alsoasked vs keyword-surfer
AlsoAsked vs Keyword Surfer — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
AlsoAsked and Keyword Surfer tackle keyword research from opposite angles. AlsoAsked specializes in mining and visualizing "People Also Ask" data to reveal topic clusters and content opportunities. Keyword Surfer provides instant search volume data and SERP insights directly in your browser while you search.
The fundamental difference comes down to depth versus convenience. AlsoAsked offers deep topic exploration through PAA question mapping, while Keyword Surfer gives you quick keyword metrics without leaving Google. Most SEOs find themselves choosing based on whether they need detailed content planning or fast competitive research.
Feature Comparison
AlsoAsked excels at topic discovery through its visual PAA question trees. You enter a seed keyword and get an interactive map showing related questions, their connections, and potential content angles. The tool organizes these into hierarchical clusters, making it easy to spot content gaps and plan comprehensive topic coverage. It's particularly strong for finding long-tail opportunities that traditional keyword tools miss. Keyword Surfer operates as a Chrome extension that overlays search volume data directly on Google results. It shows monthly search volumes, related keywords, and word count analysis for ranking pages—all without leaving the SERP. The tool also provides similar keywords suggestions and estimated traffic for competing pages. While it lacks AlsoAsked's topic visualization, it wins on speed and integration with your natural search workflow. Both tools pull from Google's data, but AlsoAsked focuses exclusively on PAA questions while Keyword Surfer emphasizes traditional search metrics. Neither offers advanced features like keyword difficulty scoring or rank tracking that you'd find in comprehensive SEO platforms.
Pricing Comparison
Keyword Surfer takes a clear pricing advantage by being completely free. As a SurferSEO product, it serves as a lead magnet for their paid content optimization platform, but the extension itself has no usage limits or premium tiers. AlsoAsked starts at $15/month after a free trial that includes limited searches. The paid plans unlock unlimited searches, bulk exports, and team collaboration features. For agencies running multiple client campaigns, this represents real value, but solo SEOs might struggle to justify the monthly cost when Keyword Surfer provides similar research capabilities at no charge.
Best For
AlsoAsked is the better choice when you need comprehensive content planning and topic research. It's ideal for content strategists building editorial calendars, agencies planning large-scale content campaigns, or anyone who needs to map topic relationships visually. The tool shines when you're entering a new niche and need to understand the full question landscape around your target keywords. Keyword Surfer works better for quick competitive research and on-the-fly keyword validation. It's perfect for content writers researching while they write, PPC managers checking search volumes for ad copy, or anyone who wants keyword data without switching between multiple tools. The seamless browser integration makes it invaluable for immediate decision-making during active research sessions.
The Verdict
For most SEOs, Keyword Surfer's combination of free access and browser integration makes it the smarter starting point. You get immediate keyword data where you need it most—directly in Google search results. AlsoAsked offers more sophisticated topic mapping, but unless you're regularly planning comprehensive content strategies, the $15/month cost is hard to justify when Keyword Surfer handles basic keyword research needs effectively at no cost.