Comparison Guide - Updated January 2026
7 Best Frase Alternatives in 2026
A comprehensive, unbiased comparison of AI content research and optimization tools. We analyze features, pricing, pros and cons to help you find the right Frase alternative for your content workflow.
Read by 1,800+ content creators this month.
TL;DR - Quick Summary
RepublishAI is the top choice for WordPress users who want full automation—research, writing, and publishing handled for you ($49/mo). Surfer SEO is best for real-time content scoring ($99/mo). Clearscope is premium for agencies ($189/mo). MarketMuse excels at content strategy ($149/mo). NeuronWriter is the budget king ($19/mo). Jasper for AI writing at scale ($49/mo). Scalenut for AI-first content creation ($39/mo).
Table of Contents
Why People Look for Frase Alternatives
Frase is a popular AI content research and writing platform known for its content briefs and SERP analysis capabilities. It's helped thousands of content creators streamline their research process. However, it's not the perfect fit for everyone.
What Frase Does Well
- - Excellent content brief generation
- - Strong SERP analysis and research
- - Affordable entry-level pricing ($15/mo)
- - People Also Ask question research
- - Google Search Console integration
- - Content optimization scoring
Common Pain Points
- - AI writing quality can be inconsistent
- - Interface feels cluttered and overwhelming
- - No native WordPress publishing integration
- - Article limits on lower-tier plans
- - AI credits run out quickly with heavy use
- - Limited automation capabilities
Bottom line: Frase excels at content research and brief generation. But if you need better AI writing quality, WordPress integration, more automation, or a cleaner interface, the alternatives below may be worth considering.
Quick Comparison Table
Side-by-side overview of all 7 alternatives
| Tool | Starting Price | Best For | AI Writing | Free Trial | G2 Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RepublishAI | $49/mo | WordPress automation | Yes | Yes | 4.7/5 |
| Surfer SEO | $99/mo | Real-time content scoring | Extra $ | 7-day refund | 4.8/5 |
| Clearscope | $189/mo | Enterprise teams, agencies | No | No | 4.9/5 |
| MarketMuse | $149/mo | Content strategy, enterprise | Yes | Yes | 4.6/5 |
| NeuronWriter | $19/mo | Budget NLP optimization | Yes | Yes | 4.6/5 |
| Jasper | $49/mo | AI writing at scale | Yes | Yes | 4.7/5 |
| Scalenut | $39/mo | AI-first content creation | Yes | Yes | 4.7/5 |
| Frase | $15/mo | Content briefs, research | Yes | Yes | 4.8/5 |
Detailed Tool Reviews
In-depth analysis of each Frase alternative with honest pros and cons
RepublishAI
Best for WordPressRepublishAI takes a fundamentally different approach than Frase or traditional content optimization tools. Instead of helping you research and write content, it uses AI agents to handle the entire workflow—from keyword research to publishing directly to WordPress. If you're tired of the manual work that Frase still requires, this is a compelling alternative.
While Frase excels at generating content briefs and research, you still need to write, format, add images, and publish manually. RepublishAI eliminates this entire workflow. Connect your WordPress site, define your content strategy and target keywords, and the platform's AI agents take over. They research topics, analyze competitor content, generate SEO-optimized articles with proper heading structures, create or source relevant images, add internal links to your existing content, and publish directly to your blog—all without manual intervention.
The platform uses specialized AI Agents—Atlas, Pulse, Vision, Nexus, and Nova—that handle the complete content lifecycle: keyword research, competitor analysis, writing, custom image generation, internal linking, and full SEO optimization. For agencies and freelance SEOs looking to scale client work without hiring additional writers, RepublishAI enables managing multiple WordPress sites from a single dashboard. With 30+ researched SEO articles generated monthly, it replaces a $2K-5K/month content team for under $100.
Key Features
- - Autonomous AI writing agents
- - Direct WordPress publishing
- - AI image generation included
- - Automatic internal linking
- - Content refresh for old posts
- - Yoast SEO auto-fill
Pricing
- Free: $0/month (limited)
- Starter: $49/month (14 articles)
- Autopilot: $99/month (30+ articles)
- Free plan available, no credit card
Pros
- + True hands-off automation
- + Native WordPress integration
- + Images + linking included
- + Content decay detection
Cons
- - WordPress-only (no Webflow, etc.)
- - Newer tool, smaller community
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Verdict: Best for WordPress users who want to automate content production rather than manually optimize. If you're spending hours on the manual work Frase requires after research, RepublishAI eliminates that entirely.
Surfer SEO
Best Content ScoringSurfer SEO is probably the most well-known content optimization tool in the market. While Frase focuses on research and brief generation, Surfer excels at real-time content scoring as you write. If your main frustration with Frase is the optimization feedback, Surfer offers a more polished experience.
Surfer's Content Editor is where the magic happens. As you write, it analyzes your content against the top-ranking pages and provides a real-time "Content Score" from 0-100. The interface clearly shows which NLP terms to include, how many headings you need, ideal word count, and more. The Google Docs integration is particularly smooth—you can optimize without leaving your document.
The platform also includes a SERP Analyzer, Keyword Research tool, Content Audit feature, and Content Planner. Surfer recently added AI writing capabilities, though it costs extra on top of your subscription. With over 150,000 users and extensive tutorials, it has the largest community of any content optimization tool.
Key Features
- - Real-time content scoring (0-100)
- - Excellent Google Docs integration
- - NLP-based keyword recommendations
- - SERP analyzer with competitor insights
- - Content audit for existing pages
- - Content planner for topic clusters
Pricing
- Essential: $99/month
- Scale: $219/month
- Scale AI: $329/month
- 7-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)
Pros
- + Industry-leading content scoring
- + Excellent Google Docs extension
- + Large community and tutorials
- + Comprehensive SERP analysis
Cons
- - More expensive than Frase ($99 vs $15)
- - AI writing costs extra
- - No native WordPress publishing
- - Credit system can be confusing
Verdict: Best for users who want the most polished content scoring experience. Higher price than Frase, but the real-time optimization feedback is significantly better.
Clearscope
Premium ChoiceClearscope is widely considered the gold standard for content optimization among agencies and enterprise teams. It uses IBM Watson's NLP engine to analyze top-ranking content and provide keyword recommendations. The interface is cleaner than Frase, and the data accuracy is exceptionally high.
When you enter a target keyword, Clearscope analyzes the top 30 ranking pages and extracts the most relevant terms, questions, and topics that Google associates with that query. The resulting content grade (A++ to F) is remarkably predictive of ranking potential—content that scores an A or higher typically performs well in search results within weeks of publishing.
Clearscope integrates seamlessly with Google Docs and WordPress, allowing writers to optimize in their preferred environment. The shareable report feature is particularly valuable for agencies—you can send clients a clean, branded report showing exactly how their content stacks up against competitors. However, Clearscope deliberately avoids AI writing features, positioning itself as a pure optimization tool.
Key Features
- - Industry-leading NLP analysis
- - Content grading system (A++ to F)
- - Google Docs & WordPress plugins
- - Competitor content analysis
- - Shareable reports for clients
Pricing
- Essentials: $189/month (100 credits)
- Business: $399/month (300 credits)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- No free trial available
Pros
- + Most accurate NLP recommendations
- + Beautiful, intuitive interface
- + Excellent for agency workflows
Cons
- - Very expensive ($189+/mo vs $15)
- - No AI writing capabilities
- - No free trial to test
Verdict: Best for agencies and enterprises with budget for premium tools. Significant upgrade from Frase's optimization, but at 10x+ the price.
MarketMuse
Enterprise StrategyMarketMuse goes beyond content optimization into full content strategy. While Frase helps you research individual pieces, MarketMuse analyzes your entire domain to identify topic clusters, content gaps, and authority opportunities. Best for large sites with extensive content libraries.
What makes MarketMuse unique is its domain-level analysis. While other tools focus on optimizing individual pages, MarketMuse inventories your entire site and compares it against competitors to identify where you're strong, where you're weak, and what topics you should prioritize. The "Personalized Difficulty" score tells you how hard it will be for YOUR specific site to rank for a keyword, not just the general difficulty.
The platform excels at building topical authority. It maps out related topics, suggests supporting content pieces, and shows you how to structure internal links to establish expertise in your niche. MarketMuse's content briefs are among the most comprehensive in the industry, including detailed topic modeling, questions to answer, and competitor benchmarks.
Key Features
- - Topic cluster planning
- - Content gap analysis
- - Domain authority insights
- - Personalized keyword difficulty
- - Competitive content analysis
Pricing
- Free: $0/month (10 queries)
- Standard: $149/month
- Team: $399/month
- Limited free plan available
Pros
- + Best-in-class content strategy
- + Excellent topic modeling
- + Great for large content teams
Cons
- - Expensive for small teams
- - Overkill for simple blogs
- - Steep learning curve
Verdict: Best for enterprise teams focused on content strategy and topical authority. If you just need content briefs like Frase, MarketMuse is overkill.
NeuronWriter
Budget KingNeuronWriter is a lean SEO writing assistant focused on NLP optimization at an affordable price point. If you like Frase's approach but want something even more budget-friendly with solid optimization features, NeuronWriter delivers remarkable value.
The tool was built by SEO practitioners who wanted Surfer-like functionality without the premium price tag. NeuronWriter analyzes Google's top results and identifies the semantic terms, entities, and topics that correlate with high rankings. As you write, it tracks your usage of these terms and provides a real-time content score, similar to Surfer's approach but with a cleaner, more focused interface.
NeuronWriter also includes a content planning feature that helps you map out topic clusters and internal linking strategies. The AI writing assistant is functional for generating outlines and first drafts, though like most AI writers, it works best when you provide detailed guidance. At $19/month for the Bronze plan, NeuronWriter offers perhaps the best value for users who specifically need NLP-based content optimization without the bells and whistles.
Key Features
- - NLP-based term suggestions
- - Real-time content scoring
- - SERP competitor analysis
- - AI writing assistance
- - Content planning tools
Pricing
- Bronze: $19/month
- Silver: $37/month
- Gold: $57/month
- Free trial available
Pros
- + Very affordable pricing
- + Solid NLP recommendations
- + Simple, focused interface
Cons
- - Less polished than competitors
- - Limited integrations
- - Smaller feature set
Verdict: Best budget alternative with similar NLP optimization to Frase. If you're price-sensitive, NeuronWriter is hard to beat at $19/mo.
Jasper
AI Writing LeaderJasper (formerly Jarvis) is one of the most popular AI writing tools on the market. While Frase combines research with basic AI writing, Jasper focuses purely on high-quality AI content generation. If your main frustration with Frase is the AI writing quality, Jasper is a significant upgrade.
Jasper's strength lies in its writing quality and versatility. The platform offers 50+ templates for different content types—blog posts, ads, emails, social media, product descriptions, and more. The Boss Mode feature allows for long-form content creation with voice commands, making it easier to write natural-sounding content at scale.
The platform integrates with Surfer SEO for content optimization, giving you the best of both worlds—Jasper's superior AI writing combined with Surfer's NLP optimization. Jasper also offers a Chrome extension, brand voice training, and team collaboration features. However, it lacks the SERP research and content brief features that make Frase useful for the research phase.
Key Features
- - High-quality AI writing
- - 50+ content templates
- - Surfer SEO integration
- - Brand voice training
- - Team collaboration
- - Chrome extension
Pricing
- Creator: $49/month
- Pro: $69/month
- Business: Custom pricing
- 7-day free trial available
Pros
- + Superior AI writing quality
- + Wide range of templates
- + Brand voice customization
- + Surfer SEO integration
Cons
- - No content research/briefs
- - No SERP analysis
- - Surfer integration costs extra
- - Word limits on lower plans
Verdict: Best for users who prioritize AI writing quality over research features. You'll need to pair it with another tool (like Surfer) for full SEO optimization.
Scalenut
AI Writing FocusScalenut positions itself as an AI-first content platform that combines research, writing, and optimization. Like Frase, it offers content briefs and SERP analysis, but with a stronger emphasis on AI-powered content generation. It's a solid middle-ground option.
Scalenut's "Cruise Mode" is its flagship feature—you enter a keyword, and the AI generates a complete article draft including research, outline, and fully written sections. The platform analyzes top-ranking content to inform structure and talking points, then produces content that's already optimized for the NLP terms Google expects to see.
The platform also includes keyword clustering tools that group related terms and help you plan content hubs. Scalenut's editor provides real-time optimization feedback similar to Surfer, scoring your content and suggesting improvements as you write or edit AI drafts. The Chrome extension lets you optimize content directly in Google Docs. While the AI output is impressive for first drafts, expect to spend time editing for accuracy, tone, and brand voice.
Key Features
- - Long-form AI article writer
- - SEO optimization scoring
- - Keyword clustering
- - Content brief generator
- - Chrome extension
Pricing
- Essential: $39/month
- Growth: $79/month
- Pro: $149/month
- 7-day free trial
Pros
- + Strong AI writing capabilities
- + Good long-form content generation
- + Combines research + writing
Cons
- - AI content needs editing
- - Less accurate than Surfer's NLP
- - Limited integrations
Verdict: Best for users who want AI to generate first drafts with basic SEO optimization. Similar to Frase but with stronger AI writing features.
Feature Comparison Matrix
Detailed feature-by-feature breakdown
| Feature | Frase | RepublishAI | Surfer | Clearscope | Jasper | Scalenut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Briefs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Content Scoring | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Via Surfer | Yes |
| AI Writing | Yes | Yes | $$$ | No | Yes | Yes |
| SERP Analysis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| WordPress Publishing | No | Yes | No | Plugin | No | No |
| Image Generation | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Internal Linking | No | Auto | Manual | No | No | No |
| GSC Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Content Audit | Basic | Yes | Yes | No | No | Basic |
| Google Docs | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| People Also Ask | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Yes = Included | $$$ = Extra cost | Plugin = Via extension | Manual = Suggestions only | - = Not applicable
Pricing Analysis
True cost comparison including hidden fees
Monthly Cost for 30 Articles
Watch Out For Hidden Costs
- - Frase: AI credits run out quickly on Solo plan
- - Surfer: AI writing is billed separately
- - Jasper: Word limits on lower tiers
- - MarketMuse: Page-level analysis costs credits
Best Value Picks
- - Budget: NeuronWriter ($19/mo)
- - Research: Frase ($45/mo)
- - AI Writing: Jasper ($49/mo)
- - Automation: RepublishAI ($99/mo)
Who Should Choose What
1 Choose RepublishAI if you...
- - Run a WordPress site and want automation
- - Are tired of manual work after Frase research
- - Want images and internal links handled automatically
- - Have old content that needs refreshing
- - Don't want to copy/paste to WordPress
2 Choose Surfer SEO if you...
- - Want the best real-time content scoring
- - Use Google Docs as your primary editor
- - Need better optimization feedback than Frase
- - Have budget for premium tools ($99+/mo)
- - Value large community and tutorials
3 Choose Clearscope if you...
- - Run an agency with multiple clients
- - Need the most accurate NLP data
- - Have budget for premium tools ($189+/mo)
- - Want beautiful reports for stakeholders
- - Don't need AI writing features
4 Choose Jasper if you...
- - Prioritize AI writing quality above all
- - Need brand voice training
- - Want 50+ content templates
- - Don't need SERP research (use another tool)
- - Create lots of marketing copy beyond blogs
5 Choose NeuronWriter if you...
- - Want similar features to Frase at lower price
- - Just need NLP optimization (no extras)
- - Are on a tight budget ($19-57/mo)
- - Don't need extensive integrations
- - Prefer a simple, focused tool
6 Stay with Frase if you...
- - Love the content brief workflow
- - Use People Also Ask research heavily
- - Are happy with the AI writing quality
- - Need the most affordable option ($15/mo)
- - Use GSC integration for content decay
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frase worth it in 2026?
Frase is still worth it if you primarily need content briefs and research at an affordable price ($15-45/mo). However, the AI writing quality has been surpassed by tools like Jasper, and the optimization features aren't as polished as Surfer SEO. If you need WordPress automation, RepublishAI is a better fit.
What's the best free Frase alternative?
MarketMuse offers a limited free plan with 10 queries/month. RepublishAI has a free tier for basic usage. NeuronWriter offers a free trial. For completely free options, Yoast SEO and RankMath plugins provide basic on-page optimization, though they lack the content brief and research features that make Frase useful.
Which tool has the best AI writing?
For pure AI writing quality, Jasper leads the pack with superior output and brand voice training. RepublishAI produces the most comprehensive long-form content with full SEO optimization. Frase's AI writing is functional but inconsistent. Scalenut's Cruise Mode is good for first drafts. All AI content still requires human editing for best results.
Can I use Frase alternatives with WordPress?
Most tools require copy/paste to WordPress. Clearscope has a WordPress plugin for optimization. RepublishAI is the only tool with native WordPress publishing—it can create, optimize, and publish posts directly without leaving the platform. This eliminates the manual work that Frase and other tools still require.
Is Surfer SEO better than Frase?
Surfer SEO has better real-time content scoring and a more polished Google Docs integration. Frase has better content brief generation and is more affordable ($15/mo vs $99/mo). Surfer's AI writing costs extra while Frase includes it. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize optimization feedback (Surfer) or research/briefs (Frase).
Which Frase alternative is best for agencies?
Clearscope is the agency favorite for its clean reports and accurate data. RepublishAI is also popular with agencies—teams can create multiple writer accounts independently of WordPress setup, share credits across the organization, and manage multiple client sites from one dashboard. Surfer SEO has good team features but can get expensive at scale.
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