The Best Free SEO Tools For Your Site 

Search engine optimization (SEO) can feel like a lot when you’re just starting out. You know you need to rank higher on Google, but the tools often come with a steep price tag. If you’re running a startup, then paying for expensive SEO software might not be in the budget. 

Here’s the good news: You don’t need pricey tools to boost your site’s rankings. There are tons of free SEO tools out there that can level up your online visibility and they’re equally good for both pros and beginners.  

The trick? Knowing where to focus your efforts by starting small with free tools. At the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to begin, where to look for help, and which tools to lean on.  

What are free SEO tools? 

Free SEO tools are your primary means of tackling common website challenges without spending much money. These tools can help your site rank in search engines like Google, even if you’re just starting out. 

SEO tools serve as road signs that guide customers straight to your website. If you learn how to use them properly, they can deliver serious results. 

Here’s what they can help you with: 

• Finding the right keywords. Do you want to know what people are searching on Google? Google Keyword Planner can help you know the trends. 

• Fixing website issues. Does your website have broken links or slow loading pages? Google Search Console is great for spotting what’s wrong. 

• Checking who’s linking to you. Want to know who’s linking to your site?  Ahrefs’ Backlink Checker lets you see who’s pointing to your website. 

The best part? These tools are beginner friendly and low-cost. 

Comparison of popular free SEO tools 

Let’s check out all the popular SEO tools that you can use right now:  

Keyword research tools 

Tool Name	Features	Best For
Moz Keyword Explorer	Provides keyword suggestions, difficulty scores, and CTR data.	Comprehensive keyword analysis.
Google Keyword Planner	Offers keyword ideas, search volume, and trends from Google.	Planning Google Ads and organic search.
Ahrefs Keyword Generator	Suggests popular keywords with difficulty and search volume estimates.	Finding keywords for various platforms.
Ubersuggest	Generates keyword ideas, SEO difficulty, and trends.	Beginner-friendly keyword research.
KeywordTool.io	Generates keyword suggestions from Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, and more.	Finding long-tail keywords across various platforms.
Keyword Surfer	Chrome extension displaying keyword volume, related terms, and CPC.	Quick keyword research while browsing.

Moz Keyword Explorer 

Moz’s keyword research tool is designed to help users find profitable keywords and analyze search engine results pages (SERPs) effectively. 

• Pros. User-friendly interface; provides accurate keyword difficulty scores and organic click-through rate (CTR) data. 

• Cons. The free version offers limited queries; some advanced features require a paid subscription. 

Google Keyword Planner 

While Google’s Keyword tool is tailored for paid search, it can still provide valuable insights for organic keyword research. 

• Pros: Direct data from Google; useful for pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. 

• Cons: Primarily designed for advertisers; lacks detailed organic SEO metrics. 

Ahrefs Keyword Generator 

Ahrefs’ tool is beneficial for finding popular keyword ideas across various search engines. 

• Pros. Offers keyword suggestions for multiple platforms, including Google, Bing, YouTube, and Amazon. 

• Cons. The free version provides limited data, and full access requires a subscription. 

Ubersuggest 

Ubersuggest simplifies keyword research with actionable insights for beginners. 

• Pros: Generates keyword suggestions, SEO difficulty scores, and trend data. 

• Cons: Daily searches are limited in the free version. 

KeywordTool.io 

KeywordTool.io is a versatile tool that generates keyword suggestions across the web’s most popular search engines. 

• Pros: Provides keyword ideas for multiple platforms; excellent for long-tail keyword research. 

• Cons: Free version limits access to search volume, CPC, and competition data.  

Keyword Surfer 

A Chrome extension that delivers keyword data directly while browsing search results. 

• Pros: Quick keyword research with search volume, related terms, and cost-per-click (CPC). 

• Cons: Limited to Chrome users; lacks deeper analytical features. 

Site audit tools 

Tool Name	Features	Best For
SEOptimer	Performs detailed SEO analysis across various data points.	Comprehensive website audits.
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools	Offers site audits and backlink analysis.	Monitoring site health and backlinks.
SEMrush Site Audit Tool	Identifies over 140 potential SEO issues.	In-depth technical SEO audits.
Sitebulb	Creates visual SEO audit reports with clear, actionable insights.	Understanding complex site issues.
Varvy SEO Tool	Analyzes mobile-friendliness, page speed, and technical SEO issues.	Quick checks on essential SEO factors.
Google PageSpeed Insights	Analyzes page speed and offers optimization suggestions for mobile/desktop.	Improving site load speed.

SEOptimer 

SEOptimer is ideal for quick snapshots of a website’s broader issues, making it suitable for marketing professionals and agencies handling multiple clients. 

• Pros. User-friendly interface; provides detailed analysis quickly; automates SEO analysis, saving time. 

• Cons. Basic SEO reports with limited technical details. Free version has no keyword tracking and lacks in-depth competitor analysis. 

Ahrefs Webmaster Tools 

Ahrefs Webmaster Tools allows users to monitor and optimize their websites for search engines, making it a valuable resource for website owners and digital marketers. 

• Pros. Provides essential SEO data; helps identify technical issues; offers insights into backlink profiles. 

• Cons. Free version has limited features compared to the full Ahrefs suite; primarily focuses on your own site. 

SEMrush Site Audit Tool 

SEMrush’s Site Audit Tool is part of a broader suite of SEO tools, offering detailed insights into site health and performance. 

• Pros. Comprehensive analysis; provides actionable recommendations; integrates with other SEMrush tools. 

• Cons. The free tier has limited functionality, and it can be complex for beginners. 

Sitebulb 

Sitebulb delivers visual reports with clear, actionable SEO recommendations. 

• Pros: Simplifies complex SEO issues with visual presentations. 

• Cons: Free version has limited features. 

Varvy SEO Tool 

A simple tool that checks page speed, mobile-friendliness, and basic SEO factors. 

• Pros: Quick audits for essential technical SEO issues. 

• Cons: Lacks advanced analysis capabilities. 

Google PageSpeed Insights 

Analyzes website performance and provides optimization suggestions for speed improvement. 

• Pros: Detailed recommendations for both mobile and desktop site speed. 

• Cons: Focuses solely on performance metrics. 

Backlink analysis tools 

Tool Name	Features	Best For
Ahrefs Backlink Checker	Shows top 100 backlinks and referring domains.	Analyzing backlink profiles.
Moz Link Explorer	Provides backlink analysis and domain authority metrics.	Evaluating link-building efforts.
SEMrush Backlink Analytics	Offers comprehensive backlink data and analysis.	Detailed backlink analysis.
Monitor Backlinks	Tracks new and lost backlinks while showing domain authority.	Monitoring backlink status.
Backlink Watch	Lists inbound links and anchor text for quick checks.	Simple backlink overview.
LinkMiner	Identifies and checks broken links on web pages.	Quick link-building and cleanup tasks.

Ahrefs Backlink Checker 

Ahrefs is renowned for its extensive backlink index, making this tool valuable for understanding link-building opportunities. 

• Pros. Provides domain rating and URL rating; offers insights into anchor text distribution. 

• Cons. Full data access requires a paid subscription; limited to the top 100 backlinks in the free version. 

Moz Link Explorer 

Moz’s Link Explorer helps users understand their site’s link profile and discover new link-building opportunities. 

• Pros. Offers comprehensive link data; includes spam score metrics. 

• Cons. The free account offers limited data; some features require a paid subscription. 

SEMrush Backlink Analytics 

SEMrush’s Backlink Analytics tool is part of a comprehensive SEO suite, allowing users to analyze backlinks effectively. 

• Pros. Provides historical data; offers competitive analysis; integrates with other SEMrush tools. 

• Cons. The free tier has restricted features; it can be overwhelming for new users. 

Monitor Backlinks 

Tracks new and lost backlinks, providing insights into domain authority and link quality. 

• Pros: Helps monitor backlink changes over time. 

• Cons: Free trial only; requires a subscription for ongoing access. 

Backlink Watch 

A basic tool for quickly identifying inbound links and anchor text. 

• Pros: Easy-to-use backlink overview tool. 

• Cons: Data may be outdated, and features are minimal. 

LinkMiner 

Identifies broken links to assist with link-building and cleanup tasks. 

• Pros: Great for quick link checks and cleanup efforts. 

• Cons: Free version offers limited functionality. 

On-page SEO tools 

Tool	Features	Best For
Yoast SEO	Guides on optimizing meta tags, readability, and keywords.	WordPress users enhancing on-page SEO.
SEO Minion	Analyzes on-page elements and checks broken links.	Quick on-page SEO checks.
SEMrush On-Page SEO Checker	Provides recommendations for on-page improvements.	Comprehensive on-page optimization.
RankMath (Free)	SEO plugin offering keyword optimization, meta tags, and readability checks.	Comprehensive WordPress SEO.
SEOquake	Chrome extension providing on-page metrics like density and SEO scores.	Quick on-page SEO analysis.
Meta Tag Analyzer	Reviews and checks meta tags for SEO optimization.	Ensuring meta tags comply with SEO best practices.

Yoast SEO (Free) 

Yoast SEO is one of the most popular WordPress plugins, helping users optimize their content for better search engine rankings. 

• Pros. User-friendly; provides real-time content analysis; offers readability scores. 

• Cons. Exclusive to WordPress. Limited to a single keyword or phrase and basic SEO suggestions when using a free account. 

SEO Minion 

SEO Minion is a lightweight tool perfect for small, day-to-day tasks like link checks or reviewing metadata, making it especially helpful for beginners or those working on smaller sites. 

• Pros. Easy to use, available as a browser extension, provides instant insights. 

• Cons. Lacks the depth of tools like Yoast or SEMrush. Only focused on surface-level SEO audits in free version.  

SEMrush On-Page SEO Checker 

SEMrush On-Page SEO Checker is ideal for users who want to dive deep into optimizing their content and page structure, offering tailored suggestions to enhance rankings and user engagement. 

• Pros. Integrates with other SEMrush tools, provides actionable suggestions for improvement, includes competitive analysis. 

• Cons. Free version has limited features; can be complex for those new to SEO. 

RankMath (Free) 

A robust SEO plugin for WordPress offering comprehensive optimization features. 

• Pros: User-friendly and packed with keyword and content optimization tools. 

• Cons: Only available for WordPress users. 

SEOquake 

A Chrome extension that provides on-page metrics, including keyword density and SEO scores. 

• Pros: Quick, lightweight tool for on-page SEO analysis. 

• Cons: Lacks the advanced features of dedicated SEO tools. 

Meta Tag Analyzer 

This tool reviews meta tags to ensure compliance with SEO best practices. 

• Pros: Straightforward analysis of meta tags. 

• Cons: Lacks broader SEO functionality. 

Content optimization tools 

Tool	Features	Best For
Grammarly	Checks grammar, spelling, and readability.	Polishing written content.
Hemingway Editor	Highlights complex sentences and readability issues.	Simplifying content for clarity.
Surfer SEO Content Editor	Provides real-time content optimization suggestions.	Enhancing content for SEO.
AnswerThePublic	Generates content ideas from search questions and autocomplete queries.	Content ideation based on user intent.
Google Docs Add-ons	Integrates writing and editing tools directly within Google Docs.	Streamlining content creation.
ProWritingAid	Enhances content by improving grammar, style, and readability.	Advanced content editing.

Grammarly (Free) 

Grammarly is a fantastic tool for improving the overall quality of your writing. This tool is great for keeping readers engaged and reducing bounce rates. 

• Pros. User-friendly interface, real-time corrections, and stylistic suggestions. 

• Cons. Not tailored for SEO. Covers only basic grammar, spelling, and clarity improvements in free version. 

Hemingway Editor (Free) 

Hemingway Editor is great for simplifying text and ensuring it resonates with a wide audience. This indirectly supports SEO by improving user experience. 

• Pros. Highlights overly complex sentences, passive voice, and readability scores. 

• Cons. Doesn’t provide keyword-focused suggestions. Free has limited sentence structure and readability improvements. 

Surfer SEO Content Editor 

Surfer SEO stands out as a content optimization powerhouse. It helps users align their writing with current SERP trends to improve search rankings. 

• Pros. Provides keyword density checks, competitor content analysis, and structured optimization recommendations. 

• Cons. Limited access to content optimization suggestions with free. Advanced features require subscription. 

AnswerThePublic 

Generates content ideas by visualizing search questions and queries. 

• Pros: Excellent for brainstorming content topics based on user intent. 

• Cons: Limited queries in the free version. 

Google Docs Add-ons 

Integrates editing tools directly within Google Docs for seamless content creation. 

• Pros: Convenient for writing, editing, and collaboration. 

• Cons: Limited advanced SEO features. 

ProWritingAid 

Enhances grammar, style, and readability for professional content creation. 

• Pros: Provides comprehensive editing suggestions. 

• Cons: Free version comes with limited functionality. 

How to use free SEO tools effectively 

Free SEO tools are powerful, but like any tool, they work best when used the right way. Here’s a simple approach to make the most of them: 

Start with a goal in mind 

Figure out what you’re trying to achieve before using any SEO tool. If you’re looking for more visitors, focus on keyword research tools. When your site needs fixing, use site audit tools. For building reliability, backlink analysis tools are your best bet. 

If you want to optimize your site for local SEO, then Google Maps can help ensure your business appears prominently in location-based search results.” Start with one goal to avoid getting overwhelmed. 

Use tools together for maximum impact 

Free SEO tools are effective when used together. Use a keyword research tool to discover what your target audience is searching for online. Next, use those keywords to optimize your content with a content optimization tool, ensuring they’re naturally integrated into your text.  

After that, fine-tune your meta tags, headers, and images using an on-page SEO tool to make your pages search-engine friendly. Finally, run a site audit tool to catch any technical issues that could hurt your rankings.  

Focus on quick wins first 

Some SEO improvements deliver faster results than others. Use free tools to optimize meta descriptions, fix broken links, or target low-competition keywords. These quick fixes boost your confidence while also giving you visible improvements to build on. 

Track your progress 

SEO isn’t instant, so keep an eye on how your efforts are paying off. Stuff like Google Analytics and Bing Webmaster tools can help you monitor traffic, rankings, and user engagement. Regular check-ins let you spot opportunities and fix issues as they arise. 

Know when to upgrade 

While free tools are great, they do have limitations. You should consider upgrading to paid tools once you’ve mastered the basics and need more features. But don’t rush, make sure you’re getting the most out of free options first. 

Boost your SEO game today 

We’ve proven that you don’t need a fortune to boost your site’s visibility. The free tools we covered offer plenty of power to get your SEO going without spending money.  

Sure, upgrading to paid versions unlocks better features like deeper competitor research and keyword tracking, but you don’t have to rush into that. Start with these free tools, learn the ropes, and watch your site improve. 

If you’re looking to upgrade, then check out Web.com and see how powerful tools and expert support can make optimizing your site simple and effective. 

Frequently asked questions