensive tools might offer some advantages, affordable SEO tools have come a long way. For most businesses, they offer the perfect balance of functionality and value.
The key is to choose tools that align with your specific needs and budget.
Common pitfalls to avoid when selecting affordable SEO tools
Here are a few things you should not be ignoring when selecting an affordable SEO tool:
- Overlooking hidden costs: There are a few tools that charge additional fees for extra features or increased usage. Make sure to check it beforehand.
- Falling for ‘too good to be true’ options: If a tool promises instant results, double-check! SEO is a long-term game.
- Ignoring user reviews: Always check what other users have to say about the tool’s reliability. It should play an important role when finalizing the tool.
- Check out the free tools: Don't forget about powerful free tools like Writesonic, Google Search Console, and Ahrefs Webmaster Tools. They are gems!
- Forgetting about scalability: Consider whether the tool can grow with your business. Sometimes, investing a bit more upfront can save money in the long run.
- Underestimating the learning curve: Some affordable tools might require more manual work or have a steeper learning curve. Factor in the time investment needed.
Invest in the best and most affordable SEO tool - Writesonic
And, there you go!
There are plenty of affordable SEO tools that can help you level up your digital marketing efforts without burning a hole in your pocket. From Writesonic to Google Search Console, there are tools out there for each use case.
Remember, SEO success isn’t about having the most expensive software in your toolkit but about using it effectively.
If you are looking for SEO tools at cheap price, there’s no better option than Writesonic. By combining these affordable SEO software and smart SEO strategies, you can compete with the big players and climb the SERP rankings quickly.
So, what are you waiting for?