Free ASO tools compared: what each free plan really includes

Reading a pricing page this way avoids the most common mistake: signing up for a "free plan" and finding it is another product.

You can do some ASO work without any account. These LocalASO tools run in your browser:

• The keyword field checker counts bytes against the 100-byte limit.
• The keyword field packer fits a keyword list into the field.
• The character counter checks the name, subtitle and description.
• The metadata limits cheat sheet lists the limit for every field.

Together with App Store Connect's own data, these cover the writing part of ASO. What they do not cover is rank and volume tracking across countries, which needs a tool from the tables above.

Autocomplete-based tools tell you what people start typing. They do not tell you how often it is searched or how hard it is to rank. Keyword Tool says its volume figures, available only in Pro, are third-party estimates because Apple does not share search volume. When you compare keywords across countries, that missing layer is the difference between a long list and a ranked list; the keyword research guide shows how to rank them yourself.

A free plan costs nothing until you hit its limit: 20 keywords is a short list once you check several countries. A one-time license, such as LocalASO at $29 once, has no monthly fee but no free tier either. If your list stays small, a free plan is cheaper. If you expect to check keywords in many countries, compare the three-year cost on the one-time purchase comparison. For the full yearly cost picture, see the indie developer roundup.

Pay when you track more keywords than the free limit or need review management. LocalASO is Apple-only and has no free version, so for Google Play or a no-cost start choose from the tables above.

Start with the free tools on this site. If you then want rank and volume tracking in 52 storefronts for $29 once, see LocalASO pricing.