Best SEO Software for Keyword Research in 2025
We have compared and tested keyword research tools of 39+ SEO software providers to summarize the best ones in the following list.
Keyword Research
Serpstat
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A versatile SEO platform, Serpstat is known for its comprehensive suite of tools, catering to businesses seeking an all-in-one SEO solution.
In top 3 for
Marketing Miner
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Marketing Miner delivers a set of tools for SEO, making it a great solution for marketers and SEO professionals seeking market insights and monitoring capabilities.
In top 3 for
Pros
Unlimited users
Cons
Less cost-effective for multiple projects
Seodity
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Offering a blend of SEO and content marketing tools, Seodity is tailored for businesses seeking an integrated approach to online visibility and engagement.
Pros
Unlimited projects & lookups
SEO PowerSuite
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Combining multiple SEO tools into one package, SEO PowerSuite is perfect for SEO professionals looking for a comprehensive, desktop-based SEO solution.
In top 3 for
Pros
Very affordable
Unlimited lookups, projects, and keywords to track
Cons
Can only be used via desktop application
Each tool has its own application
Steeper learning curve
Semrush
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Revolutionizing digital marketing with comprehensive SEO toolkits, Semrush offers deep analytics and insights, catering to businesses seeking a true all-in-one solution.
In top 3 for
Pros
Comprehensive toolset also beyond SEO
Cons
Expensive
- Our ranking considers every plan that providers offer. We evaluate each plan independently and then use a weighted calculation model to determine an overall score for each provider.
Keyword research can be seen as the start and one of the cornerstones of any successful SEO strategy.
We understand the challenges and the importance of finding the right solution to optimize your keyword strategy. We'll walk you through our research on the best SEO software for keyword research and help you choose the right one for your specific needs.
What Makes the Best SEO Software for Keyword Research?
To determine the best SEO software for keyword research, we conducted in-depth market research, interviewed industry experts, and evaluated all major providers on the market based on specific attributes related to their keyword research tools.
Each attribute has a specific weight that contributes to the keyword research score of each provider. We considered both the quality and quantity of tools for each attribute to evaluate providers on a deeper level.
Volume
Volume refers to the number of searches a particular keyword receives within a specific time frame (usually monthly). The keyword research tools of a SEO software should provide accurate and updated search volume data, which helps you to understand the popularity and potential traffic for keywords.
No. of Queries
The number of queries refers to how many keyword lookups you can perform per month using the SEO software. This essentially sets the limit on the number of keyword insights you can gain. It's crucial because it directly affects the scope of your keyword research. More queries allow for a broader understanding of various keywords, which is invaluable in fine-tuning your SEO strategy. Pay attention to this threshold if you plan to make a large number of keyword queries per month.
Keyword Difficulty
Keyword Difficulty (KD) is an essential metric that estimates how hard it would be to rank for a specific keyword. A keyword research tool should offer a reliable KD score, enabling you to identify low-competition keywords that you can rank for more easily and to get an overview of the competition around specific terms.
SERPs
Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) are the pages displayed by search engines in response to a user's query. Good SEO software provides insights into the top-ranking pages for each keyword, allowing you to analyze your competitors and identify opportunities for improving your own content.
CPC Data
Cost-Per-Click (CPC) data represents the average amount advertisers are willing to pay for each click on their ads targeting a specific keyword. The best keyword research tools provide accurate and up-to-date CPC data, helping you to evaluate the potential return on investment for your target keywords.
Search Intent
Understanding the search intent behind a keyword is crucial for creating content that matches users' needs. Some tools help you determine the search intent (informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial) for each keyword, enabling you to optimize your content accordingly.
Keyword Trend
Keyword trend data shows how the popularity of a keyword changes over time. Most keyword research tools with this feature display a graph or the percentage change that indicates the trend over a specific time period. The keyword trend allows you to identify seasonal keywords or rising as well as declining topics in your niche.
10 Best SEO Software for Keyword Research Tools
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How to Choose a Great SEO Software for Keyword Research
When choosing the right SEO software for keyword research tools, it is important to hold the mirror up to your head. Do you only need a few basic functions, or do you want to actively use a variety of them? If you need everything to the fullest extent, you'll find the best solution at the top of our list. If other factors are also important to you, then compare things like price, users included (for teams), and so on.
In the next step, you should clarify whether you only need a tool for keyword research or whether other tools should also be included in your SEO software.
If you also want to use other functionalities, check our overall Best Picks for an extensive overview of good all-in-one SEO software. If you just still want to compare a few providers before making your decision, head over to our Comparison Tool.
And if you don't know at all where left and right is, try our Finder Tool. It will give you a personalized recommendation based on a few short questions.
Denis F.
Updated: Dec 20, 2024
Digital marketer with the conviction that properly deployed organic marketing delivers the best ROI in the long run. I'm deep into SEO but also enjoy sports, traveling, and absolutely love food.
FAQ
How important is keyword research for my business?
Keyword research is essential for optimizing your content and improving your website's visibility in search engine results. By targeting relevant and ideally high-traffic keywords, you increase your chances of driving organic traffic to your website, leading to higher conversions and revenue.
How often should I update my keyword research?
It's a good practice to update your keyword research regularly, as search trends and user preferences can change over time. Reviewing and updating your keyword strategy every 3-6 months ensures that you're targeting the most relevant and high-traffic keywords for your niche.
Can I use a free SEO software for keyword research?
While there are free SEO software options available, they may not provide the same level of data accuracy, features, or support as paid solutions. Free tools can be useful for getting started or for basic keyword research tasks, but if you're looking to gain a competitive edge and access more advanced features, investing in a paid SEO software is usually the best option.
Is it necessary to use multiple SEO tools for keyword research?
While it's not necessary to use multiple tools, using a combination of different ones provides you with a more comprehensive view of your keyword landscape. Different tools may have unique features or data sources that can help you gain additional insights and identify new opportunities. However, it's essential to find the right balance to avoid information overload and ensure that your keyword research remains efficient and focused. We recommend sticking to one all-in-one SEO software that offers a variety of tools and refining your strategy with manual lookups.
How can I find long-tail keywords for my niche?
The best keyword research tools all provide suggestions for long-tail keywords, which are more specific and less competitive search terms. Most tools automatically show long-tail keywords to your initial search and can be expanded from there. If these suggestions are not long enough or specific for you, you can use the suggestions that are still too short as a new search query, whereupon you will receive further and longer suggestions. Note that all tools are slightly different so they may require more or less manual adjustments.
By targeting long-tail keywords, you can attract highly targeted traffic and improve your chances of ranking higher in search results. While these may get less search volume, it doesn't eliminate your site from ranking for other keywords as well.
Should I focus on high or low-competition keywords?
It's essential to strike a balance between high and low-competition keywords. High-competition keywords may have higher search volumes, but they can be difficult to rank for, especially for smaller businesses. Low-competition keywords may have lower search volumes, but they are easier to rank for and can still drive valuable traffic to your website.
In the beginning, it is best to focus on "easier" keywords to gain traction. In the course of time, when your website is established and receives a lot of traffic already, you can then go for more "difficult" keywords.