- Frase alternatives side by side
- Ten SEO content brief and writing tools to try instead of Frase
- How to compare SEO content brief and optimisation tools
- Questions to ask before you move your SEO content workflow
- Which SEO content tool suits which kind of site
- Using AI in your SEO content without losing quality
- SEO content tool mistakes worth avoiding
- Why a smaller SEO content tool can be a smart pick
- Final checks for your SEO content tool shortlist
- Frequently asked questions
A good SEO content tool depends on how you work: brief builder or grader, AI drafting or your own writing, solo or team. Check how suggestions are produced, what the editor connects to and what you can try for free. This page lists ten options in no particular order, then covers how to compare them and what to check first.
Frase is a content platform that helps you research a keyword, build an outline from what already ranks, draft with AI and then check the page before it goes live. Plenty of people like it. Others want a different mix, such as a plain content grader, a tool built for agencies, a bloggers' toolkit or a longer free look before they commit.
Below are ten SEO content tools to try instead of Frase, in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. A couple are well-known names and most are smaller or newer. I've taken every description from each tool's own website and directory listings, so check the current details on each site before you sign up. If you're still working out your approach, my explainer on what SEO content involves is a good place to start.
Frase alternatives side by side
In the free plan column, Trial only means the tool's own site offers a free trial but no ongoing free plan. Yes means a permanent free tier, and No means the pages I read state neither. Free offers change, so check before you start.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearscope | Content grading | Term suggestions and a clean editor for writers | Trial only |
| Koala | AI articles | Drafting articles from Search Console data | Trial only |
| NeuronWriter | Content optimisation | Scoring drafts against competitor pages | Trial only |
| Rankability | Content and AI visibility | Content gaps and reporting for client sites | Trial only |
| RankIQ | Blogger toolkit | Keyword picks and content guidance for bloggers | No |
| Scalenut | AI content platform | Planning and writing for search and AI answers | Trial only |
| Search Atlas | All-in-one SEO | Content, site checks and AI visibility together | Trial only |
| SEOWriting.ai | Article writer | One-click articles with a free starting tier | Yes |
| Surfer | Content optimisation | Improving existing pages and planning topics | No |
| WriterZen | Content workflow | Keyword research through to AI-assisted writing | Trial only |
Ten SEO content brief and writing tools to try instead of Frase
Clearscope
Best for: Writers and editors who want term suggestions inside a tidy editor, and a free trial to see how it feels.
Koala
Best for: Site owners who want article ideas based on their own search data, drafted and sent to their site.
NeuronWriter
Best for: Bloggers and freelancers who want keyword analysis, competitor research and a content score in one editor.
Rankability
Best for: Small agencies who want content gap checks and client reporting alongside AI search visibility tracking.
RankIQ
Best for: Bloggers who want low-competition keyword ideas and guidance on what to add to a post.
Scalenut
Best for: Marketers who want planning, writing and AI answer visibility handled in a single place.
Search Atlas
Best for: Small teams who want content help, site health checks and AI visibility in one platform.
SEOWriting.ai
Best for: Beginners who want to try AI article drafting for a few articles before deciding on anything bigger.
Surfer
Best for: Teams who want to audit existing pages, plan topics and track how a brand shows up in AI answers.
WriterZen
Best for: Solo writers who want keyword research, topic discovery and drafting help in a single workflow.
How to compare SEO content brief and optimisation tools
These tools sound alike on the surface, so compare them on what changes your week.
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- Brief quality. Does the outline come from the pages that already appear for your keyword, and can you edit it freely?
- Scoring. A content score is a guide, not a guarantee. Check what the score is built on and whether you can ignore suggestions that don't suit your reader.
- AI drafting. Some tools write whole articles, others only suggest terms. Decide how much of the writing you want to hand over.
- Editor and exports. Look for a Google Docs add-on, a WordPress connection or a simple copy-and-paste export.
- Team features. If more than one person writes, check comments, roles and shared projects.
- Search coverage. Some tools now also show how a brand appears in AI answers, which may or may not matter to you.
Questions to ask before you move your SEO content workflow
- Can I export my saved briefs and keyword lists from my current tool?
- What does the free trial include, and does it limit the features I need?
- Does the tool work with the way I publish, whether that's WordPress, a docs editor or something else?
- How are the suggestions produced, and can I see the pages they were based on?
- What happens to my projects and drafts if I stop using it?
- How quickly does support reply when something breaks?
Which SEO content tool suits which kind of site
- Solo bloggers usually want a simple editor, sensible keyword ideas and a gentle learning curve.
- Small businesses often need briefs a freelancer can follow without training.
- Agencies may care more about client reporting, shared projects and white-label options.
- Publishers with many posts might want help refreshing old pages, not just writing new ones.
- Beginners can start with a tool that has a free tier and see whether the habit sticks.
Whichever way you go, the writing still has to be useful to a real reader. My guide to writing content for SEO covers what a tool can't do for you.
Using AI in your SEO content without losing quality
AI drafting is quick, but it can repeat what everyone else says. Treat a generated draft as a first pass: check the facts, add your own examples and customer questions, and read it aloud before publishing. Search engines and readers both reward pages that say something specific.
If a tool names sources or quotes, check them yourself. A confident sentence isn't the same as a correct one.
SEO content tool mistakes worth avoiding
- Chasing a perfect content score at the expense of readability.
- Copying every suggested term into the page whether it fits or not.
- Publishing AI drafts without a human edit.
- Switching tools every month instead of learning one well.
- Judging a tool on a single article rather than a handful of real pages.
- Forgetting that a good page still needs a clear purpose and a clear next step for the reader.
Why a smaller SEO content tool can be a smart pick
Smaller tools tend to be quick to learn and quick to add features. Some are built for one kind of user, such as bloggers or agencies, which can make them a tidier fit than a big suite.
Before you rely on one, check that it's still being updated, read the help pages and try it on a short list of pages. Make sure you can export your work.
Do you make an SEO content or writing tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
Final checks for your SEO content tool shortlist
Pick two tools that match how you work, then run each on the same two or three pages. Compare how easy the brief is to follow, how the editor feels and whether the suggestions help or just add noise. Keep whichever suits you, and don't be afraid to switch if it doesn't.
Frequently asked questions
What does an SEO content tool do?
It looks at the pages that already appear for a keyword, suggests headings, questions and terms to cover, and often scores your draft so you can see what's missing before you publish.
Why look for an alternative to Frase?
People usually want a different editor, a different mix of AI help, team features or a different free trial. Work out which of those matters most to you first.
Do I need an AI writing feature?
Not necessarily. Some people only want a brief and a grader and prefer to write every word themselves. Others like a first draft to edit.
Is a high content score a guarantee of rankings?
No. A score is a guide to what similar pages cover. Quality, usefulness and your site's overall standing all matter too.
Should I publish AI-written articles as they are?
It's safer not to. Check the facts, add your own experience and edit for tone before anything goes live.


