Methodology
This page explains how we estimate SEO software tier pricing from your usage inputs, how we model organic traffic value and ROI, and how recommendations are scored. Formulas are implemented in open source code.
Platform cost model
Each vendor has a static table of tiers with caps (projects, tracked keywords, seats, and — where relevant — content pieces per month or daily keyword lookups). We select the cheapest tier whose caps fit your inputs. If your inputs exceed every tier, we use the highest tier in the table.
This is a planning shortcut. Real vendor packaging changes frequently (units, add-ons, annual discounts). Always confirm the active plan on the vendor's pricing page.
Organic traffic value
Value per visit mode
monthlyTrafficValue = monthlyOrganicTraffic × valuePerVisit
Conversion model
monthlyTrafficValue = monthlyOrganicTraffic × (conversionRate / 100) × avgOrderValue
Incremental value & ROI
We interpret your "expected traffic value growth from SEO investment" as a percentage lift applied to the monthly traffic value:
incrementalMonthlyValue = monthlyTrafficValue × (expectedGrowthPercent / 100)
annualIncrementalValue = incrementalMonthlyValue × 12
annualPlatformCost = platformMonthlyCost × 12
roiPercent = ((annualIncrementalValue - annualPlatformCost) / annualPlatformCost) × 100
Current monthly SEO spend is used as a budget signal in recommendations — not subtracted in the ROI formula above (to avoid double-counting when you are comparing a replacement tool).
Ranges: conservative, base, and upside
ROI ranges scale the incremental monthly value (not the subscription price):
- Conservative: 0.55× incremental value
- Base: your inputs as entered
- Upside: 1.45× incremental value
Recommendation scoring
Each provider has editorial 1–10 scores for: keyword research, rank tracking, site audit, backlink analysis, content optimization, competitor analysis, local SEO, and beginner-friendliness.
The engine weights dimensions based on your workflow checkboxes, business type, interface preferences, implied budget, and main priority. Cost fit compares modeled subscription cost to your current SEO spend (or a default budget heuristic when spend is $0).
When two tools are very close, we apply a tie-breaker: if the top scorer is reference-only and a close alternative is not, we may surface the non-reference option as the primary pick. The full comparison table still lists every platform.
Important disclaimers
- Pricing tables are static assumptions — we do not scrape live pricing APIs.
- ROI is a modeled illustration, not a forecast of search rankings or revenue.
- This is not financial, tax, or legal advice.
- Scores are editorial judgments for comparison within this tool's four-vendor set.