The 10 Best SEO Tools for Agencies in 2024

SEO is more critical than ever for agencies looking to drive traffic, leads, and revenue for their clients. But with so many tools on the market, how do you cut through the noise and build a tech stack that truly moves the needle?

In this guide, I'll break down the 10 best SEO tools for agencies in 2024 based on extensive hands-on testing and real agency usage. You'll get an unbiased look at each tool's capabilities, pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and advanced tips for maximizing your investment.

By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap for evaluating your agency's unique needs and assembling a best-in-class SEO tech stack tailored for growth.

1. RivalFlow AI

Overview: RivalFlow AI is an AI-powered content optimization platform that analyzes your existing pages to identify gaps and provide data-driven recommendations for improving search rankings.

Pricing: Starts at $79/month paid annually

Key Features:

• Compares your content to top-ranking competitors
• Identifies questions and topics you need to cover better
• Provides AI-generated content suggestions to fill gaps

Strengths:

• Leverages cutting-edge AI and machine learning models
• Saves massive time versus manual content auditing
• Continuously analyzes and alerts to optimization opportunities
• Proven to increase rankings and organic traffic

Weaknesses:

• AI outputs still require light human review or refinement
• Limited customization options out-of-the-box

Agency Tip: Use RivalFlow AI to quickly identify and resolve content gaps across your entire client portfolio. The interactive analysis and optimization workflow streamlines the process.

2. Semrush

Overview: Semrush is a leading all-in-one marketing toolkit that includes robust SEO capabilities like keyword research, backlink analysis, site auditing, and more.

Pricing: Starts at $129.95/month

Key Features:

• Powerful and accurate keyword research data
• Deep link analysis for any website
• On-page SEO optimization recommendations
• Local SEO and listing management tools

Strengths:

• Intuitive interface with great reporting/visualization
• Comprehensive data across multiple SEO disciplines
• Strong support and training resources

Weaknesses:

• Steep learning curve for advanced functionality
• Limited features in lower pricing tiers

Agency Tip: Use the Keyword Gap and Backlink Gap tools to quickly identify opportunities to outrank competitors for high-value terms.

3. Ahrefs

Overview: Ahrefs is Semrush's primary competitor, offering an extensive suite of SEO tools for technical audits, keyword research, link analysis, rank tracking, and more.

Pricing: Starts at $129/month

Key Features:

• Robust site audit and crawler capabilities
• Accurate keyword metrics and SERP data
• Powerful backlink research and analysis

Strengths:

• Precise and reliable data across core features
• Intuitive UI with helpful visualizations
• Excellent customer support

Weaknesses:

• Limited functionality in lower pricing tiers
• Can be cost-prohibitive for smaller agencies
• Steeper learning curve than some alternatives

Agency Tip: Use Ahrefs' Site Explorer to quickly audit client websites and identify critical technical issues impacting search performance.

4. Screaming Frog

Overview: Screaming Frog is a popular desktop crawler used to audit websites and uncover on-page optimization opportunities.

Pricing: Free version available; paid version is $259/year

Key Features:

• Crawls websites and generates detailed reports
• Identifies broken links, duplicate content, redirect issues
• Integrates with Google Analytics and Search Console data

Strengths:

• Highly customizable crawl configurations
• Fantastic for large, complex website audits
• Free version is quite capable

Weaknesses:

• Steeper learning curve than cloud-based alternatives
• Limited functionality outside of core crawling/auditing
• Desktop application can be clunky

Agency Tip: Use Screaming Frog to get under the hood and uncover mission-critical technical issues holding back client sites before pursuing content/link building efforts.

5. Clearscope

Overview: Clearscope is an AI content optimization solution that helps create more comprehensive, topically-relevant content aligned with search intent.

Pricing: Starts at $199/month

Key Features:

• AI-powered topic modeling and analysis
• Automated briefs and outlines for writers
• Integrates with Google Search Console data
• Chrome extension for on-page optimization

Strengths:

• Helps produce higher quality, more targeted content
• Intuitive workflow from planning to optimization
• Aids collaboration between writers and editors

Weaknesses:

• Limited customization of AI models/outputs
• Smaller/emerging brand with less 3rd party integration

Agency Tip: Use Clearscope to streamline the content production process from initial brief to final editing, ensuring maximum relevance and topical coverage.

6. Moz Pro

Overview: Moz Pro is an inbound marketing and SEO platform with tools for link building, site audits, rank tracking, keyword research, and reporting.

Pricing: Starts at $99/month

Key Features:

• Customizable campaign tracking and reporting
• Keyword research and SERP analysis
• Site crawl diagnostics and recommendations

Strengths:

• Intuitive interface and data visualizations
• Great free tools and educational resources
• Strong brand recognition in the SEO industry

Weaknesses:

• Data accuracy concerns in some areas
• Limited functionality in lower pricing tiers
• Trailing competitors in AI/ML innovation

Agency Tip: Leverage Moz's comprehensive reporting capabilities to provide clients with unified campaign performance dashboards.

7. SE Ranking

Overview: SE Ranking is an all-in-one SEO platform with rank tracking, site auditing, backlink monitoring, keyword research tools, and more.

Pricing: Starts at $52/month

Key Features:

• Accurate rank tracking data across search engines
• Website auditing with prioritized recommendations
• Backlink monitoring and management

Strengths:

• Affordable pricing for smaller agencies
• Combines key SEO toolkits in one interface
• User-friendly for less technical teams

Weaknesses:

• Limited customization and advanced functionality
• Newer brand with smaller user community
• Reliance on third-party data in some areas

Agency Tip: For cost-conscious agencies, SE Ranking provides a solid set of core SEO tools at an accessible price point to get the job done.

8. Surfer SEO

Overview: Surfer SEO is a content optimization suite that leverages AI and natural language processing to analyze and improve existing pages.

Pricing: Starts at $69/month

Key Features:

• AI content editor with on-page recommendations
• SERP analyzer to model top-ranking content
• Keyword research and clustering tools

Strengths:

• Unique AI models for in-depth content analysis
• Granular control over optimization suggestions
• Integrations with popular SEO tools like Semrush

Weaknesses:

• Narrower feature scope than full-suite alternatives
• Limited support and training resources
• Smaller brand with less industry validation

Agency Tip: Use Surfer's AI capabilities to quickly optimize client content for comprehensiveness and alignment with search intent. For a detailed comparison, check out our post on Surfer SEO vs Jasper.

9. Pitchbox

Overview: Pitchbox is an outreach and link building platform designed to streamline digital PR campaigns.

Pricing: Starts at $165/month

Key Features:

• Build custom prospect lists for outreach
• Automate and personalize email sequences
• Reporting on key link building metrics

Strengths:

• Purpose-built for link acquisition at scale
• Extensive database of prospects and journalists
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics

Weaknesses:

• Limited functionality outside of outreach/link building
• Costs can add up quickly for larger campaigns
• Steeper learning curve than alternatives

Agency Tip: Leverage Pitchbox to efficiently execute high-volume link building campaigns across your entire client roster.

10. BrightEdge

Overview: BrightEdge is an enterprise-grade SEO and content performance marketing platform with advanced functionality.

Pricing: Quote-based pricing

Key Features:

• AI-powered recommendations and forecasting
• Unified view of content performance metrics
• Advanced automation and workflow capabilities

Strengths:

• Best-in-class technology and data models
• Robust customization and integration options
• Ideal for large agencies and enterprise clients

Weaknesses:

• High price point, enterprise focus
• Steep learning curve, extensive training required
• Some bloat with unnecessary functionality

Agency Tip: For larger agencies and enterprise-level clients, BrightEdge provides an unmatched depth of capabilities and AI-driven intelligence.

Conclusion

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to building an SEO tech stack for your agency. The tools you select should map to your team's experience, client needs, internal processes, and overall growth strategy.

However, no matter which solutions you ultimately choose, tools like RivalFlow AI, Semrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and others covered here give you a strong foundation to drive results.

The key is understanding each tool's unique capabilities and tailoring their usage to create a cohesive, efficient workflow. With the right processes in place, your tech stack becomes a force multiplier for your agency.

Ready to take things to the next level? Try RivalFlow AI for free and experience the power of AI-driven content optimization to outrank your competitors across high-impact terms.

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