Best keyword research tools 2025 (Free and Paid)
Keyword research continues to be a key component of a successful content strategy in the ever-changing world of SEO.
Finding the correct keywords to target, however, can feel like going through the web given the frequent algorithm changes and changing user behavior.
Keyword research is mandatory for every efficient online marketing strategy in the digital age. Knowing which tools are best for you can improve your internet presence overall, SEO strategy, and content development.
To assist you in making an informed choice, this complete article examines the top keyword research tools of 2024, both premium and free.
Qualities of Best Keyword Research Tool
Cracking the SEO code starts with having the right tools. The best keyword research tools do more than just show search volumes. They give you accurate data on how competitive keywords are and show historical trends, helping you find keywords that will be useful for a long time.
Look for tools that have special difficulty scores to see how tough it will be to rank for certain keywords.
These tools aren’t just data collectors, they offer logical ideas to power your SEO strategy. They help you estimate click-through rates to understand user interest and use competitor research to find new opportunities.
By analyzing top-ranking pages, you can learn what it takes to rank high for your chosen keywords.
These tools are user-friendly and provide an easy-to-use interface, and bulk upload options help you save time.
When choosing a tool, think about free vs. paid options, how well it integrates with your existing tools, and the quality of customer support. With the right keyword research tool, you’ll be ready to make smart SEO decisions and excel in search rankings.
6 Best Keyword Research Tools(Free and Paid)
Top 3 Free Keyword Research Tools
1. Google Keyword Planner
The original keyword research tool was created straight out of Google AdWords.
You can find new keywords that relate to your first term, view the expected average monthly searches, and gain competition details.
Keyword Planner can either be used to discover new keyword opportunities or to view search volume together with more info for the keywords you are currently using.
It’s particularly useful for those running Google Ads campaigns and valuable for organic SEO. It includes cost-per-click (CPC) data for paid advertising.
For Example– If you’re a small business selling handmade candles, using Google Keyword Planner can help you find relevant keywords like “handmade soy candles,” “organic candles,” and “customized candles,” along with their search volumes and trends.
Pros.
- Free to use
- Direct data from Google, ensuring accuracy
- Integration with Google Ads for streamlined campaigns
Cons.
- Requires a Google Ads account
- Limited to Google search data
2. Google Trends
Google Trends is a free and powerful tool that helps you see how search trends change over time. It shows how popular certain search terms are in different regions and languages.
This makes it very useful for marketers, content creators, and SEO professionals who want to understand which keywords are popular and when they are most searched.
Google Trends gives a visual display of how often people search for specific keywords, topics, and phrases over a set period.
You can compare several terms to see which ones are more popular. The tool also shows related queries and topics, helping you find new keywords and content ideas.
This is valuable for creating content that fits current trends and interests.
For Example– A fitness brand deciding between promoting “HIIT workouts” or “yoga for beginners” can use Google Trends to compare these terms. If “HIIT workouts” shows a rising trend in search interest compared to “yoga for beginners,” the brand might choose to create more content around HIIT workouts to capitalize on the growing interest.
Pros.
- Completely free to use, making it accessible to anyone.
- Provides real-time data on search trends, which is useful for staying up-to-date with current and emerging trends.
- Allows users to see how search interest varies by geographic location
Cons.
- Provides general insights rather than precise search volume numbers
- Unlike tools, Google Trends does not offer direct insights into competitor performance or keyword rankings.
- Google Trends provides historical data, the depth of this data can be limited depending on the search term and region.
3. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest, created by Neil Patel, has a generous free plan that offers keyword suggestions, search volume data, and competition insights.
It’s a great tool for quickly finding potential keywords and identifying specific keywords with three or more words.
Ubersuggest provides a range of tools for keyword research, SEO analysis, and competitive research.
It generates keyword suggestions, shows SEO difficulty scores, and offers ideas for content and backlink data, making it a comprehensive option for improving your SEO strategy.
Ubersuggest can quickly generate hundreds of useful long-tail keyword suggestions. It displays the top 99 pages on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) for your seed keyword, along with their estimated traffic share.
For Example– For a fitness blog, Ubersuggest can help you find long-tail keywords like “best home workout routines,” “yoga for beginners,” and “HIIT workout benefits,” along with their search difficulty and potential traffic.
Pros.
- User-friendly interface
- Detailed SEO metrics and insights
- Includes competitor analysis features
Cons.
- Limited daily searches for free users
- Advanced features are behind a paywall
Top 3 Paid Keyword Research Tools
1. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a powerful SEO tool, and its Keyword Explorer feature excels in keyword research.
It provides a vast database of keywords across multiple search engines, offering detailed insights and analytics.
This tool is invaluable for uncovering high-value keywords, understanding the competition, and developing effective strategies to improve search rankings.
Ahrefs Keyword Explorer offers comprehensive keyword research across Google, YouTube, Amazon, and Bing, suggesting related terms and questions.
It provides precise search volume, click metrics, and Keyword Difficulty scores to assess ranking challenges.
The tool includes SERP analysis for top-ranking pages and advanced filters for refining keyword lists by search volume, difficulty, and other criteria, optimizing SEO strategies effectively.
Ahrefs pricing starts from ₹6,925.03 (converted from $99) per month. This plan includes 500 credits.
For Example– A digital marketing agency can use Ahrefs to find keywords like “digital marketing strategies,” “SEO best practices,” and “content marketing tips.” The tool provides search volumes, keyword difficulty, and competitor analysis, helping the agency create an effective SEO strategy.
Pros.
- Extensive and accurate data
- Comprehensive SEO analysis tools
- Excellent for backlink research
Cons.
- Expensive for small businesses
- Requires time to master due to its extensive features
2. SEMrush
SEMrush is like a one-stop shop for improving your website’s ranking in search engines.
It helps you find the right keywords to target, see what your competitors are doing, and make sure your website is in tip-top shape for search engines to find.
Think of it like you want more people to visit your online store.
SEMrush helps you by showing you what people are searching for keywords, how other stores are attracting customers, and making sure your store looks great and has the right products displayed (on-page SEO).
There are different plans available, so whether you’re just starting or a seasoned pro, SEMrush has something for you. It gives you the information you need to be the top store on the search engine block.
Try Semrush for free. Analyze 10 keywords daily. Pro plan starts at ₹9,226/month or ₹7,687/year (billed annually).
For Example– An e-commerce website can use SEMrush to find keywords like “online shopping deals,” “best online stores,” and “discount codes.” The tool also helps track competitor keywords and PPC campaigns, providing a competitive edge.
Pros.
- Comprehensive feature set
- Regular updates and new features
- Excellent for competitive analysis
Cons.
- Can be pricey
- Some features may be overwhelming for beginners
3. Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz Keyword Explorer is a simple tool for finding the best keywords.
It gives you a list of keywords that are easy to understand and use. You can see how hard it is to rank each keyword with a score called Keyword Difficulty.
It also shows which websites are on top for each keyword, so you can see what’s working for them.
Moz Keyword Explorer works well with other Moz tools, making it easy to plan your SEO strategy. It’s great for anyone who wants to improve their website’s search engine rankings by choosing the right keywords.
Moz Keyword Explorer is known for its reliable data and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice among SEO professionals.
Moz is a paid tool, but it offers a free 30-day trial so that you can try it out before committing. Moz Pro has four pricing plans, the cheapest costs ₹7,300 per month or ₹5,800 if you opt for an annual plan. In contrast, the most expensive plan is ₹44,100 for SEO agencies and marketing teams.
For Example– A food blogger can use Moz Keyword Explorer to find keywords like “easy dinner recipes,” “healthy meal prep,” and “vegan desserts.” The tool provides search volume, difficulty scores, and SERP analysis to help optimize blog posts for better search rankings.
Pros.
- Easy to use and intuitive interface
- Accurate and comprehensive data
- Integrates well with other Moz tools
Cons.
- Limited data compared to some competitors
- Pricey for the full suite of features
CONCLUSION
In 2024, there are many keyword research tools available, both free and paid. Each tool has its strengths. For example, Google Trends is easy to use and gives current information, while Ahrefs offers detailed data and advanced features.
These tools are helpful for freelancers, marketers, and SEO experts to find and use the best keywords. By using these tools well, you can improve your content and attract more visitors to your website in today’s competitive online world.
