SEO tools I actually use
Hands-on reviews of the tools I run on my own site and client work. Real pricing, what each tool does well and where it falls short, and a straight answer on who it is for and when a free option does the same job.
Affiliate disclosure. Some links on this page and in the reviews are affiliate links. If you start a trial or subscribe through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Each review states the testing scope, current pricing, best fit, and practical limits.
Reviews, comparisons, guides
Start with the question you need answered.
Reviews examine one tool in depth. Comparisons put the same jobs side by side. Practical guides narrow the options for a specific budget or type of search. Each page below has a distinct job, so you can go straight to the one that matches yours.
Review / all-in-one SEO
SE Ranking: the all-in-one SEO tool I use
A full hands-on review of SE Ranking: rank tracking, audits, keyword and competitor research, the 14-day trial, and how its pricing compares to Semrush for a small business or freelancer.
Read the full review →
Comparison / SEO + AI
SE Ranking vs Semrush: which to pick
Real 2026 pricing, which AI and GEO features are actually included, and the same keyword, rank tracker, and audit shown side by side in both tools.
Read the comparison →
Review / technical SEO
Screaming Frog: the crawler I audit with
The desktop crawler I open to run a technical audit, including on this site. What it finds, the free 500-URL version versus the paid licence, where it frustrates, and who actually needs it.
Read the full review →
Guide / free tools
Free SEO tools every small business should use
The free tools that cover most of small business SEO, Search Console, Analytics, PageSpeed, Keyword Planner and more, what each one does, and the point where free runs out.
Read the guide →
Guide / local SEO
The best SEO tools for local SEO in the Philippines
Which tools genuinely help a Philippine small business rank in the map pack and near-me searches, which free ones cover the basics, and where a paid tool finally earns its keep.
Read the guide →At a glance
Which tool for which job.
Every tool here is one I run on floxolab.com and client work before writing it up. Side by side, so you can match the tool to the problem you actually have.
| Tool | Type | Price | Free option | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE Ranking | All-in-one suite | from ~$129/mo | 14-day trial | Rank tracking, research, client reports |
| Screaming Frog | Technical crawler | free / ~$279 a year | Up to 500 URLs | Deep technical audits |
| Free Google tools | Search Console, GA4, PageSpeed | Free | Always | Core data, starting out |
| Local SEO tools | Business Profile + geo-grid | Free + paid tracking | Mostly free | Map pack, near-me searches |
Prices are indicative and may change. Each review explains the plan and pricing context used.
Tools FAQ
Straight answers about these reviews.
How do you pick which SEO tools to review?
I review the tools I run on my own site and client work first, so every review is hands-on rather than a spec sheet rewrite. The focus is on tools that small businesses and freelancers can actually afford and use, not just enterprise platforms.
Do I need a paid SEO tool to do SEO?
No. Google Search Console is free and covers the most important data for a small site. A paid tool helps once you are tracking many keywords, watching competitors, or auditing larger sites. The reviews here say plainly when a free option does the same job.
Need someone to diagnose the site?
The fixed-price audit uses these tools on your site, verifies the findings, and turns them into a prioritized fix list.
View the SEO audit