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10 Best Keyword Research Tools of 2026

This list is for content marketers, bloggers and editors who need to pick topics that people actually search for and that a site of their size can realistically rank for. We compared documented features and published prices for 10 tools, from full SEO suites to a browser extension, a question finder and a SERP weakness checker. Scores weigh features at 40%, ease of use at 30% and value at 30%. Features are judged on keyword database size, how difficulty is estimated, idea generation, clustering and limits on the cheapest useful plan. Prices are the vendors' own US dollar figures where the page showed them; two vendors are marked as pending because their pricing pages did not show a USD figure when we checked.

By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 9, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 9, 2026

Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com

Mojolin is self-funded How we score

Semrush is our top pick because its Keyword Magic Tool draws on more than 28 billion keywords across 142 regional databases, and Keyword Strategy Builder turns a seed list into topic clusters for a content plan, with a free plan of 10 reports a day to start. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer is a close second, with a Keyword Difficulty score built only from backlinks to the top-ranking pages plus Traffic Potential and Parent Topic, which help writers aim at a whole topic rather than one phrase. KWFinder is the friendliest tool for finding low difficulty long tail keywords, and SE Ranking bundles unlimited keyword research into a full suite. LowFruits is the specialist for spotting weak sites in the results, Moz Keyword Explorer adds search intent and striking distance keywords, and Ubersuggest is a low cost suite from US$29. Keywords Everywhere puts volume data in your browser from $7 a month billed annually, Google Keyword Planner is free with a Google Ads account, and AnswerThePublic is the quickest way to collect the questions people ask.

Top picks

Best overall

Semrush

8.6 / 10

Content teams that want keyword ideas, competitor gaps and a topic plan from one account.

Read the review →

Runner-up

Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

8.5 / 10

Writers and SEOs who want a difficulty score tied to the links they would need to compete.

Read the review →

Also great

KWFinder

8.4 / 10

Bloggers and small content teams who want simple, low difficulty keyword ideas.

Read the review →

Comparison table

#ToolPricingScore
1SemrushFree plan with 10 reports a day; SEO plan $139 per month, or $117.33 per month billed annually8.6
2Ahrefs Keywords ExplorerAhrefs Free for your own site; Starter $29 per month; Lite $129 per month8.5
3KWFinderSee vendor pricing (USD check pending)8.4
4SE RankingSee vendor pricing (USD check pending)8.3
5LowFruitsStandard $29.90 per month or $20.75 per month billed yearly; pay-as-you-go credits from $25 for 2,0008.2
6Moz Keyword ExplorerFree Keyword Explorer access; Moz Pro entry plan $49 per month for one website; Standard $99 per month or $79 billed yearly8.1
7UbersuggestPaid plans listed at US$29 to US$99 per month; 7-day free trial on monthly plans; free account and lifetime plans available8.0
8Keywords EverywhereFree features with no sign up; Bronze $7 per month billed annually ($84 a year) for 100,000 credits7.9
9Google Keyword PlannerFree with a Google Ads account7.7
10AnswerThePublicFree daily searches; Starter US$20 per month or US$120 per year; Growth US$99 per month7.6

Scoring weights

Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method

Features40%
Ease of use30%
Value30%

The full ranking

  1. Rank 1 · Best overall

    Semrush

    A search marketing suite whose keyword toolkit covers idea generation, difficulty, competitor gaps, topic clusters and AI prompt research.

    semrush.com

    8.6

    out of 10

    Best for: Content teams that want keyword ideas, competitor gaps and a topic plan from one account.

    Semrush covers every step a content marketer takes from seed idea to publishing plan. The Keyword Magic Tool searches a database of more than 28 billion keywords across 142 regional databases, Keyword Overview shows the value and competition of a single term, and the keyword gap report lists high value and low competition terms your rivals already rank for. Keyword Strategy Builder then groups keywords into topic clusters, which saves the manual sorting most teams do in spreadsheets. Semrush also says you can find pages ranking just outside the top spots, a quick source of refresh work, and Prompt Research shows what people ask AI assistants about a topic. The free plan gives 10 reports a day, and paid access starts with the SEO plan at $139 a month or $117.33 a month billed annually. The trade-offs are cost and seats: each extra colleague starts at $45 a month, so a three person content team pays well above the headline price.

    Standout feature

    Keyword Strategy Builder maps a keyword list to topic clusters you can publish against.

    Use cases

    • Content leads

      Turn a seed topic into clusters of related keywords

      Outcome: A quarter of article ideas grouped by topic

    • SEO writers

      Find keywords competitors rank for that the site does not

      Outcome: A gap list of new article targets

    • Editors

      Spot pages ranking just outside the top results

      Outcome: A short list of articles worth refreshing

    Key features

    • Keyword Magic Tool with a database of 28B+ keywords
    • 142 regional keyword databases with local and personalized metrics
    • Keyword Strategy Builder that maps keywords to topic clusters
    • Keyword gap analysis against competitors
    • Prompt Research for topics people ask AI assistants about

    Pros

    • Largest set of keyword research tools on this list in one subscription
    • Topic clusters turn a keyword list into a content plan
    • Free plan and a seven-day trial before you pay

    Cons

    • SEO plan at $139 a month is among the most expensive entry prices here
    • Additional users start at $45 a month each
    • The free plan stops at 10 reports a day
  2. Rank 2 · Runner-up

    Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

    Ahrefs' keyword research tool with backlink-based difficulty, Traffic Potential, Parent Topic and instant clustering.

    ahrefs.com

    8.5

    out of 10

    Best for: Writers and SEOs who want a difficulty score tied to the links they would need to compete.

    Ahrefs Keywords Explorer is built around metrics that answer the content marketer's two questions: how much traffic a topic can bring and how hard it is to win. Ahrefs states that its Keyword Difficulty score is based solely on the average number of backlinks to the top-ranking pages, so a low score has a clear meaning. Traffic Potential estimates what the number one page earns across all its keywords, and Parent Topic tells you whether a broader article would rank for your phrase anyway. The index holds 28.7 billion keywords filtered from 110 billion discovered, across 217 locations, and AI tools suggest seeds and group ideas by Parent Topic. Ahrefs also says you can find easy wins where weak websites rank high. Entry options run from Ahrefs Free for your own site to Starter at $29 a month and Lite at $129. Keyword clusters, search intents and SERP updates sit on Standard at $249, which is a real cost for small teams.

    Standout feature

    Its difficulty score is based only on backlinks to the top-ranking pages, which makes it easy to interpret.

    Use cases

    • Bloggers

      Filter ideas by low Keyword Difficulty and high Traffic Potential

      Outcome: Topics a newer site can realistically win

    • Content strategists

      Group a long keyword list by Parent Topic

      Outcome: One article per topic instead of near duplicates

    • SEO managers

      Check SERP history before committing to a keyword

      Outcome: Fewer bets on unstable results

    Key features

    • Keyword Difficulty calculated from backlinks to the top-ranking pages
    • Traffic Potential estimates traffic to the number one result
    • Parent Topic shows the broader topic to target instead
    • 28.7B keywords filtered from 110B discovered, in 217 locations
    • AI keyword ideas and instant clustering by Parent Topic

    Pros

    • Difficulty method is documented and easy to reason about
    • Traffic Potential helps rank topics by total traffic, not one phrase
    • SERP history shows how volatile a result has been

    Cons

    • Keyword clusters and search intents need the $249 Standard plan
    • Lite keeps 6 months of historical data
    • Extra Lite users cost $40 a month each
  3. Rank 3 · Also great

    KWFinder

    Mangools' keyword tool for finding long tail keywords with low SEO difficulty, with local data for about 65,000 locations.

    mangools.com

    8.4

    out of 10

    Best for: Bloggers and small content teams who want simple, low difficulty keyword ideas.

    KWFinder is built for the exact task this list covers: finding long tail keywords with low SEO difficulty and enough search volume to be worth an article. You search by keyword or by a competitor's domain, and the results show difficulty, exact search volumes and historical trends, so seasonal topics are easy to spot. Mangools reports about 2.5 billion related keywords and about 65,000 supported locations, including cities and districts, which helps with local content. A free account gives 5 lookups per 24 hours with 15 related and 5 competitor keywords each, enough to judge the interface. KWFinder is part of the Mangools SEO package alongside SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner and SiteProfiler, which cover SERP analysis, rank tracking and backlinks. The limits are depth and price clarity: it has no topic clustering like Semrush or Ahrefs, and its pricing page did not show USD figures from our location, so check the price before you buy. Mangools refunds within 48 hours of payment.

    Standout feature

    Its whole interface is designed around finding long tail keywords with low SEO difficulty.

    Use cases

    • Niche bloggers

      Find long tail keywords with low difficulty in a new niche

      Outcome: A first batch of winnable article ideas

    • Local businesses

      Research keywords for a specific city

      Outcome: Location pages based on local search demand

    • Freelance writers

      Check a competitor domain for keywords it ranks for

      Outcome: Topic suggestions for a client pitch

    Key features

    • Keyword difficulty and exact search volumes for each keyword
    • Competitor keyword research by domain or URL
    • Historical search volumes and trends for seasonal topics
    • Local keyword research in about 65,000 locations
    • Part of the Mangools SEO package with SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner and SiteProfiler

    Pros

    • Free account with 5 lookups per 24 hours
    • Focused on low difficulty long tail keywords, the core of this list
    • Sits in the same Mangools package as SERP analysis and rank tracking tools

    Cons

    • USD prices did not load on the pricing page when we checked
    • Free lookups show only 15 related and 5 competitor keywords
    • Rank tracking updates weekly except on the Agency plan
  4. Rank 4

    SE Ranking

    An SEO platform whose Keyword Tool covers volume, difficulty, intent and SERP data across 188 locations.

    seranking.com

    8.3

    out of 10

    Best for: Content teams and agencies that want unlimited keyword research inside a full SEO suite.

    SE Ranking suits content teams that want keyword research to flow straight into planning and tracking. Its Keyword Tool shows search volume, difficulty, intent and SERP data across 188 locations, and the suggestions include related, long-tail and question keywords as well as low search volume terms. You can import a list or run bulk checks to compare volume, difficulty and intent side by side, then save keywords into lists that feed Keyword Grouper, Content Editor and Rank Tracker. Historical SERP data back to 2020 helps you show clients why a keyword made the list. The Core plan includes unlimited keyword, competitor and backlink research with 10 projects, 2,000 daily tracked keywords and one manager seat, and both Core and Growth offer a 14-day free trial that needs no credit card. The catch for this list is pricing transparency from our location: the page showed euro prices only, so confirm the USD figure before you commit.

    Standout feature

    Its Core plan includes unlimited keyword, competitor and backlink research.

    Use cases

    • Agency content teams

      Research keywords for several clients and markets

      Outcome: Saved lists per client ready for grouping and briefs

    • In-house marketers

      Bulk check an existing keyword list for difficulty and intent

      Outcome: Weak targets cut before they reach the plan

    • International sites

      Compare search demand across country databases

      Outcome: Content prioritized by market

    Key features

    • Keyword Tool with search volume, difficulty, intent and SERP data
    • 188 country databases
    • Related, long-tail, question and low search volume suggestions
    • Historical SERP data back to 2020
    • Saved lists that feed Keyword Grouper, Content Editor and Rank Tracker

    Pros

    • Core plan includes unlimited keyword, competitor and backlink research
    • 14-day free trial with no credit card required
    • MCP access connects keyword data to AI assistants

    Cons

    • USD price did not show on the pricing page from our location
    • Full project history needs the Growth plan
    • Core includes one manager seat
  5. Rank 5

    LowFruits

    A SERP analysis tool that finds keywords where weak, low authority sites already rank.

    lowfruits.io

    8.2

    out of 10

    Best for: Bloggers and niche site owners who distrust KD scores and want to see weak spots in the actual results.

    LowFruits takes a different approach to realistic difficulty. Instead of a single KD number, it extracts the search results for each keyword and highlights weak spots, such as low Domain Authority sites already ranking, along with content word count, title relevance and site type. You can import your own keywords or generate long-tail ideas from Google autocomplete, including wildcard searches that surface combinations other tools miss, and LowFruits groups keywords that share similar intent into clusters. The Standard plan costs $29.90 a month or $20.75 a month billed yearly and includes 3,000 credits, 100 tracked keywords and competitor extractions; one analyzed keyword uses one credit. Pay-as-you-go packs start at $25 for 2,000 credits and last a year, which suits occasional research. Monthly credits do not roll over, and the tool does not replace a full suite for audits or backlinks. LowFruits offers a 14-day refund if you used fewer than 100 credits.

    Standout feature

    It judges difficulty by highlighting weak sites in the live results rather than a single score.

    Use cases

    • Niche site owners

      Bulk analyze a long-tail list for weak sites in the top results

      Outcome: A short list of keywords with forum or low authority results

    • Bloggers

      Run wildcard searches around a topic

      Outcome: Long-tail ideas competitors are not targeting

    • Content planners

      Cluster keywords by shared intent

      Outcome: One article brief per cluster

    Key features

    • Bulk SERP analysis that highlights low Domain Authority sites
    • Keyword clustering by shared intent
    • Wildcard (*) searches for long-tail ideas from Google autocomplete
    • Allintitle and KGR tool
    • Competitor ranking, keyword idea and sitemap extractions

    Pros

    • Shows why a keyword is easy instead of relying on one score
    • Pay-as-you-go credits for occasional research
    • 14-day money back guarantee if fewer than 100 credits were used

    Cons

    • Monthly subscription credits do not roll over
    • Each analyzed keyword uses a credit
    • Fewer suite features than Semrush, Ahrefs or SE Ranking
  6. Rank 6

    Moz Keyword Explorer

    Moz's keyword research tool with 1.25 billion+ keyword suggestions, difficulty, organic CTR and AI-generated search intent.

    moz.com

    8.1

    out of 10

    Best for: Marketers who want difficulty, intent and striking distance keywords from a familiar SEO brand.

    Moz Keyword Explorer gives content marketers a practical mix of demand and competition data. Each keyword shows Monthly Volume, Organic CTR, Difficulty and Minimum Domain Authority, which gauges the ranking strength of the pages in the results, and Moz AI adds a Primary Search Intent label. Enter your own site to see the keywords you already rank for, including terms just outside the top 10, which makes a quick refresh list. Keyword Suggestions has a Questions filter for FAQ style content, and you can group keywords by lexical similarity into lists. Moz reports 1.25 billion+ keyword suggestions across 170 Google search engines. Moz offers a free version of the tool, and full access comes with Moz Pro, whose entry plan costs $49 a month for one website; Standard is $99 a month or $79 billed yearly. Extra seats are $49 a month each, and the index is smaller than the two leaders, so very niche topics may return fewer ideas.

    Standout feature

    Minimum Domain Authority gauges how strong the pages ranking for each keyword are.

    Use cases

    • Small business marketers

      Find keywords the site ranks for just outside the top 10

      Outcome: A refresh list with quick ranking potential

    • Content writers

      Filter suggestions to questions

      Outcome: FAQ sections built on real searches

    • SEO managers

      Compare Organic CTR across target keywords

      Outcome: Fewer targets where SERP features take most clicks

    Key features

    • 1.25 billion+ keyword suggestions and 170 Google search engines
    • Monthly Volume, Organic CTR, Difficulty and Minimum Domain Authority metrics
    • Primary Search Intent generated by Moz AI
    • Ranking keywords for your site, including striking distance terms
    • Questions filter and keyword grouping by lexical similarity

    Pros

    • Free keyword research tool to try before paying
    • Organic CTR shows when SERP features will take clicks
    • Entry plan at $49 a month for a single website

    Cons

    • Full Keyword Explorer access needs a Moz Pro plan
    • Additional user seats cost $49 a month each
    • Smaller keyword index than Semrush or Ahrefs
  7. Rank 7

    Ubersuggest

    A low cost SEO suite with keyword suggestions, content ideas, rank tracking and site audits.

    neilpatel.com

    8.0

    out of 10

    Best for: Solo marketers and small businesses who want a simple suite on a small budget.

    Ubersuggest is the budget suite for content marketers who want keyword ideas and content inspiration without a large monthly bill. The pricing page lists plans from US$29 to US$99, and the comparison table shows the first plan with 150 reports a day, 20,000 keyword suggestions and 2,000 content ideas a month, rising to 900 reports and 100,000 suggestions on the top plan. Bulk analysis checks 50 to 1,000 keywords at once, and newer features add AI prompt ideas, search intent for keywords and AI search visibility checks. Rank tracking and weekly site audits are included, so a solo marketer can cover basic SEO in one place. A one-time 7-day free trial applies to monthly subscriptions, you can downgrade to a free account at any time, and a lifetime plan is sold as a one-time payment, though those purchases are non-refundable. The limits are the trade-off: daily report caps and smaller bulk checks make it less suited to large research projects.

    Standout feature

    Its Content Ideas report pairs keyword research with topics that already earn attention.

    Use cases

    • Solo founders

      Find keyword and content ideas for a company blog

      Outcome: A monthly topic list on a small budget

    • Small agencies

      Bulk check difficulty for a client keyword list

      Outcome: A prioritized list for the next content sprint

    • Bloggers

      Track rankings for published posts

      Outcome: Weekly view of which topics are working

    Key features

    • 20,000 to 100,000 keyword suggestions per month by plan
    • 2,000 to 10,000 content ideas per month
    • Bulk keyword analysis for 50 to 1,000 keywords
    • AI prompt ideas and AI search visibility checks
    • Rank tracking and weekly site audits

    Pros

    • Lowest entry price among the full suites here
    • Content Ideas report suits topic research
    • Lifetime plan option for a one-time payment

    Cons

    • Entry plan allows 150 reports per day
    • Bulk analysis is capped at 50 keywords on the first plan
    • Lifetime purchases are final and non-refundable
  8. Rank 8

    Keywords Everywhere

    A browser extension that adds search volume, CPC and competition data to Google, YouTube, Amazon and 15+ other sites.

    keywordseverywhere.com

    7.9

    out of 10

    Best for: Writers who want keyword data while they browse and research topics.

    Keywords Everywhere is the lightest tool on this list and the cheapest paid one. It is a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Edge that adds search volume, CPC, competition and 12 month trend data to Google results, YouTube, Amazon, Etsy and more than 15 other sites, so writers see demand while they research a topic. Widgets for related keywords and people also search for terms keep working even without credits. The free features, including prompt templates and traffic and backlink data, work without an API key, and a paid plan adds the volume metrics. Bronze costs $7 a month billed annually, or $84 a year, for 100,000 credits and one user seat; Silver at $14 a month adds three seats. One credit covers one keyword, so a single Google search with many suggestions can use dozens. Credits expire after a year, plans are billed annually only, and it is not a replacement for the clustering or SERP analysis in the larger tools.

    Standout feature

    It shows keyword metrics directly on Google, YouTube and marketplace search pages.

    Use cases

    • Freelance writers

      Check search volume while researching an article on Google

      Outcome: Headings chosen around terms people search

    • YouTube creators

      See keyword metrics on YouTube searches

      Outcome: Video topics backed by search data

    • Ecommerce marketers

      Compare demand on Amazon and Etsy searches

      Outcome: Product listing keywords ranked by volume

    Key features

    • Search volume, CPC, competition and 12 month trend data in the browser
    • Works on Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, eBay, Etsy and more
    • People also search for and related keywords widgets
    • Domain top keywords and traffic metrics
    • MCP server for ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor and VS Code

    Pros

    • Cheapest paid plan on this list
    • Data appears where you already search
    • Free features work without an API key

    Cons

    • All plans are billed annually, not monthly
    • Credits expire after one year
    • No difficulty analysis as deep as the full suites
  9. Rank 9

    Google Keyword Planner

    Google's free keyword research tool inside Google Ads, with monthly search estimates and bid estimates.

    ads.google.com

    7.7

    out of 10

    Best for: Marketers who want Google's own search estimates at no cost and already use Google Ads.

    Google Keyword Planner is the free baseline every content marketer should know. Google describes it as a free resource to help advertisers build keyword lists, and that focus shapes what you get. You enter words or a website and receive keyword ideas, estimates of monthly searches and how they have changed over time, plus bid estimates that hint at commercial value. You can also upload an existing list to get search volume and forecasts, filter by competition and keyword text, and auto organize keywords into groups. Access requires completing Google Ads account setup, including billing information, and Smart Mode accounts must switch to Expert Mode first. For content work the main gap is difficulty: the competition metric describes advertisers, not how hard it is to rank organically, and there is no SERP analysis. It works best as a free check on demand next to a tool that scores organic difficulty.

    Standout feature

    It is free and uses Google's own search estimates.

    Use cases

    • Startup marketers

      Get keyword ideas from a competitor's website

      Outcome: A free first list of topics with search estimates

    • Teams running Search ads

      Compare search estimates and bids for blog topics

      Outcome: Content aimed at commercially valuable searches

    • Content writers

      Upload a draft keyword list for volume estimates

      Outcome: Low demand topics removed at no cost

    Key features

    • Keyword ideas from words, phrases or a website
    • Estimates of monthly searches and how they change over time
    • Bid estimates for each keyword
    • Filters by competition, impression share and keyword text
    • Forecasts of clicks, impressions and conversions for a plan

    Pros

    • Free, with data from Google
    • Accepts a website as a seed for keyword ideas
    • Useful for teams that run Search ads too

    Cons

    • Requires Google Ads account setup with billing information
    • Built for advertisers, so competition refers to ads, not organic difficulty
    • Smart Mode accounts must switch to Expert Mode
  10. Rank 10

    AnswerThePublic

    A search listening tool that collects the questions, prepositions, comparisons and related searches people type around a topic.

    answerthepublic.com

    7.6

    out of 10

    Best for: Content marketers who need question-based topic ideas and FAQ angles fast.

    AnswerThePublic answers a different question from the other tools: not how hard a keyword is, but what people want to know about a topic. Enter a keyword and it returns the questions, prepositions, comparisons and related searches people type into search engines, which makes it quick to build FAQ sections, article outlines and content angles. Paid plans add more daily searches, Search Listening Alerts that email a weekly digest of new questions, comparisons of search behavior over time, Keyword Lists and CSV export. Plans also bundle the Composeo AI content suite, with 6 articles a month on Starter. Starter costs US$20 a month or US$120 a year, Growth is US$99 a month and Business US$199 a month, and the company notes that prices are localized by region. Free use is limited by a daily search cap. It has no difficulty scoring or SERP analysis, so treat it as an idea source and check each topic in a tool that scores difficulty.

    Standout feature

    It turns one keyword into the questions, comparisons and prepositions people actually search.

    Use cases

    • Content writers

      Collect questions people ask about a topic

      Outcome: An outline and FAQ section built from real searches

    • PR and brand teams

      Set alerts for new questions about a brand or category

      Outcome: A weekly digest of emerging topics

    • Content strategists

      Compare how questions on a topic change over time

      Outcome: Seasonal angles for the editorial calendar

    Key features

    • Questions, prepositions, comparisons and related searches for a keyword
    • Search Listening Alerts with weekly email digests
    • Compare search behavior over time
    • Keyword Lists to organize research by project
    • Composeo AI content suite bundled with paid plans

    Pros

    • Fastest way on this list to collect questions for FAQs and outlines
    • Free daily searches to start
    • Yearly Starter plan works out to US$10 a month

    Cons

    • Not a difficulty tool; pair it with one of the suites
    • Prices are localized by region, so the charge may differ
    • CSV export and more daily searches need a paid plan

Buying guide

How to choose

Find out how the difficulty score is calculated

A difficulty number is only useful if you know what it measures. Ahrefs bases Keyword Difficulty solely on the average number of backlinks to the top-ranking pages, while LowFruits looks for weak sites such as low Domain Authority domains in the actual results. Moz adds a Minimum Domain Authority metric for each SERP. Compare a few keywords you already rank for to see which score matches your experience.

Check the limits on the plan you can afford

Entry plans differ more in limits than in features. Ubersuggest's plans allow 150 to 900 reports per day, Keywords Everywhere sells 100,000 credits a year on Bronze where one credit equals one keyword, and LowFruits Standard includes 3,000 credits a month. Ahrefs Lite keeps 6 months of history, and Standard adds keyword clusters and search intents.

Look for clustering and topic planning

Content teams publish around topics, not single phrases. Semrush's Keyword Strategy Builder maps keywords to topic clusters, Ahrefs groups ideas by Parent Topic, LowFruits groups keywords that share similar intent, and SE Ranking sends saved lists to its Keyword Grouper and Content Editor.

Match the database to your market

Local and international content needs location data. KWFinder supports about 65,000 locations including cities, Ahrefs lists 217 locations, SE Ranking covers 188 country databases and Semrush has 142 regional databases. Google Keyword Planner gives Google's own estimates but is built for advertisers planning Search campaigns.

Start free before you pay

Semrush has a free plan with 10 reports a day, KWFinder gives 5 free lookups per 24 hours, Ahrefs Free covers your own site, Keywords Everywhere's free features work without an API key, and AnswerThePublic has a free daily search limit. SE Ranking offers a 14-day trial with no credit card, and Ubersuggest has a 7-day trial on monthly plans.

Frequently asked questions

+What is the best keyword research tool in 2026?

Semrush scores highest for content marketers, with 28B+ keywords, topic clustering in Keyword Strategy Builder and a free plan of 10 reports a day; its SEO plan costs $139 a month. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer is a close second, with Lite at $129 a month and a $29 Starter tier.

+Which keyword tool is best for finding low difficulty keywords?

KWFinder is designed around long tail keywords with low SEO difficulty, and LowFruits checks the live results for weak, low authority sites. Ahrefs also lets you filter by Keyword Difficulty, which it bases on backlinks to the top-ranking pages.

+Is there a free keyword research tool?

Google Keyword Planner is free with a Google Ads account. Semrush has a free plan with 10 reports a day, KWFinder gives 5 lookups per 24 hours, AnswerThePublic has free daily searches, and Keywords Everywhere's free features need no sign up.

+What is the cheapest paid keyword research tool?

Keywords Everywhere Bronze costs $7 a month billed annually, or $84 a year, for 100,000 credits. AnswerThePublic Starter is US$20 a month, LowFruits Standard is $29.90 a month, and Ahrefs Starter and Ubersuggest start at $29.

+Is Google Keyword Planner enough for content marketing?

It is a good free source of search estimates, but it is built for advertisers. Its competition metric describes ads, not organic ranking difficulty, so pair it with a tool such as KWFinder, Ahrefs or LowFruits before choosing topics.

+Semrush or Ahrefs for keyword research?

Choose Semrush if you want topic clusters and keyword gap reports on the entry SEO plan. Choose Ahrefs if you prefer a backlink-based difficulty score with Traffic Potential and Parent Topic, and note that its keyword clusters need the $249 Standard plan.

About this list

Updated November 9, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded

Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com

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