vidIQ

vidIQ is a growth tool for YouTube channels. It suggests video ideas based on what is working in your niche, scores keywords by search volume and competition, writes and scores titles, descriptions and tags, makes thumbnails and shows which competitor videos are taking off. An AI Coach answers questions about your own channel's analytics, and higher plans cut long videos into Shorts. It works as a website, a Chrome extension that adds data right inside YouTube, and a mobile app.

Pick it when YouTube is a real marketing channel for your business and you want to know what to make next. TubeBuddy is the usual alternative and is often preferred for bulk-editing old videos and A/B testing thumbnails; vidIQ is stronger on ideas, trends and competitor tracking. To edit or clip the videos themselves, pair it with Descript, CapCut or Opus Clip.

The catch: lots of the advice is generic, the free plan is mostly a taster, and AI features run on credits that run out. Its data is an estimate, not YouTube's own numbers, so treat keyword scores as a guide.

• YouTube creators
• Small business owners
• Content marketers
• Agencies
• Coaches and educators

Business owners, marketers and creators using YouTube to bring in customers or build an audience.

• Daily ideas

  Video ideas tailored to your channel, based on what is trending and outperforming in your niche.

• Keyword research

  Search volume and competition scores for YouTube searches, plus related terms to target.

• Title, description and thumbnail help

  AI writes and scores titles and descriptions, and makes thumbnail options.

• Competitor tracking

  Follow other channels and see which of their videos are getting views faster than usual.

• AI Coach

  Ask questions about your channel's analytics and get specific suggestions.

• Shorts clipping

  Cuts long videos into short clips for YouTube Shorts on the MAX plan.

• Free

  Free

  Trying it out on a new channel.

  • 150 AI credits a month
  • Niche trends and content ideas
  • AI Coach growth tips
• Our pick

  Boost

  $19/mo, or $199/yr

  Channels posting every week.

  • 2,000 AI credits a month
  • Unlimited trend research and personalised ideas
  • Thumbnail creation and video optimisation

• MAX

  $49/mo, or $468/yr

  Busy channels that also want Shorts clipped.

  • 6,000 AI credits a month
  • More AI Coach conversations
  • Up to 11 hours of Shorts clipping

• Enterprise

  Custom

  Brands and agencies with many channels.

  • All channels in one account
  • Roles and permissions
  • Cross-channel reporting

Prices in USD unless noted, checked 22 October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on their site before you buy.

Ways vidIQ can slot into your week.

1. 1

   Plan a quarter of videos

   Pull the top ideas and keywords in your niche, pick twelve and build a filming calendar around the ones with demand and low competition.

2. 2

   Learn from competitors

   Track the three channels you compete with and get alerted when one of their videos takes off, then make your own take.

3. 3

   Fix underperforming videos

   Run older videos through the optimiser to rewrite titles and descriptions around better keywords.

4. 4

   Turn long videos into Shorts

   Clip a webinar or tutorial into Shorts that point viewers back to the full video.

vidIQ decides what to make; use Descript or CapCut to edit, Canva for thumbnails if you want more control, and Opus Clip if you need clips for TikTok and Instagram too.

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