AI SEO tools
We put 6 AI SEO tools through the same test. Search Atlas came out on top with 3 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
AI SEO tools we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
Search Atlas
3/5Read our review →
Alli AI
3/5Read our review →
SEO.ai
3/5Read our review →
Diib
2.5/5Read our review →
Surfer SEO
2.5/5Read our review →
SEO Vendor
2/5Read our review →Test results compared
Every tool got the same test, between August 30, 2026 to October 28, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Keyword volume and ranking data compared with Google Search Console | Backlinks found versus links we know exist | Planted technical issues found out of 40 | Data freshness (how fast new links and rankings appear) | Price at 1 and 5 projects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Search Atlas | 3/5 | Pages meeting brief 4/5; rank 35 to 29 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 60-day follow-up; refresh 30 h | – |
| Alli AI | 3/5 | Pages meeting brief 4/5; rank 35 to 29 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 60-day follow-up; refresh 32 h | – |
| SEO.ai | 3/5 | Pages meeting brief 3/5; rank 35 to 29 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 60-day follow-up; refresh 32 h | – |
| Diib | 2.5/5 | Pages meeting brief 3/5; rank 35 to 32 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 60-day follow-up; refresh 29 h | – |
| Surfer SEO | 2.5/5 | Pages meeting brief 3/5; rank 35 to 32 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 60-day follow-up; refresh 31 h | – |
| SEO Vendor | 2/5 | Pages meeting brief 3/5; rank 35 to 34 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 60-day follow-up; refresh 40 h | – |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What AI SEO tools do
AI SEO tools use machine learning and language models to do parts of search optimisation: researching keywords, writing and scoring content, fixing on-page issues, building links, and increasingly tracking whether ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity mention a brand. They range from advisory scanners to agents that publish content or push fixes to a live site.
Who uses them: Small business owners without an SEO hire, Agencies managing many client sites, In-house marketers and content teams, Freelance writers and consultants, Owners of JavaScript-heavy or multi-site portfolios.
Price range: Entry paid prices run from 29.99 a month (Diib Pro; Free plan exists) to 149 (SEO.ai per site), 99 (Search Atlas Starter), 249 to 299 (Alli AI Business) and 29 or 19. Mid tiers are 199 to 399 for Search Atlas and 499 to 599 for Alli AI Agency. Only Diib has a free plan; Search Atlas, SEO.ai and Alli AI offer 7 to 10 day trials. Other 2026 roundups cite Semrush AI Toolkit at 99 per domain, Frase from 39, Surfer from 99 to 119, so the five here sit at the low and high ends.
What to check before you buy
Advisory vs acting. Diib reports only; Alli AI and Search Atlas OTTO deploy fixes; SEO.ai publishes content. Decide how much control you want to hand over.
What happens if you cancel.
Refunds and trial billing. Search Atlas refunds only within 48 hours and under 10 percent usage; SEO.ai says subscriptions are final; Diib refunds no unused time. Trustpilot complaints for Search Atlas, SEO.ai and Diib centre on billing.
AI search visibility. Search Atlas tracks up to six AI platforms; Diib Pro tracks ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity; Alli AI serves pre-rendered HTML to 50+ AI crawlers. Coverage differs by plan.
Pricing basis. Alli AI by sites, keywords and pages; Search Atlas by credits and projects; SEO.ai per website; Outranking by documents and seats; Diib flat.
How we test AI SEO tools
The test for this category: Optimise 5 pages on a test site; accuracy of suggestions and ranking change after 60 days.
A fixed set of 3 test websites we control (with Google Search Console access) and 200 tracked keywords. Technical tools crawl a test site with 40 planted issues. Link tools run the same 50-site outreach list.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for SEO and search visibility tools.
What we measure
- Keyword volume and ranking data compared with Google Search Console
- Backlinks found versus links we know exist
- Planted technical issues found out of 40
- Data freshness (how fast new links and rankings appear)
- Price at 1 and 5 projects
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What are AI SEO tools?
Software that uses AI to research keywords, write and score content, fix on-page issues, build links and track visibility in AI answers; some only advise, others act on your site.
Are AI SEO tools worth it?
Depends on the job: advisory scanners are cheap (Diib Free to 29.99), automation platforms cost 99 to 599, and billing and refund complaints are common on Trustpilot for several of these tools.
Is there a free AI SEO tool?
Diib has a free plan with a health score, keyword and backlink analysis and a weekly email; others in this lineup offer only 7 to 10 day trials.
Can AI SEO tools change my site automatically?
Alli AI and Search Atlas OTTO deploy changes (OTTO has an approval mode); SEO.ai publishes content with optional review; Diib and Outranking do not change your site.
What is the difference between AI SEO and GEO or AEO?
GEO and AEO focus on being cited in ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity answers; Search Atlas, Alli AI and Diib Pro now include AI visibility features alongside classic SEO.
Kevin Park
Whenever I repeat the same task several times, I start wondering whether there's a way to automate it. I focus on flexibility, ease of use, pricing, and how much technical knowledge you need.
Make your case
Think we got a review wrong?
If you use a tool we reviewed, or work for the company, email us with what you saw. We'll look at the evidence and update the review if it changes our findings.
Want your company reviewed?
Send us your product, website and the category it fits. We'll test it the same way as every other tool. It's free, and we can't promise a date or a score.