10 Best SEO Keyword Research Tools for Freelancers

10 Best SEO Keyword Research Tools for Freelancers

Keyword research is one of the most important steps in any SEO strategy—but with literally hundreds of keyword research tools out there, how do you know which one to choose?

Some tools are super user-friendly, while others feel like you need a PhD to figure them out. Some give you deep competitor insights, while others just provide the basics. And of course, some are totally free, while others come with price tags that make your wallet cry.

So, which keyword research tool is right for you? Whether you’re a freelance marketer, web designer, or copywriter, I’m here to help you find the best tool to fit your budget and business.

As an SEO expert with over 10 years of experience, I’ve tried and tested countless keyword research tools. Some have been absolute game-changers, while others… not so much. Today, I want to cut through the noise and share the best keyword research tools for freelancers—whether you’re on a tight budget or ready to invest in premium features.

Let’s get into it!

Best Free Keyword Research Tools

If you’re just starting out or want to test the waters before committing to a paid tool, these completely free keyword research tools are a great place to begin.

1. Keyword Surfer – Quick Insights While You Search

Keyword Surfer is a Chrome extension that gives you instant keyword insights right inside Google search results, so you don’t have to jump between different tools.

Price: Free

Why you’ll love it: If you want quick and convenient keyword data while browsing Google, Keyword Surfer is a great choice. It provides search volume, keyword ideas, and estimated traffic metrics without needing to leave the search page.

Key features:

  • Search volume data for your query, so you can see how often a keyword is searched each month.
  • Related keyword suggestions, making it easy to expand your keyword list.
  • Estimated traffic for top-ranking pages, giving you insights into how much traffic a keyword could drive.
  • Word count analysis for competing pages, helping you understand the content length needed to rank.

Best for: Freelancers who want instant keyword research while browsing Google.

2. Keyword Generator – Great for Finding Keyword Ideas

Keyword Generator is a free tool from Ahrefs that helps you find keyword ideas and questions based on real search data.

Price: Free

Why you’ll love it: If you’re struggling to come up with new keyword ideas, Keyword Generator is a great brainstorming tool. It pulls thousands of keyword suggestions from Google, Bing, YouTube, and Amazon, making it perfect for freelancers creating content across different platforms. Unlike some free tools that only provide a handful of suggestions, Keyword Generator gives you a large list of keywords, along with search volume estimates and keyword difficulty scores (for some results).

Key features:

  • Up to 150 keyword ideas per search, helping you uncover hidden opportunities.
  • “Questions” feature that pulls commonly asked queries, great for creating blog content and FAQ sections.
  • Search volume estimates and keyword difficulty scores, so you can prioritize the best keywords to target.
  • Results from multiple search engines (Google, Bing, YouTube, and Amazon) to help you optimise content for different platforms.

Best for: Anyone looking for fresh keyword ideas and content inspiration based on real search queries.

3. Google Search Console – Find Keywords You’re Already Ranking For

Google Search Console isn’t a keyword discovery tool in the traditional sense, but it’s one of the best free tools for optimising your existing content. 

Price: Free

Why you’ll love it: If you already have a website, Google Search Console is a goldmine of data. It tells you exactly which keywords you’re ranking for, where you rank, and how often people are clicking on your results. This means you can focus on optimising the content that’s already driving traffic, rather than guessing which keywords might work.

Key features:

  • See which search queries bring traffic to your site, so you can identify high-performing keywords.
  • Check your average ranking position for each keyword, helping you find opportunities to improve.
  • Analyse click-through rates (CTR) to see which pages are getting clicks, and which ones need better meta titles and descriptions.
  • Identify underperforming pages that rank but aren’t getting clicks, so you can optimise them for better results.

Best for: Small business owners and marketers who want to improve existing rankings and drive more traffic to their site.

Best Freemium Keyword Research Tools

Freemium tools offer a mix of free and paid features, making them great for freelancers on a budget who need more than free tools but aren’t ready to invest in premium software. These tools allow you to start for free, then upgrade as your needs grow.

4. Keywords Everywhere – Affordable and Powerful

Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension that provides search volume, CPC (cost per click), and competition data for keywords, right inside Google search results.

Price: Free with limited features, paid plans from $15/year

Why you’ll love it: If you need quick, affordable keyword insights, Keywords Everywhere is one of the cheapest ways to access keyword data. Unlike many SEO tools that require switching between dashboards, this extension lets you see keyword data directly inside Google search, making research fast and convenient.

Key features:

  • Search volume, CPC, and competition data directly within Google, YouTube, and other search engines.
  • Related keyword suggestions to help expand your research.
  • “People Also Search For” and “Trending Keywords” insights for content planning.
  • Bulk keyword analysis—upload a list of keywords and get detailed metrics in one go.

Best for: Freelancers who need budget-friendly, long-tail keyword research without a full SEO tool subscription.

5. Google Keyword Planner – Straight from the Source

Google Keyword Planner is Google’s own keyword research tool, originally designed for Google Ads but useful for organic SEO research as well.

Price: Free (requires a Google Ads account) but data is limited unless you’re running paid ad campaigns.

Why you’ll love it: Since this data comes directly from Google, it’s one of the most reliable sources for keyword search volume and competition insights. However, unless you’re running Google Ads, you won’t get full access to the most detailed data—Google hides exact search volume ranges for accounts that don’t have active campaigns.

Key features:

  • Search volume estimates and competition level to help prioritise keywords.
  • New keyword suggestions based on your input.
  • Ad bid range data, useful for understanding keyword value.
  • Breakdown of search trends over time, helping you spot seasonal keywords.

Best for: Freelancers who are running Google Ads campaigns and want accurate keyword data straight from Google to inform their SEO strategies. 

6. AnswerThePublic – Find Out What People Are Asking

AnswerThePublic turns search data into keyword ideas, showing real questions people ask online. It’s one of the best keyword research tools for finding long-tail, question-based keywords.

Price: Free with limited searches, paid plans from $9/month

Why you’ll love it: If you struggle to come up with content ideas, this tool helps by showing you what people are actually searching for. It’s especially useful for bloggers, copywriters, and content creators who need question-based keywords for blogs, guides and FAQ content.

Key features:

  • Visual keyword maps displaying search questions, comparisons, and prepositions.
  • Long-tail keyword suggestions pulled from Google Autocomplete.
  • Downloadable keyword data, available in both free and paid versions.
  • Unlimited searches and historical data (paid version only).

Best for: Copywriters, bloggers, and content creators looking for content inspiration and long-tail keyword ideas.

7. KeySearch — Budget-Friendly and Feature-Packed

KeySearch is an affordable but powerful keyword research tool that provides solid keyword research and competitor analysis without the hefty price tag. It’s one of the cheapest keyword research tools on the market.

Price: Free with limited searches, paid plans from $17/month

Why you’ll love it: If you need a step up from free tools but don’t want to pay premium prices, KeySearch is a great middle ground. It offers strong keyword difficulty analysis and competitor research at a fraction of the cost of more expensive tools.

Key features:

  • Keyword difficulty analysis to find easy-to-rank-for keywords.
  • Competitor research tools to see what’s working for others.
  • Search volume trends to track keyword performance over time.
  • Backlink analysis to understand site authority.

Best for: Freelancers who want more than free tools but aren’t ready to invest in premium SEO software.

Best Paid Keyword Research Tools

If you’re looking for detailed keyword data, competitor analysis, and advanced SEO insights, paid keyword research tools offer the most comprehensive features. These are the best options for freelancers ready to take their SEO game to the next level.

8. Ahrefs – The SEO Expert’s Tool

Ahrefs is one of the most advanced SEO tools on the market, offering highly accurate keyword data and competitor analysis.

Price: From $99/month (7-day trial available)

Why you’ll love it: If you’re serious about SEO, Ahrefs is one of the best tools you can invest in. It’s packed with features that help you research keywords, analyse competitors, and track rankings. But it does come with a steep learning curve and price tag—best suited for those serious about SEO.

Key features:

  • Huge keyword database with (mostly) accurate search volume, keyword difficulty, and traffic estimates.
  • Competitor analysis to spy on your competition’s top-ranking keywords.
  • Backlink analysis to see who’s linking to your competitors and where you can grab new backlinks.
  • Content gap analysis to find keywords your competitors rank for, but you don’t.

Best for: SEO professionals and freelancers who need an all-in-one SEO tool and plan to use it regularly to justify the price tag. If you’re only doing occasional keyword research, a more affordable option might be a better fit.

9. SE Ranking – More Affordable & Easier to Use Than Ahrefs

SE Ranking is a cost-effective alternative to Ahrefs that’s also easier to use, making it a great choice for freelancers who don’t want to spend hours learning an advanced tool. Plus, they have fantastic customer support and frequently add new features.

Price: From $65/month (14-day free trial)

Why you’ll love it: If you’re looking for a powerful, all-in-one SEO tool that won’t cost a fortune, SE Ranking is a great choice. It’s easy to use and comes with all the SEO tools you need, including rank tracking, competitor research, and on-page SEO analysis.

Key features:

  • SEO rank tracking + AI results tracking to monitor keyword performance over time, whether in traditional or AI search results.
  • Competitor keyword and backlink analysis, helping you stay ahead of the competition.
  • SEO audit and reporting tools to analyse website performance and track improvements.
  • On-page SEO checker to optimise your content for better rankings.

Best for: Freelancers ready to invest in an all-in-one SEO tool that has everything they need—without breaking the bank.

10. Ubersuggest – Best for Beginners on a Budget

Ubersuggest is an affordable and beginner-friendly SEO tool that provides keyword data, site audits, and content suggestions. However, I’ve found that its keyword data isn’t as accurate as what you’d get from Ahrefs or SE Ranking.

Price: From $29/month or $290 lifetime

Why you’ll love it: If you’re just starting out with SEO, Ubersuggest is a low-cost tool that covers the basics well. While it doesn’t provide the most precise keyword data, it’s still useful for generating keyword ideas and tracking SEO performance.

Key features:

  • Keyword ideas and search volume data to help you find high-traffic keywords.
  • SEO performance tracking to monitor keyword rankings.
  • Site audit tools to identify and fix SEO issues.
  • Backlink analysis to check domain authority and link-building opportunities.

Best for: Freelancers looking for an affordable, beginner-friendly SEO tool.

So, Which Keyword Research Tool Is Right for You?

The best keyword research tool depends on your budget, needs, and SEO goals.

  • Need an all-in-one SEO tool? → Ahrefs or SE Ranking
  • Want a budget-friendly paid tool? → Ubersuggest or KeySearch
  • Looking for free options? → Google Keyword Planner or Search Console
  • Need long-tail keyword ideas? → AnswerThePublic or Keywords Everywhere

No matter which tool you choose, the key is taking action. Keyword research is just the first step—using those insights to create optimised, valuable content is how you’ll grow your business.

Want to Master SEO Keyword Research?

If you’re a web designer, copywriter, or marketer, my signature course SEO Like a Pro will teach you how to find the right keywords, optimise your content, and get real results for your clients. 

Ready to master SEO, feel confident in your strategy, and stand out as the go-to expert in your field? Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when enrolments open!

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I'm Rhiannon Carnohan

Self-Professed Google Geek & Passionate Small Business Supporter. Rhi is your go-to SEO cheerleader, empowering the do-ers and creatives with the SEO know-how to level up their services so they can finally feel like they’re making a damn difference in the world.
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