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 →
Mangools Free+: five tools tested on a real site
A real Free+ account tested with KWFinder, SERPChecker, SERPWatcher, LinkMiner, and SiteProfiler, including the limits that disappeared first.
Read the hands-on test →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.
Before you pay
Use the free source when it already answers the question.
Search Console covers the essential search data for a small site. Paid tools become useful when you need repeatable rank tracking, competitor research, larger crawls, or client reporting. Each review states the account tested, the job it helped with, and the limit that appeared first.
Looking for utilities you can run now rather than software reviews? Open the free FloxoLab tools.
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