Best software · Marketing
8 Best YouTube SEO Tools of 2026
This list is for video marketers and YouTube creators who research topics before they film and then optimize titles, descriptions and tags so videos get found in YouTube search and suggested feeds. We compared documented features and published prices for 8 tools: two all-in-one YouTube browser extensions, outlier and idea research platforms, keyword data tools that cover YouTube autocomplete and search metrics, and an AI scripting workspace with a research layer. Scores weigh features at 40%, ease of use at 30% and value at 30%. Features cover YouTube keyword data, title and tag help, competitor and outlier research, and limits on the cheapest useful plan. Prices are the vendors' own US dollar figures where the page showed them; TubeBuddy and Viewstats are marked pending because their plan prices did not load in USD when we checked.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 12, 2026 · 8 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 12, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
vidIQ is our top pick: one Boost plan at $19 a month or $199 a year covers keyword research with search volume and competition scores, title, description and tag optimization, competitor outliers and an AI coach, and its MCP connector works on every plan including Free. TubeBuddy is a close second for creators who want SEO Studio, Keyword Explorer, tag rankings and search rank tracking right inside YouTube Studio, with a 30-day refund policy. 1of10 is the best pick for idea research, with outlier and thumbnail search that never use credits and a Basic plan at $15 a month billed yearly. Keywords Everywhere adds Ranking Difficulty, SEO Score and most used tags to YouTube search pages from $7 a month billed annually. OutlierKit suits experts and agencies who study whole niches, Viewstats suits creators who want MrBeast-style outlier and thumbnail research, Keyword Tool suits marketers who need YouTube autocomplete keywords with search volume, and Subscribr suits creators who want research tied to scripts and finished videos.
Top picks
Best overall
vidIQ
9.0 / 10
creators who want keyword research and upload optimization in one app
Read the review →Runner-up
TubeBuddy
8.6 / 10
creators who optimize uploads directly inside YouTube Studio
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vidIQ | creators who want keyword research and upload optimization in one app | Free plan with 150 AI credits a month; Boost $19 per month or $199 per year; MAX $49 per month or $468 per year | 9.0 |
| 2 | TubeBuddy | creators who optimize uploads directly inside YouTube Studio | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.6 |
| 3 |  1of10 | creators who build topics and titles from outlier videos | Free plan with 60 credits a month; Basic $15 per month billed $180 yearly or $19 monthly; Pro $69 per month billed yearly | 8.5 |
| 4 |  Keywords Everywhere | budget-minded creators who research on YouTube search pages | Bronze $7 per month billed annually ($84 a year) for 100,000 credits; Silver $14 per month billed annually | 8.4 |
| 5 |  OutlierKit | experts and agencies who research a whole niche before filming | 30 free trial credits; Hobby $24.92 per month billed $299 annually; Pro $49.92 per month billed $599 annually | 8.1 |
| 6 |  Viewstats | creators who research packaging and trends in their niche | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.9 |
| 7 |  Keyword Tool | marketers who need long-tail YouTube keywords with search volume | Free YouTube keyword tool without search volume; Pro Starter $88 per month, or $68 per month billed annually | 7.8 |
| 8 |  Subscribr | creators who want research tied to scripts and finished videos | Free plan with 3 idea batches and 10 intel searches a month; Growth $99 per month billed monthly; annual billing gives 2 months free | 7.5 |
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
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
vidIQ
A YouTube growth app and browser extension for keyword research, title and tag optimization, outlier ideas and AI coaching.
vidiq.com9.0
out of 10
Best for: creators who want keyword research and upload optimization in one app
vidIQ covers the full research to publish loop for a single channel, which is why it tops this list. Its keyword research shows search volume and competition scores with AI suggestions, and the optimization tools work on titles, descriptions, tags and thumbnails from one dashboard. For topic research it adds competitor tracking, outlier videos in your niche and daily ideas tuned to your channel. The Free plan is more than a teaser: it includes 150 AI credits a month, niche trends and the vidIQ MCP connector, so you can ask Claude or ChatGPT about your channel. Boost, at $19 a month or $199 a year, raises the allowance to 2,000 AI credits, unlocks more than 30 advanced tools and adds unlimited trends research. MAX at $49 a month adds 6,000 credits and up to 11 hours of short clipping. The limits are the per-channel pricing and the credit meter on AI tasks; teams with more than three channels are pointed to Enterprise.
Standout feature
vidIQ's MCP connector works on every plan, including Free, so channel data is available inside Claude or ChatGPT.
Use cases
Solo creators
Pick a keyword with search volume and low competition before filming
Outcome: A topic and title built around real YouTube demand
Video marketers
Optimize titles, descriptions and tags for each upload from one dashboard
Outcome: Consistent metadata across a brand channel
Creators who plan with AI
Ask Claude or ChatGPT for ideas through vidIQ MCP
Outcome: Content plans grounded in channel data
Key features
- Keyword research with search volume, competition scores and AI suggestions
- Title, description, tag and thumbnail optimization from one dashboard
- Competitor tracking and outlier videos in your niche
- AI Coach that analyzes your channel and suggests a growth plan
- vidIQ MCP connector for Claude, ChatGPT and other MCP clients on every plan
Pros
- Free plan includes 150 AI credits a month and the MCP connector
- Boost includes 2,000 AI credits a month and more than 30 advanced tools
- Annual Boost at $199 works out to $16.58 a month
Cons
- Plans are priced per channel; more than three channels need Enterprise
- AI features draw down a monthly credit allowance
- Local pricing may differ from the US list price at checkout
Rank 2 · Runner-up
TubeBuddy
A YouTube channel management browser extension with Keyword Explorer, SEO Studio, tag tools and A/B testing inside YouTube Studio.
tubebuddy.com8.6
out of 10
Best for: creators who optimize uploads directly inside YouTube Studio
TubeBuddy lives where creators already work: its extension adds panels to YouTube Studio, so keyword research and tag checks happen while you edit an upload. Keyword Explorer gives each search term an overall score calculated from search volume, competition and other metrics, then lists related keywords for titles, tags and descriptions. SEO Studio, Tag Rankings, Tag Sorter and Search Rank Tracking cover the optimization side, and A/B Testing and Thumbnail Analyzer help with titles and thumbnails. For topic research it offers Topical Analysis, Niche Leaderboard and next video ideas, plus Competitor Scorecard and Competitor Upload Alerts. The plan grid separates Pro, which includes basic title and tag optimization, from Legend, which adds full search and SEO access and bulk editing. Prices were shown in PLN here, so we left the starting price pending; TubeBuddy states it charges in US dollars. A license covers one channel, and larger businesses are steered to Enterprise.
Standout feature
TubeBuddy's Keyword Explorer scores each search term from search volume and competition and then suggests related tags inside YouTube Studio.
Use cases
Weekly uploaders
Score keywords and sort tags while editing a video in YouTube Studio
Outcome: Optimized metadata without switching tabs
Channel managers
Update end screens, cards and descriptions across many videos in bulk
Outcome: Hours saved on back catalog maintenance
Creators testing packaging
Run A/B tests on titles and thumbnails
Outcome: Evidence for which packaging gets more clicks
Key features
- Keyword Explorer with an overall score built from search volume, competition and related searches
- SEO Studio, Tag Rankings, Tag Sorter and Search Rank Tracking
- A/B Testing and Thumbnail Analyzer for titles and thumbnails
- Topical Analysis, Niche Leaderboard and Competitor Scorecard
- Bulk tools for end screens, cards and find, replace and append
Pros
- Forever free plan with no credit card needed
- Works inside YouTube Studio through the browser extension
- 30-day refund policy on paid licenses
Cons
- A standard license covers one YouTube channel
- Pro and Legend are for individual creators only; businesses with 50k+ subscribers or 3+ channel managers need Enterprise
- Free and Pro plans get limited access to several SEO and bulk tools
Rank 3 · Also great
1of10
A YouTube research and AI tool for finding outlier videos and generating titles, ideas and thumbnails from high-performing videos.
1of10.com8.5
out of 10
Best for: creators who build topics and titles from outlier videos
1of10 approaches YouTube SEO from the packaging side: find videos that beat their channel's usual numbers, then borrow the angle for your own title and thumbnail. Its Outlier Finder searches top-performing videos in any niche, thumbnail search and trending formats show what is getting clicks, and the AI title and idea generators draw on millions of high-performing videos. A useful detail on the pricing page is that research tools never use credits, so outlier and thumbnail searches are unmetered on paid plans; credits go to AI work such as thumbnails (4 credits), Optimize runs (18) and title or idea runs (8). Basic costs $15 a month billed $180 yearly, or $19 monthly, with 150 credits and up to 3 channels. Pro at $69 a month billed yearly adds 1,000 credits, unlimited channels and MCP plus API access. The Free plan is good for a trial but caps outlier search at 5 results. 1of10 has no search volume data, so pair it with a keyword tool for search-led topics.
Standout feature
1of10's research tools never use credits, so paid users can run outlier and thumbnail searches without a meter.
Use cases
Entertainment creators
Search outlier videos in a niche to find formats that overperform
Outcome: A short list of proven video angles
Creators rewriting packaging
Generate title variations based on high-performing videos
Outcome: Stronger title options before upload
Small studios
Track competitor channels across up to 3 connected channels
Outcome: One research view for a few related channels
Key features
- Outlier search for top-performing videos in any niche
- Thumbnail search and trending formats
- AI title and idea generator based on high-performing videos
- AI thumbnail generator and Optimize runs for existing videos
- Competitor tracking on every paid plan
Pros
- Research tools never use credits on paid plans
- Free plan includes 60 credits a month with no card needed
- Basic connects up to 3 YouTube channels
Cons
- Free plan limits outlier and thumbnail search to 5 results
- MCP and API access starts on Pro at $69 a month billed yearly
- Basic's 150 credits cover about 7 thumbnail generations a month
Rank 4
Keywords Everywhere
A browser extension that adds search volume and YouTube ranking metrics such as Ranking Difficulty and SEO Score to search pages.
keywordseverywhere.com8.4
out of 10
Best for: budget-minded creators who research on YouTube search pages
Keywords Everywhere is a light extension rather than a YouTube suite, and that keeps the price low. On a YouTube search page it shows a Search Insights widget with Ranking Difficulty, a score out of 100 averaged across the top 20 videos, plus the top channel, maximum views and most used tags for the query. Advanced metrics add an SEO Score to each video in the results, showing how well it targets that query, and every video page gets a Video Insights widget with an Optimization Score. The vendor says the metrics are based on YouTube ranking studies by Briggsby and Backlinko and publishes how each score is calculated. Plans differ only by credits and seats: Bronze costs $7 a month billed annually for 100,000 credits a year, and 1 credit covers volume, CPC, competition and trend data for one keyword. Billing is annual only and credits expire after a year. It will not write titles or find outliers, so treat it as a research companion.
Standout feature
Keywords Everywhere publishes how its YouTube Ranking Difficulty, SEO Score and Optimization Score are calculated.
Use cases
New creators
Check Ranking Difficulty for a search before choosing a topic
Outcome: Fewer videos aimed at searches they cannot rank for
Video marketers
Review most used tags among top-ranking videos for a query
Outcome: A tag list based on what currently ranks
SEO generalists
Pull keyword volume for both Google and YouTube research with one credit pool
Outcome: One low-cost tool for web and video topics
Key features
- Search Insights widget on YouTube search pages with Ranking Difficulty out of 100
- SEO Score for how well each video in the results targets the query
- Optimization Score and Video Insights on every video page
- Top Channel, Maximum Views and Most Used Tags for a search query
- Search volume, CPC and 12-month trend data for keywords across Google and other sites
Pros
- Lowest paid entry on this list at $84 a year
- Every plan includes all features; plans differ by credits and seats
- Explains the math behind each YouTube score on its metrics page
Cons
- Billed annually only; no monthly option
- Credits expire one year after purchase
- No outlier research, title generator or upload workflow
Rank 5
OutlierKit
A YouTube competitor research platform for outlier videos, low-competition keywords and niche-wide analysis from public data.
outlierkit.com8.1
out of 10
Best for: experts and agencies who research a whole niche before filming
OutlierKit is built for research rather than upload chores. Name a public channel and it maps the field around it: outlier videos ranked by how far they beat their channel, low-competition keywords with RPM signals, and, on Pro and Max, Competitor Studio, which lists the offers, lead magnets and sponsors behind channels in a niche. Every action has a fixed credit cost on every plan: keyword research and outlier research cost 2 credits, advanced keyword research and script analysis 10, Deep Research 20 and a Competitor Studio run 50. Hobby costs $299 billed annually, about $24.92 a month, for 100 credits; Pro costs $599 a year for 500 credits and adds Deep Research. MCP and API access come with paid plans, so you can run OutlierKit research tools from Claude. The trade-offs are the credit meter and the lack of tag or upload tools. It suits coaches, consultants and agencies more than creators who want everyday optimization.
Standout feature
OutlierKit runs on any public channel with no channel connection, and keyword or outlier research costs 2 credits per search.
Use cases
Coaches and consultants
Find which explainers overperform in their field and what comments keep asking
Outcome: Topics with proven demand from their audience
Agencies
Run niche-wide research across 50+ client channels on Max
Outcome: Research for a whole client roster in one account
Faceless channel builders
Search low-competition, high-RPM keywords before picking a niche
Outcome: A niche choice backed by competition and revenue signals
Key features
- Outlier Research for videos that beat their channel's usual performance
- Low-competition, high-RPM keyword finder and advanced keyword research
- Idea scoring before you film and single-channel competitor analysis
- Competitor Studio for niche-wide analysis on Pro and Max
- MCP server and API access for use inside Claude
Pros
- Works on any public channel with no channel connection needed
- Keyword research and outlier research cost 2 credits each
- Max plan connects 50+ YouTube channels for agencies
Cons
- Free access is a 30-credit trial, not a permanent plan
- Competitor Studio costs 50 credits per run and needs Pro or Max
- Hobby includes 100 credits a month, about 50 outlier searches
Rank 6
Viewstats
A YouTube analytics and research platform from MrBeast's team for outlier videos, thumbnail search and competitor tracking.
viewstats.com7.9
out of 10
Best for: creators who research packaging and trends in their niche
Viewstats says Viewstats Pro was built by MrBeast for creators who want more views, and its tools reflect that packaging-first view of YouTube. Outlier Videos surfaces content that outperforms what its channel would normally get, Thumbnail Search shows which thumbnail styles get clicks in a niche, and Competitors and Alerts keep you current on what rival channels publish. Collections let you organize research boards and preview a video's title and thumbnail before it goes live. A free account is available for creators who want to try the site before paying. The Pro price is rendered by script on the pricing page and did not show in USD when we checked, so it is marked pending; the Business plan starts at $249 a month with unlimited credits and volume licensing for teams and agencies. Viewstats has no keyword volume or tag optimization, so search-led channels will want a keyword tool alongside it.
Standout feature
Viewstats Thumbnail Search shows which thumbnail styles get clicks in a niche, a research step most keyword tools skip.
Use cases
Entertainment creators
Search thumbnails in their niche before designing their own
Outcome: Packaging informed by what currently earns clicks
Growth leads
Set Alerts on competitor channels and emerging trends
Outcome: Faster reaction to trends in the niche
Agencies
Use the Business plan for team access with unlimited credits
Outcome: Shared research across many creators
Key features
- Outlier Videos that outperform their channel's expected views
- Thumbnail Search to see which thumbnail styles get clicks in a niche
- Competitors tracking and Alerts for emerging trends
- Collections to organize research and preview packaging before upload
- Free account option alongside the paid Pro tools
Pros
- Free account option before you pay for Pro
- Thumbnail Search focuses on the packaging side of YouTube SEO
- Business plan from $249 a month includes unlimited credits for teams
Cons
- Pro price did not load as static text when we checked
- No search volume or tag tools
- Business plan requires booking a call
Rank 7
Keyword Tool
A keyword research tool that mines YouTube autocomplete and 16 other platforms for long-tail keywords, with search volume on Pro plans.
keywordtool.io7.8
out of 10
Best for: marketers who need long-tail YouTube keywords with search volume
Keyword Tool is a long-tail generator first. Its YouTube mode appends and prepends letters and numbers to your seed term and returns over 750 suggestions from YouTube autocomplete, localized to the countries and languages YouTube supports. That makes it good for finding the specific phrasing viewers use, including keywords, tags and hashtags for Shorts. The free version gives the suggestions without numbers; Keyword Tool Pro adds search volume, cost per click, competition and trends, plus the same research for Google, Bing, Amazon, TikTok and the rest of its 17 platforms. Pro Starter costs $88 a month, or $68 a month billed annually, and allows 50 requests a day with volume for up to 50,000 keywords a day and 12 months of history. Every plan includes the web interface, MCP and API, and a 30-day money-back guarantee applies. It is pricier than the creator tools above and has no channel analytics, outliers or upload help.
Standout feature
Keyword Tool returns over 750 long-tail suggestions per seed from YouTube autocomplete, and the basic YouTube tool is free.
Use cases
Video SEO specialists
Expand a seed topic into hundreds of YouTube autocomplete phrases
Outcome: Long-tail title and tag candidates
Brands on several platforms
Compare demand for a topic on YouTube, Google, Amazon and TikTok
Outcome: One keyword plan across channels
International channels
Localize YouTube keyword suggestions by country and language
Outcome: Keywords matched to each market
Key features
- Over 750 long-tail keywords per seed from YouTube autocomplete
- Results localized to countries and languages YouTube supports
- Search volume, CPC, competition and trends on Pro plans
- Keywords, tags and hashtags for regular videos and Shorts
- Web interface, MCP and API included in every Pro plan
Pros
- Free YouTube keyword tool returns suggestions without a subscription
- Pro covers 17 platforms across more than 190 countries
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Search volume needs Pro, which starts at $88 a month
- Starter allows 50 requests a day
- No outlier research, competitor tracking or upload tools
Rank 8
Subscribr
An AI YouTube workspace that pairs outlier research and idea batches with script writing, thumbnails and finished video production.
subscribr.ai7.5
out of 10
Best for: creators who want research tied to scripts and finished videos
Subscribr covers topic research as the first step of a production pipeline. Its Ideation Bot mines a 35M+ video database to find what is working in your niche, intel searches cover millions of channels and videos, and paid plans add competitor channel and outlier tracking. From there it moves into a 12-step Script Agent matched to your channel's voice, an AI Thumbnail Studio with 157 proven formats, and finished videos using your recording, an AI avatar or a faceless style. The Free plan includes 3 idea batches and 10 intel searches a month for one channel, which is enough to test the research side. Growth costs $99 a month billed monthly for 3 channels and 3 users, with 60 script credits, 150 thumbnails and 66 minutes of video generation. For pure YouTube SEO it is the weakest fit here: there is no search volume, ranking score or tag help, and most of the price pays for scripting and editing.
Standout feature
Subscribr's Ideation Bot mines a 35M+ video database and feeds ideas straight into scripts and thumbnails.
Use cases
Faceless channel owners
Turn outlier ideas into scripts and finished videos
Outcome: A full pipeline from topic to upload
Business owners
Run idea batches for a channel without being on camera
Outcome: A month of video topics and scripts
Small agencies
Manage research and scripts for 3 channels on Growth
Outcome: Shared research across a few client channels
Key features
- Ideation Bot that mines a database of 35M+ videos for what works in your niche
- Intel searches across millions of channels and videos
- Competitor channel and outlier tracking on paid plans
- Script Agent with a 12-step pipeline matched to your channel's voice
- AI Thumbnail Studio with 157 proven formats
Pros
- Free plan includes 3 idea batches and 10 intel searches a month
- Growth covers 3 channels and 3 users
- Works inside Claude, ChatGPT and other MCP agents with REST API access
Cons
- Growth at $99 a month is the priciest entry plan on this list
- Most of the plan value is scripting and video production, not SEO
- No search volume or tag optimization tools
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best YouTube SEO tool in 2026?
vidIQ scores highest in our comparison. Its Boost plan at $19 a month or $199 a year covers keyword research with search volume and competition scores, title and tag optimization and competitor outliers, and the Free plan includes 150 AI credits a month.
+Is vidIQ or TubeBuddy better for YouTube SEO?
vidIQ ranks slightly ahead for most creators because it adds outlier research, an AI coach and an MCP connector on every plan. TubeBuddy is the better fit if you want Keyword Explorer, SEO Studio and tag rankings inside YouTube Studio, and it offers a 30-day refund policy.
+Is there a free YouTube SEO tool?
Yes. vidIQ Free includes 150 AI credits a month, TubeBuddy has a forever free plan, 1of10 Free includes 60 credits a month, and Keyword Tool's free YouTube tool returns over 750 autocomplete keywords per seed without search volume.
+What is the cheapest YouTube keyword research tool?
Keywords Everywhere is the cheapest paid option here at $7 a month billed annually, or $84 a year for 100,000 credits. It adds Ranking Difficulty, SEO Score and most used tags to YouTube search pages.
+Do YouTube tags still matter for SEO?
Tags are one of several metadata fields these tools optimize, alongside titles and descriptions. TubeBuddy offers Tag Rankings and a Tag Sorter, vidIQ includes tag optimization, and Keywords Everywhere shows the most used tags among top-ranking videos for a search.
+How do I find YouTube video ideas that will get views?
Use an outlier tool to find videos that beat their channel's usual views. 1of10, OutlierKit, Viewstats and vidIQ all offer outlier search, and 1of10's research tools never use credits on paid plans.
+Can I use YouTube SEO tools inside ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. vidIQ MCP works on every vidIQ plan including Free, OutlierKit includes MCP and API access on paid plans, and 1of10 adds MCP plus API on its Pro plan at $69 a month billed yearly.
About this list
Updated November 12, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
More best software lists