surfer-seo vs frase
SurferSEO vs Frase — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
SurferSEO and Frase both tackle SEO content optimization but from different angles. SurferSEO built its reputation on real-time content scoring and NLP analysis, becoming the go-to for agencies and serious SEO teams. Frase positions itself as the content brief specialist, focusing on research automation and streamlined workflows for content teams.
The core difference comes down to depth versus accessibility. SurferSEO offers more granular optimization features and advanced analysis, while Frase prioritizes user-friendly content research and brief generation that gets you writing faster.
Feature Comparison
SurferSEO's content editor provides live optimization scoring as you write, analyzing word count, keyword density, headings, and semantic keywords against top-ranking competitors. Its SERP Analyzer breaks down the top 100 results with detailed metrics, and the Keyword Research tool clusters related terms automatically. The platform excels at technical on-page factors like content structure analysis and provides specific recommendations for meta descriptions and title tags. Frase takes a research-first approach with its AI-powered content briefs that automatically extract key topics, questions, and statistics from top-ranking pages. Its Question Research feature pulls related queries from platforms like Reddit and Quora, while the Content Optimizer provides post-writing analysis similar to Surfer but with less granular scoring. Frase's AI writer can generate first drafts based on briefs, though the quality requires significant editing. Both tools offer Chrome extensions and WordPress integrations, but SurferSEO's Grow Flow feature provides ongoing site audits and optimization tasks, making it more comprehensive for technical SEO beyond content creation.
Pricing Comparison
Frase starts at $15/month for the Solo plan (1 user, 4 articles), making it significantly more budget-friendly than SurferSEO's $89/month Basic plan (2 users, 30 articles). However, Frase's article limits are restrictive—you'll hit the ceiling quickly if you're producing content regularly. The Team plan jumps to $45/month for 30 articles. SurferSEO's higher price point includes more comprehensive features like SERP Analyzer, Keyword Research, and site auditing that Frase charges extra for or doesn't offer. When you factor in the depth of analysis and additional SEO tools, SurferSEO provides better value for agencies or teams handling multiple clients, despite the higher entry cost.
Best For
SurferSEO is the better choice for SEO agencies, larger content teams, and anyone who needs comprehensive competitor analysis and technical optimization guidance. If you're optimizing content for competitive keywords, managing multiple client sites, or want detailed insights into why competitors rank higher, Surfer's depth justifies the premium pricing. Frase works best for solo content creators, small marketing teams, and bloggers who need quick content briefs without deep technical analysis. If you're producing content at scale and want AI assistance with research and initial drafts, Frase's streamlined workflow and lower price make it the practical choice.
The Verdict
Choose SurferSEO if you're serious about SEO and have the budget for comprehensive optimization. Its real-time scoring, detailed competitor analysis, and technical SEO features make it the superior tool for teams that live and breathe search rankings. Frase is the better pick for content creators who want SEO guidance without the complexity—its research automation and brief generation will get you writing optimized content faster, even if the analysis isn't as deep.