Surfer SEO vs Frase: Which AI SEO Tool Delivers Better Rankings?
Both Surfer SEO and Frase help you create content that ranks. But they approach the problem differently. Surfer is the data-heavy optimization engine. Frase is the research-first content brief builder. This comparison helps you figure out which approach matches your workflow.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Choose Surfer SEO if you want the most comprehensive on-page optimization tool — SERP analysis, content scoring, keyword clustering, and an AI writer that follows SEO guidelines automatically.
Choose Frase if you prioritize research speed and content briefs — pulling SERP data, identifying questions people ask, and generating outlines before you write.
Try Surfer SEO → · Try Frase →
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Feature Comparison
| Feature | Surfer SEO | Frase |
|---|---|---|
| Content Editor | Yes (real-time scoring) | Yes (real-time scoring) |
| AI Writing | Yes (Surfer AI) | Yes (built-in) |
| SERP Analysis | Deep (NLP, word count, headings, entities) | Good (questions, topics, headings) |
| Content Briefs | Yes | Yes (stronger) |
| Keyword Research | Yes (keyword clusters) | Basic |
| Internal Linking | Yes (auto-suggestions) | No |
| Content Audit | Yes (site-wide) | No |
| Google Docs Plugin | Yes | Yes |
| WordPress Plugin | Yes | Yes |
Pricing (February 2026)
| Plan | Surfer SEO | Frase |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $89/mo (Essential) | $15/mo (Solo) |
| Mid | $129/mo (Scale) | $115/mo (Team) |
| Business | $219/mo (Scale AI) | Custom (Enterprise) |
| AI Writing Add-on | Included in Scale AI | $35/mo add-on |
Pricing insight: Frase’s Solo plan at $15/mo is incredible value for individual bloggers. Surfer’s lowest plan at $89/mo is a real commitment. But Surfer includes more features at every tier, especially keyword clustering and content audits.
Content Optimization
This is the core use case for both tools. Here’s how they compare:
Surfer SEO analyzes the top 10-20 SERP results for your target keyword and gives you a real-time “Content Score” (0-100) as you write. It tracks word count, heading structure, keyword usage, NLP entities, images, and readability. The score correlates reasonably well with ranking potential.
Frase also provides a content score, but its strength is the research phase. It pulls “People Also Ask” questions, extracts topics from competing pages, and helps you build a comprehensive outline before writing. The optimization side is competent but less granular than Surfer.
Winner: Surfer SEO for optimization depth. Frase for research and brief creation.
AI Writing Quality
Both tools have built-in AI writing capabilities:
Surfer AI generates full articles (1,500-3,000+ words) that are already optimized for your target keyword. You provide the keyword, select tone and structure preferences, and get a complete draft in minutes. Quality is surprisingly good for SEO content — it hits the right keywords naturally and follows proper heading structure.
Frase AI generates content paragraph by paragraph within the editor. It’s more manual but gives you more control over each section. The writing quality is comparable but the workflow is slower.
Winner: Surfer AI for efficiency. Frase for control.
Who Should Choose What
Surfer SEO is better for:
- Content teams producing 10+ articles per month
- Sites that need comprehensive SEO auditing
- Anyone who values data-driven optimization
- Teams that want AI to generate full draft articles
Frase is better for:
- Solo bloggers and small content teams
- Writers who want thorough research before writing
- Budget-conscious creators (that $15/mo plan)
- People who prefer to write themselves and just need optimization guidance
The Bottom Line
If budget isn’t a concern and you’re serious about SEO-driven content, Surfer SEO is the more powerful tool. Its content editor, keyword clustering, content audits, and AI writer form a complete SEO content workflow.
If you’re an individual blogger or small team watching costs, Frase at $15/mo is hard to argue against. You get 80% of the value for a fraction of the price. Start with Frase, and upgrade to Surfer when your traffic justifies the investment.
Last updated: February 9, 2026
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