Finding the right keywords is the foundation of every successful SEO campaign. But you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on tools to get started. In this post, I am going to share the 10 best free keyword research tools for SEO — tools that I personally use every week to plan content, research competitors, and find low-competition keywords for my clients. Utilizing keyword research tools free can significantly enhance your strategy.
I have been doing SEO for over 8 years. In that time, I have used dozens of tools — paid and free. I run keyword research for my own website at sakthivelraju.com, and I have seen real results. Several pages I built using these exact tools and keyword strategies are now ranking on the first page of Google. So when I recommend a tool here, it is based on real use — not just a feature comparison.
Whether you are a blogger, a small business owner, or an SEO beginner looking to understand tools for keyword research without spending money upfront, this list is built for you. Let us get into it.
What Is Keyword Research and Why Does It Matter?
Keyword research is the process of finding the specific words and phrases people type into Google when they are searching for something. As an SEO specialist, this is the first thing I do before writing any piece of content — including this one.
When you know which keywords your target audience is searching for, you can create content that directly answers their questions. That is how you get organic traffic from Google without paying for ads. The right keyword research tools for SEO help you find:
- Search volume — how many people search for a term each month
- Keyword difficulty — how hard it is to rank for that keyword
- CPC data — how much advertisers pay per click (a signal of commercial value)
- Related keywords — variations and long-tail opportunities you may have missed
- Competitor insights — what keywords your competitors are already ranking for
The good news is that many of the best keyword research tools free in the market offer a generous free tier. You do not need to pay a single dollar to start doing keyword research the right way.
Quick Comparison: Top Free Keyword Research Tools
| Tool | Free Plan Limit | Best For |
| Google Keyword Planner | Unlimited (free) | Google Ads planning |
| Ubersuggest | 3 searches/day | Beginner SEO & content |
| Mangools (KWFinder) | 5 lookups/day | Low-KD keyword hunting |
| Semrush | 10 queries/day | Competitor research |
| Ahrefs Free Tools | Limited (free) | Backlink & keyword data |
| Google Search Console | Unlimited (free) | Tracking real rankings |
| AnswerThePublic | 3 searches/day | Content ideation |
| Keyword Surfer | Unlimited (free) | Quick SERP research |
| Wordtracker | Limited free plan | Niche keyword discovery |
| Google Trends | Unlimited (free) | Trending topic research |
1. Google Keyword Planner — Best Free Google Keyword Research Tool
Google Keyword Planner is the most widely used free SEO keyword research tool, and for good reason. It is built directly inside Google Ads, which means the data comes straight from the source. It shows you how many people are searching for a keyword each month, along with suggested bid ranges and competition level.
Why I Use It
When I am starting a new SEO project, Google Keyword Planner is always my first stop. It gives me a reliable picture of search volume and helps me identify seasonal trends. Even though it is designed for Google Ads, it is incredibly useful for organic SEO keyword research. I use it to validate high-potential keywords before going deep into content planning.
Key Features
- Search volume ranges for any keyword or URL
- Forecast data to estimate clicks and impressions
- Keyword ideas grouped by theme
- Location and language targeting for precise data
- Completely free — just needs a Google Ads account
Pro Tip from Sakthi:
Google Keyword Planner shows volume ranges instead of exact numbers unless you have an active ad campaign. To unlock exact volumes, run a small campaign with a minimal budget — even $1 — and the exact data unlocks immediately.
2. Ubersuggest — Best Free Keyword Research Tool for Beginners
Ubersuggest, created by Neil Patel, is one of the most popular free SEO keyword research tools for beginners. It gives you keyword ideas, SEO difficulty scores, content suggestions, and even a basic backlink checker — all in a single dashboard.
Why I Use It
I personally use Ubersuggest for quick keyword checks and content ideas when I am brainstorming blog topics. The tool’s interface is clean, beginner-friendly, and gives you enough data to make smart keyword decisions without information overload. For my clients who are just getting started with SEO, Ubersuggest is often the first tool I recommend because of how easy it is to understand.
Key Features
- Keyword overview with volume, CPC, and SEO difficulty
- Content ideas showing top-performing articles for any keyword
- Domain overview to spy on competitor keywords
- Backlink data and referring domains
- 3 free searches per day on the free plan
Real Experience:
I have used Ubersuggest to find long-tail keywords for blog posts that now rank in the top 5 on Google. The content ideas section is especially useful — it shows you real articles that are already ranking so you know exactly what type of content Google rewards for your target keyword.
3. Mangools KWFinder — Best for Finding Low-Competition Keywords
Mangools is a keyword research suite that includes KWFinder — one of the most powerful tools for finding low-competition, high-value keywords. While Mangools is a paid tool, it offers a free trial and limited free daily lookups that are more than enough for targeted research sessions.
Why I Use It
KWFinder is my go-to tool for identifying low keyword difficulty (KD) opportunities. I have switched from other tools to Mangools because the KD score it provides is highly accurate — I have used it to find keywords under KD 30 that my content ranks for within 60 to 90 days. For any of my clients targeting competitive markets in the US or UK, Mangools helps me find the side doors — the low-competition keywords that are far easier to rank for while still driving real traffic.
Key Features
- Precise Keyword Difficulty (KD) scoring from 0 to 100
- SERP analysis showing exactly who ranks for any keyword
- Long-tail keyword suggestions with full metrics
- Location-based keyword search (target US, UK, or any country)
- 5 free keyword lookups per 24 hours
From My SEO Workflow:
I use Mangools as part of my Weighted Keyword Scoring (WKS) model — a custom Excel system I built to prioritise keywords based on volume, KD, and CPC together. Mangools KWFinder integrates perfectly into this process because the data quality is among the best I have tested.
4. Semrush — Best Free SEO Tool for Competitor Keyword Research
Semrush is one of the most powerful SEO platforms in the world, and it offers a generous free plan that gives you access to keyword research, competitor analysis, site audit, and more. The free plan allows 10 keyword searches per day, which is enough for daily research sessions.
Why I Use It
When I need to understand what keywords a competitor is ranking for, Semrush is the tool I reach for. I use it to identify keyword gaps — terms my client’s competitors rank for but my client does not. This gives me a ready-made content roadmap. For US and UK markets especially, Semrush’s competitor data is extremely detailed and reliable.
Key Features
- Keyword overview with volume, KD, CPC, and trend data
- Domain analysis — see any website’s top organic keywords
- Keyword Gap tool — compare your site against competitors
- Position tracking for monitoring rankings over time
- 10 free requests per day on the free plan
Client Win Using Semrush:
For a B2B engineering client I manage (AMIX Systems, Canada), I used Semrush’s competitor gap analysis to find 20+ untapped keywords their rivals ranked for. We built targeted pages around these keywords, and the site now has over 127 keywords in the Top 3 positions on Google.
5. Ahrefs Free Keyword Tools — Best Free SEO Tools Website for Backlink + Keyword Data
Ahrefs is well known as one of the best premium SEO tools, but they also offer a collection of completely free tools at ahrefs.com/free-seo-tools. This includes a free keyword generator, a SERP checker, a backlink checker, and more — no account required for basic usage.
Why I Use It
The Ahrefs free keyword generator is one of my favourite quick-research tools. I type in a seed keyword and immediately get up to 150 keyword ideas with KD scores and volume data. For free, this is genuinely impressive. I also use the Ahrefs free backlink checker regularly to audit the link profiles of both my clients’ sites and competitor sites.
Key Features
- Free keyword generator — 150 keyword ideas per search
- Keyword difficulty scores powered by Ahrefs data
- Free backlink checker — top 100 backlinks for any domain
- Free SERP checker and website authority checker
- No account needed for basic free tools.
How I Use Ahrefs Free Tools:
I keep the Ahrefs free keyword generator open in a browser tab during content planning sessions. It is fast, gives clean data, and requires no login. When I need deeper data I switch to the paid version, but for initial ideation the free tools are more than sufficient.
6. Google Search Console — Best Free SEO Tool for Tracking Real Rankings
Google Search Console (GSC) is not a traditional keyword research tool, but it is arguably the most powerful free SEO tool available. It shows you exactly which keywords your website is already ranking for, how many clicks and impressions each keyword gets, and where your average position sits.
Why I Use It
I check Google Search Console for my website and all my client sites every single week. The data in GSC is first-party — it comes directly from Google — so there is no estimation or guesswork involved. I use it to identify keywords that are ranking on page 2 (positions 11 to 20) and then optimise those pages to push them onto page 1. This is one of the fastest ways to increase organic traffic because the foundation is already there.
Key Features
- See every keyword driving impressions and clicks to your site
- Monitor average position for any keyword over time
- Identify pages with declining rankings before it becomes a problem
- Submit sitemaps and request page indexing
- Completely free for any verified website owner
My Weekly GSC Routine:
Every Monday I export my top 50 keywords from GSC and filter for any keyword ranking between position 8 and 20. Those pages get priority — I update the content, strengthen internal links, and add missing FAQs. This simple process has helped me move multiple pages from page 2 to page 1 within 30 days.
7. AnswerThePublic — Best Free Tool for Content Ideation and Question Keywords
AnswerThePublic is a unique keyword research tool that generates questions, prepositions, comparisons, and long-tail phrases around any seed keyword. It visualises all the questions people are asking about a topic — making it ideal for blog post ideation and FAQ content.
Why I Use It
When I am planning a content cluster around a topic, AnswerThePublic helps me understand the full range of questions my audience is asking. For the keyword research topic specifically, I used AnswerThePublic to discover that people search things like ‘what keyword research tools do professionals use’ and ‘how to do keyword research without tools’ — both of which became content ideas for blog posts on my site.
Key Features
- Question-based keyword discovery (who, what, when, where, why, how)
- Preposition keywords (for, without, with, near)
- Comparison keywords (vs, versus, like, and)
- Visual wheel format for exploring keyword themes
- 3 free searches per day
8. Keyword Surfer — Best Free Chrome Extension for Quick SERP Research
Keyword Surfer is a free Chrome browser extension that displays keyword data directly inside Google search results. When you search for any keyword on Google, Keyword Surfer instantly shows you the search volume, related keywords, and word count data for every page on the first page — without needing to open a separate tool.
Why I Use It
I have Keyword Surfer installed in my browser and use it every day. Whenever I do a quick Google search during content research, I can immediately see search volumes for related terms in the sidebar. This speeds up my research dramatically and helps me spot low-competition alternatives to competitive head terms while I browse.
Key Features
- Search volume shown directly in Google search results
- Related keyword suggestions with volumes in the sidebar
- Word count and estimated traffic for ranking pages
- Completely free — no usage limits
- Works silently in the background as you browse Google
9. Wordtracker — Best Free Tool for Niche Keyword Discovery
Wordtracker is a keyword research platform that has been around for decades. It offers a free plan that lets you discover keywords across multiple search engines including Google, YouTube, and Amazon — making it especially useful for niche content research and ecommerce keyword strategy.
Why I Use It
I use Wordtracker when I am doing research for ecommerce clients or when I need keywords beyond just Google search. The ability to research YouTube and Amazon keywords on the same platform is genuinely useful for clients who want visibility across multiple channels. For niche topics where mainstream tools show limited data, Wordtracker often surfaces gems that other tools miss.
Key Features
- Keyword data across Google, YouTube, and Amazon
- Competition scores to identify low-difficulty opportunities
- Niche-specific filtering for more targeted results
- Free plan available with limited daily searches
10. Google Trends — Best Free Tool for Trending and Seasonal Keywords
Google Trends is a completely free tool from Google that shows you how search interest in any keyword has changed over time. It does not provide exact search volumes, but it is invaluable for understanding whether a keyword is growing, declining, or seasonal — context that no other free tool provides.
Why I Use It
Before committing to a long-term content strategy around any keyword, I check Google Trends to understand the trajectory. If a keyword is trending upward, I prioritise it. If it is seasonal (like ‘Christmas gift ideas’), I plan content to publish 6 to 8 weeks before the peak. I also use Google Trends to compare multiple keywords side by side to identify which has more momentum in specific regions like the US or UK.
Key Features
- See rising and declining search trends for any keyword
- Compare up to 5 keywords side by side
- Filter by country, region, time range, and category
- Discover related rising queries and breakout topics
- Completely free — no account required
Real Use Case:
When a client in the millet food space asked me to plan their content calendar, I used Google Trends to confirm that searches for millet-related keywords were trending sharply upward in the US and UK. This data helped me justify a full content strategy investment — backed by real trend evidence, not just monthly volume numbers.
How to Use Free Keyword Research Tools Effectively — My Personal Workflow
Having the right tools is only half the battle. Here is the exact workflow I follow when doing keyword research for a new website or content plan:
Step 1: Start with a seed keyword in Google Keyword Planner
Enter your main topic and get a broad list of keyword ideas with volume ranges. Export the list and start filtering.
Step 2: Validate difficulty with Mangools KWFinder
Take your shortlisted keywords and check them in KWFinder. Focus on keywords with KD under 35 for new or mid-authority websites. This is where most SEO beginners fail — they target high-volume, high-competition keywords and never rank.
Step 3: Research competitors using Semrush or Ahrefs
Find 3 to 5 competitor websites in your niche. Analyse their top keywords. Identify gaps — keywords they rank for that you do not. These gaps are your content opportunities.
Step 4: Build content ideas with AnswerThePublic
Enter your target keyword into AnswerThePublic. Capture the most relevant questions and structure your blog post or service page around them. This also feeds directly into your FAQ section and schema markup.
Step 5: Track trends with Google Trends
Before finalising your content calendar, verify your target keywords in Google Trends. Prioritise growing keywords and plan seasonal content well in advance.
Step 6: Monitor results in Google Search Console
After publishing, add your URL to Google Search Console and track its performance weekly. Use GSC data to optimise underperforming pages and double down on content that is already gaining traction.
Free vs Paid Keyword Research Tools — When Should You Upgrade?
Free tools are powerful enough to build a solid keyword strategy, especially when you are starting out. But there are situations where paid tools unlock significantly better results:
- You manage multiple client websites and need faster, bulk data
- You are targeting highly competitive US or UK markets where precision matters
- You need historical ranking data and position tracking at scale
- You want to run comprehensive site audits alongside keyword research
My recommendation: Start with the free tools in this list. Build your first 20 to 30 pages using free keyword data. Once you are generating consistent organic traffic and want to accelerate results, upgrade to Mangools or Semrush as your first paid investment. Both offer excellent value compared to their competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Keyword Research Tools
Absolutely. Google Keyword Planner, Google Search Console, Google Trends, Keyword Surfer, and the Ahrefs free tools are all completely free with no usage restrictions. Combined, these tools give you everything you need to research keywords, analyse competitors, and track your rankings without spending anything.
I recommend targeting one primary keyword per post, with 5 to 8 closely related secondary keywords woven naturally throughout the content. This approach signals topical depth to Google without keyword stuffing. For comprehensive posts like this one, I target one head keyword plus multiple long-tail variations that share the same search intent.
Yes, Google Keyword Planner is completely free to use. You need a Google Ads account to access it, but you do not need to run any paid campaigns. Simply create a Google Ads account, choose the option to set up campaigns manually, and you will have full access to the Keyword Planner for free.
Google Keyword Planner and Ubersuggest are the best free keyword research tools for beginners. Both are easy to use, require no technical knowledge, and provide enough data to build a solid content strategy from scratch. I recommend starting with Ubersuggest for its clean interface and content suggestion features.
Mangools KWFinder is the best free tool for finding low-competition keywords. Even on the free plan, the KD scores are highly accurate and help you identify keywords you can realistically rank for. I personally use Mangools to find keywords under KD 35 for all my client projects.
Search volume is the average number of times a keyword is searched per month. Keyword difficulty (KD) is a score from 0 to 100 that measures how hard it will be to rank on the first page for that keyword. High volume + high KD means it is competitive and difficult. Low volume + low KD means it is easy to rank but drives less traffic. The sweet spot is moderate volume with low to medium KD — that is where I focus most of my keyword research.
Final Thoughts — Start With Free Tools, Scale With Data
After 8 years of doing keyword research professionally, I can tell you with confidence that the tools you use matter far less than the strategy behind them. The 10 free keyword research tools listed in this post are genuinely powerful — I use most of them every week across real client projects.
Start with Google Keyword Planner and Google Search Console as your foundation. Add Ubersuggest or Mangools for difficulty data. Use AnswerThePublic for content ideas and Google Trends for timing. Together, these free SEO keyword research tools give you a complete picture of your keyword landscape without costing you anything.