Best SEO Tools for Content Writing (Paid and Free)

SEO content creation has gone beyond simple keyword targeting. Today, you need to understand what your audience is searching for, identify content gaps, analyze your competitors, and create content that doesn’t sound flat.

And that’s where augmenting your team with SEO writing tools helps. 

For many content writers, taking on so many tasks can be overwhelming. And if you’re a marketing manager, you need to know that overwhelmed writers will slow down content creation. However, with the right tool, you can scale content creation without compromising quality.

I’ll share my favorite in this guide.

Which SEO writing tools should you use?

Most SEO tools are designed for specific purposes, such as keyword optimization, AI-assisted writing, and competitor analysis. So, it ultimately comes down to what you want to work on with the tool.

For example, I use NeuronWriter to optimize certain blogs for this website. I use SurferSEO for some clients I work with. On top of that, I’ve been trying AI-powered tools like Jasper AI to see if they help me create SEO content faster.

Here’s a quick glance at the tools (if you don’t have time to dive into the details).

8 Best SEO writing tools for your content team

Content SEO isn’t just about good writing – it is a mix of helpful content, on-page tweaks, technical know-how, and understanding the audience. If you want people to find it, you’ve got to think beyond the words on the page

Yes, it sounds tough for your content team to handle. But with the right tools, your team can accelerate their SEO workflow, spend less time on mundane tasks, and create content that actually moves the SEO needle.

Below are my top picks.

1. SurferSEO

SurferSEO helps your content marketing team write content that has a higher chance of ranking on Google. It analyses top-performing pages in real time and gives you a clear roadmap on what to include, like recommended keywords, ideal word count, headings, and more.

I like how it gives a Content Score, so I can optimize content as I write. Not only that, but it is packed with features such as Keyword Research, Content Planner, and SERP Analyzer. And if you want to improve existing content, you can use SurferSEO’s AI assistant to refine or rewrite it.

SurferSEO gives you the data to back every word you write, so you can take the guesswork out of SEO content writing.  

What I like:

• Real-time content optimization.
• Easy-to-understand Content Score.
• Works well with Google Docs.
• Great for on-page SEO.
  

What I dislike:

• It can be pricey for first-timers.
• The interface with its many features may feel cluttered at first.

Price: Starts from $79/month.

2. NeuronWriter

NeuronWriter is an all-in-one SEO writing assistant that helps you create content that ranks on Google. Like SurferSEO, NeuronWriter analyses top-ranking content and suggests the right keywords, headings, and structure to improve your chances of being on page 1 of Google. But, unlike SurferSEO, NeuronWriter is more affordable. 

What I like most is the organized layout, which doesn’t try to overwhelm you. To use NeuronWriter, I enter the target phrase in the Content Editor.  Then, it looks at what is already ranking on Google, and allows me to select the most relevant content. 

From there, I can write my article directly in its editor and optimize it based on the keywords shown. 

What I like:

• Affordable pricing.
• Intuitive interface.
• Includes AI writing support.
  

What I dislike:

• Limited integrations.
• Sharing editing access is only available for the Gold plan and above.

Price : Starts from $19/month.

3. Clearscope 

Clearscope is the go-to tool for many professional content marketers, and it is not difficult to see why. But, a word of caution, be prepared to pay top price if you want to use Clearscope. This tool goes well for agencies, enterprises, or marketers with a budget to spend. 

Once signed up, you’ll find a minimalist layout that lets you type a keyword you want to rank. Then, Clearscope checks your content against top-performing pages and highlights the topics and keywords you may be missing. Instead of trying to figure out what works, it gives simple, data-backed suggestions to optimize your content.  

What I like:

• Very easy to use.
• Comprehensive keyword suggestions.
• Works well with Google Docs and WordPress.

What I dislike:

• Expensive.
• Limited features.

Price : Starts from $189/month

4. Frase

Frase automates the content creation process while still giving you enough control over it. I tested Frase, and to a certain degree, it helps speed up research and outline creation. In many ways, Frase can be a very useful tool for your content team. 

I’m not sure if you know, but one of the hardest things to do as an SEO writer is crafting the first draft. Even if you came up with one, you may not know if it hits the SEO mark, or worse, it might not be one your audience is looking for. 

If your writers share the same struggles in their content workflow, Frase might be the answer – it helps you kick things off with content briefs and even entire drafts. 

What I like:

• Detailed Content Briefs
• It helps you optimize for search intent
• Easy to navigate
  

What I dislike:

• AI can be inaccurate at times
• Not easy to learn.

Price: From $45/month

5. Grammarly

Full disclaimer: Grammarly isn’t built for SEO, but it is still one of the most essential tools in my content writing toolkit. 

The things is — you could follow every SEO rule out there, but if your writing is full of grammar mistakes or awkward phrasing, people won’t stick around to read it. That is where Grammarly steps in.

Grammarly checks spelling and grammar in real-time, helps me fix clunky sentences, and makes sure my writing sounds polished but still human. I have also found it helpful in catching small mistakes I often miss. It makes editing faster and helps my content sound more professional.

Read my in-depth Grammarly review here.

What I like:

• Excellent grammar and spelling checker
• Improve clarity and tone
• Has a free plan
  

What I dislike:

• It doesn’t offer SEO-specific suggestions
• The premium plan is expensive for users.

Price: From $12/month (Free plan available)

6. Hemingway Editor

Hemingway Editor helps you improve content readability. Like Grammarly, Hemingway isn’t built for SEO. However, it is a good tool for your content writers. Why? Because sometimes when we write, we get into a flow and begin using complicated words. However, we forget that our readers may not understand complex terms or technical jargon. 

Hemingway assigns a readability Grade to your writing. The lower it is, the easier it is to read, and that’s when you know you hit the mark. It also highlights long, complex sentences and passive voice. When I use it, my writing gets sharper and more relatable. 

What I like:

• It helps simplify your writing
• Easy-to-use web version
• Color-coded suggestions
• Great for improving readability
  

What I dislike:

• It doesn’t catch grammar or spelling mistakes
• It can take away your voice and style in writing
  

Price : From $8.33 / month (Free plan available)

7. Jasper AI

Jasper AI is an AI writer built for speed. Unlike SEO writing tools like SurferSEO or NeuronWriter, Jasper AI is a pure AI-powered content engine designed to crank out first drafts with speed. 

Whether you’re a marketer, blogger, or business owner, Jasper helps you generate new content quickly – no staring at a blank page required. You can also use Jasper to rewrite existing content or improve them so they meets a specific writing style. 

I wrote about my experience using Jasper AI here.

Jasper comes with ready-to-use templates for things like blog posts, product descriptions, and social media captions. You give it some direction, and it gets to work immediately. 

I have used it when I needed quick drafts or needed help breaking through writer’s block. It is not perfect, but it gives you a solid start that you can tweak and polish with your voice. 

What I like:

• Fast content generation
• Helpful templates
• Supports SEO workflows
  

What I dislike:

• Steep learning curve
• It can be expensive for small-time business owners

Price: From $39 / month

8. ChatGPT

Of course, I had to include ChatGPT. This tool is like having a super helpful AI sidekick; it can be the JARVIS to your Iron Man. I use it to brainstorm content ideas, outline blog posts, rephrase tricky sentences, and even explore different tones in writing. It is quick, responsive, and works well for almost any part of the writing process.

ChatGPT is also helpful in analyzing the piece of content you wrote for search intent alignment. It can also identify content gaps that your writers can fill. 

Whether you are stuck or want a second opinion, ChatGPT is great for speeding things up. Just remember that it is not perfect. You will still need to check facts and add your voice to make the content truly yours. 

Just a word of caution – if you use ChatGPT to create AI content, make sure you include stories, stats, and other useful information before you publish it. Although AI content can rank on Google, it won’t if it doesn’t prove useful for the audience.

What I like:

• Versatile and flexible
• Fast responses
• Great for brainstorming and outlining
  

What I dislike:

• Needs fact-checking
• It’s only good as your prompt

Price: From $20/month (Free plan available)

Best content writing tool for SEO (Found)

Writing for SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, we can better optimize them for Google search. No more guessing how your content fares against competitors. That said, SEO tools are only as useful as the writer’s skills. Find out SEO writing tips that I use to create content for global brands.

Try a few of the tools and see what clicks for you. You probably don’t need them all; stick to the ones that fit your workflow and goals.

Need help in creating SEO content that ranks? Leave a message here.

FAQ 

Can ChatGPT write SEO articles?

Yes, you can use ChatGPT to assist in writing SEO-friendly articles. It can generate content ideas, outlines, and full drafts based on your keywords. However, it works best when you guide it with clear instructions. You will still need to fact-check, edit, and optimize the content with real data and SEO tools.

Is Grammarly good for SEO?

Grammarly doesn’t handle SEO directly, but it is still helpful for SEO writing. Why? Because clear, error-free writing keeps readers on your page longer, and that can boost your rankings. It makes your content sound more professional and trustworthy, which is just as crucial as getting a good SEO score on SurferSEO.

How to do SEO content writing?

SEO content writing is all about creating helpful content that is easy to find on search engines. Start by researching the keywords your audience is searching for. Use them naturally in your headings, intro, and throughout the article. Write in a clear, human tone. Use tools like Surfer SEO or Frase to guide your writing. Keep the number 1 SEO rule in mind: always address the search intent.