Ahrefs YouTube Keyword Tool: Pricing, Features and the Best Alternatives for 2026

TL;DR: Ahrefs' free YouTube Keyword Tool page says it is under maintenance (checked 28 Sep 2026), and YouTube data inside Keywords Explorer comes with a full Ahrefs plan, from $129/mo on Lite. For most creators the closest swap is vidIQ, which shows YouTube search volume and competition on a free plan or $19/mo. OutlierKit ($49/mo, 30-credit free trial, no card) is built for experts, consultants and coaches who run a YouTube channel. It fits when you need to see which channel sizes rank for a keyword and which videos broke out on it. Keep Ahrefs only if you already pay for it for web SEO.

Last updated: October 13, 2026

Which tool for which case

Ahrefs is a web SEO suite that added YouTube as one of its search engines. That makes it strong on raw search volume and weak on the things that decide whether a video gets views. If you are new to the topic, start with our YouTube keyword research guide, which walks through the seed, expand, validate and prioritize steps. This post covers what the Ahrefs tool does, what it costs, where it falls short, and seven alternatives ranked by how well they do YouTube keyword research.

What is the Ahrefs YouTube Keyword Tool?

The Ahrefs YouTube Keyword Tool is a free page on ahrefs.com that shows YouTube search volume for a keyword. The same data lives inside Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, where you switch the search engine from Google to YouTube. The tool page lists search volume, average monthly clicks, clicks per search and return rate, with data for 170 countries.

Ahrefs estimates YouTube volume from clickstream data instead of Google Keyword Planner. That gives you a real number for YouTube searches, which many free tools cannot. Ahrefs did not build the product for YouTube first, though. It is a web SEO platform with a YouTube filter.

Is the Ahrefs YouTube Keyword Tool still available in 2026?

No, not the free version. When we checked on 28 September 2026, the Ahrefs YouTube Keyword Tool page read "This tool is under maintenance" and pointed visitors to the free Keyword Generator instead.

YouTube data inside paid Keywords Explorer still needs an Ahrefs subscription. Paid plans start at $29/mo (Starter), and the full Keywords Explorer tiers start at $129/mo (Lite). That is a lot to pay for YouTube research alone while the free YouTube page stays offline.

What do you need to know about Ahrefs for YouTube at a glance?

How do you research YouTube keywords in Ahrefs?

You run YouTube keyword research in Ahrefs from Keywords Explorer, in five steps:

1. Log into Ahrefs and open Keywords Explorer. It defaults to Google.

2. Switch the search engine dropdown from Google to YouTube.

3. Enter seed keywords for your channel, such as "fitness workout" or "tech reviews".

4. Review search volume, clicks, trends and related keyword ideas.

5. Export the keywords you want and plan your content calendar.

The workflow copies web SEO keyword research. SEO people will find it familiar. YouTube creators get no help with what the algorithm rewards after the click.

How much does Ahrefs cost for YouTube keyword research?

Ahrefs costs $29/mo for Starter and $129/mo for Lite, the first tier with full Keywords Explorer. You cannot buy the YouTube keyword feature on its own, so you pay for the whole SEO platform.

Ahrefs pricing tiers

Source: Ahrefs pricing page, which says annual billing saves up to 17%. The pricing page lists a free Ahrefs plan but no free trial.

What does that mean for a YouTube creator?

If you only need video keyword research, most of what you pay for goes unused: backlink data, site audits and rank tracking for websites. Starter at $29/mo costs less than OutlierKit Hobby ($49/mo), and Lite at $129/mo costs more than twice as much. YouTube-first tools give you more video-specific data for that money.

What data does Ahrefs show for a YouTube keyword?

Ahrefs shows monthly YouTube search volume, clicks, clicks per search, return rate, related keywords and volume trends. Each one holds up differently for video.

1. YouTube search volume

Ahrefs shows estimated monthly searches for a keyword on YouTube. Estimates hold up best for high-volume terms and get shakier for niche, low-volume keywords where the sample is small. Volume alone does not tell you whether your channel can rank.

2. Keyword Difficulty

Ahrefs built its 0 to 100 Keyword Difficulty score for Google, from the backlinks pointing at top-ranking pages. Backlinks do not decide YouTube rankings. The YouTube tool page lists volume, clicks, clicks per search and return rate, and no YouTube-specific difficulty score.

3. SERP overview

The SERP overview lists the top-ranking results for a keyword with basic metrics. It tells you who ranks today. It does not tell you why those videos rank or which gaps are open.

4. Related keywords

Related keywords give you variations, questions and long-tail terms from your seed. You get hundreds of ideas fast, with no filter for terms a small channel can win.

5. Clicks and clicks per search

Ahrefs estimates how often a search leads to a click. Few YouTube tools show this, and it helps you favor keywords where viewers actually pick a result.

6. Historical data

Volume trends over time show which topics are growing and which are fading.

What does Ahrefs do well for YouTube keyword research?

Ahrefs does four things well for YouTube keywords:

• Clickstream-based search volume, so you see real YouTube demand instead of Google Keyword Planner numbers.

• Coverage of 170 countries, useful if you make videos for several markets or languages.

• Clicks and clicks per search, which most YouTube tools lack.

• One tool for web and YouTube keywords, handy for teams that run a blog and a channel, with the reporting agencies expect.

Where does Ahrefs fall short for YouTube creators?

Ahrefs falls short because it applies web SEO logic to a platform that ranks videos by viewer behavior.

It does not model how YouTube ranks videos

YouTube weighs watch time, click-through rate on thumbnails, audience retention, channel consistency and engagement. Ahrefs' data does not cover any of these, so a keyword that looks open can still belong to channels with huge audiences. Our YouTube SEO strategy guide covers the signals that do matter.

It does not show which keywords your channel can win

Ahrefs gives you volume and a Google-based difficulty score. It does not compare a keyword against the size of the channels ranking for it, which is the question a small channel needs answered.

It does not analyze the videos behind a keyword

Ahrefs shows which keywords exist. It does not show which formats, lengths, thumbnails or hooks work for them, or why some videos beat others.

It costs a lot for YouTube-only use

At $29 to $449/mo, Ahrefs is priced for agencies and businesses that use the full suite. Paying that for YouTube keywords alone costs far more than a YouTube-first tool.

It takes time to learn

Ahrefs is designed for SEO professionals. New users face a learning curve before the research pays off.

It has no script or hook analysis

The opening seconds of a video decide whether viewers stay. Ahrefs has no tools for scripts or hooks.

Is there a free Ahrefs keyword tool for YouTube?

Yes, the Ahrefs Keyword Generator is free and covers YouTube along with Google, Bing, Amazon and other engines. It returns a capped list of ideas with search volume estimates (the page promises 100+). The dedicated free YouTube Keyword Tool page is under maintenance.

The free generator works for brainstorming. It gives you ideas without the competition data you need to judge them.

Which free options give you more?

• YouTube Studio shows the search terms that already bring viewers to your own channel, for free.

• Google Keyword Planner gives broad volume estimates for free, based on Google rather than YouTube.

• KeywordTool.io's free YouTube tool pulls 750+ suggestions from YouTube autocomplete, without volume.

• OutlierKit offers a 30-credit free trial with no card, enough to test Keyword Research at 2 credits per query.

For a longer list, see our roundup of free YouTube keyword tools.

What are the best Ahrefs alternatives for YouTube keyword research?

The best Ahrefs alternatives for YouTube keyword research are vidIQ, OutlierKit and TubeBuddy, followed by KeywordTool.io, MorningFame, 1of10 and Taja AI. We ranked them by how well they replace Ahrefs for the job of finding YouTube keywords worth a video. For tools that pull YouTube data beyond keywords, see our list of YouTube data tools.

1. vidIQ: the closest swap for Ahrefs YouTube data

Pricing: Free plan | Boost $19/month | Max $49/month. Ratings: 3.8/5 on Trustpilot from 1,369 reviews (checked 28 Sep 2026); 4.5/5 on Chrome Web Store from 11.3K ratings (checked 28 Sep 2026). Best for: creators who want YouTube keyword data, competitor tracking and analytics in one place.

vidIQ is the most direct Ahrefs replacement for YouTube keywords. It shows monthly search volume with a competition score, tracks rival channels and adds real-time analytics through a browser extension and web app. It ranks first here because it covers the core Ahrefs job, volume plus competition, and you can start on a free plan.

What does vidIQ include?

• Keyword research with monthly search volume estimates and competition scores

• Competitor tracking for rival channels

• Real-time views and performance stats

• Trend alerts for rising keywords in your niche

• An AI Coach with recommendations (quality varies)

How much does vidIQ cost?

See our vidIQ pricing breakdown for annual prices and credit limits.

Where does vidIQ fall short?

• Its competition score does not break down the channel sizes ranking for a keyword.

• It shows a lot of numbers with little direction on what to film.

• The dense feature set can overwhelm beginners.

• AI suggestions can feel generic.

• The best keyword features sit on the paid tiers ($19 to $49/mo).

Verdict: vidIQ is the easiest move off Ahrefs if you want keyword volume and competition scores for YouTube. Add a research tool if you also need to see which channel sizes win a keyword.

2. OutlierKit: best for keywords a small channel can rank for

Pricing: Hobby $49/month | Pro $99/month | Max $399/month; 30-credit free trial, no card. Rating: 5.0/5 from 13 Product Hunt reviews. Best for: experts, consultants and coaches, and the agencies that run their channels, who need to know whether they can rank for a keyword and what to film.

OutlierKit is a YouTube-only research and planning tool built for experts, consultants and coaches who use YouTube to share what they know. It works the same whether you run the channel yourself or an agency runs it for you. Its keyword research shows search volume alongside the sizes of the channels already ranking, so you can tell whether a term is held by huge channels or open to smaller ones. It then links keywords to outlier videos: videos that beat their own channel's average views. It ranks second because it answers the "can I rank?" question Ahrefs skips, but it has no free plan and costs more than vidIQ Boost to start.

What does OutlierKit show for a keyword?

OutlierKit's Keyword Research costs 2 credits per query. Advanced Keyword Research (10 credits) adds an opportunity score, weekly to yearly growth trends, channel size distribution, saturation, median views and typical video length for top results, audience intent, and content angles you can take.

What else does OutlierKit do?

• Outlier Research (2 credits) finds videos that got several times their channel's usual views, so you can see which topics and formats break through.

• Video Script Analysis (10 credits) breaks down the script of a published video, including hook strength, pacing and curiosity loops.

• Channel analysis (10 credits) profiles a channel's audience, formats and best-performing content.

• Trends and Niches track rising topics and open sub-niches. For ideas on where to start, see our most profitable YouTube niches list.

• Deep Research (20 credits) runs a full niche study from one prompt.

• Competitor Studio (50 credits, Pro and Max) tracks a set of rival channels.

• Make tools on every plan: Title writes 16 candidates and ranks them against real breakout videos (2 credits), plus Description and hashtags, Chapters, and Script review, which scores a script you wrote before you record.

• An MCP connector on Pro and Max lets Claude use OutlierKit's research tools, such as outlier search, channel and video data, transcripts and keyword research. You sign in with Google and need no API key.

• A free Chrome extension that needs no account.

OutlierKit does not write scripts from scratch, design thumbnails, generate video, run A/B tests or bulk-edit videos.

How much does OutlierKit cost?

The free trial gives you 30 credits with no card. Extra credits cost $19 per 100. Credit costs: Keyword Research 2, Outlier Research 2, Video Script Analysis 10, channel analysis 10, Advanced Keyword Research 10, Deep Research 20, Competitor Studio 50.

What do users say about OutlierKit?

OutlierKit holds 5.0/5 from 13 Product Hunt reviews. Three of them:

"I was consistent with uploading videos, but at a certain point, I wasn't able to understand how things were working. With OutlierKit, I was really able to understand the competitor landscape and identify the kinds of opportunities I could bet on." (Sai Teja Challapalli, creator, Product Hunt review)

"It's really simple and gives really useful data and insights for choosing WHAT to make and how to structure it better. Will recommend to anyone seriously committing to YouTube." (Ashutosh Upadhyay, podcast host, Product Hunt review)

"OutlierKit gives a lot of useful YouTube data without making you dig through endless numbers. The analysis surfaces the details that actually matter." (Casey Brandon, creator, Product Hunt review)

Where does OutlierKit fall short?

• No free plan, only a 30-credit trial.

• Hobby at $49/mo costs more than vidIQ Boost and 1of10 Basic ($19/mo each).

• No A/B testing, bulk editing, thumbnail design or script writing.

• No web SEO data, so it does not replace Ahrefs for a website.

Verdict: pick OutlierKit when your question is "which keyword can my channel win, and what should the video look like?" rather than "how many people search this?"

How does OutlierKit compare with Ahrefs for YouTube?

OutlierKit is built only for YouTube research, and Ahrefs is a web SEO suite with YouTube volume data. The table sticks to what each tool offers.

3. TubeBuddy: best for keyword scores plus A/B tests

Pricing: Free plan | Pro about $12/month | Legend about $27/month (both billed annually). Ratings: 4.5/5 on Chrome Web Store from 8.5K ratings (checked 28 Sep 2026); 2.8/5 on Trustpilot from 25 reviews (checked 28 Sep 2026). Best for: creators with large video libraries who want bulk edits and thumbnail tests.

TubeBuddy runs mainly as a browser extension inside YouTube. Its Keyword Explorer gives search volume estimates and competition scores, and its A/B testing and bulk tools set it apart from the rest of this list.

What does TubeBuddy include?

• Keyword Explorer with search volume estimates and competition scores

• A/B tests for thumbnails and titles (Legend)

• Bulk processing to edit many videos at once (Legend)

• Click Magnet for thumbnail and click-through insights

• Playlist analytics

How much does TubeBuddy cost?

Prices are from TubeBuddy’s own vidIQ comparison, billed annually. See our TubeBuddy pricing page for more.

Where does TubeBuddy fall short?

• The interface can feel cluttered.

• A/B testing and bulk tools sit on Legend.

• No outlier detection.

• Trend analysis is basic next to research tools.

• It reports data and leaves the interpretation to you.

Verdict: TubeBuddy suits established creators who want keyword scores and optimization tools in one extension. It is weaker for deciding which new topic to target.

4. KeywordTool.io (YouTube): best for long-tail keyword ideas

Pricing: Free version (no volume) | Pro from $88/month. Best for: finding long-tail keyword variations.

KeywordTool.io pulls keyword suggestions from YouTube autocomplete. The free version returns 750+ suggestions per search without an account. Search volume, which it estimates from clickstream data, needs a Keyword Tool Pro plan.

What does KeywordTool.io include?

• Autocomplete-based keyword suggestions from YouTube search

• Search volume on Pro plans

• Keywords by country

• Question-based keywords that show what viewers ask

• API and MCP access on every Pro plan

How much does KeywordTool.io cost?

Source: Keyword Tool Pro pricing. Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Where does KeywordTool.io fall short?

• Search volume starts at $88/mo; the free version shows none.

• No difficulty or channel-size competition view.

• Lists keywords without guidance on which to pick.

• No outlier detection.

Verdict: KeywordTool.io is good for long-tail discovery. At $88/mo for volume data, it costs more than most YouTube-first tools that also show competition.

5. MorningFame: best budget option for beginners

Pricing: Basic $4.90/month | Plus $12.90/month. Best for: beginners who want simple analytics at a low price.

MorningFame is a beginner-friendly analytics and keyword tool with low prices. Its keyword research estimates your odds of ranking based on your own channel's numbers, which is close to what a small channel needs.

What does MorningFame include?

• A simple analytics dashboard

• A Velocity tab that tracks growth momentum

• Comparison against 20 channels of a similar size

• Keyword ranking probability based on your channel

• Recommendations tailored to channel size and niche

How much does MorningFame cost?

Source: MorningFame pricing. The first month is free, and signup needs an invitation. See our MorningFame pricing page.

Where does MorningFame fall short?

• Signup is invitation-only.

• Basic limits keyword research to 24-hour windows every 12 days.

• No outlier detection, script analysis or audience psychographics.

• No thumbnail tools or A/B testing.

• Competitor analysis is basic.

Verdict: MorningFame fits beginners on a tight budget. The invite gate and Basic limits make it hard to rely on for regular research.

6. 1of10: best for outlier video ideas

Pricing: Free plan | Basic $19/month | Pro $89/month | Ultra $4,999/year. Ratings: 4.1/5 on Trustpilot from 30 reviews (checked 28 Sep 2026); 4.0/5 on Chrome Web Store from 34 ratings (checked 28 Sep 2026). Best for: creators who want viral video ideas and packaging research.

1of10 finds outlier videos, the ones performing well above their channel's average, through a Chrome extension and web app. It ranks low on this list because it does not show keyword search volume, which is the job Ahrefs does.

What does 1of10 include?

• Outlier video search across YouTube

• Trending formats and thumbnail search

• Competitor tracking

• AI thumbnail, title and idea tools, metered by credits

• Group coaching and a private community on Ultra

How much does 1of10 cost?

See our 1of10 pricing page for yearly prices.

Where does 1of10 fall short?

• No keyword search volume, so it cannot replace Ahrefs on its own.

• No script analysis.

• Leaning on generated ideas can flatten your own angle.

• Pro costs $89/month.

Verdict: 1of10 is useful for spotting video ideas that already work. Pair it with a keyword tool if search traffic matters to you.

7. Taja AI: best for SEO automation after research

Pricing: Starter $19.99/month | Professional $49.99/month | Teams/Agency $99.99/month. Rating: 5.0/5 on Product Hunt from 2 reviews (checked 28 Sep 2026). Best for: creators who want descriptions, tags and repurposed posts done for them.

Taja AI automates video optimization: descriptions, tags, chapters, Shorts and repurposed posts for other platforms. It is not a keyword research tool in the Ahrefs sense, so it ranks last here. Read our Taja AI review for the full picture, or our list of AI tools for YouTube video creation for similar tools.

What does Taja AI include?

• YouTube long-form optimization with generated descriptions and tags

• Automated chapters with timestamps

• Shorts cut from each video

• Blog, LinkedIn and Threads posts from your video

• Content scheduling and idea generation

How much does Taja AI cost?

Source: Taja AI pricing. Annual billing saves 20%.

Where does Taja AI fall short?

• Its ideas come from AI predictions, not YouTube performance data.

• No outlier detection or script analysis.

• No audience psychographics.

• Unlimited optimizations cost $99.99/month.

Verdict: Taja AI saves time on upload tasks once you know what to make. It does not do the research.

How do the Ahrefs alternatives compare feature by feature?

vidIQ and TubeBuddy lead on in-YouTube tooling, OutlierKit on research depth, and Ahrefs on web SEO and country coverage.

Is Ahrefs worth it for YouTube keyword research?

Ahrefs is worth it for YouTube only if you already pay for it for web SEO. It is an SEO platform that includes YouTube data, not a YouTube tool. For agencies and businesses already on Ahrefs, the YouTube volume adds value to a plan they have. The data is good, and the 170-country coverage is wide.

For YouTube-only creators, $29 to $449/mo buys web SEO features and a Google-based difficulty score, with no view of which keywords a small channel can win and no help with the video itself. It also leaves out outlier videos, audience intent, and script and hook analysis.

Which Ahrefs alternative should you pick?

• Pick vidIQ for the closest like-for-like swap: YouTube volume and competition scores from a free plan.

• Pick OutlierKit if you are an expert, consultant or coach who uses YouTube to share what you know, or an agency that runs such a channel, and you need to know which keywords you can rank for and what to make. Start the free trial (30 credits, no card).

• Pick TubeBuddy if you also want A/B tests and bulk edits.

• Pick KeywordTool.io for long-tail ideas, MorningFame for a tiny budget, 1of10 for outlier ideas, and Taja AI for upload automation.

Related reading

• YouTube keyword research: the Keyword Stack method

• Best YouTube keywords for 2026

• YouTube SEO guide

• Free YouTube keyword tools

• Best YouTube keyword tools

• vidIQ alternatives

Sources

• Ahrefs YouTube Keyword Tool: "This tool is under maintenance" (checked 28 Sep 2026); data for 170 countries.

• Ahrefs pricing: Starter $29/mo, Lite $129/mo, Standard $249/mo, Advanced $449/mo.

• Ahrefs Keyword Generator: free, covers YouTube among other search engines.

• vidIQ pricing: Boost $19/mo, Max $49/mo.

• TubeBuddy vs vidIQ (TubeBuddy blog): Pro about $12/mo, Legend about $27/mo, billed annually.

• Keyword Tool Pro pricing: Starter $88/mo.

• Keyword Tool for YouTube: 750+ free suggestions from YouTube autocomplete.

• 1of10 pricing: Basic $19/mo, Pro $89/mo.

• Taja AI pricing: Starter $19.99/mo.

• OutlierKit pricing: Hobby $49/mo, 30-credit free trial.

• OutlierKit on Product Hunt: 5.0/5 from 13 reviews.