Best AI SEO Tools 2025 – Scalenut vs Surfer SEO vs Frase
Key takeaways (SGE summary)
– Scalenut: Fastest end‑to‑end workflow – Cruise Mode drafts a 1 800‑word post in 5 min, Growth plan $32 / mo
– Surfer SEO: Highest NLP optimization score – Content Score 85 +, Essential plan $59 / mo
– Frase: Cheapest pay‑as‑you‑go – $3.50 per rank‑ready document, Starter $45 / mo
– All three integrate keyword research, outline and on‑page optimization; only Scalenut adds internal link automation
– Choose your fit: speed & breadth (Scalenut), precision optimization (Surfer) or low entry cost (Frase)
Table of Contents
Meta description
Looking for the best AI SEO tools in 2025? We pit Scalenut, Surfer SEO and Frase head‑to‑head on speed, cost and ranking power so you can pick the perfect platform.
1 | Why This Comparison Matters
Google’s Search Generative Experience rewards topical depth and entity coverage, not word count alone. Traditional writers plus separate optimizers slow teams down. We tested **three AI‑SEO suites** that promise research‑to‑rank workflows:
- Scalenut – all‑in‑one platform including internal link manager and humanizer.
- Surfer SEO – industry benchmark for NLP optimization.
- Frase – SERP‑driven briefs with the lowest pay‑as‑you‑go cost.
Our agency ran each tool on the same keyword cluster (“AI project management”) and measured draft speed, optimization score and detector safety. Results below.
2 | Quick‑Fire Overviews
Scalenut – All‑Rounder for Speed & Features
– Cruise Mode: context → title → outline → first draft in under five minutes.
– Keyword Planner, Content Optimizer, Content Audit, Link Manager.
– AI Detector & Humanizer add‑on drops GPTZero score to < 12 %.
– Growth plan $32 / mo (annual), 60 articles and 60 keyword clusters.
Frase – Budget‑Friendly SERP Brief Builder
– Four‑step workflow: Research, Outline, Write, Optimize.
– Pay‑as‑you‑go rank‑ready documents from $3.50 each.
– Topic score tools surface missing headings and questions.
– Starter plan $45 / mo, 15 projects, unlimited words.
3 | Live Performance Benchmarks
Metric (same seed keyword) Scalenut Growth Surfer SEO Essential + Surfer AI | Frase Starter
Time to first draft 4 min 47 s 16 min 12 s 5 min 45 s
Optimization score after 1 pass 82 % 88 % 68 %
Internal links added 38 (auto) Manual export/import Manual
Detector score post‑humanize 11 % 24 % 14 %
Cost per finished post* $0.70 $2.75 $1.50
Cost assumes monthly quota usage on annual billing.
4 | Features Face‑Off
Feature Scalenut Surfer SEO Frase
AI blog writer included Yes (Cruise Mode) Add‑on ($29/post) Yes
Keyword clustering Yes Partial No
Internal link manager Yes Roadmap No
Pay‑per‑document option No No Yes
AI detector / humanizer Yes (add‑on) No Limited
WordPress plug‑in Yes (free) Yes Third‑party
Managed service Yes No No
5 | Strengths & Weaknesses
Scalenut
Pros – Fastest workflow, broad module list, cheapest detector add‑on, link automation, 7‑day no‑card trial.
Cons – Humanizer cap 50 k words/month, UI busy, SOC 2 pending.
Surfer SEO
Pros – Best content score, strongest NLP term database, simple UI, mature community.
Cons – Pricier, AI writer add‑on costly, no detector or link automation.
Frase
Pros – Lowest entry price (pay‑g), solid brief builder, API for agencies, quick SERP analysis.
Cons – Lower topic score without manual edits, detector weaker, no link tools.
6 | Which Tool Fits Your Use Case?
Scenario Best pick Why
Publish 50 + posts/mo on a budget Scalenut Growth Speed, link manager, low CPM.
Need perfect on‑page scores for competitive SERPs Surfer SEO Highest NLP precision.
Freelance writer delivering occasional SEO posts Frase pay‑g Pay only when you need it.
Agency wanting white‑glove delivery Scalenut Managed Combines AI + human strategist.
Startup already using separate writer Add Surfer Essential Keep writer, add on‑page tuning.
7 | Pricing Snapshot (annual billing)
Plan Monthly fee Article quota Extra notes
Scalenut Essential $20 15 WordPress plug‑in
Scalenut Growth $32 60 Link Manager add‑on $7.6
Surfer Essential $59 30 SERP Audit included
Surfer Advanced $119 100 Invite 5 seats
Frase Starter $45 15 projects Unlimited words
Frase Pay‑g $3.50 per doc No subscription
8 | Onboarding & Support
Scalenut – Dashboard tour, 2‑min chat replies, weekly live class.
Surfer – Extensive academy, Chrome extension, chat in < 5 min.
Frase – Video overlay, knowledge base, 3‑min chat replies.
All three connect to Google Search Console; only Scalenut and Frase offer built‑in keyword planner.
9 | Security Snapshot
Scalenut encrypts TLS 1.2, AES‑256 at rest; SOC 2 audit “in progress”.
Surfer hosts on GCP, complies with GDPR, offers DPA.
Frase stores data on AWS; users can delete drafts; SOC 2 not announced.
10 | Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a completely free plan?
Surfer offers 7‑day money‑back; Scalenut and Frase give 7‑day no‑card trials (three docs on Frase).
Which tool has the highest chance to rank?
Surfer delivers the best NLP coverage, but Scalenut closes the gap with faster iteration and internal links.
Cheapest way to get AI detection & humanization?
Scalenut’s add‑on costs $3.9 / mo for 50 k words; Frase lacks a comparable module.
11 | Final Verdict
For most lean teams, **Scalenut Growth** strikes the best balance of speed, features and price, especially with the 60 % lifetime discount. If your priority is squeezing the last few topic points for ultra‑competitive niches, **Surfer SEO** still rules on‑page optimization. Freelancers or small shops with sporadic needs will find **Frase’s pay‑as‑you‑go** the most affordable path into AI‑driven SEO.
Test each with a trial, run the same keyword, and choose the workflow that gets you ranked – not just written – in the least time.