Quick Summary:
Both Surfer SEO and Frase aim to solve the challenge of ranking content on search engine results pages (SERPs), but they are built for different types of users.
- Choose Surfer SEO if you care more about precise correlations, technical SEO data, and scaling content production through a metrics-driven approach.
- Choose Frase if you prioritize rapid content briefing, research, and an integrated AI writing workflow.
Overview of Surfer SEO:
Surfer SEO is a content optimization platform designed for SEO specialists, agencies, and data-driven marketers.
It focuses on “Correlation SEO,” analyzing hundreds of data points from top-ranking pages to provide a specific roadmap for content length, keyword density, and structural elements.
Common use cases:
- Auditing existing website pages to improve search rankings.
- Planning content clusters based on keyword research and topical authority.
- Drafting new articles using a real-time SEO score and structural suggestions.
👉 Learn more about Surfer SEO here
Overview of Frase:
Frase is an AI-powered content research and writing tool aimed at content creators, copywriters, and small marketing teams.
Its main focus is streamlining the research phase of content creation by automatically scraping search results to create comprehensive outlines and briefs.
Common use cases:
- Creating detailed content briefs for freelance writers in minutes.
- Researching competitor headers, statistics, and frequently asked questions.
- Generating and refining drafts using built-in AI writing templates.
Feature Comparison:
Here’s a side-by-side look at how the two tools compare:
| Feature | Surfer SEO | Frase |
| Primary Use Case | Data-backed content optimization | Content research and briefing |
| Ease of Use | Moderate; detailed interface | High; intuitive for writers |
| Key Strength | SERP correlation data | Automated research summaries |
| Customization | High control over competitor sets | High control over brief structure |
| Integrations | Google Docs, WordPress, Jasper | Google Docs, WordPress |
| Best For | Technical SEO teams | Content managers and writers |
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Pricing Comparison:
Both tools offer different pricing models:
Surfer SEO Pricing
- Free / Trial: No free plan; occasionally offers a money-back guarantee period.
- Paid plans: Tiered subscriptions based on the number of articles optimized and additional seats. Features like “Audit” and “SERP Analyzer” are often gated by plan level.
👉 Check latest pricing for Surfer SEO
Frase Pricing
- Free / Trial: No free plan; typically offers a low-cost 5-day trial.
- Paid plans: Monthly or annual subscriptions based on document limits. AI writing capabilities are often sold as a separate “SEO Add-on.”
👉 Check latest pricing for Frase
Pros and Cons Comparison:
Surfer SEO Pros
- Extremely detailed keyword suggestions based on NLP (Natural Language Processing).
- Visual “Content Score” provides a clear target for writers.
- Robust “Audit” tool identifies specific technical gaps compared to competitors.
Surfer SEO Cons
- The interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
- Pricing is generally higher than many competitors.
Frase Pros
- Excellent tool for summarizing competitor content and FAQs.
- Intuitive “Brief” builder that saves significant time in the planning phase.
- Seamless integration between research data and AI writing tools.
Frase Cons
- SEO data is less granular than Surfer’s correlation analysis.
- The AI writing feature requires an additional monthly cost.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Choose Surfer SEO if:
- You need precise data on why specific pages are outranking yours.
- You prefer a workflow centered on hitting specific keyword density and structural targets.
- You value deep integrations with other SEO tools and platforms.
Choose Frase if:
- You need to produce high-quality content briefs quickly for a team.
- You prefer a tool that assists with the actual writing and research process rather than just the optimization.
- You value a cleaner, more streamlined interface focused on the writing experience.
Final Verdict:
Both tools are capable, but they shine in different areas.
- Surfer SEO is better suited for agencies and SEO professionals who require deep technical insights and precise optimization metrics.
- Frase makes more sense for content teams and solo creators who need to speed up the research and briefing stage of the editorial process.
The right choice depends on your workflow, budget, and priorities.
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