10 Best Free Keyword Research Tools [2026]

Short answer: start with Google's own free tools. Keyword Planner gives volume ranges, Search Console shows the keywords you already appear for, and Google Trends shows seasonality. Add the Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator for ideas with difficulty. SEO Runway's 14-day trial gives full keyword research with volume, difficulty and intent, and one click sends keywords to your rank tracker. For paid tools, see our keyword research tools guide.

Disclosure: SEO Runway is our product. We ranked it using the same criteria as every other tool, and noted where others do better.

Quick picks

• Best free volume data: Google Keyword Planner
• Best free real data: Google Search Console
• Best free difficulty scores: Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator
• Best free trial: SEO Runway
• Best free question ideas: AnswerThePublic

Free keyword research tools compared

How we chose these tools

We included tools with genuinely useful free usage or a free trial, and compared their published limits on usage, volume data, difficulty, countries and card requirements.

1. Google Keyword Planner: best free volume data

Verdict: keyword ideas and volume from Google Ads data, free.

Limits: volume ranges without active ad spend.

2. Google Search Console: best free real data

Verdict: the real queries you already get impressions and clicks for.

Limits: your site only; 1,000-row interface limit.

3. Google Trends: best for seasonality

Verdict: relative interest over time and by region.

Limits: no absolute volume.

4. SEO Runway (14-day trial): best free trial

Verdict: keyword research with volume, difficulty and intent, then send keywords to rank tracking or a content brief in one click.

After the trial: Core SEO from $49/month. See plans.

5. Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator: best free difficulty scores

Verdict: keyword ideas with difficulty and volume, free.

Limits: limited results.

6. Ubersuggest (free): basic free lookups

Verdict: a few free searches per day with volume and difficulty.

Limits: daily caps.

7. Semrush (free account): limited free data

Verdict: a small number of free requests per day.

Limits: tight caps.

8. AnswerThePublic: best free question ideas

Verdict: questions people ask around a topic.

Limits: daily searches.

9. Keyword Surfer: free volume in Google

Verdict: a browser extension showing volumes in search results.

Limits: fewer countries.

10. Keywords Everywhere (free features): free related terms

Verdict: related and "people also search for" terms free; volume needs credits.

Limits: paid volume.

A free keyword research workflow in 5 steps

1. Mine Search Console for queries with impressions at positions 8–20 (quick wins).
2. Expand seed topics in Keyword Planner and the Ahrefs free generator.
3. Add questions from AnswerThePublic and "People also ask".
4. Check seasonality in Google Trends.
5. Check the SERP for each keyword: intent, competitors and features. Then map keywords to pages.

Related free tools

• Free rank checkers
• Free SEO audit tools

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free keyword research tool?

Google Keyword Planner for volume and Google Search Console for keywords you already rank for. The Ahrefs free generator adds difficulty scores.

Can I get search volume for free?

Yes, as ranges in Keyword Planner, or limited exact figures from free tiers of Ahrefs, Ubersuggest and Semrush.

Are free keyword tools accurate?

All volume figures are estimates, free or paid. Your own Search Console data is the most accurate for your site.

The bottom line

• Free basics: Keyword Planner, Search Console and Trends.
• Free difficulty: Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator.
• Full research plus tracking, free for 14 days: SEO Runway.

Start a 14-day free trial of SEO Runway and send your first keywords to tracking.