VidIQ is an AI-powered YouTube SEO and analytics tool for creators. See pricing plans, features, pros, cons, and how it compares to alternatives.
VidIQ is a YouTube-focused growth and optimization platform that gives creators data and AI-driven suggestions to help videos perform better in search and recommendations. It is delivered through a browser extension, web dashboard, and mobile apps.
Founded in 2011 by Rob Sandie and Todd Troxell, VidIQ started as a Chrome extension providing analytics overlays directly on YouTube and has since grown into a broader suite covering keyword research, trend discovery, competitor tracking, and AI content generation for titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails.
The company relocated its headquarters to San Francisco and now serves millions of creators worldwide, positioning itself alongside tools like TubeBuddy as one of the leading third-party platforms built specifically for the YouTube creator ecosystem.
VidIQ's browser extension overlays real-time keyword scores, competitor tags, and video statistics directly on YouTube pages, while its dashboard provides deeper trend research and channel audits.
AI features generate title, description, and tag suggestions, create thumbnail concepts, and power an AI Coach that answers creator questions about growth strategy and channel performance.
The platform also includes subscriber and audience insight tools, competitive channel tracking, and short-form clipping tools for turning long videos into shorts.
VidIQ offers a free plan with limited monthly AI credits and basic trend research. Paid tiers include a Boost plan for growing creators and a Max plan priced at $39 per month billed monthly, or roughly $16.58 per month when billed annually, which unlocks more AI credits, expanded AI Coach access, and clipping tools.
An Enterprise plan with custom pricing is available for brands, agencies, and multi-channel networks that need team permissions, priority support, and cross-channel reporting.
Yes, VidIQ offers a free plan with limited AI credits and core keyword and trend research tools; paid plans unlock more AI usage and advanced features.
VidIQ Max costs $39 per month billed monthly, or about $16.58 per month when billed annually.
VidIQ was founded in 2011 by Rob Sandie and Todd Troxell.
VidIQ is headquartered in San Francisco, California, having originally started in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
AI Coach is a conversational assistant within VidIQ that answers questions about channel strategy, video performance, and growth tactics.
Yes, VidIQ offers a custom-priced Enterprise plan for brands, agencies, and multi-channel networks managing multiple YouTube channels.
Yes, VidIQ and TubeBuddy are the two best-known third-party browser extension tools for YouTube SEO and channel optimization.
Yes, VidIQ offers mobile apps for iOS and Android in addition to its browser extension and web dashboard.