answerthepublic vs keyword-chef
AnswerThePublic vs Keyword Chef — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
AnswerThePublic and Keyword Chef take fundamentally different approaches to keyword research. AnswerThePublic visualizes autocomplete data to show what questions people ask about your topic, while Keyword Chef identifies content gaps by finding keywords where forums and Reddit posts rank on page one.
The core difference is research philosophy: AnswerThePublic helps you understand search behavior through comprehensive question mapping, while Keyword Chef specifically hunts for low-competition opportunities where authoritative content could easily outrank forum discussions.
Feature Comparison
AnswerThePublic excels at comprehensive keyword visualization, turning search data into wheel diagrams that map questions, prepositions, comparisons, and related searches around your seed keyword. You get instant visual maps showing "how to," "what is," "where can," and similar question patterns that reveal content opportunities. The tool also provides alphabetical keyword lists and tracks search volume trends over time. Keyword Chef takes a laser-focused approach to gap analysis. Instead of broad keyword discovery, it specifically identifies queries where Reddit threads, Quora answers, and forum posts rank in the top 10 results. This signals weak competition where well-optimized content could easily capture rankings. The tool filters results by competition metrics and provides difficulty scores for each opportunity. AnswerThePublic offers more comprehensive data visualization and question research capabilities, while Keyword Chef specializes in one specific but valuable use case: finding easy-to-rank keywords that competitors have overlooked.
Pricing Comparison
AnswerThePublic starts at $5/month for the Individual plan with 100 searches daily, plus a free tier offering 3 searches per day. The Pro plan at $99/month provides unlimited searches, CSV exports, and historical data. This traditional subscription model makes budgeting predictable. Keyword Chef uses pay-per-use pricing without monthly commitments. You purchase credits for searches rather than paying a recurring fee. While this means no ongoing costs if you don't actively research keywords, heavy users will likely find monthly subscriptions more economical than per-search pricing.
Best For
AnswerThePublic works best for content creators and marketers who need comprehensive question research across multiple topics. If you're building content calendars, creating FAQ sections, or developing topical authority through question-based content, the visual mapping and broad keyword discovery justify the subscription cost. Keyword Chef suits SEO specialists and agencies focused on quick wins and low-hanging fruit. If your strategy centers on finding easy-ranking opportunities where you can outcompete forums with quality content, the targeted gap analysis and pay-as-you-go pricing make sense.
The Verdict
AnswerThePublic wins for most keyword research needs due to its comprehensive feature set, predictable pricing, and proven track record since 2014. The visual question mapping and broad keyword discovery provide more versatile research capabilities than Keyword Chef's narrow focus on forum-ranking opportunities. While Keyword Chef offers a unique angle on competition analysis, AnswerThePublic delivers better overall value for building sustainable keyword strategies.