Squirrly SEO vs. Rank Math: Smart SEO or Speedy Control?

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Squirrly SEO vs. Rank Math Smart SEO or Speedy Control

Squirrly SEO and Rank Math both promise powerful results when it comes to optimizing WordPress websites, but they take very different routes to get you there.

Squirrly SEO leans heavily into AI-guided workflows and real-time coaching, making it interesting for beginners or content creators who want SEO insights without diving deep into technical settings.

Rank Math, on the other hand, is a favorite among power users for its performance-focused tools, granular controls, and tight integration with Google’s search ecosystem.

So, between Squirrly SEO vs. Rank Math, which one should you choose?

In this comparison, we’ll break down how each plugin handles the core aspects of WordPress SEO. Whether you’re launching a blog, managing a business site, or scaling an SEO agency, this guide will help you make the smart choice.

What Is Squirrly SEO?

Squirrly SEO
Via Squirrly SEO

Squirrly SEO is an AI-powered WordPress plugin that supports search engine optimization through automation, keyword research, and real-time content feedback. It operates entirely within the WordPress dashboard and offers users a structured approach to improving visibility in search results.

One of its core features, Focus Pages, helps users assess specific URLs and generates a list of actions to improve their rankings. In addition, the SEO Live Assistant provides real-time recommendations while writing content, making it easier to apply SEO best practices.

The plugin includes technical site audits, keyword organization tools, rank tracking, and integration with search indexing protocols like IndexNow.

Search Atlas SEO Topical Map Blog Banner

Squirrly SEO Popular Features

Squirrly includes a variety of built-in tools that combine automation and analysis to assist with both technical and on-page SEO.

  • Focus Pages. Generate step-by-step instructions to improve the SEO performance of specific URLs.
  • SEO Live Assistant. Offers real-time feedback on keyword placement, formatting, and readability while creating content.
  • Keyword Research Tool. Identifies keyword opportunities using volume, competition, and trend data directly inside WordPress.
  • Technical SEO Audit Suite. Scans the site for technical issues and provides plain-language suggestions for resolution.
  • Rank Tracking. Tracks keyword positions across multiple search engines and monitors ranking changes over time.
  • Social Media Integration. Connects SEO efforts with social media accounts to help increase visibility and traffic.

Squirrly SEO Pricing Structure

Squirrly SEO offers both free and paid subscription plans, with tiered access to features based on the selected plan.

  • Free. 1 site, 1 focus page, 5 keyword researches/month, 1 audit suite page/month.
  • Pro. $9.99/month, 5 sites, 25 focus pages/month, 50 keyword researches/month, 100 audit suite pages/month.
  • Web Dev Kit. $51.20/month, 10 sites, 70 focus pages/month, 300 keyword researches/month, 2,000 SERP checker credits, 300 audit suite pages/month.
  • Business. $71.99/month, 7 sites, 70 focus pages/month, 300 keyword researches/month, 3,000 SERP checker credits, 300 audit suite pages/month.

What Is Rank Math?

Rank Math WP plugin
Rank Math

Rank Math is a feature-rich SEO plugin built for WordPress that emphasizes usability, scalability, and control. It combines automated workflows with manual configuration options, helping users apply both basic and advanced SEO techniques across their websites.

The plugin uses a modular setup, allowing users to activate only the components they need—whether that’s schema generation, redirection management, or content analysis. Its interface is built to remain streamlined, regardless of how many features are enabled.

A notable feature of Rank Math is Content AI, which provides real-time keyword suggestions, content structure tips, and internal linking guidance based on the page’s topic. This built-in assistant helps shape content strategies with data-backed insights directly within the WordPress editor.

Rank Math Popular Features

Rank Math includes tools for technical optimization, content refinement, and on-page structure.

  • Content AI Assistant. Offers keyword recommendations, topic suggestions, and content grading based on real-time search data.
  • Advanced SEO Analysis. Scans the entire website and returns a detailed checklist of improvements across metadata, performance, and content structure.
  • Schema Generator. Allows users to add structured data for various content types (articles, products, events) using built-in templates and customization options.
  • Image SEO. Automates ALT text and title tag generation for images to improve search visibility and accessibility.
  • 404 Monitor & Redirect Manager. Tracks broken links and enables quick redirects to preserve site usability and SEO value.
  • Search Console & Analytics Integration. Displays metrics such as search impressions, click-through rates, and keyword performance within the plugin.

Rank Math Pricing Structure

Rank Math offers a powerful free version along with premium plans that include greater capacity and additional AI functionality.

  • Pro Plan. $6.99/month, unlimited personal websites, tracks 500 keywords, 5k AI content credits.
  • Business Plan. $20.99/month, 100 client websites, tracks 10k keywords, 12k AI content credits.
  • Agency Plan. $49.99/month, 500 client websites, tracks 50k keywords, 30k AI content credits.

Squirrly SEO vs. Rank Math: Which WordPress SEO Plugin Delivers More Value?

Rank Math and AIOSEO are both designed to help WordPress users improve search engine visibility. Now, we’ll compare how each plugin performs across key SEO features to help you decide which one fits best with your goals and workflow.

1. Keyword Research

squirrly seo keyword
Via Squirrly SEO

Squirrly offers a built-in keyword research tool directly within WordPress, powered by AI. It shows data like search volume, competition, and trends, and includes a “Briefcase” feature to organize keywords by topic or strategy. It’s beginner-friendly and integrated into the writing flow.

Rank Math Keyword
Via Rank Math

Rank Math includes keyword tracking and integrates with Google Search Console, but it lacks a dedicated keyword research module in the free version. The premium version relies heavily on Content AI, which provides keyword ideas and related questions, but it’s limited by monthly credits.

Winner: Squirrly SEO

Squirrly offers native keyword research inside WordPress, making it more accessible for planning and targeting keywords. Rank Math’s solution is powerful but hidden behind a paywall and limited by usage caps.

2. On-Page SEO and Content Optimization

squirrly seo live assistant
Via Squirrly SEO

Squirrly SEO provides actionable content optimization guidance via the Live Assistant. It evaluates readability, keyword density, image usage, and more. Content planning and brief generation are also built in.

It’s visual and tailored for non-technical users.

rank math RankMath readability score
Via Rank Math

Rank Math also provides real-time SEO suggestions in the content editor. It checks keyword usage, title length, image optimization, and internal linking. The interface is more modular and advanced, offering deeper analysis options.

Winner: Tie

Both tools offer strong real-time SEO support inside the WordPress editor. Squirrly’s guidance is more visual and educational, while Rank Math provides slightly more technical depth for experienced users.

3. Technical SEO Features

squirrly seo audit
Via Squirrly SEO

Squirrly SEO includes technical audits that identify issues like crawl errors, missing tags, and slow-loading pages. It automates settings like canonical URLs and schema. The audit reports are written in plain language, making them easier to understand.

rank math sitemap
Via Rank Math

Rank Math offers in-depth technical SEO support—XML sitemaps, schema markup, image SEO, breadcrumb control, 404 monitoring, and redirection management. It supports custom schema and has tighter integration with core web vitals and Google tools.

Winner: Rank Math

While Squirrly simplifies technical SEO with AI-powered audits, Rank Math offers more robust controls and automation, especially for developers and site managers who need more advanced options.

4. Schema and Rich Snippets

Squirrly SEO includes built-in schema support, automatically applying structured data to content. However, customization options are limited compared to Rank Math.

Rank Math offers a rich schema library with templates for articles, recipes, events, products, and more. Users can customize schema manually or use auto-detection. The free version already supports several schema types.

Winner: Rank Math

Rank Math’s schema tools are more flexible and developer-friendly. Squirrly does a good job of automating schema, but Rank Math gives more control and variety.

5. AI Features

Within Squirrly SEO, AI powers keyword research, audits, and optimization suggestions. Its Focus Pages feature generates an SEO strategy for specific URLs, creating a to-do list based on performance data.

Rank Math offers Content AI, which delivers real-time suggestions tailored to your topic. It’s effective but limited by credit usage. Outside of Content AI, Rank Math relies more on user configuration than automated intelligence.

Winner: Squirrly SEO

Squirrly’s AI is integrated across the entire plugin—from keyword research to page-level strategies—without relying heavily on usage caps. Rank Math’s AI is valuable but limited in scope and frequency.

6. Pricing & Value

Squirrly SEO offers a free version that includes key features like the SEO Live Assistant, one Focus Page, and limited keyword research. While generous in some areas, higher-tier features can quickly become costly for larger teams or agencies.

Rank Math provides a robust free version that includes technical SEO, schema support, and automation tools. Premium plans start at $6.99/month with unlimited personal websites, scalable AI credits, and advanced features like keyword tracking and client site management.

Winner: No clear winner

Squirrly and Rank Math both offer solid value depending on your goals. Squirrly gives you AI-focused features and real-time guidance, while Rank Math delivers broad functionality and strong scalability at lower price points. 

But if you’re after a more all-in-one SEO platform with smarter automation, there’s a better alternative just ahead. 🤯

There’s a Better SEO Solution Than Squirrly or Rank Math: Meet Search Atlas

Squirrly SEO and Rank Math each offer helpful SEO capabilities within the limits of WordPress, but that’s exactly the problem. They’re still plugins tied to the limitations of your CMS. 

Search Atlas is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for if you’re looking for a complete SEO operating system—one that brings together technical insights, AI-powered content creation, and strategic planning.

search atlas main dashboard

Search Atlas Features

Search Atlas combines every critical element of SEO—content strategy, technical performance, and off-page authority—into one unified dashboard. No more switching between disconnected tools or relying on patchwork plugins.

Content Genius

Content Genius lets you create content from scratch, even in bulk.

Squirrly’s Live Assistant and Rank Math’s Content AI assist inside the WordPress editor, but Search Atlas takes content strategy further with Content Genius, which is a powerful AI-driven workspace built for end-to-end SEO execution.

  • AI Writing Assistance. As you write, Search Atlas evaluates keyword usage, content structure, internal links, and semantic relevance—providing real-time suggestions based on current ranking factors. You can automatically generate outlines, titles, introductions, and full-length SEO-optimized articles tailored to your keywords and intent.
  • Topical Maps and Content Planner. Go beyond keyword research with tools that build entire topic clusters, revealing how content pieces interconnect to support your broader SEO goals.
  • 1-Click WordPress Publishing. With just one click, publish new articles, content updates, or optimized landing pages straight from Search Atlas to your WordPress site—no need to copy and paste or switch platforms.

OTTO

OTTO content optimization dashboard for Missing Keywords
Use OTTO to discover missing keyword opportunities across your site and deploy them instantly with a few clicks!

Plugins like Squirrly and Rank Math offer audits, but they leave much of the work manual. Search Atlas changes that with OTTO, a real-time SEO automation engine.

  • Automated Optimization. OTTO scans your GA4 and GSC data to flag and resolve technical issues like missing metadata, crawl errors, and poor internal linking—no code required.
  • Site Audits. Search Atlas runs multi-layered audits that simulate both search engines and users, identifying everything from schema conflicts to render-blocking JavaScript.
  • Technical SEO. Automatically apply structured data to articles, product pages, and more, without manual markup or shortcodes.

This level of automation and detail is simply beyond the scope of what Squirrly or Rank Math can offer.

Link Building

outreach campaign search atlas digital pr tool

Neither Squirrly nor Rank Math include native features for competitive research or link building. Search Atlas does, built right in.

  • Competitor Gap Analysis. Identify which keywords and backlinks your competitors rely on—and build a plan to outperform them.
  • Backlink Tools. Explore high-authority backlink opportunities based on what’s working for your niche.
  • Outreach. Launch PR campaigns directly inside Search Atlas. Find publisher emails, send pitches, and track outreach all in one place.

Whether you’re an in-house marketer or running SEO for clients, these tools simplify and scale link building in a way that plugins can’t match.

Search Atlas Pricing

Search Atlas is built for serious SEO performance and scales as you grow.

Starter planGrowth planPro plan
Price$99/month$199/month$399/month
Free OTTO activation124
User seats235
GSC Site Projects515Unlimited
Content Assistant Keywords120300600
On-Page In-Depth Audits40100200
Content Plans40100200
Pages / Articles Created40100200
Full Article Generation Quota306090
Regular AI Quota10025099,999
Site Auditor Projects510100
Keyword Rank Tracking Projects20501,000
Keyword Research Lookups5002,0005,000
Competitor Research Credit2,00020,00050,000

Ready to Upgrade Your SEO Workflow?

Search Atlas replaces that patchwork with a truly unified SEO platform that brings together everything from content creation and optimization to technical audits, link building, and real-time performance automation.

No more switching between dashboards, exporting data, or relying on disconnected plugins.  Your entire SEO operation lives in one place with Search Atlas—smart, scalable, and built for real growth.

Try Search Atlas free today and see how seamless and powerful SEO can be when everything works together.

Picture of Emanuel de Macedo
Emanuel.de.Macedo
Emanuel de Macêdo is a Content Strategist with more than 5 years of experience in content marketing and SEO. He has worked across various industries, including finance, marketing, and technology, creating high-impact content strategies for B2B and B2C audiences.

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