LocalASOComparison
Best ASO tools for indie developers: cost per year, limits and who each fits
For a solo developer the best ASO tool is the cheapest one that covers your stores, countries and keyword count, and as of November 2026 that ranges from free plans to a $29 one-time Mac app to web platforms above $1,700 per year.
The table below lists what each tool costs for a year and what the plan limits are. All prices come from each vendor's own page and are dated; check them before you pay.
Updated
Yearly cost and limits
| Tool | Platform | Stores | Plan | Cost for one year (as of November 2026) | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LocalASO | Mac | App Store | One-time | $29 once | No keyword limit; 52 storefronts |
| Wow Keywords | Mac, Windows beta | App Store | One-time | $99 once (price rises $10 per 50 licenses) | 52 countries; 2 computers |
| Astro | Mac | App Store | Subscription | $108 billed annually | Unlimited keywords per its page |
| Dock | Mac | App Store and Google Play | Free tier or Premium | Free; Premium EUR 44.99 | Premium adds AI and translation |
| ASOMobile | Web | App Store and Google Play | Free plan, then paid | Free (20 keywords, 2 apps); ASO Indie $59 per month, $708 (annual billing is 20% less) | ASO Indie: 500 keywords, 5 apps |
| MobileAction Lite | Web | See the MobileAction comparison | Subscription | $12.5 per month billed yearly, so $150 | 100 keywords, 5 apps |
| App Radar Essentials | Web | App Store and Google Play | Subscription | EUR 690 billed annually | 2 apps, 500 keywords |
| AppTweak Essential | Web | App Store and Google Play (119 iOS and 129 Google Play countries) | Subscription | From $949 (the page text also shows $1,190 and $1,790) | 500 keywords; 5 apps on the card read |
| Appfigures Optimize | Web | See the Appfigures comparison | Subscription | $149.99 per month, about $1,800 | 500 keywords |
Two cautions on the table. Store coverage for MobileAction and Appfigures is on their comparison pages. AppTweak's page text shows several Essential prices without saying which setting each belongs to, so open its pricing page to see yours.
Keyword data: Apple numbers or estimates
Tools get volume in two ways. Some read Apple Ads popularity. Others estimate it from public signals such as ratings of the apps that rank for a keyword. LocalASO is in the second group: its volume and difficulty are 0-100 estimates, not Apple search counts. That is enough to rank your keyword ideas against each other, and the search volume guide shows how. It is not a number you can quote as monthly searches.
Which tool fits which developer
- One or two App Store apps, small budget. A one-time Mac app. Compare LocalASO and Wow Keywords on the Wow Keywords alternative page.
- Apps on both App Store and Google Play. Dock (free tier), ASOMobile, App Radar or AppTweak. LocalASO is Apple only.
- Zero budget. Start with the free plans and tools in the free ASO tools comparison.
- You want Apple Ads popularity on a Mac. Astro, at $108 per year; see the Astro comparison.
- A small team or a client. A web platform with seats. See the AppTweak and MobileAction comparisons.
What to ignore as a solo developer
- Seat counts. You need one.
- Market intelligence. Download and revenue estimates for other apps rarely change what you put in your keyword field.
- Huge keyword limits. 500 tracked keywords is more than most single apps need. Country count and localization quality matter more, and the localization guide explains why.
When a subscription tool is the better choice
If you need Google Play, historical keyword data, review replies, Apple Ads management or colleagues in the same workspace, pay for a platform. A one-time Mac app cannot give you those, and LocalASO says so itself: it works with Apple's App Store only and runs on one Mac.
Next step
If your answer is App Store only and a one-time price, see LocalASO pricing or the download page. Otherwise start with the free App Store metadata limits tool and decide after you know how many keywords you really track.
Questions
- What is the cheapest ASO tool for a solo developer?
- Free tiers cost nothing: ASOMobile has a free plan with 20 keywords and 2 apps, and Dock and Aurora have free tiers (as of November 2026). For paid tools, LocalASO is $29 once for one Mac.
- Do indie developers need a paid ASO tool?
- Not always. For one or two apps you can start with free tools and App Store Connect data. A paid tool earns its price when you track many keywords across several countries.
- Is a subscription ASO tool worth it for one app?
- It can be, if you need Google Play, Apple Ads data or history. If you only ship on the App Store, compare the yearly cost with one-time options first.
Sources
- www.wowkeywords.com (checked November 1, 2026)
- tryastro.app (checked November 1, 2026)
- dock-app.com (checked November 1, 2026)
- asomobile.net/en/pricing (checked November 1, 2026)
- asomobile.net/en (checked November 1, 2026)
- www.mobileaction.co/pricing (checked November 1, 2026)
- appradar.com/pricing (checked November 1, 2026)
- appfigures.com/pricing (checked November 1, 2026)
- www.apptweak.com/en/pricing (checked November 1, 2026)
- keywordtool.io/app-store (checked November 1, 2026)
- aurora-aso.pages.dev (checked November 1, 2026)
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