Even after the AI evolution, keyword research remains the backbone of any successful SEO strategy.
When looking for long-tail keywords or question-based keywords, you’ve probably asked: Which is the best keyword research tool, and the answer would be Google Keyword Planner (thanks to Google AI overviews 🙃)
But with SEO evolving to Answer engine optimization (AEO) and Generative engine optimization (GEO), you also need keyword tools built for the future of AI search.
So if you’re looking for free Google Keyword Planner alternatives, you are at the right place. But before I unfold the top free alternatives to Google Keyword Planner, let me clear some doubts on Google’s free keyword planner tool.
Table of Contents
About Google Keyword Planner
1. How to use Google Keyword Planner without creating an ad?
Simply create a free Google Keyword Planner account and follow the steps below for keyword research.
2. Is Google Keyword Planner accurate?
It is one of the most accurate keyword research tools for free, but it has limited data.
3. Does Google Keyword Planner cost money?
No, not at all. The keyword planner tool by Google is completely free to use.
4. Why do I need a Google keyword tool alternative?
This is because the tool is mainly built for Google Ads and not SEO.
5. Which is the best alternative to the Google AdWords keyword tool?
For WordPress users, I would undoubtedly recommend Rank Math SEO. This is because the plugin works seamlessly in the block editor with AI features. For advanced keyword insights, I recommend Ahrefs. WriterZen is also a free keyword and topic research tool.
6. Which is better, Ahrefs or Keyword Planner?
There is no clear winner between Google Ads Keyword Planner and Ahrefs, but Ahrefs is a complete SEO tool.
Latest SEO Statistics & News
Key SEO Facts for 2025
- According to Ahrefs, on average, 96.98% of clicks happen within the top 10 search results, showing the stakes for ranking high.
- AI-driven search results are rapidly changing behaviours. Studies suggest searches ending without a click (“zero-click results”) are now significantly more common.
- SEO trend analyses show that optimization for AEO and GEO, i.e., preparing content for AI-powered search engines and LLM-based engines, is becoming essential.
Latest SEO News
- On November 19, 2025, Adobe announced that it will acquire Semrush at a whopping $1.9 billion, a major deal aimed at scaling the AI marketing capabilities.
- Google’s “site reputation abuse” policy, facing an EU antitrust complaint, emphasizes how search regulation is evolving. (Source: Reuters)
- Google’s AI Overviews feature increases zero-click searches, leading to a reduction in traffic, especially to news sites. (New York Post)
How to use Google Keyword Planner for free?
- Create a Google Ads account.
- Go to Tools> Keyword Planner and enter seed keywords.
- You can also search keywords specific to a website by entering the website URL. This helps you analyze your competitors’ website ranking for the keywords that you don’t.
Comparison Table of Top Keyword Planner Alternatives
| Brand Logo | Top SEO Tools | Price | Free Plan Available |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rank Math | $4.08/month | ✅ Yes, lifetime |
 | SEMrush One | $165.17/month | ✅ Yes, but limited |
 | Ahrefs | $129/month | ✅ Yes, but limited |
 | Ubersuggest | $29/month | ✅ Yes, lifetime |
 | KeywordTool.io | $69/month | ✅ Yes, but limited |
 | WriterZen | $75 one-time | ✅ Yes, lifetime |
List of Top Google Ads Keyword Planner Alternatives of 2025
🥇 1. Rank Math
💰 Black Friday Pricing:
- Pro: $4.08/month
- Business: $16.58/month
- Agency: $499/year
Why I recommend Rank Math?
I have been using the Rank Math SEO Pro plugin for more than 2 years now. Before Rank Math, I used Yoast SEO, but I can guarantee that Rank Math is the best All-in-one SEO plugin alternative.
Unlike Google Keyword Planner, which is built for paid search, Rank Math is built for SEO. It fetches data directly from Google Search Console & Google Search Analytics. This results in accurate keyword insights inside WordPress.
⭐ Key Features:
- GSC statistics, like impressions and clicks, are directly inside the WordPress dashboard.
- Keyword rank tracking & position history for 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days.
- Free Content AI credits for long–form blog post and Meta title, and description.
- SEO audit with errors and competitor data.
- Free keyword suggestions and internal link suggestions.
- Basic and advanced SEO courses to learn and implement SEO techniques.
Pros and Cons:
| 👍 PROS | 👎 CONS |
|---|---|
| Shows actual GSC data, not estimates | Works only on WordPress |
| Free + Pro with advanced AI features | |
| Free keyword research and 750 content AI credits | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
🥈 2. SEMrush
💰 Pricing:
- Pro: $117.33/month
- Guru: $208.33/month
- Business: $416.66/month
Why I recommend Semrush?
SEMrush offers one of the largest keyword databases in the world, advanced competitor research, and in-depth SERP tracking, making it a strong alternative to Google Keyword Planner, especially for professionals.
Read: Semrush vs SimilarWeb | SimilarWeb alternatives
⭐ Key Features:
- 25 B+ keyword database.
- Keyword difficulty, intent, CPC data.
- Competitor keyword gap tool.
- Topic research & clustering.
- On-page SEO audits.
- SERP volatility tracking.
Pros and Cons:
| 👍 PROS | 👎 CONS |
|---|---|
| Excellent for competitive keyword research | Only a 7-day trial. Pro is expensive for beginners. |
| Extremely accurate keyword difficulty scores | |
| Great for PPC + SEO combined strategy | |
| AI SEO toolkit |
3. Ahrefs
💰 Pricing:
- Lite: $129/month
- Standard: $249/month
- Advanced: $449/month
- Enterprise: $1499/month
Why I recommend Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is the most affordable SEO alternative to Semrush. It provides free backlink monitoring, AI citations, crawled, redirect & broken URLs. You can check for the organic and paid keywords, but the keyword explorer tool isn’t free.
⭐ Key Features:
- Huge keyword database.
- Clicks data (not just volume).
- Keyword difficulty & advanced filters.
- Competitor keyword explorer.
- Site audit & backlink index.
Pros and Cons:
| 👍 PROS | 👎 CONS |
|---|---|
| Free site audit with paid & organic keyword insights | Keyword research and AI citations aren’t free |
| In-depth keyword explorer with reports | |
| AI citations |
4. Ubersuggest
💰 Pricing:
- Individual: $29/month or $290 lifetime
- Business: $49/month or $490 lifetime
- Enterprise: $99/month or $990 lifetime
Why I recommend Ubersuggest?
Ubersuggest by Neil Patel (best SEO techy) is one of the popular free SEO tools. I have been using Ubersuggest for quite a long time and love its results. The tool allows 3 free daily searches, which is not bad at all. Considering the free searches and accurate results, it is definitely the best alternative to Semrush and Ahrefs.
⭐ Key Features:
- Keyword ideas + content ideas.
- SEO difficulty scores.
- Local SEO data.
- Free Chrome extension.
- Competitor backlink analysis.
Pros and Cons:
| 👍 PROS | 👎 CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable + lifetime plan available | Data might not be as accurate as Semrush and Ahrefs |
| Best for SEO beginners | |
| 3 free daily searches | |
| Integration with GSC and GSA |
5. KeywordTool.io
💰 Pricing:
- Pro Basic: $69/month
- Pro Plus: $79/month
- Pro Business: $159/month
Why I recommend KeywordTool.io?
Whether you are looking for long-tail keywords, hashtags for Instagram, YouTube, or more, KeywordTool is what you need. But if you need site audit and backlink features, apart from keyword search volume, go with the Google keyword planner alternatives like Ubersuggest.
⭐ Key Features:
- Keyword ideas from 8+ platforms (YouTube, Amazon, Instagram, etc.)
- Useful for content marketing, blogging, or SEO.
- Up to 750+ long-tail keyword suggestions
- No account creation is needed.
- Works 99.9% of the time.
Pros and Cons:
| 👍 PROS | 👎 CONS |
|---|---|
| Excellent for e-commerce keyword research | Search volume and other metrics are only visible on the paid plan |
| Great for content creators (YouTube, Shorts, TikTok) | |
| Very effective for long-tail keyword discovery |
6. WriterZen
💰 Pricing:
- Keyword Research: $75 one-time
- All-In-One Basic: $150 one-time
- All-In-One Advanced: $225 one-time
Why I recommend WriterZen?
It combines keyword research, content planning, and SEO workflow in one tool. Thus, making it a strong alternative to Google Keyword Planner for content marketers and agencies.
⭐ Key Features:
- Keyword research based on location and language.
- Keyword planner to cluster keywords and get advanced insights.
- An AI writer in synchronization with the seed keyword.
- Filter keyword and search question-based keywords.
- Quickly filter the trending keyword with CPC and PPC status.
Pros and Cons:
| 👍 PROS | 👎 CONS |
|---|---|
| More cost-effective than many high-end tools. | No keyword list export option with the free package. |
| Well-suited for agencies and content teams. | Google NLP is not included in any price package. |
| Free plagiarism checker. | |
| Pay via Visa, Maestro, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover cards. | |
| No more hidden fees, pay one-time. |
Conclusion – Which Google Keyword Planner Alternative Is Best?
If you’re looking for a WordPress-integrated free alternative to Google Keyword Planner, Rank Math tops the chart.
For a large keyword database and deep insights, SEMrush and Ahrefs are a top choice.
Ubersuggest and WriterZen are also free to use keyword research tools, but with limited searches.
KeywordTool is bingo for those looking for keyword research and hashtags for specific platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
FAQs | Google Keyword Planner Alternatives Free
Is Google Keyword Planner free?
Yes, Google Keyword Planner is completely free. You only need a Google Ads account to access it.
Is Similarweb better than Semrush?
Similarweb is an excellent all-in-one SEO tool, but Semrush is a better alternative. This is because Semrush has a large keyword database and has now been acquired by Adobe.
Which free tool is best for keyword research?
If you are looking for an in-built WordPress tool, I recommend the Rank Math SEO plugin for free. Advanced keyword research tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and KeywordTool provide in-depth analytics.
Which is better, SEMrush or Google Keyword Planner?
Semrush offers only a 7-day free trial, but its Pro version has advanced keyword research capabilities. On the contrary, Google Ads Keyword Planner is free, but the results are optimized for Google Ads.
Can I use ChatGPT for keyword research?
Yes, ChatGPT is a free keyword research tool, but it lacks the data and authority. For beginners, it is the best Google Keyword Planner alternative for researching keywords and writing a complete article.
