Tracking your keywords isn’t just an on-page SEO task! It’s how you know your content is actually working. You can write the best blog post in your industry, but if you’re not monitoring where it ranks, how will you know if it’s bringing in traffic?

With search algorithms constantly changing, keyword tracking helps you stay on top of what’s ranking, what’s slipping, and where you need to focus next. Whether you’re running a solo blog or managing SEO for clients, having the right keyword tracking tools gives you clarity and control over your SEO strategy.

In this post, we’ll break down 17 keyword tracking tools to help you monitor rankings, measure progress, and optimize smarter.

What is a Keyword Tracking Tool?

A Keyword Tracking Tool is a specialized software designed to monitor your website’s ranking performance for specific keywords on search engine results pages (SERPs). It provides crucial data on your site’s visibility, helping you understand its current position and how it changes over time. 

This valuable insight is essential for optimizing your content and refining your overall SEO efforts to improve organic search traffic. In the next section, we will discuss some of the best keyword tracking tools that can help you.

Top 17 Keyword Tracking Tools Worth Trying

With so many SEO keyword applicant tracking system out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Below is a handpicked list of reliable options. From free basics to powerful enterprise-level platforms, to help you monitor and improve your SEO performance.

1. Google Search Console

Google Search Console (GSC) is a free tool from Google that helps you understand how your website performs in search. It gives you access to real data on which keywords bring users to your site, and how well each page is ranking.

Key Features

• Performance Reports: Track impressions, clicks, click-through rate (CTR), and average keyword positions. This helps you understand which queries are driving traffic and how users interact with your content.
• URL Inspection Tool: Check indexing status for individual pages and get detailed reports on any issues preventing your page from appearing in search.
• Mobile Usability Testing: Find and fix mobile-related issues like clickable elements that are too close together or text that’s hard to read on small screens.
• Sitemap Submission: Submit your sitemap so Google can crawl and index your content more efficiently.
• Coverage and Indexing Reports: See which pages are indexed, which are excluded, and why, making it easier to resolve indexing issues.

Pricing: Completely free for any verified domain.

Why It’s Handy

GSC gives you first-party data from Google itself. While it’s not a rank tracker in the traditional sense, it’s great for spotting trends in keyword performance. For real-time tracking and competitor insights, you can pair it with a third-party keyword tracking tool like Keyword.com.

2. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a leading all-in-one SEO tool trusted by marketers and agencies worldwide. While it’s best known for its backlink analysis, its Rank Tracker feature is just as powerful for monitoring keyword performance over time. 

With location-specific tracking, historical trends, and competitive comparisons, Ahrefs is a solid choice if you’re serious about SEO.

Key Features

• Rank Tracking: Monitor keyword positions on both desktop and mobile. You can also group keywords by topic or page to organize your tracking efforts more effectively.
• Competitor Research: See how your keyword rankings stack up against top competitors. Discover which keywords they rank for and identify missed opportunities.
• Location-Based Tracking: Track keyword positions across different countries, cities, or languages, making it ideal for international SEO or local campaigns.
• Historical Data Tracking: View how your rankings have changed over days, weeks, or months. Use graphs and visibility scores to spot performance trends and take action.

Price: Starts at $129/month.

Why It’s Handy

Ahrefs combines accurate keyword tracking with deep insights into search trends and competitor strategies. If you’re managing multiple SEO campaigns or need historical context, this tool is a powerhouse. 

For more precise, real-time keyword tracking, some users pair it with a tool like Keyword.com for added accuracy.

3. SEMrush

Semrush is a comprehensive SEO platform used by marketers, agencies, and businesses of all sizes. Its Position Tracking tool lets you monitor keyword rankings across desktop and mobile, locally or globally. It also tracks SERP features like featured snippets, local packs, and knowledge panels, giving you more visibility into your keyword presence.

Key Features

• Position Tracking: Track your keyword rankings daily and see how they change over time. It also highlights when your page appears in SERP features, giving a complete view of visibility.
• Competitor Benchmarking: Add competitors to compare keyword rankings side-by-side and understand where you’re gaining or losing ground.
• Visibility Score: A smart metric that shows how visible your site is in search results based on your tracked keywords.
• Device & Location Tracking: Monitor performance based on device (mobile or desktop) and specific geographic locations for hyper-targeted tracking.

Price: Starts at $129.95/month.

Why It’s Handy

Semrush offers one of the most detailed keyword tracking systems on the market. Its intuitive dashboard and granular insights make it an excellent fit for businesses that want more than just rank tracking. This tool is a full suite for SEO campaign management.

4. Moz Pro

Moz Pro is a trusted SEO tool widely used for its reliable keyword tracking capabilities. It enables users to build keyword campaigns, monitor rankings over time, and analyze search visibility with easy-to-understand visual reports. Whether you’re targeting local or national rankings, Moz Pro provides actionable insights to help refine your strategy.

Key Features

• Competitor Keyword Tracking: Monitor how your competitors are ranking for shared keywords and spot areas where you can outperform them.
• Location & Device Tracking: Customize tracking by region and device to see exactly where and how you’re ranking—on mobile vs. desktop, or in specific geographic areas.
• Share of Voice Reports: Understand how much real estate your keywords occupy in the SERPs relative to competitors, helping gauge brand visibility.
• Historical SERP Data: Track your performance over time and identify long-term trends in keyword rankings and SERP changes.

Price: Starts at $99 per month.

Why It’s Handy

Moz Pro is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses that need reliable keyword tracking without an overwhelming interface. The Share of Voice feature is especially useful for brands focused on improving overall visibility, not just rank position.

Includes rank tracking, keyword difficulty analysis, and SERP features monitoring.

5. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest by Neil Patel is a beginner-friendly keyword tracking tool perfect for small businesses, bloggers, and marketers who want solid SEO insights without breaking the bank. It offers daily rank tracking, keyword suggestions, site audits, and competitive analysis in a simple dashboard.

Key Features:

• Daily Rank Tracking: Monitor keyword positions for mobile and desktop with automatic daily updates.
• Keyword Suggestions: Get related keyword ideas with search volume, SEO difficulty, and cost-per-click data.
• Competitor SEO Analysis: See which keywords your competitors rank for and find content gaps.
• Site Audit Tools: Identify technical SEO issues and optimization opportunities across your website.

Price: Starts at $29 per month (with lifetime plans available).

Why It’s Handy

Ubersuggest is a great option if you’re just starting with SEO or need a lightweight, cost-effective solution. Its clear interface and all-in-one functionality make it easy to understand your keyword trends and site performance.

6. SERPWatcher (by Mangools)

Mangools’ SERPWatcher is a clean, user-friendly keyword tracking tool designed for marketers who want simplicity without sacrificing features. It’s perfect for small businesses, freelancers, and SEO consultants looking to monitor rankings across different devices and localities.

Key Features:

• Performance Index: Measures your website’s organic traffic potential based on keyword positions and their search volume. It offers a single score to understand overall performance quickly.
• Local and Global Tracking: Track keywords in over 65,000 locations with daily updates—ideal for local SEO campaigns and international sites.
• Shareable, Interactive Reports: Create interactive keyword reports for clients or teams, and schedule email alerts for performance changes.

Price: Starts at $29 per month (10-day free trial available)

Why It’s Handy

SERPWatcher strikes a great balance between simplicity and functionality. You get daily updates, strong local tracking, and easy report sharing. All wrapped in an intuitive interface perfect for non-technical users.

7. SE Ranking

SE Ranking is a comprehensive SEO platform known for its accurate keyword tracking and well-integrated toolkit. It’s ideal for digital marketers who want both keyword insights and additional SEO features like audits and backlink tracking—all in one place.

Key Features:

• 100% Accurate Rank Tracking: Monitor keyword rankings across search engines with daily updates and precise positioning.
• Google Maps & SERP Feature Tracking: Perfect for local SEO, SE Ranking tracks your presence in local pack results and other SERP features like snippets and ads.
• Keyword Grouping & Tagging: Organize keywords by campaigns, intent, or categories for more structured insights.
• Historical Data & Competitor Monitoring: View performance trends and compare your keyword rankings with competitors over time.
• Built-in SEO Tools: Includes website audits, backlink monitoring, and page change tracking.

Price: Starts at $55 per month (14-day free trial available)

Why It’s Handy

SE Ranking gives you detailed keyword performance data plus a suite of additional SEO tools. It’s great for agencies and mid-sized teams that want to streamline their SEO efforts without switching between multiple platforms.

Real-time rank tracking with competitor comparison and keyword grouping.

8. SpyFu

SpyFu is a competitive keyword tracking and research tool built to help marketers uncover hidden opportunities in both organic and paid search. It’s known for deep historical insights, SERP analysis, and ad intelligence. This makes it especially useful for agencies and businesses running SEO + PPC campaigns.

Key Features:

• Keyword Tracking & History: Track your keyword rankings over time, see which pages rank, and analyze movements in SERPs to adjust your strategy.
• Competitor Analysis: Discover your competitors’ most successful keywords, ads, and top-performing content in organic and paid search.
• SERP Analysis: Understand the difficulty of ranking for specific keywords, domain diversity, estimated clicks, and live ads displayed for your tracked keywords.
• Ad Insights & Advertiser History: Review ad copy versions from competing domains to identify what performs well and adapt those tactics for your own campaigns.
• Bulk Keyword Upload: Upload up to 1,000 keywords at once to get metrics like volume, CPC, and difficulty.
• Leads & Custom Lists: Build prospecting lists based on SEO activity, ad budgets, or contact filters—great for outreach or client acquisition.

Price: $39/month (monthly billing) or $33/month (annual billing)

Why It’s Handy

SpyFu is ideal if you want a combination of keyword tracking, competitive intelligence, and ad research, all under one roof. Its historical data and visibility into what your competitors are doing give you a big edge in both SEO and PPC planning.

9. Rank Tracker (by SEO PowerSuite)

Rank Tracker is a desktop-based keyword tracking tool that offers deep flexibility for SEO professionals and agencies managing large keyword portfolios. It supports unlimited keyword tracking and offers detailed SERP analysis, keyword grouping, and location-based rank monitoring.

Key Features:

• Unlimited Keyword Tracking: Track any number of keywords across different search engines without worrying about platform restrictions.
• Local and Global Tracking: Monitor keyword positions across specific countries, cities, or even zip codes, great for local SEO campaigns.
• Competitor Comparison: Compare your rankings against competitors to spot performance gaps and opportunities.
• SERP Analysis: Get real-time insights into top-ranking pages, keyword difficulty, and fluctuations in search engine results.

Price: Starts at $24/month for tracking up to 200 keywords

Why It’s Handy

Rank Tracker is a powerful choice for SEO teams that want in-depth tracking capabilities at an affordable price. However, since it’s a desktop tool, syncing across teams can be less efficient than cloud-based options. It’s ideal for single-user environments or smaller teams that prefer working locally.

10. AccuRanker

AccuRanker is a high-speed, cloud-based keyword tracking tool designed for SEO professionals and enterprises that need real-time data and scalable performance. Known for its clean interface and rapid updates, it’s especially effective for large teams handling multiple keyword campaigns.

Key Features

• Lightning-Fast Updates: Refresh your keyword data as often as needed with on-demand updates—no more waiting 24 hours.
• Data Segmentation: Organize keywords by tags, landing pages, or custom filters to make performance tracking more efficient.
• GSC Integration: Pull keyword and performance data directly from your Google Search Console account for additional insights.
• SERP Analysis: View detailed snapshots of the SERP, including ranking URLs, features, and competitor activity.

Price: $116/month for up to 1,000 keywords (14-day free trial available)

Why It’s Handy

AccuRanker is ideal for SEO teams and agencies that prioritize speed, usability, and reliable keyword insights. Its real-time refresh and historical tracking make it a go-to for monitoring campaigns across multiple clients or websites. The intuitive dashboard also makes reporting easy for clients and team members alike.

11. Serpstat

Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO platform with a powerful Rank Tracker. It’s great for tracking keyword positions across multiple devices and locations.

Key Features

• Keyword Tracking: Monitor rankings on desktop and mobile in over 230 regions.
• Competitor Analysis: Add competitors to compare keyword performance side-by-side.
• SERP Feature Tracking: See if your site appears in featured snippets, local packs, or other SERP elements.
• Custom Reports: Build reports, schedule them, and get alerts when rankings change.

Price: Starts at $50/month (7-day free trial available)

Why It’s Handy

Serpstat is ideal for teams that need accurate, location-based keyword data. Its competitor insights and SERP tracking help spot ranking gaps and optimize content more effectively.

12. CognitiveSEO

CognitiveSEO is a comprehensive SEO platform designed for professionals and agencies seeking detailed insights into keyword performance, content optimization, and backlink analysis. Its rank tracking tool offers precise monitoring across various devices and locations, making it ideal for businesses targeting diverse markets.

Key Features:

• Accurate Rank Tracking: Monitor keyword positions daily across desktop and mobile devices, with support for local and global tracking.
• Content Optimization: Utilize the Content Assistant to enhance your content based on semantic analysis and NLP, aiming to improve search rankings.
• Competitor Analysis: Gain insights into competitors’ strategies by analyzing their keyword rankings and backlink profiles.
• Backlink Audit: Identify and manage backlinks, including detecting unnatural links that could harm your site’s SEO.
• SEO Visibility: Track your website’s visibility trends over time to assess the impact of your SEO efforts.

Price: Starts at $129/month (7-day free trial available)

Why It’s Handy

CognitiveSEO stands out for its in-depth analytical capabilities, combining rank tracking with content and backlink analysis. It’s particularly useful for SEO professionals who require detailed data to inform their strategies. The platform’s comprehensive toolset supports effective decision-making to enhance online visibility.

13. Wincher

Wincher is a user-friendly, cloud-based keyword rank tracking tool designed for businesses, agencies, and SEO professionals. It offers daily updates, competitor tracking, and integrated keyword research. This makes it a comprehensive solution for monitoring and improving search engine rankings.

Key Features:

• Daily & On-Demand Rank Tracking: Monitor keyword positions with daily updates and the option for manual refreshes to get the latest data when needed.
• Competitor Monitoring: Track up to 20 competitors per website, allowing you to compare keyword performance and identify opportunities to outperform rivals.
• Keyword Research Tool: Discover new keyword opportunities with search volume, CPC, and traffic estimates, and seamlessly add them to your tracking list.
• Local Rank Tracking: Monitor keyword rankings in specific locations, essential for businesses targeting local markets.
• Customizable Reporting: Generate automated, white-labeled reports in PDF format and schedule them for regular delivery to stakeholders.

Price: Starts at $49/month (7-day free trial available)

Why It’s Handy

Wincher combines simplicity with powerful features, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned SEO professionals. Its intuitive interface, coupled with comprehensive tracking and reporting capabilities, provides valuable insights to enhance your SEO strategy.

14. Advanced Web Ranking (AWR)

Advanced Web Ranking (AWR) is a comprehensive keyword tracking tool designed for SEO professionals and agencies. It offers precise tracking across various devices, locations, and search engines, making it ideal for businesses targeting diverse markets.

Key Features:

• Accurate Rank Tracking: Monitor keyword positions daily across desktop and mobile devices, with support for local and global tracking.
• Pixel Position Tracking: Determine your website’s exact position on SERPs, considering various search features.
• Competitor Analysis: Gain insights into competitors’ strategies by analyzing their keyword rankings and market share.
• Customizable Reporting: Generate white-labeled reports tailored to your needs, with options to schedule reports and receive notifications on ranking changes.

Price: Starts at $99/month (30-day free trial available)

Why It’s Handy

AWR stands out for its in-depth analytical capabilities, combining rank tracking with competitor analysis and customizable reporting. It’s particularly useful for SEO professionals who require detailed data to inform their strategies. The platform’s comprehensive toolset supports effective decision-making to enhance online visibility.

15. BrightEdge

BrightEdge is an enterprise-grade SEO platform designed for large organizations seeking advanced keyword tracking, content performance analysis, and competitive insights. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage and optimize SEO strategies at scale.

Key Features:

• Keyword Reporting: Monitor high-value keywords with detailed insights into search volume, ranking positions, and universal search results.
• HyperLocal Tracking: Track keyword performance across over 70,000 global locations, enabling precise local SEO strategies.
• Competitor Analysis: Assess keyword performance relative to competitors, identify content gaps, and uncover opportunities to improve search visibility.
• SERP Layout Monitoring: Understand how your content appears in various SERP features like featured snippets, local packs, and video results.
• StoryBuilder Dashboards: Create customizable dashboards to visualize keyword performance, content impact, and ROI metrics.

Price: Custom enterprise pricing (annual contracts)

Why It’s Handy

BrightEdge is ideal for large enterprises that require in-depth SEO analysis and reporting. Its robust features support strategic decision-making by providing actionable insights into keyword performance and competitive positioning. However, its premium pricing and complexity may be more suitable for organizations with dedicated SEO teams and substantial budgets.

16. Keyword Surfer

Keyword Surfer is a free Chrome extension developed by Surfer SEO that integrates keyword research directly into Google’s search results. It’s designed for marketers, bloggers, and SEO professionals seeking quick insights without leaving the search page.

Key Features

• Search Volume & CPC: Displays estimated monthly search volumes and cost-per-click data for your search queries, aiding in evaluating keyword competitiveness.
• Keyword Suggestions: Provides a list of related keywords with similarity scores, helping identify alternative terms and long-tail opportunities.
• On-Page Data: Reveals metrics like word count and keyword usage for top-ranking pages, offering insights into content structure and optimization.
• Export Functionality: Allows exporting keyword data to CSV files, facilitating further analysis and integration into your SEO workflow.

Price: Free (Chrome extension)

Why It’s Handy

Keyword Surfer is ideal for users seeking a lightweight, accessible tool for immediate keyword insights. Its seamless integration with Google Search makes it convenient for on-the-fly research, especially for content creators and small businesses operating on tight budgets.

17. Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool built into Google Ads, primarily designed for PPC campaigns but also extremely useful for keyword research and performance insights. While it doesn’t offer daily rank tracking, it helps you discover relevant keywords, estimate search volume, and forecast traffic. This makes it a great companion to traditional tracking tools.

Top Features:

• Discover new keyword ideas based on topics, URLs, or categories
• Get average monthly search volumes and competition levels
• Forecast keyword performance (clicks, impressions, CPC estimates)
• Filter by location, language, and device
• Export keyword lists for use in your SEO or PPC campaigns

Pricing

Completely free to use. But requires a Google Ads account (no active campaign necessary).

Why It’s Handy

Google Keyword Planner gives you real, first-party keyword data straight from Google. While it doesn’t track keyword rankings, it’s an excellent starting point for identifying high-value keywords and estimating their traffic potential.

Google Keyword Planner is ideal for marketers and advertisers who require in-depth keyword data for their Google Ads campaigns. Its direct integration with Google’s advertising platform makes it a vital tool for PPC campaign planning and optimization.

How to Choose the Right Tool

With so many keyword tracking tools available, it’s important to choose one that fits your workflow and goals, not just one with the most features.

1. Know Your Budget

Some tools, like Google Search Console, are completely free. Others, like BrightEdge or AccuRanker, are better suited for teams with a higher budget. Decide what you can spend monthly before diving in.

2. Local vs. Global Tracking

Do you need to track keywords across multiple countries, or just in your city? Tools like SE Ranking and Mangools offer strong local tracking, while others are more focused on broader, global visibility.

3. Consider the User Experience

If you’re a beginner, go for a tool with a clean, simple dashboard like SERPWatcher or Wincher. Power users might prefer advanced tools like Ahrefs or Semrush that offer more granular control.

4. Look for Extra Features

Some platforms offer keyword tracking as part of a larger SEO suite. Features like backlink monitoring, content audits, and competitor analysis can add value—if you actually need them.

Pick a tool that fits your business size, SEO needs, and comfort level. A tool that’s too simple or too complex can slow you down.

Final Thoughts

Keyword tracking helps you learn what actually drives results. The right tool enables you to focus your SEO efforts where they matter, cut wasted time, and stay ahead of your competitors.

Don’t pick based on features alone. Think about how you’ll use the data, who will access it, and whether the tool fits into your existing workflow.

Start small if you’re unsure. Many tools offer trials, and even the free ones can give you solid ground from which to work. What matters is tracking consistently and acting on the insights you gain.

Frequently Asked Questions