AI SEO Tools · Pricing comparison
Frase vs Surfer SEO: Pricing
Frase is the cheaper option ($10.00/mo less), Surfer SEO rates slightly higher. Below we break down plans, free tiers, and value so you can decide which fits your budget and workflow.
Last checked September 27, 2026
At a glance
Frase is the cheaper option ($10.00/mo less), Surfer SEO rates slightly higher.
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Frase vs Surfer SEO: side-by-side
| Feature | Frase | Surfer SEO |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI SEO Tools | AI SEO Tools |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free plan details | No free plan; 7-day free trial with no credit card. | No free plan; free Chrome extension and AI tools are available. |
| Starting price | $39/mo (Starter, billed yearly) | $49/mo (Discovery, billed yearly) |
| Highest known plan | $299/mo (Scale, monthly) | $299/mo (Peace of Mind), custom Enterprise |
| Trial of paid plan | Yes | No |
| Best for | Content teams generating research briefs at volume | Content teams optimizing articles to rank |
| Team support | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Editor rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
Pricing and free plans
Frase uses a subscription model, starting at $39/mo (Starter, billed yearly). Starter $39, Professional $103 and Scale $239 per month on annual billing ($49, $129 and $299 monthly). All plans have a 7-day free trial with no card. It has no ongoing free plan.
Surfer SEO uses a subscription model, starting at $49/mo (Discovery, billed yearly). Plans on annual billing: Discovery $49, AI Search Analytics $82, Standard $99, Pro $182 and Peace of Mind $299 per month; monthly billing costs about 20% more. It has no ongoing free plan.
Which is cheaper?
If budget is the deciding factor, Frase wins on entry price. If output quality or specific features matter more, weigh the feature lists below before deciding.
Frase: pros and cons
Pros
- Best brief automation per dollar
- Full workflow in one tool
- Much cheaper than Clearscope
Cons
- Editor less polished than Surfer
- No free plan
- Keyword data thinner than suites
Surfer SEO: pros and cons
Pros
- Industry-standard optimization flow
- AI Overviews/ChatGPT tracking
- Integrates with Jasper/WordPress
Cons
- Expensive for solo creators
- Credits cap heavy use
- Score-chasing can hurt prose
Who each tool is best for
- Best for beginners: Frase — lower barrier to entry and easier to start for free or cheaply.
- Best for teams: Surfer SEO.
- Frase is best for: Content teams generating research briefs at volume.
- Surfer SEO is best for: Content teams optimizing articles to rank.
Verdict
On price alone, Frase is the value pick at $39/mo (Starter, billed yearly). Surfer SEO edges ahead on our editor rating. For most people, choose Frase if you want content teams generating research briefs at volume, and Surfer SEO if you want content teams optimizing articles to rank.
Frase vs Surfer SEO FAQ
Which is cheaper, Frase or Surfer SEO?
Frase has the cheaper entry price — about $10.00/mo less. Frase starts at $39/mo (Starter, billed yearly), while Surfer SEO starts at $49/mo (Discovery, billed yearly).
Does Frase or Surfer SEO have a free plan?
Neither offers an ongoing free plan, though a trial may be available.
Is Frase or Surfer SEO better for beginners?
Frase tends to be the easier starting point thanks to its pricing and free access, though both cover the same core ai seo tools needs.
Which is better for teams?
Surfer SEO is the stronger team pick given its collaboration support and rating.