9 Best Keyword Research Software for Agencies in 2026

If you're managing keyword research for multiple clients, you know the pain: juggling spreadsheets, switching between tools, and trying to deliver insights that actually move the needle. The best keyword research software for agencies isn't just about having the biggest database—it's about workflow efficiency, client management features, and getting actionable data without the chaos.

Whether you're running PPC campaigns for 5 clients or managing SEO strategies for 50, the right tool should help you uncover profitable keywords faster, collaborate with your team seamlessly, and deliver results that justify your retainer. We've evaluated 9 tools based on multi-client support, reporting capabilities, pricing transparency, and real-world usability for agency teams.

Here are the top keyword research software solutions for agencies in 2026.

1. Keywordme

Best for: PPC agencies optimizing Google Ads campaigns directly within the platform

Keywordme is a Chrome extension that integrates directly into Google Ads' Search Terms Report, letting you optimize campaigns without leaving the interface.

Where This Tool Shines

If your agency lives in Google Ads, Keywordme eliminates the context-switching nightmare. Instead of exporting search terms to spreadsheets, analyzing them, then importing changes back into Google Ads, you handle everything in one place. Click to add negatives, apply match types, or build new keyword groups—all without opening another tab.

The multi-account and team support makes it especially powerful for agencies. Your team can work across client accounts with consistent workflows, and the keyword clustering feature helps you spot patterns across campaigns faster than manual analysis ever could.

Key Features

In-Interface Optimization: Work directly in the Google Ads Search Terms Report without external tools.

One-Click Actions: Add negative keywords and apply match types instantly with single clicks.

Keyword Clustering: Automatically group related search terms to identify themes and opportunities.

Bulk Editing: Make changes across multiple keywords simultaneously to save time.

Multi-Account Support: Manage multiple client accounts with team collaboration features built in.

Best For

PPC-focused agencies managing Google Ads campaigns for multiple clients who want to eliminate spreadsheet workflows and optimize campaigns up to 10x faster. Especially valuable for teams that need consistent processes across accounts.

Pricing

$12/month per user with a 7-day free trial. Flat-rate pricing makes it predictable for agency budgets regardless of client count.

2. Semrush

Best for: Full-service agencies needing comprehensive SEO and PPC research in one platform

Semrush is an all-in-one marketing toolkit with a keyword database covering over 25 billion keywords globally.

Where This Tool Shines

Semrush gives you breadth. The Keyword Magic Tool doesn't just show search volume—it clusters keywords into topic groups, making it easier to build content strategies for clients. The platform combines organic keyword research with PPC intelligence, so whether you're pitching SEO services or managing paid campaigns, you're working from the same data source.

The client management portal and white-label reporting capabilities are built for agencies. You can create branded reports that look professional without spending hours in design tools, and clients can log in to view their data directly.

Key Features

Keyword Magic Tool: Generate thousands of keyword variations organized by topic clusters.

Position Tracking: Monitor client rankings across devices and locations with customizable reports.

Ad Intelligence: Research competitor PPC strategies including ad copy and budget estimates.

White-Label Reports: Create branded client reports with your agency logo and colors.

Client Portal: Give clients direct access to their campaign data through a dedicated dashboard.

Best For

Agencies offering both SEO and PPC services who need a single platform for keyword research, competitive analysis, and client reporting. Works best for teams with 10+ clients who value comprehensive data over niche specialization.

Pricing

Starts at $139.95/month for the Pro plan. Agency-focused plans begin at $499.95/month with increased limits and team features. Custom enterprise pricing available for larger agencies.

3. Ahrefs

Best for: SEO agencies prioritizing backlink analysis and organic keyword difficulty

Ahrefs is an SEO toolset known for its industry-leading backlink index and Keyword Explorer tool.

Where This Tool Shines

Ahrefs excels at showing you not just what keywords to target, but how realistic it is to actually rank for them. The keyword difficulty scores factor in backlink profiles of ranking pages, giving you a more accurate picture than simple competition metrics. This helps you set realistic client expectations and prioritize winnable opportunities.

The Content Gap tool is particularly valuable for agencies. Compare up to five domains to find keywords your client's competitors rank for but they don't—instant opportunity identification that makes client reports more actionable.

Key Features

Keyword Explorer: Research keywords with click metrics showing how much traffic actually goes to organic results.

Content Gap Analysis: Identify keywords competitors rank for that your clients are missing.

Accurate Difficulty Scores: Keyword difficulty based on backlink analysis of top-ranking pages.

Parent Topic Grouping: Automatically cluster keywords by the top-ranking page to avoid content cannibalization.

Historical SERP Data: Track ranking changes over time to measure campaign impact.

Best For

SEO agencies focused on organic growth who need reliable keyword difficulty metrics and backlink intelligence. Best suited for teams that emphasize content strategy and link building in their service offerings.

Pricing

Starts at $129/month for the Lite plan with limited features. Agency-suitable plans begin at $449/month with increased project limits and team seats. No free trial, but offers a $7 seven-day trial period.

4. SE Ranking

Best for: Growing agencies seeking comprehensive features at competitive pricing

SE Ranking is an all-in-one SEO platform with agency-focused features and flexible pricing.

Where This Tool Shines

SE Ranking delivers enterprise-level features without enterprise pricing. The white-label reporting and client portals let you present data under your agency brand, and the lead generation widget helps you capture prospects directly from your website. It's one of the few platforms that feels purpose-built for agencies rather than adapted from an enterprise tool.

The flexible rank tracking limits mean you're not locked into rigid pricing tiers. As you add clients, you can adjust your plan to match your actual needs rather than jumping to the next expensive tier for one additional project.

Key Features

White-Label Reporting: Generate fully branded reports with your agency logo and custom domains.

Client Portals: Give clients direct access to their SEO data through branded dashboards.

Flexible Rank Tracking: Adjust keyword tracking limits based on your current client load.

Competitive Analysis: Keyword gap analysis and competitor domain comparison tools.

API Access: Build custom integrations and automate reporting workflows.

Best For

Small to mid-sized agencies looking for comprehensive SEO features with white-label capabilities at a more accessible price point than Semrush or Ahrefs. Ideal for teams managing 5-20 clients.

Pricing

Starts at $65/month for basic plans. Agency-focused plans with custom pricing available based on keyword tracking needs and team size. Offers a 14-day free trial.

5. Moz Pro

Best for: Agencies leveraging Domain Authority metrics in client reporting

Moz Pro is an SEO software suite featuring the proprietary Domain Authority metric used throughout the industry.

Where This Tool Shines

Moz's Domain Authority has become an industry standard metric that clients often recognize and trust. When you're reporting progress, being able to show DA improvements gives clients a tangible number to understand their SEO growth. The Keyword Explorer includes a priority score that combines volume, difficulty, and opportunity into a single metric—helpful for quickly identifying the best targets.

The local SEO features are particularly strong for agencies managing multi-location clients. Track local rankings, manage listings, and monitor reviews across locations from a single dashboard.

Key Features

Keyword Explorer: Research keywords with a priority score that balances volume and difficulty.

Domain Authority Metric: Industry-standard authority score for benchmarking client sites.

Local SEO Tools: Manage multi-location clients with local rank tracking and listing management.

SERP Analysis: Analyze ranking factors for top-performing pages in target SERPs.

Keyword Lists: Organize keywords by campaign and share with team members.

Best For

Agencies serving local businesses or multi-location clients who want to leverage the recognized Domain Authority metric in their reporting. Works well for teams that emphasize client education and transparent metrics.

Pricing

Starts at $99/month for the Standard plan. Agency plans begin at $599/month with increased limits and additional user seats. Offers a 30-day free trial.

6. SpyFu

Best for: Competitive intelligence and PPC keyword research with historical data

SpyFu specializes in competitive research for both organic and paid search strategies.

Where This Tool Shines

SpyFu's historical PPC data goes back years, showing you every keyword a competitor has bid on and every ad variation they've tested. This makes it incredibly valuable for client pitches—you can show prospects exactly what their competitors are doing and where they're vulnerable. The unlimited search results and exports mean you're not constrained by arbitrary data limits.

The PPC keyword grouping suggestions help you structure campaigns more efficiently, and the domain comparison feature lets you stack up multiple competitors to find gaps in their strategies that your clients can exploit.

Key Features

Historical PPC Data: Access years of competitor ad history including keywords and ad copy.

Competitor Analysis: See every organic and paid keyword a domain ranks for or bids on.

Unlimited Exports: Download data without hitting restrictive limits common in other tools.

Keyword Grouping: Get suggestions for organizing PPC keywords into logical ad groups.

Domain Comparison: Compare multiple competitors to identify market opportunities.

Best For

Agencies focused on competitive intelligence and PPC campaign planning who need deep historical data for strategy development and client pitches. Particularly valuable for teams winning new business through competitive audits.

Pricing

Starts at $39/month for the Basic plan. Unlimited plans with full features begin at $79/month. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

7. Ubersuggest

Best for: Budget-conscious agencies needing essential keyword research features

Ubersuggest is a budget-friendly keyword research tool offering core SEO features at accessible pricing.

Where This Tool Shines

Ubersuggest delivers the fundamentals without the premium price tag. The keyword suggestions with search volume and CPC data cover what most agencies need for basic client work, and the content ideas feature helps you identify topics based on what's already performing well. The Chrome extension lets you do quick on-page research while browsing competitor sites.

The lifetime deal option is unique in this space—pay once and own the tool forever. For agencies on tight margins or just starting out, this eliminates the recurring cost pressure while still providing legitimate keyword research capabilities.

Key Features

Keyword Suggestions: Generate keyword ideas with search volume and cost-per-click data.

Content Ideas: Find top-performing content in your niche based on social shares and backlinks.

Domain Overview: Analyze competitor sites for organic keywords and estimated traffic.

Chrome Extension: Get on-page SEO data and keyword metrics while browsing any website.

Lifetime Deal: One-time payment option eliminates recurring subscription costs.

Best For

New agencies or freelancers who need solid keyword research capabilities without committing to expensive monthly subscriptions. Best suited for smaller client loads where basic features are sufficient.

Pricing

Starts at $29/month for the Individual plan. Lifetime deals available from $290 for one-time payment. Offers a 7-day free trial.

8. Keyword Tool

Best for: Agencies managing keyword research across multiple platforms beyond Google

Keyword Tool provides keyword research for Google, YouTube, Amazon, eBay, Instagram, and other platforms.

Where This Tool Shines

If your agency serves e-commerce clients or manages YouTube channels, Keyword Tool covers platforms that most SEO tools ignore. The autocomplete-based suggestions pull real search queries people are typing, giving you long-tail keywords that often have less competition. The API access lets you automate keyword research workflows and integrate data into your existing systems.

The multi-platform approach means you can manage all your client keyword research from one tool rather than juggling separate solutions for each channel.

Key Features

Multi-Platform Coverage: Research keywords for Google, YouTube, Amazon, eBay, Instagram, and more.

Autocomplete Keywords: Generate long-tail suggestions based on platform autocomplete data.

Search Volume Data: Get volume and trend data across different platforms.

API Access: Automate keyword research and integrate data into custom workflows.

Competitor Analysis: Analyze competitor keywords across supported platforms.

Best For

Agencies managing clients across multiple digital channels including e-commerce, video marketing, and social media. Particularly valuable for teams that need a unified keyword research solution beyond traditional Google SEO.

Pricing

Starts at $89/month for the Pro Basic plan. Agency plans begin at $199/month with increased search limits and API access. Offers a free version with limited features.

9. Mangools (KWFinder)

Best for: Agencies prioritizing user-friendly interfaces and accurate difficulty metrics

Mangools is an SEO toolset featuring KWFinder for keyword research with intuitive difficulty scoring.

Where This Tool Shines

Mangools stands out for its clean, beginner-friendly interface that doesn't sacrifice functionality. The keyword difficulty scoring is notably accurate, helping you avoid wasting client resources on unrealistic targets. The SERP analysis includes link metrics for ranking pages, so you can quickly assess what it takes to compete.

The SERPWatcher rank tracking tool integrates seamlessly with keyword research, letting you monitor performance on the keywords you've identified. The interface makes it easy to onboard new team members without extensive training.

Key Features

Intuitive Difficulty Scoring: Accurate keyword difficulty metrics based on ranking page analysis.

SERP Analysis: Detailed metrics for top-ranking pages including link profiles.

Keyword Lists: Organize and share keyword research with team members.

SERPWatcher: Track rankings for researched keywords with visual progress reports.

Clean Interface: User-friendly design that reduces onboarding time for new team members.

Best For

Agencies with team members at varying skill levels who need an accessible tool that doesn't overwhelm users with complexity. Best suited for teams managing 5-15 clients who value usability alongside functionality.

Pricing

Starts at $29/month for the Entry plan. Agency plans begin at $79/month with 3 user seats included. Offers a 10-day money-back guarantee.

Making the Right Choice for Your Agency

The best keyword research software for your agency depends on your specific workflow and client mix. For PPC-heavy agencies, start with Keywordme for in-platform efficiency—it eliminates the spreadsheet shuffle and speeds up campaign optimization dramatically. Pair it with SpyFu if competitive intelligence is part of your pitch process.

Full-service SEO agencies will get the most value from Semrush or Ahrefs. Choose Semrush if you need breadth across both organic and paid channels with strong client reporting. Go with Ahrefs if backlink analysis and highly accurate keyword difficulty scores are central to your methodology.

Budget-conscious agencies should look at SE Ranking or Mangools. SE Ranking delivers enterprise features at mid-tier pricing with excellent white-label capabilities. Mangools offers a more focused toolset with an interface that makes team onboarding effortless.

Many successful agencies use multiple tools in combination rather than trying to force one platform to do everything. A PPC tool like Keywordme paired with an SEO platform like Semrush covers both major channels without compromise. The key is matching your tool stack to your service offerings and client needs rather than forcing your workflow to fit a single platform's limitations.

Whatever combination you choose, any tool on this list beats drowning in spreadsheets and manual exports. The right keyword research software doesn't just save time—it helps you deliver better results and justify your value to clients with data-driven insights.

Start your free 7-day trial of Keywordme and see how in-platform optimization transforms your Google Ads workflow. No spreadsheets, no switching tabs—just quick, seamless optimization for $12/month after your trial.