Summary: Whether a free tool is worth using depends on whether it completes the specific task in front of you, not on the length of its feature list. We do not publish a ranking here, because we have not tested every tool under the same conditions. Instead, this is a selection method you can repeat yourself.
1. Separate the job you need done
Most small teams mix four needs together: real search data, page diagnostics, writing assistance and outcome tracking. These tools draw on completely different data, so one cannot stand in for another. A "suggested keyword" from a writing tool is not proof that anyone searched for it. Write down the one job you most need done this month before you look for a tool.
2. Scope and method
Any comparison should state which publicly documented features it covers, the date they were checked, and what was not tested. Free allowances change often, so every row needs a check date. Mark anything untested as "not tested" rather than scoring it from memory.
3. Feature checklist (no evidence, no ranking)
| What to check | What to record | Common mistake | |---|---|---| | Data source | Official search-engine data, third-party estimate, or model output | Treating estimates as real traffic | | Free tier | Daily runs, exportable rows, card required or not | Trusting the word "free" on the homepage | | Export | CSV export, history retained | Results only available as screenshots | | Fit | Single site, multiple sites, agency | Holding a small team to enterprise criteria |
For your own site's search performance, Google Search Console provides first-party data and is a sensible baseline (see sources).
4. Trial every candidate on the same small task
Pick one real page and ask each candidate tool to do the same thing, such as "find where this title does not match the queries it receives". Record the output, the errors, the time taken and the limits you hit. After three to five tools have done the same job, the differences are usually obvious and more reliable than any review article.
5. Where 23SEOGEO fits
23SEOGEO offers entry points for domain diagnostics, keyword and topic research, content production support, and AI visit and citation observation. Checked against our plan data on 2026-10-12, the Free plan includes per month: 150 domain diagnoses, 90 GEO Authority Score checks and 1 AI-generated article; 1 domain and 1 AI-visit tracking site; 2 citation trackers (3 prompts and 2 engines each); 30 days of history; no batch generation. Allowances change; the pricing page is authoritative.
| Free plan item (checked 2026-10-12) | Allowance | |---|---| | Domain diagnoses | 150 / month | | GEO Authority Score (GAS) checks | 90 / month | | AI article generation | 1 / month | | Domains / AI-visit tracking sites | 1 each | | Citation trackers | 2, with 3 prompts and 2 engines each | | History retention | 30 days |
6. Tool scores are not customer acquisition
Scores, article counts and simulated citations are process measures. The real outcome is whether search clicks, enquiries and sales change over a fixed window compared with a baseline. If a tool promises "zero-cost leads" or a fixed growth multiple, ask for its method and sample.
7. FAQ
Do free tools have limits? Most do, and they change; check each tool's current page and note the date.
Do AI-written articles need human review? Yes. Fluent formatting does not make facts correct; numbers, cases and product specs all need sources.
How do I know the effort is worth it? Set one measurable goal and a time window, then compare against your baseline. If nothing moves, change the method rather than adding more tools.
Next step: pick this month's most important task and complete it in the matching tool; pricing follows the current public page.
Sources, checked 2026-10-11: Google: AI features and your website; Search Console Help. These support only the rules they cover, not any growth figure.
By the 23SEOGEO team