VidIQ Free Plan Limitations: What You Can (and Can’t) Do in 2026
Last updated: September 2026
Quick verdict: VidIQ’s free plan provides a useful set of tools for exploring YouTube SEO, content ideas, analytics, and competitor research. The current Free plan includes 150 AI credits per month, up to 3 keyword results per search, and tracking for up to 3 competitors. Some advanced features and higher usage limits require a paid plan. VidIQ’s features and limits can change, so check the official plan details before upgrading.
Table of Contents
What’s actually included in the free plan
VidIQ’s free tier isn’t a stripped-down demo — it’s a genuinely usable toolset for a small channel. The Free plan includes up to 3 default tag suggestions for a video, along with a basic SEO score on your title and description, niche trend insights, and a limited view of competitor activity. For anyone posting once or twice a week, this covers the core workflow: check your title, get tag ideas, glance at a competitor, publish.
If you’re still deciding whether VidIQ is the right tool at all, our full VidIQ Review 2026 breaks down every feature in more depth.
The Free plan limits that matter
1. Keyword research: 3 results per search
The current Free plan provides 3 keyword results per search. This is a results limit, not a daily search quota. If you need broader keyword research, paid plans currently offer higher or unlimited keyword research access.
2. Competitor tracking: up to 3
The Free plan currently allows tracking up to 3 competitors. That gives smaller channels room to monitor several relevant creators. Paid plans expand this limit further.
3. Other Free plan limits
Other limits apply across the web app and browser extension. The current Free plan includes 3 Personalized Daily Ideas per day, 3 Customized Daily Ideas for the lifetime of the account, and up to 3 saved Blueprints.
Several research and extension tools also have Free-plan limits, including 8 Outlier results per search, 1 Keyword Inspector result per search, 10 videos for CSV Export, 6 Trending Videos results, and 3 Top Keywords results.
The Free plan also limits Compare Thumbnail in Search to 3 uses for the lifetime of the account and Ranked Tag Score to up to 3 videos. AI-powered features use a separate allowance of 150 AI credits per month.
Is the free plan enough for you?
- Posting 1–2 videos a week and planning one at a time? The Free plan may be sufficient.
- Need broader keyword research? The Free plan returns up to 3 keyword results per search.
- Tracking several relevant channels? The Free plan supports up to 3 competitor channels.
- Using AI features heavily? The Free plan includes 150 AI credits per month.
For a side-by-side breakdown against the other major tool in this space, see our VidIQ vs TubeBuddy 2026 comparison.
Official VidIQ sources:
What upgrading actually removes
Moving to a paid VidIQ plan is mainly about getting higher usage limits and access to additional features. Depending on the plan, paid users can get more AI credits, broader competitor tracking, additional research results, and access to more advanced creator and AI features.
| Free plan limit | Current paid-plan level |
|---|---|
| 3 keyword results per search | Unlimited keyword results |
| 8 Outlier results per search | Unlimited Outlier results |
| 3 Personalized Daily Ideas per day | 50 Personalized Daily Ideas per day |
| 3 competitors tracked | Up to 20 competitors |
| 3 Customized Daily Ideas lifetime | Unlimited |
| Up to 3 saved Blueprints | Unlimited |
Once you’ve decided which plan fits, our step-by-step VidIQ setup guide walks you through getting the most out of it from day one. And if you want to see VidIQ alongside other tools in a full creator toolkit, check Best AI Tools for YouTube Creators in 2026.
FAQ
What are the biggest VidIQ Free plan limitations?
The main limitations are restricted keyword and Outlier results, up to 3 tracked competitors, limited daily and lifetime idea generation, and a 150-credit monthly AI allowance. The browser extension also has several Free-plan limits on research and export features.
Is VidIQ free?
Yes. VidIQ has a Free plan that provides access to a selection of YouTube research, content ideas, analytics, competitor, extension, and AI features.
How many AI credits does VidIQ Free include?
The current Free plan includes 150 AI credits per month. AI credits are shared across eligible AI features and refresh monthly. Unused credits do not roll over.
How many keyword results does VidIQ Free show?
VidIQ’s current Free plan shows up to 3 keyword results per search. This is a results limit, not a limit of three keyword searches per day.
How many competitors can you track with VidIQ Free?
The current Free plan allows tracking of up to 3 competitor channels.
Is VidIQ Free enough for a small YouTube channel?
It can be enough for creators who need occasional research and want to test VidIQ before paying. Creators who need higher usage limits, broader research, more competitor tracking, or heavier AI usage may need a paid plan.
Does VidIQ have paid plans?
Yes. Paid plans provide higher limits and additional features. Because VidIQ can change its plans and pricing, check the official VidIQ pricing page for the current offer.
Want to try VidIQ’s free plan yourself? Try VidIQ here and compare the available features and limits with your own YouTube workflow.
