Cheapest way into Surfer
Pricing: Discovery $49/mo billed yearly ($59 monthly), 120 documents, 1 seat. AI search tracking, keyword research, integrations and extra seats start at Standard ($99/mo yearly).
Best for: Writers who specifically want Surfer's optimizer and lots of documents on one seat.
Key features
- Content Editor with Content Score on Discovery
- 120 documents a month — more than NeuronWriter Bronze (25) or Frase Starter (10 articles); units aren't identical
- AI search tracking, keyword research, integrations and extra seats start at Standard
Pros
- Highest entry-plan document volume among optimizers here
- Live, competition-based guidelines
Cons
- No AI search tracking on Discovery
- Integrations and keyword research start at Standard
- "Start for Free" terms not stated
Best for teams optimizing at volume
Pricing: Discovery $49/mo yearly ($59 monthly); Standard $99/$119; Pro $182/$219; Peace of Mind $299/$359; AI Search Analytics standalone $82/$95; Enterprise custom.
Best for: Content teams and agencies whose main job is optimizing lots of new and existing content.
Key features
- AI Writing Assistant (Surfy), AI Detector & Humanizer and Content Score on every writing plan
- Keyword Research from Standard; Topical Map, Content Ideas & Coverage Gap and Cannibalization Report from Pro; SERP Analyzer on Peace of Mind
- 1-click content optimization from Standard; 1-click internal linking from Pro
- Integrations (WordPress, Google Docs, Contentful, Zapier) from Standard; MCP from Pro; API only on Peace of Mind
- Surfer says it "works with all languages"
- Yearly billing saves "up to 17%," charged upfront; annual credits reset yearly
Pros
- Far more documents on the entry plan than the other optimizers here
- Deep planning tools (Topical Map, cannibalization) on Pro
- Detailed AI visibility reports, including mention gaps and brand sentiment, from Pro
Cons
- No AI search tracking on Discovery
- API access only on the $299/mo (yearly) plan
- "Start for Free" terms aren't spelled out on the pricing page
Best for large optimization teams
Pricing: Standard $99/mo yearly (3 seats); Pro $182 (5 seats, 5 brand workspaces); Peace of Mind $299 (10 seats, unlimited* workspaces). Enterprise custom.
Best for: SEO agencies and large in-house teams whose day-to-day work is optimizing content.
Key features
- Live collaboration, comments, folders and external collaboration links from Standard
- Activity log from Standard; content version history of 1 week / 1 month / 6 months depending on plan
- Topical Map, Content Ideas & Coverage Gap and Cannibalization Report from Pro
- Mention Gap and Brand Sentiment reports from Pro
- Personalized onboarding from Pro; dedicated CSM on Peace of Mind
- MCP from Pro; API only on Peace of Mind
Pros
- Up to 10 seats and unlimited* brand workspaces
- High optimization volume for teams working through big backlogs
- Detailed competitive AI visibility reports
Cons
- API is limited to the top plan
- No white-label reporting stated
- The jump from Pro to Peace of Mind is $117/mo on yearly billing
Best Frase alternative for volume and planning
Pricing: Discovery $49/mo yearly ($59 monthly), 120 docs; Standard $99/$119, 360 docs; Pro $182/$219; Peace of Mind $299/$359, unlimited*.
Choose it if: You optimize a lot of content and want keyword and topical planning built in.
Pros
- High document allowances
- Strong planning and collaboration features from Standard and Pro
- "Works with all languages"
Cons
- Higher entry price than Frase Starter
- Annual plans charged upfront; annual credits reset yearly
- Free-start terms not stated
Best Scalenut alternative for optimization volume
Pricing: Discovery $49/mo yearly ($59 monthly), 120 docs, no AI tracking; Standard $99/$119, 360 docs; Pro $182/$219; Peace of Mind $299/$359.
Choose it if: You optimize a lot of content and want daily, multi-model AI tracking on Pro.
Pros
- High document allowances
- Live collaboration, comments and version history from Standard
- "Works with all languages"
Cons
- No AI tracking on Discovery
- Annual credits reset yearly
Supa