Surfer SEO vs Raven Tools: Best Keyword Researcher in 2025?

Winner

4.5

• SERP Analyzer
• Content Editor
• Keyword Research
• Grow Flow
• Google Docs Integration
• 7-Day Money Back
• Paid Plans from $79

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Runner Up

3.5

• Keyword Research
• SERP Tracker
• Site Auditor
• Backlink Explorer
• Google Analytics Integration
• Free trial available
• Paid Plans from $39/month

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Are you trying to figure out which SEO tool is best for your business? 

It’s a tough choice! You’ve probably heard of Surfer SEO and Raven Tools.

But knowing which one truly shines for keyword research can be confusing.

We’ll cut through the noise and directly compare Surfer SEO vs Raven Tools, focusing on their keyword research strengths. 

Let’s dive in and find out which tool is your perfect match!

Overview

To give you the clearest picture, we extensively tested both Surfer SEO and Raven Tools, running various keyword research scenarios.

Our hands-on experience and deep dives into their features led us to this direct comparison.

4.5
out of 5

Surfer SEO helps you write content that ranks higher. Users have seen up to a 30% increase in organic traffic.

Pricing: Free Trial available. Plan starts at $79/month.

Key Features:

• Content Editor
• SERP Analyzer
• Topical Map

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3.5out of 3.5

Join thousands of businesses already using this powerful tool. Try it to know more!

Pricing: Free trial available. Premium Plan starts at $39/mo.

Key Features:

• Robust Reporting
• Site Auditor for technical SEO
• White Label SEO Reports

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What is Surfer SEO?

So, you want to know about Surfer SEO? It’s a pretty cool tool.

It helps you write content that ranks higher on Google.

Think of it as your writing assistant for SEO. It analyzes top-ranking pages and gives you suggestions.

Also, explore our favorite Surfer SEO alternatives…

Our Take

Cut your keyword research time in half! Surfer SEO streamlines the process, helping you quickly find the terms that will give your content a boost on search engines.

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Key Benefits

• Focuses on on-page SEO.
• Provides real-time content suggestions.
• Offers data-driven recommendations.
• Content Editor for live optimization.
• Audit tool for existing content.

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Pricing

All the plans are annually billed.

• Essential: $79/month
• Scale: $175/month
• Enterprise: Contact them for pricing.

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Pros

• Provides clear, actionable insights.
• Gives clear recommendations.
• Helps you write better content.
• Improved my website traffic.
• Integrates with Google Docs.

Cons

• Focuses primarily on on-page SEO.
• Sometimes feels a bit restrictive.
• Not as good for creative writing.
• The interface can be overwhelming.

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What is Raven Tools?

Okay, let’s talk about Raven Tools. It’s an all-in-one platform for digital marketing.

You can manage your SEO, social media, and PPC campaigns.

It’s really good for agencies and marketers. It helps you keep everything organized in one spot.

Also, explore our favorite Raven Tools alternatives…

Our Take

Join thousands of businesses already using this powerful tool. Raven Tools integration allows you to accurately track ranking for 15,000+ keywords and effortlessly create comprehensive keyword research reports. Stop guessing; start growing!

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Key Benefits

• Strong focus on customizable reports.
• Integrates many marketing channels.
• Offers a real-time social stream.
• SEO auditing and analysis.
• Backlink analysis (Majestic data).

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Pricing

• Small Biz ($39/month)
• Start ($79/month)
• Grow ($139/month)
• Thrive ($249/month)
• Lead ($399/month)

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Pros

• More affordable pricing options.
• Excellent white-label reporting.
• Good for client management.
• Includes many user seats.
• Site audit is quite thorough.

Cons

• The keyword database is smaller.
• Lacks advanced SEO features.
• Not as deep as some rivals.
• Some data syncing issues occur.

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Feature Comparison

Surfer SEO is a dedicated content optimization tool specializing in on page optimization and the serp analyzer to achieve high content score and search engine rankings.

Raven Tools is a dedicated seo reporting tools platform, known for its client reporting, backlink analysis, and ability to consolidate all the data from multiple search engines.

This comparison explores their core features for seo strategy and optimize content.

1. Core Platform Focus: Optimization & Reporting

• Surfer SEO: Functions as a specialized content optimization tool. The surfer seo review highlights its intense focus on on page optimization, using its serp analyzer and ai writing tool to help users optimize content for higher search engine rankings & organic traffic with minimal effort.
• Raven Tools: The raven tools dashboard is primarily focused on client reporting and management for multiple clients. The seo reporting tools consolidate all the data from google analytics, google search console, and other seo tools to provide a comprehensive overview of seo performance.

2. Content Optimization and Editor

• Surfer SEO: Excels with its real-time content editor and on page seo checker. It provides a prescriptive step by step guide on content structure, average word count, keyword density, and relevant keywords required to optimize content for the search engine results pages.
• Raven Tools: Offers content marketing features that analyze on page factors and optimize existing content against search engines results. However, it lacks the real-time scoring environment and dedicated content editor found in Surfer SEO.

3. Backlink Analysis and Data Sources

• Surfer SEO: Is primarily an on page optimization tool and relies on other seo tools for its backlink analysis data. It does not include native backlink explorer or link building features.
• Raven Tools: Features the backlink explorer and link manager. Raven tools works by pulling backlink data and link data from multiple data sources (including majestic seo) to monitor backlink monitoring and support link building campaigns for client accounts.

4. Rank Tracking and Monitoring

• Raven Tools: The raven serp tracker is a primary raven tools features, offering generous rank tracking limits and accurate keyword tracking across multiple search engines. This ranking data is essential for seo reporting and monitoring keyword rank.
• Surfer SEO: Offers limited rank tracking functionality. While its serp analyzer shows historical search engine ranking changes, users typically need to integrate with other seo tools or use a dedicated rank tracker to monitor keyword rankings daily.

5. Competitive and SERP Analysis

• Surfer SEO: The surfer seo serp analyzer and serp analyzer are core key features. They provide a granular breakdown of the search engine results pages, showing the exact average word count and keyword density of top ranking pages for a target keyword.
• Raven Tools: Raven tools includes features for competitor research and provides a comprehensive overview of serp analysis and serp features for various search results. It focuses on identifying competitor seo strategy and ranking data across multiple search engines.

6. Client Reporting and Integration

• Raven Tools: Excels in client reporting and seo reporting. Raven reports and the raven tools dashboard consolidate all the data from google analytics & google search console into automated, white-label marketing reports and detailed reports for multiple clients.
• Surfer SEO: Does not focus on client reporting. Its integration with google docs is designed to streamline the optimize content process, not for providing large-scale white-label seo reporting.

7. Keyword Research and Discovery

• Surfer SEO: Keyword research focuses on identifying relevant keyword suggestions and related keywords to support the on page optimization process. Keyword surfer helps in finding long tail keywords for a blog post or existing content.
• Raven Tools: Raven tools includes features for keyword tracking and competitor research, allowing users to find keyword ideas and keyword rank performance. It provides keyword difficulty scores and search results information.

8. Technical SEO and Site Auditing

• Raven Tools: The raven tools site auditor is a powerful raven seo tools feature that performs fast site audits and technical audits. It helps identify technical seo issues and on page factors across multiple search engines for easy seo reporting.
• Surfer SEO: Offers an seo audit tool (often integrated into its core editor) focused primarily on on page factors and content structure. It is less focused on deep technical seo issues like indexing or server-side technical audits.

9. Price and Accessibility

• Surfer SEO: The surfer seo review and surfer seo review 2024 often discuss whether surfer seo worth the investment for its focused toolset. It is generally seen as a mandatory content optimization tool for those prioritizing content score.
• Raven Tools: The raven tools price is highly competitive and often more accessible, making it an excellent seo platform for agencies managing multiple clients. The raven tools review highlights its affordability and generous rank tracking limits.

What to look for in a keyword research tool?

When choosing a keyword research tool, look beyond just basic search volume.

• Data Accuracy & Metrics: Ensure the tool provides reliable search volume, keyword difficulty (or competition), and other essential metrics. Some tools, like Semrush, also offer search intent, which is crucial.
• Keyword Suggestions & Ideas: A good tool should generate a variety of relevant keyword ideas, including long-tail keywords, questions, and related terms.
• Competitor Analysis: Look for features that allow you to see what keywords your competitors are ranking for. This helps identify content gaps and new opportunities.
• SERP Analysis: The tool should show you the search engine results page (SERP) for keywords, including features like snippets or “People Also Ask” sections.
• Filtering Options: The ability to filter keywords by various criteria (e.g., search volume range, difficulty, word count) is vital for efficient research.
• Integration with Other Tools: Consider if it integrates with Google Search Console or other SEO platform features for a holistic view of your seo performance.
• User Interface & Ease of Use: The tool should be intuitive and easy to navigate, even for those new to comprehensive keyword research.

Final Verdict 

For most folks, especially those serious about ranking content, we pick Surfer SEO.

It’s truly amazing for comprehensive SEO on your content.

It guides your writing directly to help you rank higher.

While Raven Tools is good for overall digital marketing, Surfer SEO’s specific focus on what to write makes it a winner.

We’ve used these tools ourselves and know what works.

Trust us, optimizing your content with Surfer can make a real difference.

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