The best
SEO tools, ranked
MagpieSEO gathers the best SEO tools for backlinks, keywords, site audits, rank tracking, content and technical SEO, ranked and compared in one place.
Best backlink tools
-
1
Ahrefs
Best overallPowerful backlink analysis and link research with one of the largest link indexes.
FreemiumA few basic features are free. The main product needs a paid plan. -
2
Semrush
Best all-in-oneBacklink analytics, competitor link research and backlink gap analysis alongside a wider SEO toolkit.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed. -
3
AnyBacklink
Best for finding link opportunitiesFind relevant websites open to backlink opportunities and connect directly with verified site owners.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
4
Majestic
Best for link intelligenceSpecialist backlink database with Trust Flow, Citation Flow and historical backlink data.
PaidPaid plans only, with no free option. -
5
Moz Pro
Best for beginnersBacklink research with Domain Authority, Spam Score and competitive link analysis.
FreemiumA few basic features are free. The main product needs a paid plan.
-
6
Indexer Pro
Indexer Pro is an automated SEO tool for fast Google indexing, often within 48 hours.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed.
Best keyword research tools
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1
Semrush
Best overallKeyword research with search volume, intent, difficulty and competitor data.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed. -
2
Ahrefs
Best for SEO professionalsKeyword research with difficulty scores, traffic potential and detailed SERP analysis.
FreemiumA few basic features are free. The main product needs a paid plan. -
3
Google Keyword Planner
Best free optionFree keyword ideas and search-volume estimates directly from Google Ads.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
4
KWFinder
Best for beginnersSimple keyword research focused on finding lower-competition keyword opportunities.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed. -
5
AnswerThePublic
Best for questionsFind questions, comparisons and related searches around a topic.
Free tierA free plan with usage limits. Paid plans raise the limits.
Best site audit tools
-
1
Screaming Frog
Best overallDesktop website crawler for finding technical SEO issues across a site.
Free tierA free plan with usage limits. Paid plans raise the limits. -
2
Sitebulb
Best visual reportingVisual site auditing with detailed explanations and issue prioritisation.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed. -
3
Semrush
Best all-in-oneCloud-based site auditing with ongoing issue monitoring and recommendations.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed. -
4
Ahrefs
Best for advanced usersSite auditing for technical errors, internal linking and crawl issues.
FreemiumA few basic features are free. The main product needs a paid plan. -
5
Google Search Console
Best free optionGoogle data for indexing, crawling, page experience and search performance.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed.
Best rank tracking tools
-
1
AccuRanker
Best overallFast, dedicated keyword rank tracking for SEO teams and agencies.
PaidPaid plans only, with no free option. -
2
Semrush
Best all-in-oneTrack keyword positions across devices, locations and competitors.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed. -
3
Ahrefs
Best for SEO professionalsKeyword rank tracking with historical movement and SERP features.
FreemiumA few basic features are free. The main product needs a paid plan. -
4
SE Ranking
Best valueReliable keyword position tracking with competitor and reporting features.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed. -
5
Wincher
Best for smaller sitesSimple and affordable rank tracking for smaller websites and teams.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed.
-
6
SearchUp Lab
Track SEO rankings and AI search visibility across Google, ChatGPT, Gemini, and more.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed.
Best content optimization tools
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1
Surfer
Best overallOptimize content using SERP analysis, content scoring and recommended terms.
PaidPaid plans only, with no free option. -
2
Clearscope
Best premium optionContent optimization focused on topic coverage, relevance and editorial workflows.
PaidPaid plans only, with no free option. -
3
Frase
Best for content briefsCombines SERP research, content briefs and on-page optimization.
PaidPaid plans only, with no free option. -
4
MarketMuse
Best for content strategyTopic modelling, content planning and content gap analysis.
PaidPaid plans only, with no free option. -
5
NeuronWriter
Best valueAffordable NLP-based content optimization and SERP analysis.
PaidPaid plans only, with no free option.
Best technical SEO tools
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1
Screaming Frog
Best overallAudit redirects, canonicals, metadata, status codes and crawl behaviour.
Free tierA free plan with usage limits. Paid plans raise the limits. -
2
Sitebulb
Best visual auditsDeep technical SEO auditing with clear visual reporting.
TrialFree for a limited time, then a paid plan is needed. -
3
JetOctopus
Best for large sitesCloud crawling and log-file analysis designed for larger websites.
PaidPaid plans only, with no free option. -
4
Google Search Console
Best free optionMonitor indexing, crawling, Core Web Vitals and Google search issues.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
5
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
Best free audit suiteFree technical site audits and SEO monitoring for verified websites.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed.
Best free SEO tools
Useful SEO tools you can use without paying for a full subscription.
-
Google Search Console
Monitor search performance, indexing and technical issues directly from Google.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
Google Keyword Planner
Find keyword ideas and Google Ads search-volume estimates.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
Technical site auditing and backlink data for verified websites.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
Bing Webmaster Tools
Search performance, indexing, crawling and SEO tools for Bing.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
AnyBacklink
Find relevant backlink opportunities and connect directly with verified website owners.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
SEO Minion
Browser extension for quick on-page SEO checks and SERP utilities.
FreeCompletely free. No paid plan needed. -
AnswerThePublic
Limited free searches for questions and related search ideas.
Free tierA free plan with usage limits. Paid plans raise the limits.
How we choose tools
We focus on practical usefulness, not just feature lists.
Usability
Easy to learn, easy to use and easy to understand.
Value
Strong functionality relative to what the tool costs.
Depth
Features that genuinely help with real SEO work.
Frequently asked questions
A free tool should provide genuinely useful SEO functionality without requiring a paid subscription. Tools with significantly limited free versions are labelled Free tier or Freemium.
Rankings consider how useful the product is for that specific task, feature depth, usability, value, reputation and how commonly the tool is used for that purpose.
Some SEO platforms cover several different jobs well. A tool can appear more than once when it genuinely deserves a place in that category.
Yes. The lists include tools for different levels of experience, and the Best for labels make it easier to identify simpler and more advanced options.