11+ Best Content Writing Tools for SEO for 2023 (Free & Paid)

Last Updated on October 15, 2023 by Corey Fox

You must tap into the power of SEO-optimized content to get ahead with your online business. Whether it’s writing, marketing, or generating leads for yourself or clients, having the right tools can make a difference in achieving success and engaging a wider audience.

To save time on finding the best content writing tools for SEO, I’ve researched from free to premium options covering pros and cons so at the end of this article you should have no problem deciding which is the best option for your goals.

What is SEO content writing?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engine results pages (SERPs). This is achieved by optimizing the content of the website or page so that it is more easily discoverable by search engines and more relevant to the user’s search query.

Some specific tactics used in SEO content writing include:

1. Using targeted keywords and phrases throughout the content.
2. Ensuring the content is well-written, informative, and useful to the reader.
3. Using subheadings and bullet points breaks up the content and makes it easier to read.
4. Including internal and external links to other relevant and high-quality websites.
5. Optimizing the title and meta tags of the page to include the targeted keywords.

In essence, SEO content writing refers to writing content optimized for search engines that meet the target audience’s needs. This includes using keywords and phrases relevant to the content topic that people are likely to search for, as well as ensuring that the content is well-written, informative, and engaging.

Top paid and free content writing tools for SEO

Many content writing tools can help you create SEO-friendly content. Some of the most popular ones are:

Frase

With Frase, you have all the resources and features to create high-performing content. It provides a one-stop solution for researching, planning, briefing, and optimizing your SEO writing with AI templates that generate outlines from any target keyword in no time.

Its feature-packed editor allows you to craft great articles while scoring them to ensure they are optimized according to search engine standards.

Plus, it’s easy on creativity thanks to seamless paraphrasing of your text, so every word counts when it comes to being found online.

Pros:

• Frase has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use, even for those new to content optimization.
• Frase offers a range of features to help with everything from keyword research to content creation and editing.
• Frase provides detailed analytics on your content, including information on traffic, engagement, and conversions.

Cons:

• Cost: Frase.io is a paid tool, so there may be a cost associated with using it.
• Limited integrations: Frase.io currently only integrates with a few content management systems, so it may not be compatible with all websites.

Pricing:

Frase offers a 5-day trial for $1, after which you can choose from three pricing plans: the Solo plan, which starts at $14.99 monthly. The Basic plan starts at $44.99 per month, and the Team plan starts at $114.99 monthly.

Jasper.ai

Upgrade your content creation and make writing a breeze with Jasper.ai.

This AI-driven assistant reads over 10% of the internet to generate unique, persuasive content in just minutes – no need for human writers involved.

All you have to do is provide details about what kind of text you’d like to create: its purpose, tone, etc., and then let Jasper take care of the rest.

Although editing might be necessary, this software saves tons of time to quickly and efficiently create short texts such as social media posts or blog entries.

Pros:

• Jasper.ai can help users generate written content quickly and with minimal effort, allowing them to focus on other tasks.
• The tool uses AI to analyze input and generate coherent content in the desired style and tone, which may result in higher-quality content than content written by a person without these capabilities.
• Jasper.ai allows users to customize the tone and style of the generated content and specify keywords or themes to be included in the output.

Cons:

• The tool generates content based on input and algorithms and may not be able to produce content that is as creative or unique as content written by a person.
• Users relying on Jasper.ai for content generation may become dependent on the tool and have difficulty generating content independently if the tool is unavailable.

Pricing:

Jasper.ai offers a 5-day free trial with 10K credits, after which you can choose from three pricing plans: the Starter plan, which is $40 per month. The Boss Mode plan is $82 per month, and the Business plan is customized based on your needs.

Surfer

Surfer is the ultimate solution for content writers wanting to create SEO-optimized pieces. It provides practical tools for planning and crafting articles with a comprehensive keyword database ensuring you rank on Google’s first page of search results.

With detailed real-time insights, it simplifies complex optimization strategies into easy step-by-step processes that smooth your writing journey while keeping track of how well each article performs in terms of ranking score as you go along.

Pros:

• Surfer is designed to be easy to use, even for people new to SEO. Its intuitive interface provides clear recommendations for improving a website’s content and technical SEO.
• Surfer provides a comprehensive analysis of a website’s content and technical SEO, giving users a detailed understanding of what they need to do to improve their ranking.
• Surfer is relatively affordable compared to other SEO tools on the market. It offers a range of pricing plans to suit different budgets and needs.

Cons:

• Surfer relies on data from the Google Search Console and other sources, which means it may not have access to all the data that other SEO tools have. This can limit its ability to provide a complete picture of a website’s SEO performance.
• While Surfer is a useful tool for analyzing and optimizing content, it does not provide many other features that other SEO tools offer, such as keyword research, backlink analysis, and social media analysis.

Pricing:

Surfer offers the Basic plan, $49 per month, the Professional plan, $99 per month, and the Business plan, $199 per month.

Semrush SEO Writing Assistant

Writing great SEO content can be challenging, but with Semrush’s helpful Writing Assistant, you’ll have a powerful ally to simplify optimizing your texts.

The tool provides real-time data from top-ranking results. It analyzes readability, tone of voice, and more – giving instant feedback on improving each area via MS Word 365 or Docs platform integration.

Plus, it is part of the comprehensive digital marketing solutions provided by Semrush that will help maximize performance for any website owner or marketer.

Pros:

• It helps users create content optimized for search engines, which can improve the visibility of their website in search results and drive more traffic to their site.
• It provides a range of suggestions and recommendations for improving the SEO and readability of a piece of content, which can save time and effort in the writing process.
• It includes a plagiarism checker to help users ensure their content is original and not copied from other sources.

Cons:

• Understanding and effectively using its features and tools may require a learning curve.
• It may not be as comprehensive as other content optimization tools.
• It may not be suitable for all types of content, such as creative writing or fiction.

Pricing:

Semrush SEO writing assistant is part of the Semrush suite of SEO tools, which starts at $119.95 per month.

Paraphrasingtool.ai

Paraphrasingtool.ai has revolutionized content writing and marketing, giving users an all-in-one solution for their different needs.

The tool uses advanced artificial intelligence models to help create content similar to that written by humans. It also has built-in tools such as a paraphrase generator, summarizer, plagiarism detector, and grammar checker.

The Paraphraser utilizes over 500,000 synonyms so you can breathe easy knowing your articles are unique – plus get instant feedback on how original they are too.

And if one language isn’t enough? Multilingual options mean no more tiresome translation tasks either.

Pros:

• Users can copy and paste the text they want to paraphrase into the tool, which will automatically generate a new version.
• Using a paraphrasing tool can save users time and effort that would be spent on manually rewriting text.
• By generating unique versions of a text, Paraphrasingtool.ai may help users avoid accidental plagiarism.

Cons:

• Paraphrasingtool.ai only offers to paraphrase and does not have other features commonly found in content writing tools, such as keyword research or content optimization.
• Paraphrasing tools may not always produce text that is of high quality or accurately reflects the meaning of the original text.
• Relying too heavily on a paraphrasing tool may discourage users from developing their paraphrasing skills.
• While Paraphrasingtool.ai may help users avoid accidental plagiarism, it is still possible to commit plagiarism if the paraphrased text is too similar to the original.

Pricing:

Paraphrasingtool.ai is a free tool.

SE Ranking

SE Ranking is a powerful platform that brings the power of SEO analysis and marketing under one roof to help you gain an edge in this ever-evolving digital world.

Generate interesting topic ideas for your content with their content idea tool; use their editor for optimizing as you write along; check it further using the on-page SEO checker.

Technical issues are sorted too – take advantage of SE Rankings’ helpful audit feature.

Keep tabs on what’s working best around you by peeking into your competitors’ top keywords and monitoring your performance at all times – track ranking data over time.

Pros:

• A comprehensive set of SEO and online marketing tools.
• Easy-to-use interface with a customizable dashboard.
• Detailed reports and analytics to track and measure the effectiveness of SEO and online marketing campaigns.
• Integration with Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and social media platforms
• Supports multiple languages and countries.
• Offers a range of pricing options to meet the needs of different users.

Cons:

• Some users may find the interface confusing or overwhelming at first.
• Some features may require a subscription to a higher pricing plan.
• Some users have reported issues with the accuracy of the rank tracking and website analysis tools.

Pricing:

SE Ranking offers a 14-day free trial, after which you can choose from three pricing plans: the Essential plan, which is $39.30 monthly. The Professional plan is $87.20 per month, and the Business plan is $191.20 per month.

Scalenut

Beat writer’s block and produce amazing content with Scalenut.

This AI writing assistant uses human-centric principles to help you create top-quality SEO-optimized work.

Give it a topic and tone of voice, then let its powerful automated algorithm do the rest using one of many built-in templates for blogs, articles, ads, or product descriptions – all available in 25 languages plus natural keyword integration features. Perfect when creating SEO-optimized content.

Pros:

• Its ease of use and fast turnaround times.
• It is extremely cost-effective compared to manual content creation services.
• The built-in editor lets you tweak the text until it’s perfect for your needs.

Cons:

• Limited customization options.
• Some users may find the generated analytics confusing at times.

Pricing:

Scalenut offers a 7-day free trial, after which you can choose from three pricing plans: the Individual plan, which is $29 per month. The Growth plan is $79 per month, and the Pro plan is $149 per month.

PageOptimizer Pro

PageOptimizer Pro (POP) is an essential tool for writers striving to create SEO-friendly content. It features a powerful algorithm that runs over 400 tests of Google’s search engine requirements, plus it utilizes a patented on-page scoring system for maximum accuracy.

Not only does POP provide tailored SEO briefs and suggestions during the writing process but its exclusive real-time score tracking feature allows you to see how changes made alter your overall ranking potential.

From keyword research to header tags and schema markups, POP ensures nothing gets missed as its arsenal leaves no technical detail untouched.

Create superior web documents with ease through this comprehensive approach to optimization worthy of any professional writer’s standards.

Pros:

• Comprehensive optimization features for improving page rankings.
• Generates content recommendations based on keyword research.
• Advanced analytics allow users to track progress over time.
• Offers affordable pricing structures to suit any budget.

Cons:

• Limited services when compared to competitors.
• Does not offer the same level of detailed analysis as other programs.
• Does not support all languages.

Pricing:

PageOptimizer Pro offers a 7-day free trial for only the Basic plan, which is $22 monthly. The Premium plan starts at $33 per month, and the Unlimited plan starts at $44 monthly.

Paraphraser.io

Looking for a way to make your content shine? Paraphraser.io is the perfect tool.

With it, you can take up to 500 words from any language and instantly transform them into unique writing styles without even signing up – all free of charge.

For more extensive rewording options you’ll need the Pro version but either one guarantees that there won’t be two articles with identical phrasing across the web.

Pros:

• Paraphraser.io is a free tool, which makes it an affordable option for those with a limited budget.
• The tool is easy to use and offers a user-friendly interface.
• Paraphraser.io can help you avoid plagiarism by rewriting text to make it unique.

Cons:

• Paraphraser.io only offers to paraphrase and does not have other features commonly found in content writing tools, such as keyword research or content optimization.

Pricing:

Paraphraser.io is a free tool.

BuzzSumo

With BuzzSumo, marketers can gain detailed insights into which content performs best in any given time frame.

Using filters and keyword searches to tailor results for your specific needs can quickly provide valuable data about what resonates with an audience on numerous platforms, allowing you to easily adapt current campaigns or develop creative new ideas from scratch.

Keep ahead of competitors by taking total control over measuring and analyzing trends – giving you a competitive edge.

Pros:

• It provides an easy way to search for content ideas and trends.
• Analyzes engagement metrics to identify popular topics and influencers.
• Generates comprehensive reports on competitor performance.
• Offers additional tools for tracking keywords, alerts, and more.

Cons:

• Price can be expensive for smaller businesses or startups.
• Does not have the same level of detail when it comes to generating actionable insights as other programs such as MarketMuse.
• Limited features when compared to some competitors.

Pricing:

BuzzSumo offers a free plan for 10 free searches a month. It also has a 30-day free trial, after which you can choose from three pricing plans: the Pro plan, which is $99 per month, and the Pro Plus plan, which is $179 per month. The Large plan is $299 per month, and the Enterprise plan is customized based on your needs.

MarketMuse

MarketMuse is an invaluable tool that leverages AI to make content planning and optimization more accessible. It audits your website’s authority, automatically suggests related topics you can cover in a brief, and offers external/internal linking opportunities – essentially acting as your strategist.

Yes, the price point may be higher than other options, but it still provides significant value for those willing to invest.

Pros:

• Automatically analyzes content to identify topic gaps.
• Recommends keywords and topics for content optimization.
• Generates detailed analytics on page performance.
• Allows users to track progress over time with real-time data.
• Provides actionable insights for organic search engine visibility.

Cons:

• The pricing structure can be expensive for some, depending on usage level and feature requirements.
• Successful outcomes still heavily depend on the quality of written content itself.

Pricing:

MarketMuse offers a free plan with no credit card required. It has the Standard plan, $7,200 per year, and the Premium plan, $12,000 per year.

WordHero

WordHero is an AI content writing tool that takes your target keywords and helps you craft compelling, original pieces with machine-learning precision.

This handy piece of software offers over 60 use cases to choose from — ranging from blog posts & articles up to LinkedIn bios -– while allowing users full control through its long-form editor and keyword assistant.

Plus it’s powered by 175 billion ML parameters for an always-evolving content creation process. In a world where time = money, WordHero can be just what marketers need: An efficient way to ensure their written pieces go beyond passable – they get noticed.

Pros:

• The easy-to-use interface lets users find the best words to fit their needs quickly.
• Provides expert tips and techniques to help users write even better content.

Cons:

• A limited selection of pre-made templates for different types of content.
• It may be more suitable for experienced writers than those just starting out.

Pricing:

WordHero offers a plan, which is $49 per month or $348 per year. Both prices are on limited-time promotion.

Grammarly

Grammarly can help you create content that’s polished and sparkling. It acts like a second pair of eyes, providing advice on your spelling, grammar, clarity, conciseness, and tone – giving it the power to transform any written material into an impactful work of art.

Whether you’re using its browser extension or online access for long-form documents copied from Google Docs or Microsoft Word; Grammarly offers many features such as reading time stats plus readability scores by word count and vocabulary suggestions so everyone who reads what you’ve created gets the message loud and clear.

Finally with email marketing assistance at hand too – this smart tool has everything covered.

Pros:

• Grammarly checks for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors to ensure your written work is always error-free.
• It provides personalized feedback on how to improve your writing.
• It can be integrated with popular applications like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Outlook.
• It’s easy to use and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

Cons:

• Grammarly does not always catch every error in a sentence.
• Its premium version can be expensive for some users.
• Some of its features require advanced knowledge of English grammar rules and usage.

Pricing:

Grammarly offers a free version as well as a Premium and a Business version, which start at $12.00 per month and $15.00 per month respectively.

Hemingway App

If you want your readers to understand and enjoy what they’re reading, it’s essential that the writing be clear and concise.

The Hemingway App is an amazing free tool for improving readability – no matter how complex or technical a web page may seem at first glance – so users have a great experience when visiting.

It analyzes text in increments of words per sentence, passive voice usage, and adverbs used frequently (or too often), as well as identifies lengthy sentences with multiple clauses which can hinder comprehension.

Ultimately making sure content reaches its highest potential by providing feedback all along the way, sounds like something every writer should take advantage of.

Pros:

• Quick and easy way to analyze written text for clarity and readability.
• Color-coded visualization of features such as long sentences, passive voice, and overused phrases helps users quickly identify areas that need improvement.
• Offers helpful advice on how to reduce complexity and improve grammar in writing.
• Allows users to export documents in multiple formats including HTML, PDF, Word, and more.

Cons:

• The tool does not take into account contextual meaning when checking for grammar mistakes or suggesting edits, leading to inaccurate results in some cases.
• Does not provide a solution or suggestion on how to fix detected issues – instead, it simply highlights them for the user’s review and correction manually.
• Limited integration with other applications such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word makes it challenging to collaborate with others who may not have access to the app.

Pricing:

Hemingway App is a free tool.

Clearscope

With Clearscope, some of the biggest names in the business including YouTube, Adobe, and Webflow can create winning content with ease.

Optimize your content in real-time using its built-in text editor boasting customized feedback and scoring to ensure you get it just right.

Analyze data from top-ranking Google searches for an extra edge over competitors or use their keyword discovery tool to stay ahead of them.

For even more convenience, integration into existing workflows is a breeze – connect it effortlessly through plugins (WordPress) and add-ons (Google Docs).

Pros:

• Easy to use platform with an intuitive user interface.
• Comprehensive set of features that enable users to analyze large amounts of data quickly.
• Automatically tracks and organizes website keyword research, SEMrush integration, and competitor analysis.
• Customizable reports that can be shared with clients via email or stored in the cloud for easy access.
• Ability to generate SEO insights based on data collected from multiple sources.

Cons:

• Pricing structure may be cost-prohibitive for small businesses or individuals looking for an affordable SEO tool.
• Only available in English at this time, limiting its appeal to non-English speaking customers and organizations.
• Limited customer support options and slower response times than some other more popular SEO tools on the market today.

Pricing:

Clearscope has the Essentials plan, which is $170 per month, the Business plan, which is $1,200 per month, and the Enterprise plan, which is customized based on your needs.

How to choose the most suitable SEO content writing tool?

When choosing an SEO content writing tool, it’s important to consider your budget, the specific features you need, and your overall content strategy.

If you have a limited budget, you may want to consider free tools like Paraphrasingtool.ai and Hemingway App, or paid tools that offer a free trial, such as Frase, Surfer SEO, and Jasper.ai.

If you need specific features, such as keyword research, content optimization, or readability analysis, choose a tool that offers those features.

For example, if you need help with keyword research, you may want to consider a tool like MarketMuse or Semrush.

It’s also important to consider your overall content strategy when choosing a content writing tool. For example, if you’re focusing on creating long-form, in-depth content, you may want to consider a tool like Frase or Jasper.ai, which can help you optimize your content for SEO and improve its readability.

Conclusion

SEO content writing is an important part of any digital marketing strategy, as it helps you improve the visibility and ranking of your website on search engines.

Many content writing tools are available, ranging from paid tools like Frase and MarketMuse to free tools like Paraphrasingtool.ai and Hemingway App.

When choosing an SEO content writing tool, consider your budget, the specific features you need, and your overall content strategy to find the most suitable tool.