Google Keyword PlannervsKeySearch

Google Keyword Planner is part of Google Ads, but lots of SEOs use it just for organic keyword research. You don’t need to spend money on ads. It shows search volume ranges, competition levels, and related keyword ideas from Google’s own data. That makes it a trusted free SEO software choice for finding keyword ideas. One thing to know is that in 2026, you’ll still need to create a Google Ads account and add your billing details to use it. But you don’t have to run ads or spend a dime. You’ll see what I mean once you get inside. Setting it up is a bit of a hassle, but the quality of the data makes it worth the extra step. **Key Features:**

KeySearch markets itself as the best SEO software for people on a tight budget, and it really does give you a lot for a low monthly price. It covers keyword research, difficulty scores, rank tracking, and some competitor research. It’s made for bloggers and small business owners who don’t need all the heavy features in Ahrefs. So, it’s a solid starting point when looking at SEO tools for small business budgets. One thing that stands out is how KeySearch checks keyword difficulty. It looks at the domain authority of pages already ranking instead of using one basic score. Reviewers say this often matches the real challenge of ranking. It’s not the fanciest tool out there, but it handles the main keyword research tasks without costing too much. **Key Features:**