Launching a new website in 2025 and wondering which AI SEO tool will help you rank faster? Two names keep popping up: Frase and Surfer. Both promise smarter content optimization, but they approach SEO differently. Frase is lightweight and budget-friendly, while Surfer is more advanced and data-heavy. Let’s break down which one actually works better for brand-new domains.
Key Takeaways
- Frase is cheaper, faster to learn, and strong for content briefs.
- Surfer is pricier but has deeper SERP analysis and better AI drafting.
- For new Indian sites, Frase may be the better starter; Surfer wins for scale.
- GST invoices, UPI/PayU support, and latency are factors Indian buyers should check.
India Snapshot
- Frase:
- Pricing: Starts ~$14.99/mo (~₹1,250).
- GST Invoice: Limited, via Stripe.
- Payments: Cards; sometimes UPI deals on AppSumo.
- Best For: New bloggers, niche sites, SEO beginners.
- SurferSEO:
- Pricing: Starts ~$89/mo (~₹7,400).
- GST Invoice: Yes, proper billing for Indian companies.
- Payments: Cards + Razorpay (via partners).
- Best For: Agencies, fast-scaling sites, heavy SEO teams.
Frase vs Surfer: Core Feature Comparison
| Feature | Frase | Surfer | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content Briefs | ✔ Automated, fast | ✔ Detailed, data-heavy | Frase quick drafts |
| AI Drafting | Basic (GPT-based) | Advanced + integrations | Surfer full articles |
| Keyword Analysis | Basic clustering | Deep SERP + NLP scoring | Surfer wins |
| Ease of Use | Very beginner-friendly | Steeper learning curve | Frase easier |
| Pricing (India) | ~₹1,250/mo | ~₹7,400/mo | Frase budget |
When to Pick Frase
- You’re starting a new blog or niche site.
- Budget is under ₹2,000/month.
- You want fast AI content briefs and topic clustering.
When to Pick Surfer
- You’re running multiple sites or an agency.
- You need detailed SERP scoring and long-form AI drafting.
- You want proper GST invoicing for business claims.
Pros and Cons
Frase
Affordable, easy to use
Quick briefs for new domains
Limited backlink/keyword depth
SurferSEO
Powerful SERP + NLP tools
Strong for scaling multiple sites
Expensive for beginners
Quick Checklist (New Sites)
- Starting with low traffic → Frase.
- Scaling to 10k+ traffic or agency use → Surfer.
- Need GST invoice → Surfer.
- Want lowest entry cost → Frase.
For brand new domains, Frase offers a low-cost, beginner-friendly way to create optimized content. But once your site grows and you need to fight for tougher keywords, Surfer is still the faster path to rankings in 2025.
