The 9 Best WordPress SEO Plugins [2025]

Table of Contents

• Quick Overview of the Best SEO Plugin for WordPress
• How We Reviewed & Selected WordPress SEO Plugins
• Best SEO WordPress Plugins
• Bonus: Other SEO Support WordPress Plugins, Extensions, and Tools
• Our Recommendation
• Why Should I Use SEO WordPress Plugins?
• Things to Keep in Mind When Selecting WordPress SEO Plugins
• How Can WP Creative Help?
• Best WordPress SEO Plugin FAQs

Improving your website’s visibility starts with using the best WordPress SEO plugins. After working with numerous WordPress sites, we have found Rank Math and Yoast SEO to be the best options. Rank Math excels in advanced SEO features, while Yoast stands out for its simplicity and ease of use.

However, several other powerful SEO plugins are worth considering. They offer features like keyword optimisation, performance tracking, and detailed analytics to improve your site’s search rankings.

After extensive research and testing dozens of options, we’ve compiled a list of the top SEO plugins for WordPress to help improve your site’s performance. Ready to find out which plugins can help your site perform better? Let’s get started!

Quick Overview of the Best SEO Plugin for WordPress

Plugin	Price	Best Feature	Best For
Yoast SEO	Free; Premium $99/year	Advanced content analysis and readability tools	Beginners and general SEO improvement
Rank Math	Free; Pro starts at $95/year (first year $59)	Built-in AI for content and keyword analysis	Advanced users and agencies
All in One SEO	Free; Pro starts at $49/year	Easy setup with comprehensive SEO features	Users who want a beginner-friendly interface
SEOPress	Free; Pro starts at $49/year	Customisable with robust WooCommerce support	Developers and e-commerce sites
The SEO Framework	Free; Pro starts from $84/year	Automated, lightweight, and privacy-focused	Minimalist users
Squirrly SEO	Free; Pro starts at $9.99/month	AI-driven guidance and SEO audits	Content creators and businesses
Ahrefs SEO	$99/month (no free version)	Backlink analysis and competitor insights	SEO professionals & marketers
Schema Pro	$79/year (no free version)	Rich snippet implementation	Websites focusing on structured data
WP Rocket	$59/year	Web page caching	Website speed optimisation

How We Reviewed & Selected WordPress SEO Plugins

To determine the best WordPress SEO plugins, we conducted extensive testing, analysed user feedback, and leveraged our SEO expertise. This approach ensured our recommendations were practical, reliable, and suitable for various website needs.

Real-World Testing

Each plugin was tested on live websites to measure its impact on search rankings, performance, and usability. This helped us evaluate their effectiveness in handling tasks like keyword optimisation, metadata management, and sitemap generation.

User Feedback

We considered ratings and reviews from a variety of users, including bloggers and eCommerce site owners, to understand how these plugins perform across different website types.

Expertise and Experience

With years of experience in WordPress and SEO, we assessed plugins for functionality and results. Our familiarity with SEO tools allowed us to identify features that provide real value and separate the best from the rest.

Additional Considerations

Alongside testing and feedback, we considered factors like ease of setup, compatibility with themes and plugins, and the quality of support and updates.

Best SEO WordPress Plugins

1. Yoast SEO

Yoast is simply one of the most popular and best WordPress plugins for SEO. Its beginner-friendly design and advanced tools make it suitable for users of all skill levels.

With Yoast, you can easily optimise your content by selecting a focused keyword and receiving real-time suggestions for content analysis & guidance, ensuring effective keyword usage. The plugin also helps refine meta descriptions, titles, and readability, ensuring your posts and pages meet SEO best practices.

Whether you’re new to SEO or experienced, Yoast provides the guidance and tools needed to create high-quality, search-engine-friendly content.

Pros

• Easy-to-use traffic light system for content optimisation.
• Seamless import of settings from previous SEO plugins.
• Detailed readability analysis to enhance user engagement.

Cons

• Limited free features compared to some alternatives.
• Interface may feel complex for beginners.

Features

• Real-time SEO and readability analysis.
• SERP preview for better control over search appearance.
• Automatic XML sitemap creation.
• Social media preview and meta-tag optimisation.
• Regular updates to match search engine changes.

Pricing

Free version available; premium version starts at $99/year with niche add-ons at $79/year.

2. Rank Math SEO Plugin

Rank Math SEO is another household name when it comes to WordPress optimisations and it is the most popular SEO plugin for me personally. The plugin has grown exponentially with more than 1 million active users as of now and offers advanced features even in the free version.

When it comes to on-page SEO, Rank Math shines by offering comparatively more insights and features compared to plugins like Yoast, even with the free version. You can also choose to upgrade to the premium version if you want even more features, but for me personally, its free version is enough.

Unlike Yoast, the Rankmath SEO plugin allows you to add more than one keyword to optimise in its free version. The plugin is also optimised for site speed and has a feature for AI content optimisation.

Pros

• Extensive free feature set, including multi-keyword optimisation.
• Easy setup with beginner and advanced modes.
• Fast, lightweight design for better site performance.
• AI-powered tools for smarter content optimisation.

Cons

• Readability analysis is less detailed compared to Yoast SEO.
• Advanced features may require a learning curve for beginners.

Features

• Multi-keyword optimisation and schema support.
• Keyword rank tracking and analytics.
• WooCommerce SEO and local SEO tools.
• Internal linking suggestions and image SEO.
• AI optimisation for titles, descriptions, and content.

Pricing

Free version available; premium plans start at $59/year, renewing at $95/year for multiple sites.

3. All in one SEO pack

All in one SEO pack (AIOSEO) is the first SEO plugin with more than 2 million downloads suited for both beginner and advanced users. WordPress plugin All in one SEO pack allows you to optimise your WordPress blog. It is one of the most useful complete plugins for SEO. However, it is not edgy compared to SEO Yoast and consists of a special characteristic to add a custom HTML synching with Google Analytics.

If you are looking to migrate from Yoast SEO to this plugin, you can import all of the settings as well. It comes with features to add titles and meta descriptions, schema implementation, AMP, local SEO, XML sitemap creation, focus keyword optimisation and other on-page SEO optimisation checkers.

Another important feature this plugin offers is that it audits your entire website and reports areas and analytics to improve your SEO. AIOSO is the most complete and premium SEO pack you can find in the market.

Pros

• Detailed SEO audits with actionable recommendations.
• Seamless migration from Yoast SEO with import settings.
• Integration with Google Analytics for custom HTML syncing.

Cons

• Free version offers limited features.
• Less intuitive interface for beginners.

Features

• Automatic XML and video sitemaps.
• Schema markup for rich results.
• Local SEO, AMP, and social media integration.
• Advanced WooCommerce SEO.
• Redirection manager for broken links.

Pricing

Free version available; premium plans start at $49.50/year.

4. SEO Press

SEOPress is another simple but powerful plugin that you can use to improve your WordPress site’s SEO. It offers all the features that you would require for on-page SEO optimisations and even more.

SEOPress also comes in both free and paid versions. You can set up the plugin easily without much technical knowledge using the setup wizard. One feature that everyone loves about SEOPress is that it is ads-free.

Pros

• Affordable with unlimited site usage.
• Ad-free, user-friendly interface.
• Comprehensive free version for smaller websites.

Cons

• Advanced features require a learning curve.
• Limited functionality in the free version.

Features

• Title and meta descriptions edit.
• WordPress WooCommerce store optimisations.
• Structured data and rich results setup.
• URLs monitoring.
• Advanced analytics and insights from Google Analytics.
• HTML and XML sitemap creation.
• Content insights.

Pricing

Free version available; Pro version starts at $49/year.

5. The SEO Framework

The SEO Framework is one of the most popular SEO plugins if you want a lightweight plugin. The SEO Framework is for those who are looking to spend less time on SEO and rather focus on the most important parts of optimisations rather than doing everything.

However, it does not mean that the plugin lacks any of the features that you would require for SEO. If you are an advanced user who likes to tweak the API and contribute to the plugin, you can do so for this plugin.

The SEO framework has its developer base for security and they’ve made the plugin with full security features in mind.

Pros

• Lightweight and fast performance.
• Preconfigured for easy setup and minimal adjustments.
• Focuses on topic-based optimisation instead of specific keywords.
• Developer-friendly with API flexibility for customisation.

Cons

• Long settings panel may feel overwhelming for beginners.
• Fewer advanced features compared to some competitors.

Features

• Automatic meta description generation.
• Local SEO extension for regional optimisation.
• AMP integration for mobile-friendly pages.
• XML sitemap creation and structured data support.
• Redirect monitoring to fix broken links.
• Bulk post/page optimisation tools.
• Integration with Facebook Pixel and Google Analytics.

Pricing

Free version available; premium extensions start at $84/year.

6. SEO Plugin by Squirrly SEO

Squirrly SEO is an AI-powered WordPress plugin designed to simplify SEO for beginners while providing advanced tools for experts. It covers the entire SEO process, from keyword research and content optimisation to competitor analysis and rank tracking. With real-time feedback and tailored beginner and expert modes, Squirrly adapts to users of all skill levels, making it an ideal choice for businesses, bloggers, and marketers.

Pros

• Covers the full SEO lifecycle, from keyword research to rank tracking.
• Real-time feedback in the WordPress editor.
• Beginner and expert modes for flexible use.
• Gamified learning with training and goal setting.

Cons

• Premium plans are more expensive than some competitors.
• Free version has usage limits.

Features

• AI assistant for keyword-focused content.
• Competitor insights and strategies.
• Weekly monitoring, content reports, and technical audits.
• Integration with Google Search Console and Analytics.
• Schema, meta tags, and social sharing settings.
• Works with Elementor and Divi page builders.

Pricing

Free version available; premium plans start at $9.99/month.

7. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is one of the most trusted SEO tools, now available as a WordPress plugin. The plugin is designed to optimise your website with advanced tools like backlink analysis, keyword suggestions & tracking, and SEO audits, all from your WordPress dashboard. Unlike traditional SEO plugins, Ahrefs focuses on delivering actionable insights based on competitor data and search engine trends.

While it offers fewer features than the full Ahrefs platform, the plugin is an excellent choice for complementing your existing SEO setup and taking your strategy to the next level.

Pros

• Comprehensive SEO tools, from backlink analysis to keyword tracking.
• Seamless integration with Google Analytics and Search Console.
• Complements other plugins for enhanced functionality.
• Lightweight and quick to set up.

Cons

• WordPress plugin offers fewer features than the full Ahrefs SaaS tool.
• Premium pricing may not suit smaller websites.

Features

• Content audits based on search engine and competitor insights.
• Backlink monitoring and keyword rank tracking.
• Integration with Ahrefs’ advanced SaaS platform.
• Readability analysis & internal linking suggestions.
• Easy setup with support for other WordPress SEO plugins.

Pricing

Free version available; premium plans start at $99/month.

8. Schema Pro

Schema Pro is a simple yet powerful plugin that helps you add structured data (schema markup) to your website with ease. By using schema, you make it easier for search engines to understand your content, improving your visibility in search results. It enables features like star ratings, prices, images, and other rich snippets that grab attention.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, Schema Pro makes adding schemas quick and effortless, so you can focus on growing your site without worrying about technical details.

Pros

• Easy schema setup with minimal effort.
• Works with other plugins like Yoast and AIOSEO.
• Integrates with custom field plugins like ACF.
• Boosts search visibility with rich snippets.
• Includes live schema testing.

Cons

• Limited for very complex schema needs.
• May be costly for smaller sites.
• Some advanced features require learning.

Features

• Pre-built schema types (reviews, FAQs, etc.).
• Maps data from SEO plugins to Schema Pro.
• Supports custom fields for the advanced schema.
• Real-time schema validation.
• Wide range of schema options.

Pricing

Starts at $79/year.

9. WP Rocket

WP Rocket is a powerful WordPress caching plugin designed to improve website speed, boost SEO, and enhance user experience. It simplifies the technical aspects of caching and optimisation, making it easy for anyone to accelerate their site. With features like GZIP compression, JavaScript delay, CSS optimisation, and lazy loading, WP Rocket addresses critical performance issues without requiring technical expertise.

Pros

• Boosts Core Web Vitals and SEO effortlessly.
• Easy setup with no technical knowledge required.
• Enhances page speed with caching and lazy loading.
• Includes advanced features like JavaScript delay and CSS optimisation.
• Compatible with most hosting and WordPress themes.

Cons

• No free version available.
• Some features might overlap with other optimisation tools.
• Designed for WordPress only, limiting cross-platform use.

Features

• Full-page caching for faster load times.
• GZIP compression and browser caching.
• JavaScript and CSS optimisation.
• Lazy loading for images and videos.
• Database optimisation and cleanup.
• Compatibility with CDN for global performance improvement.

Pricing

Starts at $59/year for one website.

Bonus: Other SEO Support WordPress Plugins, Extensions, and Tools

Those were some of the best WordPress SEO plugins but sometimes these may not be enough if you try to rank well. You will need some more SEO tools that make it easier to work for your WordPress website SEO.

These plugins are more like tools that perform specific tasks to help you with SEO and make more SEO-friendly content. Some of these can be used side by side with SEO plugins like Yoast or Rankmath.

1. Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed

Google has introduced its Site kit for Adsense, Google Analytics and Google Search Console integration. It has more than 2 million installations in the WordPress community.

The main advantage of the Site Kit by Google plugin is that you won’t need to manually check for analysis using the Google Search Console and Analytics. Instead, you can view all of these insights on your WordPress Admin Dashboard.

This tool is very handy, and the fact that it comes from Google itself helps it more. You can even set up Search Console, Analytics and Adsense account from your WordPress dashboard. It works pretty well for all of these Google accounts, and you can also check your Google PageSpeed Insights. The plugin, Sitekit by Google, is free and open source.

2. Broken Link Checker

Broken link checker is one of the best WordPress SEO plugins to check links. This plugin monitors your blogs, checking for broken links and also notifying you if any are found on your website. Only putting content on your website is not SEO and it won’t get you anywhere without the links.

We all know how important links are to SEO and this plugin will help you monitor & fix your broken link. This plugin performs the following tasks:

• Monitor links within your post, page and comment
• Detect the links that do not work, and missing images and redirect
• Informs you through the dashboard or through e-mail
• Greatly configurable

3. SemRush SEO Writing Assistant

SemRush is another plugin that has proved to be very useful for anyone looking to improve SEO. This plugin may sound like some tool to help you write better but that’s only starting of it.

It surely does help you write better but also with some other features. SemRush SEO Writing Assistant will help you write better content by suggesting and giving you insights on competitor content and web pages that are already ranking on Google.

This writing assistant checks your content on the basis of what is currently ranking, keywords you are trying to rank for and competitors. You can start using it with your existing SemRush account but you will need paid version if you are planning to use it more often.

4. MonsterInsights

SEO can not be done without knowing your analytics and getting insights based on the existing SEO data. That is why the MonsterInsight plugin was developed. This is the most popular and useful SEO Analysis tool for WordPress websites.

The best part of the plugin is that it not only provides data from sources like Google Analytics but also offers suggestions on tasks you can do to improve your website performance. The reports are organised and just what you need for SEO. The plugin is optimised for eCommerce use as well.

Apart from regular website performance it also helps you track user behaviour which becomes very useful, especially for eCommerce sites. It also integrates with other SEO plugins like All in One SEO and Yoast.

5. Internal Link Juicer

Internal Link Juicer is a WordPress plugin that simplifies the internal linking process for your website. It automatically detects related posts and pages based on selected keywords and inserts relevant links, helping search engines crawl and index your content more efficiently. Moreover, you can easily customise anchor text, control the number of links per page, and set linking rules to fit your SEO strategy.

6. WP Meta SEO

WP Meta SEO is another all-in-one WordPress plugin that offers almost everything you need to work for SEO. One of the main reasons for its popularity is that the plugin can edit multiple pages at once. This feature will help you save time performing SEO tasks.

It can help you with auditing your website content, meta description, image optimisations, URLs monitoring, XML/HTML sitemaps, breadcrumbs and more. WP Meta SEO can be integrated with Google Search Console for better insights and recommendations.

7. Schema & Structured Data for WP & AMP

This is another popular plugin for generating schema markup for Rich results. You should first need to add schema markup for your content in order for them to appear as rich results on the SERP. Schema & Structured Data for WP helps you create and add schema markup to your content, posts or pages.

8. Redirection

Redirection is a free and widely used WordPress plugin for managing 301 redirects and fixing 404 errors. It helps improve SEO by resolving broken links and offers real-time error monitoring and detailed logging. With flexible redirect options and an easy-to-use interface, it’s perfect for both beginners and advanced users. Best of all, it’s completely free.

Our Recommendation

At WP Creative, we’ve worked with numerous WordPress sites over the years, and Rank Math has consistently been our go-to SEO plugin for handling advanced SEO needs. Its extensive features provide greater control over your SEO strategy, making it ideal for those seeking deeper optimisation. Similarly, Yoast SEO remains a favourite among our clients for its user-friendly interface and straightforward tools, making it easy for users of all levels to optimise content.

Based on our experience, we confidently recommend both Yoast and Rank Math. Both are reliable, effective SEO plugins, regardless of the size or complexity of your website.

Why Should I Use SEO WordPress Plugins?

SEO plugins are powerful tools that simplify the complexities of search engine optimisation by automating essential tasks and helping improve your website’s performance in search rankings. While they handle many technical aspects, combining them with your expertise ensures better results. Below are some key reasons to consider using them:

1. Saves Time and Effort

SEO plugins automate tedious tasks like generating sitemaps, tracking performance, and detecting issues. By reducing manual work, they allow you to focus on building and executing a solid SEO strategy.

2. User-friendly Interface and Easy to Use

Designed for all skill levels, these plugins offer simple setups and intuitive interfaces for beginners while providing advanced options for experienced users to refine their optimisation efforts.

3. Improves Traffic and Search Rankings

By optimising key elements such as meta tags, keywords, and content readability, SEO plugins enhance your site’s visibility and attract more organic visitors.

4. Simplifies Technical SEO

These tools simplify complex tasks like managing redirects, resolving indexing problems, and adding schema markup, making technical SEO accessible even for non-experts.

5. Provides Actionable Insights

With detailed analytics and tailored recommendations, SEO plugins guide you in improving your website’s performance, helping you make informed, data-driven decisions.

Things to Keep in Mind When Selecting WordPress SEO Plugins

Choosing the right WordPress SEO plugin can save time, improve your search rankings, and simplify optimisation. Since each plugin comes with unique features, it’s important to select one that aligns with your website’s specific goals and requirements.

1. Setup

Opt for plugins with an easy setup process. Guided wizards are especially helpful for beginners, as they simplify the configuration process. Additionally, plugins that allow you to import settings from other tools can make transitions much easier.

2. Ease of use

A user-friendly interface is essential for effective SEO management. The plugin should be easy to navigate for beginners, yet flexible enough to offer advanced features for experienced users.

3. Technical SEO

Select an SEO plugin that generates XML sitemaps, manages redirects, and detects indexing issues. Additional features like breadcrumb navigation and site audits can help improve your website’s structure and search engine compatibility.

4. On-page SEO

A good plugin should support on-page optimisation by evaluating meta tags, keywords, schema markup, and content readability. Tools that suggest internal linking or highlight areas for improvement can further refine your content strategy.

5. Performance

Website speed is a critical ranking factor and directly impacts user experience. Choose a lightweight plugin that won’t slow down your site, ensuring faster load times and better performance in search results.

6. Compatibility

Ensure the plugin works seamlessly with your existing WordPress setup, including your theme, page builder, and tools like WooCommerce. Compatibility avoids technical issues and ensures smooth integration across your site.

7. Extra features

Depending on your goals, look for plugins that offer added functionality, such as local SEO, eCommerce SEO, or analytics integration. These extras can extend the plugin’s capabilities and provide deeper insights into your website’s performance.

Want the Best Analytics Plugins for WordPress? Explore the top choices for your site!

How Can WP Creative Help?

We are a leading WordPress design, development, and SEO company with a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. We create WordPress websites that combine great design, seamless functionality, and performance to help your business grow.

We proudly serve businesses across Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, and more. Whether you’re launching a new website, revamping your existing one, or improving search engine rankings, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to take your website to the next level? Contact Australia’s WordPress experts today and let’s make it happen!

Best WordPress SEO Plugin FAQs

Do I need to use a paid plugin for SEO?

It depends on your requirements and experience. Free plugins can work well for basic SEO needs, but paid versions offer advanced features that might be beneficial for complex SEO tasks.

Which free SEO plugin is best for WordPress?

Yoast SEO, Rank Math, All in One SEO, and SEOPress are among the top free SEO plugins, each offering various features for on-page and technical optimisation.

Do I need an SEO WordPress plugin?

SEO plugins aren’t mandatory, but they simplify optimisation tasks, help improve search rankings, and save time by automating important SEO functions.

What are SEO plugins in WordPress?

SEO plugins are tools that assist in optimising your WordPress website for better search engine rankings by managing tasks like keyword optimisation, meta tags, sitemaps, robots.txt, and more.

Why do I need SEO plugins for WordPress?

SEO plugins automate many time-consuming tasks, like on-page optimisation, and provide valuable insights, helping you maintain a better-performing website with less effort.

Can I use multiple WordPress SEO plugins on my site?

You should avoid using multiple SEO plugins for the same purpose as they can conflict with each other, potentially overriding settings and causing issues on your site.

Are WordPress SEO plugins free?

No, not all WordPress SEO plugins are available in the free version. Some of the best SEO plugins are free while some require you to pay to use premium features. Some of the plugins offer lifetime pricing and some offer other pricing such as monthly, credit-based and annual subscriptions.

Can I use a WordPress SEO plugin if I have no prior knowledge of SEO?

Yes, most SEO plugins are designed to be beginner-friendly, with easy-to-follow wizards and recommendations, so you can optimise your WordPress site even without technical SEO knowledge.

How do I install an SEO plugin in WordPress?

You can install SEO plugins for WordPress by either downloading the plugin and uploading it to your site or by searching directly in the WordPress store.

To install an SEO plugin, navigate to your WordPress Dashboard, go to “Plugins” > “Add New,” search for the plugin, and click “Install Now.”

How do I configure my SEO WordPress plugin?

The configuration and settings differ with every plugin. Most plugins come with an easy-to-follow setup wizard, or you can manually adjust settings through the plugin’s configuration page based on your site’s needs.