SEO Yoast and Rank Math are both plugins that help optimize WordPress websites for search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. In other words? They help make your website pages & posts, “SEO-friendly.” They both scan your website and look for ways to improve your site’s search appearance.
If you’ve been around WordPress for a while, you’re probably pretty familiar with SEO Yoast. It’s been around for a long time and is one of the most popular plugins in the WP repository. However, there is a new kid on the block that is revolutionizing the SEO world – Rank Math.
So today, we’re going to answer the question, which is better: Yoast SEO or Rank Math?
SEO Yoast
This plugin has been in the market for more than a decade. It has a vast user base of over 5 million installations — many creators worldwide trust SEO Yoast for WordPress optimization. In fact, up until recently, it is what we have exclusively recommended for our clients.
Pros
- It detects SEO errors
- It optimizes your content for search engines
- It identifies website indexability issues
Cons
- You require a premium version to use some features
- It can slow your site speed down
- It's user interface is out-dated, especially for page builder users.
- Poor support
Rank Math
Rank Math is a relatively new plugin in the market and has garnered tons of positive reviews since its introduction. Its compelling features are among the reasons the plugin’s popularity is increasing in the SEO industry. I’ve been testing Rank Math on my own site for the last several months, and am now a believer!
Pros
- Clean and simple user interface.
- Great support
- Comprehensive features that are easy for beginners to understand
- All features are 100% FREE!
Cons
- There are so many settings, it can be a little overwhelming at first.
Reasons to Switch from SEO Yoast to Rank Math
Check out Rank Math’s full SEO Yoast comparison to see all that they have to offer, but here are a few highlights:
1. Installation
While both SEO Yoast is relatively easy to install, Rank Math’s installation wizard can’t be beaten. Rank Math’s set-up process walks you through everything, and even someone using it for the first time won’t have any issues.
Are you already using SEO Yoast? Don’t worry, the Rank Math wizard can automatically import al of your settings, so you won’t lose any of your previous SEO work! You migrate without the migraines since Rank Math does all the heavy lifting.
2. The User Interface
When it comes to the user interface, SEO Yoast concentrates more on functionality than aesthetics. I find the user experience is bland and not all that enjoyable to use. On the other hand, Rank Math has a visually attractive interface that enhances the user experience. I actually enjoy working on my site’s SEO with Rank Math!
And the experience is even better if you’re an Elemntor user! It easily integrates and you can make your SEO edits from within the page builder.
3. Keyword Integration
Keyword integration is a fundamental part of optimizing content for search engines. SEO Yoast allows you to optimize your content to rank for one keyword for free. The premium version allows multiple keyword integrations.
Rank Math lets you optimize your content for up to five keywords at no cost. It even suggests keywords based on Google keyword suggestions. SEO Yoast lacks an in-built tool for keyword suggestions. If you need keyword ideas, you must use third-party online tools.
4. SEO Scoring
If you’ve used SEO Yoast, you’ll be familiar with their red/yellow/green lights, which tell you how well optimized your site is (bad, okay, or good). Rank Math takes this a step further, because it provides you a score out of 100. this score really helps you understand how your site changes impact your search performance.
Additionally, Rank Math gives your more options to improve your score.
5. Integrated Schema Markup
You’ll notice in the image above a section for Schema Markup– that’s because it is included for free with Rank Math!
Schema.org helps your content stand out and boost click-through rates by enabling rich snippets and star ratings on SERP. Rank Math has full schema support for content on your site.
However, SEO Yoast lacks this functionality. If you want schema.org integration, you must install a separate paid plugin, giving Rank Math an edge over Yoast.
6. Comprehensive SEO Analysis
Rank Math provides an incredible SEO analysis. You can run the analysis on your site and see how your keywords perform without leaving the site. You don’t have to jump from one site to another. All your SEO performance data is available on the dashboard.
7. Redirection Manager
Both Yoast and Rank Math have redirect managers. The chief difference between the two plugins is that Rank Math’s is free while Yoast’s is a paid feature and only available for premium users.
8. Pricing
When you stack SEO Yoast premium up against Rank Math, you’ll find a lot of similar features. However, their is a big difference in the pricing. Rank Math is free, while SEO Yoast is freemium. Freemium means that you need a paid plan – $199 per year to access some of its best features.
For example, while redirection manager is in a paid Yoast plan, it is free on Rank Math. Also, the Schema Markup is paid for in Yoast and free on Rank Math. Rank Math lets you enjoy all the fantastic features for free.
Rank Math is King
SEO Yoast and Rank Math are both excellent plugins to optimize WordPress sites for search engines. But, as seen above, Rank Math offers an extensive collection of features to propel your SEO game to the next level for free, whereas you’d have to pay for SEO Yoast to get the same benefits.
Dahl House Designs has officially made the switch, and we are starting to upgrade client sites as well. Contact us if you want to switch to Rank Math and leverage its vast range of features.
