Best Keyword Research Tools for Bloggers on a Budget (2026)
Short answer: Start with free tools: Google Keyword Planner (free with a free Google Ads account), Google Search Console and Google’s autocomplete suggestions. If you want volume and difficulty numbers without a big bill, add one low-cost tool. Keywords Everywhere starts at $84 a year, and Ubersuggest costs about $29 a month in the US. Mangools is the easiest to use, but it costs more at $61 a month, or about $37.70 a month if you pay yearly.
Keyword research tools compared
| Tool | Price (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Google Keyword Planner | Free (needs a free Google Ads account) | Keyword ideas and rough search volume |
| Google Search Console | Free | Queries your blog already gets impressions for |
| Keywords Everywhere | From $84 a year (Bronze, 100,000 credits); a free version exists | Volume and related keywords inside your browser |
| Ubersuggest | About $29 a month (Individual, US) | Keyword ideas, difficulty scores and simple audits |
| Mangools (KWFinder) | $61 a month, or $452.40 a year; Basic allows 100 keyword lookups per 24 hours | Beginners who want a clean, simple interface |
Prices change often, and taxes may apply in the US, UK and Canada. Confirm each price on the vendor’s pricing page before you buy.
How to choose
- New blog with almost no budget: Google Keyword Planner and Google Search Console cover the basics. Keyword Planner’s volume data is less detailed unless you run a paid campaign, so treat the numbers as rough.
- Blogger who researches a few posts a month: Keywords Everywhere is the cheapest paid option, because you pay for credits once a year.
- Blogger who wants difficulty scores and content ideas: Ubersuggest.
- Beginner who wants the simplest dashboard: Mangools, if you are happy to pay more.
A simple keyword research workflow for a small blog
- Open Google Search Console and find queries where your blog already appears on page two.
- Type your topic into Google and note the autocomplete and “People also ask” suggestions.
- Check those phrases in one paid tool for search volume and difficulty.
- Pick phrases with real demand and low competition, and write one post per phrase.
The shared access option
SEO BD Tools is a shared access service. It includes keyword tools such as Ubersuggest and Kwhero, plus Semrush, from $5 a month (Basic). Shared access has trade-offs: projects may be visible to other members, daily limits are shared, and refunds are given only if a tool does not work and support cannot fix it (see the refund policy). Keep private client data out of any shared tool. If you want to compare first, read our Kwhero vs Ubersuggest comparison.
FAQ
Is Google Keyword Planner really free?
Yes. It costs nothing, but you need a Google Ads account, which is free to set up.
What is the cheapest paid keyword research tool?
Keywords Everywhere is one of the cheapest, starting at $84 a year for 100,000 credits. A free version also exists.
Do I need a paid tool to start a blog?
No. Free tools are enough for a new blog. Add a paid tool when you need volume and difficulty data for many keywords.
Sources
- Semrush: Is Google Keyword Planner free?
- Keywords Everywhere pricing (Capterra)
- Mangools pricing (CostBench)
- Ubersuggest pricing (official)
Last checked October 2026.
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If Semrush is on your shortlist, see our Semrush pricing breakdown for 2026 to check what each plan costs before you decide.
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