SEO software buying guide for freelancers and small agencies
Best SEO Tool Deals & Discounts 2026
Start from the job and the budget, not the brand. We set out list prices, plan limits and the pricing catches for 20 SEO tools, so you can pick a plan that covers your work without paying for features you will not use.
Price checks and source links are on each tool page. Confirm billing, currency and terms with the vendor before you buy.
Step 1
Start with the job you need done
Most freelancers need one or two of these, not all six. Pay for the suite only when you use most of it.
- Keyword ResearchTools for finding keywords, analysing search volume, and assessing ranking difficulty8 tools · free to $139/mo
- Backlink AnalysisTools for analysing backlink profiles, finding link opportunities, and monitoring your link health6 tools · free to $139/mo
- Rank TrackingTools for monitoring keyword positions across search engines and locations6 tools · free to $139/mo
- Technical SEO & Site AuditTools for crawling sites, finding technical issues, and improving site health5 tools · free to $139/mo
- Content OptimisationTools for optimising content against top-ranking pages using NLP and SERP analysis4 tools · free to $139/mo
- All-in-One SEO PlatformsComprehensive platforms covering keyword research, backlinks, rank tracking, site audit, and reporting6 tools · free to $139/mo
Ranges cover recorded USD recurring plans only. Other currencies and one-time purchases are listed separately below.
Step 2
Then check what fits the budget
USD recurring plans, cheapest entry plan first. Yearly billing is labelled. Each guide lists sources and plan limits.
Free to start
7 toolsFree tools and free plans. Most cover one job well rather than everything.
- Google Search ConsoleFree plan availableEvery website owner — GSC should be connected to every site from day one
- Rank Math ProFree plan availableMost WordPress site owners. The free version is worth installing on its own
- Yoast SEOFree plan availableWordPress site owners who want the simplest possible SEO plugin setup
- AhrefsFree plan availableSEO professionals whose work centres on backlink analysis and who want detailed link data
- MangoolsFree plan availableBloggers, niche site builders, and freelancers who want keyword research without the Semrush price tag
- SeobilityFree plan availableSite owners who need technical SEO auditing on a budget, or as a complement to keyword-focused tools
- SemrushFree plan availableAgencies and serious marketers who need everything in one platform and can justify the investment
Under $30 a month
2 toolsSingle-job tools and plugins. Usually enough for one site or a small client list.
$30 to $99 a month
5 toolsEntry plans of fuller toolkits. Check project, keyword and user limits before committing.
- Mangoolsfrom $49/moBloggers, niche site builders, and freelancers who want keyword research without the Semrush price tag
- Surfer SEOfrom $49/mo billed yearlyContent teams and agencies who publish regularly and want data-backed optimisation on every piece
- Serpstatfrom $69/moBudget-conscious SEOs who want all-in-one features without the Semrush price tag
- Morningscorefrom $69/moSmall business owners and marketing managers who find traditional SEO tools overwhelming
- Moz Profrom $99/moSEOs who value the DA metric and want a familiar, established platform with strong educational resources
$100 a month and up
2 toolsAll-in-one suites and specialist content tools. Worth it when the work bills for it.
The price map: see the trade-offs
Entry price, cheapest first
- Google Search Consolefree
- KeySearch$24/mo
- LowFruits$29.90/mo
- Mangools$49/mo
- Surfer SEO$49/mo, yearly
- Morningscore$69/mo
- Serpstat$69/mo
- Moz Pro$99/mo
- Clearscope$129/mo
- Semrush$139/mo
- Ahrefs: £23/mo (priced in GBP; not placed on the monthly USD scale)
- SE Ranking: £95/mo (priced in GBP; not placed on the monthly USD scale)
- Rank Math Pro: €7.99/mo, yearly (priced in EUR; not placed on the monthly USD scale)
- WriterZen: $135 once (one-time purchase; not placed on the monthly USD scale)
- Seobility: €59.90/mo (priced in EUR; not placed on the monthly USD scale)
- Majestic: £39.99/mo (priced in GBP; not placed on the monthly USD scale)
- Yoast SEO: £9.90/mo, yearly (priced in GBP; not placed on the monthly USD scale)
- Ubersuggest: price not verified on the vendor site, so not shown
- Google Keyword Planner: no published price; see the vendor
- Google Trends: no published price; see the vendor
Step 3
Down to two? Put them side by side
Category calls, starting prices and who should pick which.
- Ahrefs vs SemrushAhrefsfrom £23/moSemrushfrom $139/mo
- SE Ranking vs SemrushSE Rankingfrom £95/moSemrushfrom $139/mo
- Mangools vs AhrefsMangoolsfrom $49/moAhrefsfrom £23/mo
- Semrush vs Moz ProSemrushfrom $139/moMoz Profrom $99/mo
- Surfer SEO vs ClearscopeSurfer SEOfrom $49/mo billed yearlyClearscopefrom $129/mo
- Ubersuggest vs SemrushUbersuggestprice not verifiedSemrushfrom $139/mo
Not sure you need a paid tool at all? Paid tools vs free alternatives
Before you pay
Ways to pay less for the same tool
- What SEO tools actually costPrice ranges by tier, so you know what a normal bill looks like.
- Annual or monthly billing?When paying upfront saves money and when it locks you in.
- Tools with free trialsTest on a real project before you pay anything.
- Student discountsProgrammes for students and educators.
- Coupons and discountsOffers and codes we have listed, with what they really save.
- Bundles and stacksPairing cheaper single-job tools instead of one big suite.
How to read this site
PricesVendor-source prices, with the billing basis and currency shown. Source dates and limitations are on each tool page.
PicksRecommendations are editorial judgements about fit and value. They are not lab tests or user ratings.
MoneySome vendor links may be affiliate links. That never changes your price. How we review tools.