vidIQ
A YouTube and Instagram growth toolkit with keyword research, daily video ideas, thumbnail tools, clipping, an AI coach and a browser extension.
Key Takeaways
Grow a YouTube channel with AI ideas, keywords and coaching
Freemium · $0 · $16.58 per month · $39 per month
- YouTube creators
- Instagram Reels creators
- Brands and agencies running channels
What is vidIQ?
vidIQ is a growth toolkit for YouTube creators that now also covers Instagram Reels. It helps you pick topics, research keywords with search volume and competition scores, and publish videos with stronger titles, descriptions, tags and thumbnails.
You also get daily video ideas tuned to your niche, outlier and competitor tracking, real-time stats, AI script writing, AI clipping that turns long videos into Shorts and Reels, and an AI Coach that reviews your channel. A free browser extension shows SEO scores and view velocity on any YouTube video, and vidIQ MCP brings its data into Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor.
It suits new and growing creators, while brands, agencies and networks can use the Enterprise plan with a dedicated strategist.
Who is Using vidIQ?
YouTube creators
Plan, optimize and track uploads to grow views and subscribers.
Instagram creators
Research Reel ideas, hooks and hashtags.
Agencies and networks
Track trends and competitors across many channels.
Key Features
- Trending Keywords: Find keywords with real search volume, competition scores and AI suggestions.
- Personalized Daily Ideas: Get video ideas tuned to your channel and niche.
- Thumbnails Maker: Create thumbnails from AI templates and A/B test them.
- AI Video Content Generator: Write scripts and clip long videos into Shorts, TikToks and Reels.
- AI YouTube Coach: Get channel reviews and tailored growth plans.
- vidIQ MCP: Use vidIQ data inside Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and other AI tools.
Pricing Plans
Free
- Free forever
- 150 AI credits every month
- Niche trends and content ideas
- AI Coach growth tips
- vidIQ MCP access
Boost
- $199 billed annually ($19 billed monthly)
- 2,000 AI credits monthly
- Thumbnail tools
- Unlimited trends research
- AI Coach with deep thinking
- Creator masterclasses
MAX
- $468 billed annually ($49 billed monthly)
- 6,000 AI credits monthly
- Everything in Boost
- Up to 3x AI Coach conversations
- Max Mode AI
- Up to 11 hours of clipping and generations
Enterprise
- Contact sales
- Access for every channel
- Roles and permissions
- Priority onboarding and support
- Cross-channel reporting
Which vidIQ plan should you pick?
Start on Free to test the core tools and MCP. Boost, marked most popular, adds 2,000 credits, thumbnails, unlimited trend research and the AI Coach for growing channels. MAX adds 6,000 credits, more coach conversations and longer clipping for heavy creators.
New creators trying the core tools.
Growing channels that post regularly.
Serious creators who want the most AI help.
Brands, agencies and MCNs.
vidIQ Use Cases
Video topic research
Check trending topics and outlier videos in your niche.
Outcome: A list of video ideas backed by data.
Upload optimization
Improve titles, tags, descriptions and thumbnails before publishing.
Outcome: Videos better set up to be found.
Repurposing long videos
Use AI clipping to cut long videos into Shorts and Reels.
Outcome: More short-form content from each upload.
How vidIQ fits into your stack
Browser
A free Chrome extension adds insights on top of YouTube.
AI tools
vidIQ MCP works with Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and more; a ChatGPT plugin is also listed.
Platforms
One subscription covers YouTube and Instagram.
Pros
- +Free tier: The Free plan includes 150 AI credits a month and core tools.
- +All-in-one workflow: Ideas, keywords, scripts, thumbnails and clipping live in one app.
- +Browser extension: See SEO scores, tags and view velocity right on YouTube.
- +Works with AI chats: vidIQ MCP is available on every plan, including Free.
Cons
- −Credits are limited: Even paid plans run on monthly AI credit allowances.
- −Prices vary by region: The site notes local pricing may differ from US list prices.
- −Multi-channel needs Enterprise: Teams or more than 3 channels need an Enterprise plan.
Limitations & when to consider alternatives
- One-channel pricing. The listed prices cover a single channel.
- Platform focus. It is built for YouTube and Instagram, not every social network.
- MCP uses credits. Tool calls through MCP draw from your plan's AI credits.
- You need a full video editor rather than a growth toolkit.
- You manage many channels on a small budget.
- You publish mainly on platforms other than YouTube and Instagram.
How to Use vidIQ
Sign up free
Create an account with Google.
Connect your channel
Link your channel so ideas and coaching fit your niche.
Research and plan
Use keywords, daily ideas and trends to pick your next video.
Optimize and publish
Polish titles, tags and thumbnails, then track results.
Who is vidIQ For?
New creators
People starting a channel who want guidance on what to make.
Growing creators
Channels that want more views through better SEO and ideas.
Brands and agencies
Teams managing YouTube at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use vidIQ for free?
Yes. The Free plan includes limited access to popular tools and 150 AI credits a month.
How much does vidIQ cost?
Boost is $19 per month or $199 per year, and MAX is $49 per month or $468 per year in the US. Local prices may vary.
Is vidIQ MCP included?
Yes, on every plan including Free. MCP tool calls use your plan's AI credits.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Paid plans renew automatically and can be canceled anytime.
Does vidIQ support teams or many channels?
Yes. Enterprise plans cover teams and anyone managing more than 3 channels.
vidIQ Alternatives
Compare allLooking for alternatives to vidIQ? Here are similar tools in the same category:
Brandwatch
Track what people say online and manage your brand's social channels
Compare vidIQ with: Writesonic TubeMagic Sprout Social Jasper