As YouTubers and content creators, we’re always looking for ways to get an edge on the competition. To help with this, many of us use various video optimization tools. If you’re a YouTuber, you’ve probably heard of VidIQ and TubeBuddy. They’re both popular tools that can help you grow your channel. But which one is better?

In this post, I’ll compare two of the most popular options: VidIQ and TubeBuddy. I’ll go over what each tool offers, how they work, and which one we think is best for 2023. So if you’re curious about which video optimization tool is right for you, read on.

VidIQ vs TubeBuddy Breakdown – Free Versions

Here are the features available in the respective versions of VidIQ and the TubeBuddy:

Free Version of TubeBuddy Feature

The TubeBuddy unlimited features include:

  • Quick edit toolbar
  • Quick links Menu
  • Emoji picker
  • Coppa center
  • Comment Formatting
  • Advanced video embedded

Limited productivity tools are like:

  • Video topic planner
  • Thumbnail generator
  • Thumbnail studio
  • Default upload profiles
  • Playlist actions
  • Canned responses

Unlimited Video SEO tools include:

  • View and copy video tags
  • Tag rankings
  • Tag sorter

You will also have limited access to these Video SEO tools:

  • Search explorer
  • Tag lists
  • Insta-suggest
  • keyword explorer

Promotion tools that you will have unlimited access to include:

  • Vid2Vid promotion
  • Pick a winner
  • Shere tracker
  • Best time to publish

You will however have limited access to Milestones. Lastly, you will have unlimited access to the following data and research tools:

  • Language analysis
  • Search Insights
  • Comment word cloud
  • Channelytics
  • Demonetization audit
  • Channel valuation

You can also access Videolytiocs but this will be limited in free mode.

Free Version of VidIQ Features

The VidIQ unlimited features include:

  • Comment sorting: This involves sorting the comments section with hearted/unhearted comments, those with links or questions
  • Youtube keyword suggestions: This feature provides keyword suggestions based on the topic of the video
  • Tag explorer: Use this tool to find related search terms and tags to target in your videos
  • Thumbnail generator: Generate thumbnails right from within VidIQ
  • Video SEO scorecard: Get an SEO score for each of your videos, helping you identify areas for improvement
  • Trending videos: Use this tool to find up-and-coming topics, so you can ride the wave of popularity
  • Video quality scorecard: Understand how factors such as sound balance, lighting, and more affect your viewers’ experience
  • Backlinks tracker: Track the growth of your backlinks to understand their impact on SEOSocial analytics: Get insights into how your content is performing on social media platforms.

VidIQ Pro vs TubeBuddy Pro

VidIQ Pro and Tubebuddy pro offer some unique features that are not available in the free version: Read on for a detailed discussion of both:

TubeBuddy Pro Paid Version Features

The Tubebuddy Pro Paid version includes all the features mentioned in the free version and some additional features. These include:

  • YouTube Brand Channel Manager: An advanced channel management tool that enables you to manage multiple channels from one dashboard
  • Advanced Video SEO Tools: In addition to the video SEO tools mentioned above, advanced versions are also available with this plan. This includes keyword difficulty scores, competitor analysis, and tag optimization
  • Unlimited Milestones: Track your progress and measure the success of each video with unlimited milestones
  • Advanced Promotions Tools: Get detailed insights into how your videos are performing on various platforms.

VidIQ Pro Paid Version Features

The VidIQ Pro Paid version offers all the features mentioned in the free version plus some additional features. These include:

  • Advanced Video SEO Tool: Receive detailed insights into how your videos are performing, including keyword difficulty scores and competitor analysis
  • Unlimited Milestones: Track your progress and measure the success of each video with unlimited milestones.
  • Advanced Promotion Tools: Get insights on how your videos perform on social media platforms
  • YouTube Brand Channel Manager: An advanced channel management tool that enables you to manage multiple channels from one dashboard.
  • Advanced Video Embed: A powerful embedding tool that allows you to embed videos in other websites and blogs with ease.
  • Video Topic Planner: Brainstorm topic ideas for your next video quickly.
  • Advanced Tag Optimization: Get detailed insights into how your videos are performing with tag optimization.
  • Full Youtube Analytics: Get an in-depth analysis of your videos and measure the success of each video.
  • Channel Valuation Tool: Use this tool to understand the value of your channel and get a better understanding of its performance.

VidIQ Boost vs TubeBuddy Legend

Now that you know the features of both TubeBuddy Legend and VidIQ Boost, let’s compare them to see which one is the better option.

For starters, both TubeBuddy Legend and VidIQ Boost offer some of the most powerful video SEO tools available on the market. TubeBuddy offers advanced keyword analyses, competitor analysis, tag optimization, and more while VidIQ provides a comprehensive channel valuation tool as well as insight into how your videos are performing on social media platforms.

VidIQ Boost

Here are the specific features that I found to be most useful about VidIQ Boost:

Best Time to Post

The VidIQ Boost tool provides you with detailed insights into the best times to post your videos. This is based on both global and regional trends, so you can find the optimal time for each video.

This feature can be particularly useful for creators who are looking to maximize their video’s reach and engagement. By posting their videos at the optimal time, creators can increase the likelihood of their videos being seen and engaged with by their audience, which can ultimately lead to more views, likes, and comments.

It’s important to note, however, that the “best time to post” feature is not a guarantee of success. While it can be a valuable tool, there are many other factors that can influence a video’s performance on YouTube, including the quality of the content, the relevance of the topic, and the effectiveness of the video’s promotion.

Additionally, the optimal posting time may vary depending on the creator’s niche, location, and audience demographics, so it’s important to use this feature in conjunction with other optimization strategies and to experiment with different posting times to see what works best for your particular audience.

Tag Optimization

VidIQ’s tag optimization tool provides creators with detailed insights into how their videos are performing with regard to keywords and tags. This allows them to see which tags are working well for their videos, as well as which ones need improvement.

The tag optimization feature of VidIQ Boost analyzes the tags used by competitors’ videos and suggests new tags that the video creator can use to improve the video’s discoverability. The feature also provides a tag score, which indicates the strength of a particular tag for a specific video.

This can be a valuable tool for optimizing your videos for search engine rankings, as well as for understanding what topics and keywords your audience is responding to.

Channel Valuation Tool

The channel valuation tool is an extremely useful feature for creators who want to understand the value of their channel. This tool provides an in-depth analysis of all of a channel’s videos, giving creators insights into the estimated worth of the channel based on various metrics such as views, likes, comments, and more.

This feature can be particularly helpful for emerging creators who are looking to measure their success and evaluate their progress over time. Additionally, it can also help experienced creators identify areas where they may need to improve in order to continue growing their channel.

Ember URLs

Ember URLs are one of the most helpful features that VidIQ Boost provides. This feature allows creators to create custom links for their videos that make it easier to track how viewers interact with them.

These links can provide insights into which platforms viewers are coming from, as well as where they go after watching a video. This information can be extremely useful for understanding the effectiveness of a creator’s promotional strategies and optimizing their content accordingly.

Top Playlists 

VidIQ allows you to create and manage multiple playlists, as well as monitor the performance of each playlist. This feature can be a great asset for creators who are looking to get their content seen by more viewers. By creating themed playlists and optimizing them using the tag optimization tool, creators can increase the visibility of their channel and maximize engagement with their audience.

Subscriber Analysis

The subscriber analysis tool is a powerful feature that provides creators with detailed insights into their subscribers. This feature allows users to track the growth of their channel, as well as who their most engaged followers are and which videos they watch most often. This can be an invaluable resource for understanding how your content resonates with viewers and identifying potential areas of improvement.

Inline Keywords

VidIQ Boost also offers an inline keyword feature that allows creators to add related keywords and tags directly into the video description. This can help improve discoverability on YouTube, as well as boost engagement by providing viewers with additional information about the content.

By utilizing this feature in conjunction with other tools like tag optimization and subscriber analysis, creators can optimize their videos for maximum visibility and engagement.

Who Is VidIQ Best for?

VidIQ Boost is a great tool for creators of all levels, from beginning video makers to experienced professionals. For new video makers, this platform provides an easy-to-use interface and helpful features like channel valuation, top playlists, and tag optimization that can help them get their channel off the ground.

For more experienced video makers, the tools provided by VidIQ can be invaluable for optimizing their channel and improving their visibility on YouTube. With features like inline keywords and subscriber analysis, creators can maximize engagement with their audience and get more out of their content.

Pros of VidIQ

This platform provides a range of features that make it ideal for video makers of all levels. These include:

  • An easy-to-use interface
  • In-depth channel analytics
  • Custom link tracking
  • Tag optimization tools
  • Subscriber analysis
  • The ability to create and manage multiple playlists.

Cons of VidIQ

Despite its comprehensive range of features, there are a few downsides to using this platform. These include:

  • Limited customization options
  • No live streaming support
  • No direct video uploads to YouTube.

Cost and Pricing

The cost of VidIQ varies depending on the subscription plan you choose. There are three different plans available: Pro, Boost, and Max.

The Pro plan is $7.50 per month and includes all of the features mentioned above. The Boost plan is $39 per month and provides access to additional analytics tools, as well as unlimited keyword and tag tracking. The Max plan is $79 per month and includes all of the features offered in the Pro and Boost plans, plus unlimited video uploads to YouTube.

TubeBuddy Legend

TubeBuddy Legend is a feature-rich Chrome extension that provides creators with an abundance of tools to help optimize their videos and channels. This tool offers features the following:

Video Optimization

The video optimization feature allows creators to quickly optimize their videos for maximum visibility. With this tool, users can edit titles and descriptions, add tags related to their content, set up custom thumbnails, and add end screens to encourage viewers to watch more of their videos.

Advanced Keyword Research

TubeBuddy’s advanced keyword research tool allows creators to find popular keywords, tags, and phrases related to their content. This helps them optimize their videos for search engine visibility and reach a wider audience.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis is a crucial aspect of any marketing strategy, and it’s no different when it comes to YouTube. By analyzing the performance of competitors, you can gain valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not in your niche, and use this information to optimize your own content and grow your channel.

Tube legend also offers features like channel health analytics, subscriber auto-reply, and A/B testing to help creators optimize their channels for maximum success.

Who Is Tubebuddy Legend for?

TubeBuddy Legend is an ideal tool for anyone looking to take their video creation and channel optimization efforts to the next level. The advanced tools provided by this platform can help creators improve their visibility on YouTube, reach a larger audience, and make more money from their videos.

Pros of TubeBuddy Legend

This platform offers a range of features that make it ideal for YouTube creators. These include:

  • Advanced video optimization tools
  • In-depth keyword research
  • Competitor analysis
  • Channel health analytics
  • Subscriber auto-reply
  • A/B testing.

Cons of TubeBuddy Legend

TubeBuddy Legend does have a few drawbacks. These include:

  • Limited customization options
  • No live streaming support
  • No direct video uploads to YouTube

Cost and Pricing

TubeBuddy Legend is available for free with a basic subscription. For an additional fee, users can upgrade to the Pro plan which includes access to advanced features such as competitor analysis and A/B testing. The Pro plan starts at $2.99 per month.

Comparison Between VidIQ and Tubebuddy

Now let me compare the two popular video optimization tools -VidIQ and TubeBuddy Legend in terms of:

Best Keyword Research –  VidIQ vs TubeBuddy

Both VidIQ and TubeBuddy are popular and highly regarded platforms for keyword research and optimization on YouTube. While both platforms offer similar features and functionalities, there are some key differences between the two.

VidIQ is known for its powerful keyword research tool, which allows users to search for relevant keywords and phrases to optimize their YouTube content. VidIQ also provides data on keyword search volume and competition, making it easier for creators to select the most effective keywords for their content. Additionally, VidIQ provides insights into the performance of competitors’ videos and channels, allowing users to analyze and improve their own content strategy.

TubeBuddy, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive suite of keyword research tools, including a keyword explorer, tag suggester, and a ranking tracker. These features make it easier for creators to find the right keywords and optimize their content for maximum visibility and engagement. TubeBuddy also provides a host of other features such as A/B testing, thumbnail generation, and bulk processing, making it a complete package for YouTube creators.

Tubebuddy stands out as the clear winner in terms of keyword research, offering far more comprehensive tools and data than VidIQ.

Best Video Optimization – VidIQ vs TubeBuddy

VidIQ provides users with a suite of video optimization tools such as a title tag generator, keyword rankings tracker, and metadata editor. Additionally, the platform offers auto-generated SEO reports, channel performance insights, and competitor analysis.

TubeBuddy also offers a range of features for optimizing videos, such as bulk processing, thumbnail-generating tools, A/B testing, and more. Additionally, the platform provides in-depth insights into channel health analytics and subscriber auto-reply to help creators optimize their channels for success.

Overall, TubeBuddy is the clear winner in terms of video optimization. Its comprehensive suite of features and insights gives creators an edge when it comes to optimizing their videos for maximum engagement and visibility.

Ease of Use – VidIQ vs TubeBuddy

VidIQ is especially geared towards users who don’t have a lot of experience with video optimization and offers an intuitive dashboard that makes it simple to use. The platform also provides detailed help guides and tutorials that make it easy to get started with the platform.

TubeBuddy is also a user-friendly platform and offers an intuitive dashboard for users to navigate through. Additionally, the platform provides detailed help guides and tutorials to ensure that creators are able to set up their accounts quickly and easily.

Bulk Editing – VidIQ vs TubeBuddy

VidIQ provides users with a Bulk Editor tool that allows them to quickly edit titles, descriptions, tags, categories, and more for multiple videos at once. Additionally, the platform offers a bulk uploader for large batches of videos, making it easy for YouTube creators to optimize their content quickly and efficiently.

TubeBuddy also provides a Bulk Editor tool that allows users to edit titles, tags, categories, thumbnails, and more for multiple videos at once. I especially like the batch processing feature, which enables users to create and upload multiple videos with a single click.

User Interface – VidIQ vs TubeBuddy

It is important to consider the user interface when selecting a video optimization platform, and both VidIQ and TubeBuddy offer intuitive dashboards for easy navigation. VidIQ’s dashboard is particularly user-friendly, with all of the important tools organized into tabs that can be easily accessed.

I always like to use TubeBuddy, which offers a modern and intuitive interface. The dashboard is well-organized and easy to navigate, making it simple to manage all of the tools on offer.

Unique Features – VidIQ vs TubeBuddy

VidIQ stands out with its unique Video Score feature, which provides users with an overall score based on their videos’ performance. The score is calculated using a number of parameters such as title tags, thumbnails, views, and more.

TubeBuddy also offers several unique features that make it stand out from the competition. One of my favorite features is the Auto-Reply tool, which allows creators to automatically respond to comments on their videos. Additionally, the platform offers a search engine that can help users find trending topics and keywords for their content.

My Quick Thoughts on VidIQ vs TubeBuddy (2023) – Finding the Best YouTube SEO Marketing Tool

In my opinion, VidIQ and TubeBuddy both offer excellent video optimization tools for YouTube creators. Both platforms provide users with comprehensive features and insights that allow them to maximize their videos’ visibility and engagement.

You need to consider your needs and preferences when choosing a video optimization tool, as both platforms offer different features to users. Ultimately, I believe that TubeBuddy is the better option for new creators who want an easy-to-use platform with comprehensive features and insights. However, if you are looking for a more advanced tool with unique features, then VidIQ may be the better choice.

Regardless of which platform you choose, I highly recommend investing in video optimization tools to ensure that your YouTube videos reach their maximum potential. After all, with the right tools and strategies, you can unlock the full potential of your content and take your channel to new heights.

Conclusion: VidIQ vs TubeBuddy (Why I Prefer TubeBuddy)

I believe that TubeBuddy is the better option for YouTube creators. The platform offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive features such as bulk editing, auto-replying, search engine optimization, and more. Additionally, it provides detailed help guides and tutorials to ensure that users are able to set up their accounts quickly and easily. I hope this article has helped you understand the differences between VidIQ and TubeBuddy so that you can make an informed decision on which platform best suits your needs.