GrowthBar, the AI blog writer and Chrome extension, is now part of SEOptimer. SEOptimer acquired it, and growthbarseo.com now redirects to SEOptimer's site, where GrowthBar is being folded in. If you relied on GrowthBar for AI drafts and keyword data, it's a good time to look at tools with a clearer future.
These 10 GrowthBar alternatives cover AI writing, content optimization and, increasingly, visibility in AI search. Checked September 2026.
Before you read: we build Orchly, one of the tools covered here. We've tried most of the others ourselves, and some insights come from customers who switched from them. The goal is an honest list, so every tool, ours included, gets its pros and cons.
GrowthBar alternatives compared
| Tool | Starting price | AI writing | Optimization | AI search tracking | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GrowthBar (now SEOptimer) | In transition | Yes | Basic | No | Existing users |
| Orchly | $49 | Content Agent, on-brand | From real data | Daily, 3 included + 4 add-ons | AI-era content |
| Surfer | $99 (yearly) | Yes | Live editor | 5 engines on Pro | Editing |
| Frase | $39 (yearly) | Yes | SEO and GEO scores | Higher plans | Budget workflow |
| NEURONwriter | $23 | AI credits | Live NLP | 5 to 20 questions | Cheap editor |
| Writesonic | $79 (yearly) | Yes, bulk | Basic | 3 engines below Enterprise | Volume |
| Scalenut | $59 | Yes | NLP plus GEO | Weekly | Budget bundle |
| Koala | ~$25 | Bulk articles | No | No | Cheap drafts |
| Semrush Content Toolkit | $60 | Yes | Semrush data | Separate toolkit | Semrush users |
| SEO.ai | $149 | Autonomous agent | Yes | Limited | Hands-off publishing |
| Jasper | $69/seat | Yes | No | Business plan only | Brand voice |
1. Orchly: best GrowthBar alternative for content that ranks and gets cited
GrowthBar helped you draft blog posts fast. Orchly drafts too, but first it works out which posts to write and refresh from your Search Console data and the questions where AI engines cite competitors. Then it publishes them and tracks whether ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google's AI Overviews start citing you.
Faster drafts, better topics
- Content Agent. Creates tasks for new articles and refreshes. Approve one, and the AI article writer drafts it in your brand voice.
- Brand Brain. Your products, audience and tone, so drafts sound like you.
- Publishing. Straight to WordPress, Webflow, Framer, Wix, Sanity or Ghost.
Search Console, which GrowthBar users asked for
- Search Console and GA4. GrowthBar reviewers asked for a Search Console integration. Orchly includes Search Console and GA4 on every plan, with clicks, conversions and revenue.
- Rank tracking and Page 360. Google positions by country and device, and each page's organic and AI data together.
Visibility in AI answers
- Daily AI tracking. ChatGPT, Perplexity and AI Overviews, with Gemini, AI Mode, Claude and Grok as add-ons.
- Mention Gap and outreach. Cited sources that skip you, and the Activation Agent to contact them.
Where Orchly falls short
- No Chrome extension. GrowthBar showed keyword data in the browser.
- No standalone keyword research database. Orchly works from your Search Console data and AI prompts.
Pricing: Essential $49/month (20 articles). Pro $125/month (50 articles). 7-day free trial.
Best for: bloggers and teams moving from AI drafts to AI-search-ready content.
See Orchly pricing or start a free trial.
2. Surfer: best content editor
Surfer scores drafts in real time and includes an AI writer and AI Tracker.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. A mature, actively developed editor.
- Where it falls short. Costs more, from $99 billed yearly.
Pricing: from $99/month billed yearly.
Best for: writers.
3. Frase: best budget research-to-publish tool
Frase covers research, writing, scoring and publishing from $39 a month billed yearly.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. A complete workflow at a similar price.
- Where it falls short. Broader AI tracking needs higher plans.
Pricing: Starter $39/month billed yearly.
Best for: bloggers.
4. NEURONwriter: best cheap NLP editor
NEURONwriter gives live content scores from $23 a month.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. Deeper optimization for less.
- Where it falls short. Dated interface.
Pricing: Bronze $23/month.
Best for: freelancers.
5. Writesonic: best AI writer
Writesonic is a mature AI writer with GEO tracking and WordPress publishing.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. Faster, higher-volume writing.
- Where it falls short. Below Enterprise, 3 AI engines.
Pricing: Starter $79/month billed yearly.
Best for: volume.
6. Scalenut: best budget bundle
Scalenut combines writing, optimization and auto-publishing.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. More in one tool.
- Where it falls short. Weekly AI tracking and billing complaints.
Pricing: Starter $59/month.
Best for: small budgets.
7. Koala: best cheap bulk articles
Koala generates long-form articles with publishing, from about $25 a month.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. Cheap one-click drafts.
- Where it falls short. No optimization or AI tracking.
Pricing: from about $25/month.
Best for: bulk drafting.
8. Semrush Content Toolkit: best inside Semrush
Semrush's Content Toolkit, formerly ContentShake, writes SEO articles and exports to WordPress for $60 a month.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. Semrush keyword data behind every draft.
- Where it falls short. Drafts need editing.
Pricing: $60/month.
Best for: Semrush users.
9. SEO.ai: best autonomous writer
SEO.ai runs an AI agent that writes and publishes optimized content.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. More automation.
- Where it falls short. Limited AI visibility tracking.
Pricing: from $149/month.
Best for: hands-off publishing.
10. Jasper: best for brand voice
Jasper is a leading AI writing platform with strong brand controls.
- Why switch from GrowthBar. Better brand voice at scale.
- Where it falls short. Not an SEO optimizer.
Pricing: Pro $69/seat/month.
Best for: brand teams.
What happened to GrowthBar
GrowthBar's founder announced the sale of the company, and it's now owned by SEOptimer, an SEO audit tool. growthbarseo.com redirects to seoptimer.com/growthbar, and GrowthBar is being folded into SEOptimer. Existing users should check with SEOptimer about plans and data before renewing.
Which GrowthBar alternative should you choose?
- You want AI-search-ready content, published for you: Orchly.
- You want a strong editor: Surfer.
- You want a cheap full workflow: Frase.
- You want cheap bulk drafts: Koala.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shivam Kumar is the founder of Orchly.ai, a platform that helps brands understand and improve their visibility across search engines and AI-powered discovery platforms. He has over a decade of experience in SEO, product marketing, and growth, and writes about AI search, generative engine optimization (GEO), and organic growth strategies.
Growth and marketing professional with experience in SEO, content strategy, and organic growth. Started my career as a freelance marketer helping businesses improve their online presence through SEO and content marketing. Currently Head of Growth at Orchly.ai, focusing on helping brands improve their visibility across search engines and AI-driven discovery platforms.
