Fresh domains need smart SEO tools, but Surfer SEO can feel heavy on the pocket—especially with USD billing and no GST support. Thankfully, there are cheaper and more flexible alternatives that help new sites build authority without overspending. In this guide, we’ll compare nine tools and see which ones work best for Indian publishers in 2025.
India Snapshot
| Tool | INR Pricing (approx) |
India Billing |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfer SEO | ₹8,200+/mo | ❌ USD only | On-page optimization |
| Frase | ₹3,500+/mo | ❌ USD only | SEO briefs + scoring |
| Writesonic | ₹1,600+/mo | ✅ INR + GST | SEO blogs + ads |
| Jasper | ₹3,350+/mo | ❌ USD only | Long-form content |
| Copy.ai | ₹4,200+/mo | ❌ USD only | Templates, quick copy |
| Scalenut | ₹3,000+/mo | ❌ USD only | SEO scaling |
| Semrush | ₹9,000+/mo | ❌ USD only | Keywords + backlinks |
| Ahrefs | ₹9,000+/mo | ❌ USD only | Link building + audits |
| SE Ranking | ₹1,800+/mo | ❌ USD only | Rank tracking + audits |
| Rytr | ₹800+/mo | ❌ USD only | Cheapest AI copy |
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1. Frase – Best for Content Briefs
- SEO-driven outlines and content scoring.
- Great for planning clusters around fresh domains.
- Pricing: ~₹3,500/mo.
2. Writesonic – Best India-Friendly Alternative
- INR billing + GST invoices.
- SEO blog drafts, product copy, and ads.
- Pricing: starts at ₹1,600/mo.
3. Jasper – Long-Form SEO Content
- Surfer SEO integration for detailed blogs.
- Strong for pillar articles.
- Pricing: ~₹3,350/mo.
4. Copy.ai – Templates for Quick Drafts
- 90+ templates, beginner-friendly.
- Not as strong in SEO scoring.
- Pricing: ~₹4,200/mo.
5. Scalenut – SEO Scaling
- Keyword clustering + AI drafts.
- Best for building topic hubs on new sites.
- Pricing: ~₹3,000/mo.
6. Semrush – Keyword & Backlink Giant
- Full SEO suite: keyword research, audits, backlinks.
- Expensive for new sites.
- Pricing: ~₹9,000/mo.
7. Ahrefs – Link Building & Audits
- Best for link prospecting and technical SEO.
- Pricing: ~₹9,000/mo.
8. SE Ranking – Affordable SEO Suite
- Budget-friendly keyword tracking + audits.
- Great starter alternative to Semrush/Ahrefs.
- Pricing: ~₹1,800/mo.
9. Rytr – Cheapest AI Writing Option
- Simple copywriter, weakest SEO features.
- Ideal for small blogs or side projects.
- Pricing: ~₹800/mo.
Pros & Cons Overview
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Frase | SEO briefs + content scoring | USD billing only |
| Writesonic | INR billing, SEO tools | Drafts need editing |
| Jasper | Long-form SEO content | Expensive in INR |
| Copy.ai | Easy templates | Weak SEO optimization |
| Scalenut | Keyword clusters + scaling | Learning curve |
| Semrush | Keyword + backlink powerhouse | High cost |
| Ahrefs | Best link-building tool | Expensive |
| SE Ranking | Affordable suite | Fewer advanced tools |
| Rytr | Cheapest entry point | Weak SEO support |
Surfer SEO is excellent, but new domain owners in India often need cheaper, more flexible tools. For most, Writesonic is the best Surfer alternative thanks to INR billing, GST support, and SEO blogging tools. Frase and Scalenut are solid for SEO clusters, while Semrush and Ahrefs shine once you scale.
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