clearscope-keyword-discovery vs keysearch
Clearscope Keyword Discovery vs Keysearch — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
Clearscope Keyword Discovery and Keysearch represent two fundamentally different approaches to keyword research. Clearscope's tool is built into their premium content optimization platform, focusing on topical relevance and content gaps for established content teams. Keysearch positions itself as the budget-friendly alternative to enterprise tools, targeting bloggers and independent publishers who need comprehensive keyword data without the hefty price tag.
The core difference comes down to accessibility and integration. Clearscope Keyword Discovery only exists as part of Clearscope's broader Business plan, making it an add-on feature for teams already committed to their content optimization workflow. Keysearch operates as a standalone keyword research platform with its own suite of analysis tools and competitive intelligence features.
Feature Comparison
Keysearch delivers a full keyword research suite with difficulty scoring, SERP analysis, rank tracking, and a content assistant. Their keyword difficulty metric uses a proprietary algorithm that factors in domain authority, content quality, and competitive landscape. The platform includes YouTube keyword research, local SEO features, and competitor analysis tools that show exactly which keywords competitors rank for. Clearscope Keyword Discovery focuses specifically on content gap analysis and topical relevance. It identifies keyword opportunities by analyzing your existing content against topically related terms and competitive gaps in your niche. The tool excels at suggesting semantically related keywords that fit your content strategy, but it lacks the broader competitive intelligence and ranking difficulty metrics that Keysearch provides. Keysearch also includes features like backlink analysis, website auditing, and rank tracking that make it a more comprehensive SEO toolkit. Clearscope's keyword module is designed to feed directly into their content optimization workflow, making it more specialized but less versatile for general SEO research.
Pricing Comparison
Keysearch starts at $17/month for their Starter plan, which includes 300 keyword lookups, 30 tracked keywords, and access to all core features. Their Pro plan at $49/month expands to 1,500 lookups and 150 tracked keywords. This pricing makes it accessible for individual bloggers and small content teams. Clearscope Keyword Discovery is only available through Clearscope's Business plan, which starts at several hundred dollars monthly (exact pricing requires consultation). You're not just paying for keyword research—you're buying into Clearscope's entire content optimization platform, making it cost-prohibitive unless you're already using their content grading and optimization features.
Best For
Clearscope Keyword Discovery works best for established content teams already using Clearscope for content optimization who need keyword suggestions that integrate smoothly with their existing workflow. It's ideal for companies focused on topical authority and semantic content strategies rather than traditional keyword volume chasing. Keysearch is the better choice for independent bloggers, small agencies, and anyone who needs a comprehensive keyword research tool without enterprise pricing. It's particularly valuable for users who want difficulty scoring, competitor analysis, and rank tracking in one affordable package.
The Verdict
Keysearch wins for most users due to its affordability, comprehensive feature set, and standalone functionality. Unless you're already committed to Clearscope's content optimization platform and have the budget for their Business plan, Keysearch delivers significantly more keyword research value per dollar. The only scenario where Clearscope Keyword Discovery makes sense is if you're already deep in their ecosystem and need keyword suggestions that feed directly into their content grading workflow.