The best keyword research tools, tested and ranked
We checked five keyword research tools against real Search Console data from sites we run, using the same 200 keywords. Here's which gave the most accurate numbers, which suits your budget and what each costs to start.
About this list
A keyword research tool suggests search terms, shows how often people search for them and estimates how hard they are to rank for or bid on. Some add competitor keywords, trends and rank tracking; ad-focused tools add bid estimates and forecasts. You'll find more in our keyword research section and our SEO tools hub.
The tools look similar, but their numbers aren't. Volumes differ from tool to tool, difficulty scores are worked out in different ways, and the way you pay changes the real cost: daily lookup limits, credits that run down, yearly bundles or nothing at all. Billing and refund terms differ a lot too, and they were a common complaint about budget tools.
To compare them fairly, we used each tool from October 16 to October 29, 2026, on three test websites we control, with access to their Google Search Console data. Every tool looked up the same 200 keywords. We checked how close each tool's volume estimates came to what Search Console showed, how many of its keyword ideas were relevant and how quickly it reflected changes.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | Cheapest way to start | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Keyword Planner | Best overall | Free | 4.0 |
| 2 | Ubersuggest | Best for beginners | $20 one-time (Business) | 3.0 |
| 3 | KWFinder | Best for local keywords | $49 a month (Basic) | 2.5 |
| 4 | LowFruits | Best for finding easy keywords | $29.90 a month (Standard) | 2.0 |
| 5 | Keywords Everywhere | Best for checks while browsing | $7 a month, billed yearly (Bronze) | 2.0 |
Features and terms compared
These facts come from each company's own pages and our research, checked on November 3, 2026.
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan or trial | How you pay | Difficulty score | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Keyword Planner | Free | Free, needs a Google Ads account | Free | No | Forecasts and bid estimates |
| Ubersuggest | Not confirmed (sources conflict) | 7-day trial | Paid plans; lifetime option reported | Yes | Site audit, rank tracking, Chrome extension |
| KWFinder | $49 a month, or $29.90 a month billed yearly | Free tier of 5 lookups per 24 hours | Daily lookup limits | Yes | Local data, rank tracking, other Mangools tools |
| LowFruits | $29.90 a month, or $20.75 a month billed yearly | No free plan; trial not confirmed | Credits, plus pay-as-you-go packs | Checks results for weak pages instead | Domain Explorer, basic rank tracker |
| Keywords Everywhere | $7 a month, billed yearly | No free plan; some free widgets | Yearly credit bundles | Not stated | Data inside Google, YouTube and Amazon |
Test results side by side
Google Keyword Planner won clearly, and it's free. Its volume estimates came within 25% of what Search Console showed for 173 of our 200 keywords, 85 of 100 keyword ideas were relevant, and it reflected changes in 36 hours. The best paid tool, Ubersuggest, matched 140 of 200 keywords, had 67 relevant ideas out of 100 and took 45 hours. Everyone else matched between 123 and 132 keywords and took 54 to 56 hours to catch up.
The surprise was how close the paid tools were to each other. KWFinder had the fewest volume matches, at 123 of 200, but still came third, because it tied with Ubersuggest for the best ease-of-use score among the paid tools. LowFruits and Keywords Everywhere matched a few more keywords but scored lower on coverage and features. In short, for raw volume accuracy, none of the paid tools came near Google's own data.
Every tool got the same test, between October 16, 2026 to October 29, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Keyword Planner | 4/5 | Keyword checks matched 173/200 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 36 h to reflect updates | – |
| Ubersuggest | 3/5 | Keyword checks matched 140/200 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 45 h to reflect updates | – |
| KWFinder | 2.5/5 | Keyword checks matched 123/200 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 54 h to reflect updates | – |
| LowFruits | 2/5 | Keyword checks matched 132/200 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 56 h to reflect updates | – |
| Keywords Everywhere | 2/5 | Keyword checks matched 130/200 | N/A: backlink coverage outside this test | N/A: no technical crawl in this brief | 56 h to reflect updates | – |
Google Keyword Planner
Best overallGoogle Keyword Planner came first of five with 4 out of 5, a full point ahead of the next tool. Its volume estimates came within 25% of our Search Console numbers for 173 of 200 keywords, 85 of 100 ideas were relevant, and it reflected updates in 36 hours, the fastest in the test. Coverage and ease of use both scored 4.5. Our Keyword Planner review has the full results.
Keyword Planner is Google's own keyword and forecast tool, inside Google Ads. It finds keyword ideas from a term or a website, shows search volume and trends, suggests bids and forecasts the clicks, impressions and conversions you might get from ad spend. It is free, with no paid plan.
The catches are practical. You need a Google Ads account with setup and billing information, there's no difficulty score, and very low-volume or sensitive keywords may return no results. Roundups also say volumes show as ranges unless you're spending on ads. It's built for advertisers, so serious SEO work needs a second tool to judge competition.
Who it's for
Anyone who needs reliable search volumes for free, from PPC advertisers planning budgets to SEOs checking demand.
Skip it if
You don't want a Google Ads account or need a difficulty score. KWFinder has a free tier with difficulty scores.
What we liked
- Most accurate: 173 of 200 keywords matched
- 85 of 100 keyword ideas were relevant
- Completely free, with forecasts and bid estimates
What we didn't
- Needs a Google Ads account with billing information
- No keyword difficulty score
- Ad group suggestions in English only
Key features
- Keyword ideas from terms or a website
- Search volume and trends
- Click, impression and conversion forecasts
- Suggested bids per keyword
- Ad group suggestions
Plans and prices
| Free Keyword ideas; Volume and trends. | Free |
Ubersuggest
Best for beginnersUbersuggest came second with 3 out of 5, the highest of the paid tools. Its volumes came within 25% of our real numbers for 140 of 200 keywords, 67 of 100 ideas were relevant and it took 45 hours to reflect updates. It scored 3 on every part except features, at 2.5. Read our Ubersuggest review.
Ubersuggest, from Neil Patel, puts keyword ideas with volume, difficulty and cost per click alongside a site audit, rank tracking, competitor analysis and a free Chrome extension. It's aimed at small businesses, bloggers and freelancers, and is known for lifetime plans, though the lifetime prices differ by source.
Money is the weak spot. We couldn't confirm its current prices, because the sources we found disagree. Annual plans are billed upfront and are generally non-refundable, and subscriptions renew unless you cancel first. Users are mostly positive: 4.0 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 579 reviews, 4.3 on G2 from 159 and 4.4 on Capterra from 93 (all checked November 2026). But refund refusals and auto-renewal charges are repeated complaints.
Who it's for
Beginners, bloggers and small businesses who want keyword research, a site audit and rank tracking in one cheap app.
Skip it if
You want accurate free data or dislike strict refund rules. Google Keyword Planner was more accurate and costs nothing.
What we liked
- Best paid tool: 140 of 200 keywords matched
- Audit, rank tracking and keywords in one app
- 7-day trial and a free Chrome extension
What we didn't
- Prices couldn't be confirmed
- Annual plans generally non-refundable
- Users report auto-renewal charges
Key features
- Keyword ideas with volume, difficulty and cost per click
- Site audit for a connected domain
- Rank tracking per project
- Competitor domains and top pages
Plans and prices
| Individual 1 domain; 150 searches per day. | $29 one-time |
| Business 7 domains; 150 tracked keywords per project. | $20 one-time |
| Enterprise 15 domains; 300 tracked keywords per project. | $40 one-time |
KWFinder
Best for local keywordsKWFinder came third with 2.5 out of 5. Its volumes came within 25% of our real numbers for 123 of 200 keywords, the fewest in the test, 64 of 100 ideas were relevant and it took 54 hours to reflect updates. Ease of use was its best part at 3, and value for money its weakest at 2. Our KWFinder review explains why.
KWFinder is part of the Mangools suite and focuses on long-tail keywords that are easier to rank for. It shows ideas, volumes and a difficulty score with a quick look at the search results in the same view, tells you what a competitor's site ranks for, and has local data for about 65,000 locations. A plan also includes Mangools' rank tracker, search results checker, backlink tool and site profiler.
There's a free tier of 5 lookups per 24 hours, and paid plans start at $49 a month, billed monthly. Instead of a trial, it has a 48-hour money-back guarantee. Users rate it 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 167 reviews (checked November 2026), praising the easy interface and value, though some find the free tier small.
Who it's for
Bloggers, freelancers and niche-site owners who want simple long-tail and local keyword research with rank tracking in the same login.
Skip it if
Accurate volumes matter most. Google Keyword Planner matched 173 keywords to KWFinder's 123, for free.
What we liked
- Joint easiest paid tool to use
- Local data for about 65,000 locations
- Free tier and 48-hour money-back guarantee
What we didn't
- Fewest volume matches: 123 of 200
- Took 54 hours to reflect updates
- Free tier allows only 5 lookups per 24 hours
Key features
- Keyword suggestions with difficulty scores
- Competitor keywords by domain or URL
- Local research across about 65,000 locations
- Historical volume for seasonal topics
- Mangools rank tracker and backlink tools included
Plans and prices
| Basic 100 lookups per day; 200 tracked keywords. | $49 a month, or $29.90 a month billed yearly |
| Premium 500 lookups per day; 700 tracked keywords. | $69 a month, or $44.90 a month billed yearly |
| Agency 1,200 lookups per day; 1,500 tracked keywords. | $129 a month, or $89.90 a month billed yearly |
LowFruits
Best for finding easy keywordsLowFruits came fourth with 2 out of 5. Its volumes came within 25% of our real numbers for 132 of 200 keywords, but only 61 of 100 ideas were relevant, the fewest in the test, and it took 56 hours to reflect updates. Data accuracy and value for money were its best parts at 2.5. See our LowFruits review.
LowFruits takes a different approach. Instead of giving you one difficulty number, it looks at the actual search results for a keyword and flags weak spots, such as low-authority sites ranking on page one. Its Domain Explorer looks for low-competition niches across whole sites. It's a niche tool, not a full SEO suite, with only a basic rank tracker.
You pay with credits: monthly plans from $29.90 a month, billed monthly, or pay-as-you-go packs from $25 for 2,000 credits. Monthly credits don't roll over, and there's a full refund within 14 days if you've used fewer than 100 credits. It has almost no public reviews, just 4.3 out of 5 on OMR Reviews from 3 (checked November 2026).
Who it's for
Owners of new or small niche sites who want a shortlist of keywords that weaker sites already rank for.
Skip it if
You want one reliable keyword tool to start with. Google Keyword Planner and Ubersuggest both did better in our test.
What we liked
- Shows weak ranking pages, not just a score
- Pay-as-you-go credit packs from $25
- Refund within 14 days if under 100 credits used
What we didn't
- Only 61 of 100 keyword ideas were relevant
- Took 56 hours to reflect updates
- No free plan, and monthly credits don't roll over
Key features
- Weak-spot analysis of search results
- Domain Explorer for low-competition niches
- Keyword and sitemap extraction from ranking sites
- Basic rank tracker
Plans and prices
| Standard 3,000 credits per month; 100 tracked keywords. | $29.90 a month, or $20.75 a month billed yearly |
| Premium 10,000 credits per month; 500 tracked keywords. | $79.90 a month, or $62.45 a month billed yearly |
Keywords Everywhere
Best for checks while browsingKeywords Everywhere came last of five with 2 out of 5. Its volumes came within 25% of our real numbers for 130 of 200 keywords, 66 of 100 ideas were relevant, and it took 56 hours to reflect updates. Data accuracy was its best part at 2.5; everything else was 2.
Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Edge that adds search volume, cost per click, competition and trends right inside Google, YouTube, Amazon and other sites. Volume data costs one credit per keyword, while related-keyword and traffic widgets are free. It also offers an API, an MCP server and AI prompt templates.
It's the cheapest way to pay here, at $7 a month, billed yearly, but it's only sold on yearly credit bundles and there's no free trial. Credits are used even for keywords with no volume, and it doesn't work on Safari or mobile. Users rate it 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 62 reviews (checked November 2026), the highest of the tools here.
Who it's for
Writers and small SEO teams who want a rough sense of search volume while they browse and write.
Skip it if
You're doing research you'll base decisions on. Google Keyword Planner was far more accurate and is free.
What we liked
- Keyword data inside your search results
- Lowest paid price, at $7 a month billed yearly
- Free related-keyword and traffic widgets
What we didn't
- Only 130 of 200 keywords matched
- Yearly billing only, with no free trial
- Credits used even on keywords with no volume
Key features
- Volume, cost per click, competition and trends on many sites
- Bulk keyword upload and gap analysis
- Free related and long-tail keyword widgets
- AI Overview metrics and prompt templates
- API and MCP server
Plans and prices
| Bronze 100,000 credits a year; 1 seat. | $7 a month, billed yearly |
| Silver 400,000 credits; 3 seats. | $14 a month, billed yearly |
| Gold 2 million credits; 10 seats. | $40 a month, billed yearly |
| Platinum 8 million credits; 20 seats. | $120 a month, billed yearly |
What it costs to get started
Google Keyword Planner is free; you only need a Google Ads account with billing information, and ad spend is separate. KWFinder has a free tier of 5 lookups per 24 hours, then Basic costs $49 a month, billed monthly, or $29.90 a month, billed yearly. LowFruits Standard is $29.90 a month, billed monthly, or $20.75 a month, billed yearly, and its pay-as-you-go packs start at $25 one-time for 2,000 credits. Keywords Everywhere is only sold yearly, from $7 a month, billed yearly.
We couldn't confirm Ubersuggest's prices, because the sources we found disagree. It has a 7-day trial, and a review site lists lifetime plans, so check the price on its own page before you buy. Some KWFinder and LowFruits prices come from dated third-party listings because the official pages couldn't be read. All prices were checked on November 3, 2026.
| Tool | Cheapest way to start | Free plan | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Keyword Planner | Free | Yes | No |
| Ubersuggest | $20 one-time (Business) | Not stated | 7 days |
| KWFinder | $49 a month (Basic) | Yes | Not stated |
| LowFruits | $29.90 a month (Standard) | No | Not stated |
| Keywords Everywhere | $7 a month, billed yearly (Bronze) | No | No |
Prices from each tool's own pricing page (or a dated third-party listing where that page couldn't be read). Prices can change, so check before you buy.
Also worth knowing about
We didn't test these tools, but they come up often and may suit a specific need.
Semrush
An all-round SEO platform that roundups often name for keyword research. We haven't tested it, but it may suit teams that want a full suite.
Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
A keyword tool known for competitor research. We haven't tested it, but it may suit SEOs who focus on rivals' keywords.
Google Trends
A free tool for seeing how interest in a search term changes over time. We haven't tested it, but it pairs well with a volume tool.
How we tested
Every tool went through the same two-week test, from October 16 to October 29, 2026. We used three test websites we control, with access to their Google Search Console data, and looked up the same 200 keywords in every tool. Using the same keywords for every tool means the results compare like with like. You can read the full set-up in how we test.
For each tool we counted how many of the 200 volume estimates came within 25% of what Search Console showed, how many of 100 keyword ideas were relevant to our sites, and how many hours the tool took to reflect changes. Backlink and technical checks are part of our wider SEO test but weren't part of this one.
Each tool then got a score out of 5, in half points, for data accuracy, coverage, ease of use, features and value for money. Together they make the overall score, and the ranking follows it.
How to choose
Google Keyword Planner was the most accurate tool in our test and costs nothing. If you already have a Google Ads account, or don't mind setting one up, use it for volumes before you pay for anything.
Keyword Planner has none, because it's built for ads. KWFinder and Ubersuggest give a difficulty score, while LowFruits checks the actual search results for weak pages. Whichever you use, look at the results page yourself before you commit to a keyword.
KWFinder limits lookups per day, LowFruits and Keywords Everywhere use credits, and Keyword Planner is free. If you research a lot in bursts, credits can run out fast; if you research a little every day, a daily limit may suit you better.
KWFinder gives you 48 hours to ask for your money back, and LowFruits refunds within 14 days if you've used fewer than 100 credits. Ubersuggest's annual plans are generally non-refundable, so set a reminder before your trial or renewal date.
Ubersuggest adds a site audit and rank tracking, and KWFinder comes with Mangools' rank tracker and backlink tools. If tracking positions is your main need, our list of rank trackers compares tools built for it.
Terms you'll see
- Search volume
- An estimate of how many times a keyword is searched each month.
- Keyword difficulty
- A score estimating how hard it is to rank on page one for a keyword, worked out differently by each tool.
- Long-tail keyword
- A longer, more specific search phrase that fewer people search for but is often easier to rank for.
- Cost per click (CPC)
- What advertisers pay, on average, each time someone clicks their ad for a keyword.
- Credits
- Units you buy in advance and spend on each lookup or keyword, instead of a fixed number of searches a day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free keyword research tool?
In our test, Google Keyword Planner was both the best tool overall and completely free. It matched our real Search Console numbers for 173 of 200 keywords. You need a Google Ads account with billing information to use it. KWFinder also has a free tier, but it allows just 5 lookups per 24 hours.
Is Google Keyword Planner accurate?
It was the most accurate tool we tested. Its volume estimates came within 25% of our Search Console data for 173 of 200 keywords, against 140 for the best paid tool. Roundups say it shows volumes as ranges unless you're spending on ads, and it has no difficulty score, so pair it with another tool for SEO.
What is the cheapest paid keyword research tool?
Keywords Everywhere starts at $7 a month, billed yearly, though it's only sold yearly. LowFruits Standard is $29.90 a month, billed monthly, or $20.75 a month billed yearly, with pay-as-you-go packs from $25. KWFinder Basic is $49 a month, billed monthly. We couldn't confirm Ubersuggest's current prices because sources disagree.
How did we test these keyword research tools?
From October 16 to October 29, 2026, we looked up the same 200 keywords in every tool, using three test websites we control with Google Search Console access. We counted how many volume estimates came within 25% of Search Console's numbers, how many of 100 keyword ideas were relevant and how many hours each tool took to reflect changes.
KWFinder or Ubersuggest?
Ubersuggest did better in our test, matching 140 of 200 keywords to KWFinder's 123, and it adds a site audit. KWFinder is easier to use, has local data for about 65,000 locations, a free tier and a 48-hour money-back guarantee. Ubersuggest's prices couldn't be confirmed and its annual plans are generally non-refundable.
Do I need a paid keyword tool?
Not always. Free Google tools cover search volume and trends, and Keyword Planner was the most accurate tool in our test. What they lack is a difficulty score and competitor keyword data. If you write a lot of content for search, a paid tool such as Ubersuggest or KWFinder can fill those gaps alongside Google's numbers.
The bottom line
Start with the free Google Keyword Planner for volumes, and add a paid tool like Ubersuggest or KWFinder only if you need difficulty scores and extras.
Make your case
Think a tool is missing or 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.
Think your company belongs on this list?
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.
Grace Sullivan
I've always been interested in how people connect and build communities online. When exploring a new service, I pay attention to usability, transparency, pricing, and whether its advertised features make sense in everyday situations.
Update history
- November 4, 2026: published with the results of our test, run between October 16, 2026 to October 29, 2026.