When it comes to ongoing business success, you need to bring more than a terrific catalog of products and incredible services to the table. 

You also need a solid approach to search engine optimization (SEO) so that your customers can find you in the first place. Thorough keyword research is part of that.

However, while it’s not impossible to manage your entire keyword research routine singlehandedly, you don’t want to underestimate the value of the right tools. 

An efficient keywords explorer tool can take the guesswork out of figuring out which options are truly relevant and a good fit for your business goals.

Here’s a look at some of the most important options to take a closer look at in 2025.

The Top 10 Keywords Explorer Tools

Ready to take the next step in your ongoing keyword development strategy?

Check out the following keywords explorer tools in 2025. They’re all terrific options to use when researching and selecting your target phrases.

1. Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

Ahrefs is easily one of the more popular keywords explorer tools in use today and with good reason. You can generate a wealth of incredible ideas and suggestions from just one simple keyword option.

You can also use Ahrefs to do things like check out new keywords, track the real-time movement of specific keywords, and more.

2. Google Keyword Planner

If you’re looking for a simple, user-friendly option that’s guaranteed to be in line with Google’s current standards and algorithm, look no further than Google’s own tool – Google Keyword Planner!

Not only is Keyword Planner really easy to get the hang of, even if you’re new to keyword research, but you get access to valuable search volume data directly from Google.

It’s also a great pick for zeroing in on great keyword choices for commercial use.

3. SEMRush

SEMRush is a solid option for digital marketers in search of a full-service suite of professional SEO tools. So, yes, this is among the best keywords explorer tools you can have in your corner. But it’s so much more than that.

See virtually everything you need to know about a particular keyword option at a glance. Keep an eye on your competitors by analyzing their keyword usage and rankings. Then choose precisely the right option for your own campaigns.

4. Moz Keyword Explorer

If you’re looking for a keywords explorer tool that’s about as user-friendly as it gets while still remaining popular and trustworthy, you’ll want to take a closer look at Moz Keyword Explorer for sure.

Its main advantage is the way it presents users with usable, out-of-the-box recommendations that make it easy to get your keyword research strategy on track (and keep it there). You get access to helpful metrics like priority scores, organic CTR info, and more, as well.

It’s funny how Moz manages to balance a ton of advanced data without overwhelming you with numbers. The interface is sort of like a friendly guide—it’ll shine a light on priorities but also lets you explore what’s really trending before you get lost in a rabbit hole. Sometimes, you stumble onto keyword gems you didn’t expect, just thanks to the way Moz suggests tangential ideas or gaps that still have low competition. That feature alone has probably saved hours for folks who’d otherwise get stuck on tired, obvious terms. It doesn’t hurt that Moz’s community forum is actually active, too—sometimes, you get little nuggets of practical advice directly from other marketers who’ve been down the same road.

5. WordStream Free Keyword Tool

And, of course, it doesn’t get much better than an effective, trusted, free keywords explorer tool if you’re on a tight budget or looking to get a new website off the ground.

If that sounds like you, then definitely take a closer look at WordStream’s free tool for this purpose.

Just enter any URL or keyphrase, and you’ll be presented with an entire list of different suggestions, including valuable long-tail keywords.

You’ll get lots of helpful data along with each suggestion, as well, including competition, search volume, and cost per click.

6. SEO-Explorer.io

This is another great option for marketers and business owners looking for a solid free keyword research tool to get started with, as you get a lot of features.

Take guesswork completely out of the equation with keyword stats like monthly search volume, advertising competition, SERP listing, related keywords, and categories. You can also use SEO Explorer to research options like possible keywords, partial match keywords, and more.

It’s kind of wild how many tools these platforms have crammed into their “free” offerings lately. Sometimes, the difference between a paid and unpaid version isn’t as dramatic as it used to be (unless you need intense analytics, I guess). With SEO-Explorer.io, the ability to spot partial match keywords can be a sneaky advantage—gives you a shortlist of unexpected targets that competitors sometimes totally miss. I’ve watched a few small businesses jump up the rankings just by running with those awkward but underused terms. It proves you don’t always need big budgets or complicated software if you’re willing to experiment and actually dig around for what people are really searching.

7. SEO Tester Online

Looking for a solid way to research and evaluate lots of different long-tail keywords that might be a great fit for your campaign? Take a look at SEO Tester Online and check out what it has to offer.

This is another user-friendly tool where all you need to do to start your keyword journey is enter a known keyword or a URL of your choice.

You’ll instantly be given lots of useful insights and informational tidbits, as well as numerous ideas to try.

This is also a great keywords explorer tool for finding keyword options from around the world.

8. Ubersuggest

If you’re a fan of SEO guru, Neil Patel but aren’t yet using his free keyword research tool to your advantage, you owe it to yourself to change that in 2025.

Ubersuggest is a great option for assessing search volume, getting fresh suggestions for additional keywords, and more.

It also grants users access to a super useful table that includes the top 100 Google search results for each particular keyword.

Check out social shares, estimated visits, domain scores, and more.

9. KW Finder

This particular keywords explorer option is brought to you by Mangools, the company famous for producing some of the most popular, reliable keyword analysis tools out there today.

However, it remains a unique, user-friendly option appropriate for SEO pros of all experience levels.

Users who swear by KW Finder for their needs love it for its detailed keyword competition stats, handy refining filters, and in-depth assessment of SERP positions.

It’s also a fairly affordable option that comes complete with four other handy SEO tools, so it represents an excellent value.

10. GrowthBar

GrowthBar is a keywords explorer tool that is especially popular among people who want a great keyword solution they can count on for solid results in a hurry.

A simple search returns lots of valuable data like additional suggestions and potential ranking difficulty, so it’s ideal for bloggers, busy marketers, and similar professionals.

GrowthBar also brings the trendy but effective power of AI to the table, the better to help you create useful content outlines on the fly.

This tool also gives you access to keyword rank tracking, on-page word count, and other useful information.

Wrap-Up

Ultimately, it’s impossible to overestimate the importance of a thorough, well-researched keyword strategy. 

And, yes, it does take time and effort to get things right.

But with the right keywords explorer tools in your corner, it’s surprisingly easy to plan and keep track of everything.