Compare
TubeBuddy alternatives
Five tools to use instead of TubeBuddy, or next to it. What each is best for, what it costs, and what to watch out for.
At a glance
The short list
| Tool | Best for | Price | Free plan | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuetta | Knowing what to make next | Free, then $19 a month | Yes, every tool | None |
| vidIQ | An all-round toolkit with lessons | Free, then $19 a month | Yes, 150 AI credits | Yes, AI credits |
| 1of10 | Outliers and thumbnail ideas | Free, then $29 a month | Yes | On Pro ($69) |
| ViewStats | Viral video and channel stats | Pro at checkout, Business $249 a month | Yes, basic stats | Not shown on its website |
| YouTube Studio | Your own numbers, for free | Free | Yes | No |
- 1
Cuetta
Knowing what to make next
Free, then $19 a month
- Good
- Ranked video ideas, each backed by real videos that beat their channel's usual views. Keywords, outliers, competitors, thumbnails and an AI coach in one app. Pro covers 3 channels for $39.
- Watch out
- No browser extension or phone app yet. English only for now.
- 2
vidIQ
An all-round toolkit with lessons
Free, then $19 a month
- Good
- Keyword research, AI ideas and an AI coach, plus a Chrome extension, phone apps and masterclasses.
- Watch out
- Plans run on monthly AI credits, and each plan covers one channel.
- 3
1of10
Outliers and thumbnail ideas
Free, then $29 a month
- Good
- Outlier search, thumbnail search and trending formats, with a Chrome extension.
- Watch out
- AI title, thumbnail and idea tools start on Pro, at $69 a month.
- 4
ViewStats
Viral video and channel stats
Pro at checkout, Business $249 a month
- Good
- Channel and video stats, with tools to see why videos went viral and to track competitors.
- Watch out
- The Pro price isn't shown until checkout. Business costs $249 a month.
- 5
YouTube Studio
Your own numbers, for free
Free
- Good
- Your real analytics, plus built-in tests for titles and thumbnails. Every creator already has it.
- Watch out
- Only shows your own channel. It doesn't help you research other channels or find ideas.
How to choose
Three questions to ask
What do you need most?
Ideas for what to make next, keyword research, or editing many videos at once. Each tool leads on something different.
Do you count credits?
Some tools charge AI credits per answer. Check what one month of your normal work would use.
How many channels?
Most plans cover one channel. If you run several, check what a second or third channel costs.
Questions
Questions about TubeBuddy alternatives
What is the best free alternative to TubeBuddy?
YouTube Studio is free for every creator and shows your own numbers. For research and ideas, Cuetta's free plan includes every tool, with smaller limits.
Which TubeBuddy alternative is best for video ideas?
Cuetta. Every idea is ranked and backed by real videos that beat their channel's usual views, from channels near your size.
Which tools don't use credits?
Cuetta, TubeBuddy and YouTube Studio have no AI credits. vidIQ and 1of10 Pro use monthly AI credits.
Can I use more than one of these tools?
Yes. Many creators pair a research tool like Cuetta with YouTube Studio for their own analytics. Cuetta never changes your channel, so it works fine next to other tools.
Is Cuetta only for small channels?
No. Cuetta is for every creator, from brand-new channels to ones with millions of subscribers. Ideas and outliers are matched to your channel's size.
Try the first one on the list
Start free and get ideas backed by real videos.
Details from each tool's own website, checked November 8, 2026. Prices are US list prices per month. All names are trademarks of their owners. Cuetta isn't connected with any of them.