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Rank Math vs. Yoast SEO: Which One is Better?

Rank Math, Yoast, and All In One SEO are the leading WordPress SEO plugins, and the debate over RankMath and Yoast is subjective and ongoing. 

RankMath is more straightforward and convenient than Yoast. Due to specific requirements, I use Yoast for my subdomain and an e-commerce client, but my other clients prefer RankMath for their websites. This exposure has allowed me to understand the capabilities and differences between the two plugins.

RankMath feels more enjoyable, whereas Yoast feels like a chore, but it always comes down to personal preference or the client’s needs. So, let’s look into the differences between the two plugins.

You can also research other sources if you need more confidence. It’s still your choice. 

Rank Math vs. Yoast

Yoast

  • Yoast SEO launched its first version of the WordPress SEO plugin in 2010, after it was initially created in 2007.
  • More than 5 million active users since 2023
  • Number 1 WordPress plugin
  • $8.25/month for Premium billed annually, and $19.08/month for All Yoast billed annually ( ex VAT )
  • Free plan comes with Page titles, meta description, canonical URL’s, XML sitemaps, RSS feeds, social integration, image optimization, internal linking, content analysis, and breadcrumbs
  • Yoast SEO free version doesnt have Content AI credits, you will need Yoast SEO Premium for that feature.

Rank Math

  • Founded in 2020
  • Over 2.9 million active, happy users as of 2024
  • Number 3 on the WordPress download list
  • $6.99/ month for Pro, $20.99 for Business, and $49.99 for Agency. All billed annually ( ex VAT )
  • Free Plan comes with 18 Pre-defined schema types, complete Elementor integration, complete Divi integration, SEO titles and meta description, social media description, internal link suggestions, monitor 404 errors, 301 and 302 redirects, essential WooCommerce SEO, image SEO, XML sitemap, multiple focus keyword analysis for each page
  • Free Version has Content AI – Personal Assistant ( 750 credits/month ) 

Why Rank Math is Better than Yoast SEO

The following examples derive from my four-year experience in content creation ( SEO and Content writing ) and on-page SEO optimization. These examples highlight the features I have frequently utilized since 2020. I have refrained from including features that I have yet to have the opportunity to use.

I aim to provide insights based on my firsthand experience with the features rather than merely reiterating information from other sources.

I will demonstrate my preference for Rank Math over Yoast by showing examples from my subdomain ( Yoast SEO ) and one of my client’s ( Rank Math ) websites. Both sites are newly created.

1. Rank Math Have Free Access to Yoast Premium Features

rank math seo

Rank Math FREE offers valuable features without cost, such as sitemap creation, redirection, Schema markup, internal link suggestions, monitoring 404 errors, and so much more. In contrast, Yoast requires a paid premium version to access similar functionality.

Rank Math PRO also provides advanced capabilities, such as automatically adding alt text to your images and Google Analytics integration within WordPress, which are unavailable in Yoast’s premium.

rankmath analytics

2. Focus Keyphrase

rankmath vs. yoast focus keyword

The free version of Rank Math allows you to optimize for up to five focus keywords, whereas Yoast’s free version limits you to a single focus keyword. Optimizing for multiple keywords can help attract more targeted traffic compared to targeting just one keyword.

3. Readability Analysis

rankmath and yoast content readbility

Yoast SEO separates the readability score from the overall SEO score, providing a clear view of your content’s readability. At the same time, Rank Math includes the readability score in the overall SEO score. 

In this case, Yoast SEO may provide a more dedicated and insightful approach to analyzing and improving content readability than Rank Math. Yet, I still prefer Rank math’s readability guide due to its simplicity. 

4. Social

rankmath vs. yoast social

The free version of Rank Math includes a handy social preview tool that allows you to visualize how your posts will appear when shared on popular social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. By configuring your social media settings effectively, you can streamline the process for people to share your content with minimal effort.

This convenience factor increases the chances of your content being widely distributed across social networks, potentially driving more traffic to your site.

rankmath vs. yoast social

Yoast’s free version does not provide this functionality, so you must purchase a premium account to access social preview capabilities.

5. Analytics

rankmath analytics

Rank Math SEO’s free version includes essential analytics integration. At the same time, its PRO edition offers advanced Analytics with site analytics that showcases scores, keywords, and SEO performance metrics like search impressions, click-through rates, total keywords, and average position. In contrast, Yoast SEO lacks these integrated Analytics features.

rankmath analytics2

6. Internal Linking

I’ve had the opportunity to leverage this internal linking feature while working with a previous client and found it remarkably convenient. It enables you to effortlessly connect related content within your website, which aids search engine bots in discovering and indexing these interconnected pages. Well-structured internal links serve as signals that guide search engines to crawl and catalog the linked content effectively.

A vital internal linking strategy can enhance your website’s authority and credibility.

pillar post link suggestion rankmath

Rank Math offers a feature that recommends relevant internal links to other content on your website while editing posts or pages in the WordPress editor. By assigning a specific post as a ‘Pillar Post’ within RankMath, the plugin will recommend linking to that post from your other related content. These internal linking recommendations will be conveniently displayed in the ‘Link Suggestions’ section, prominently positioned in the right sidebar of the post-editing interface, ensuring easy visibility and accessibility.

Yoast SEO’s free version, on the other hand, lacks this internal link suggestion feature, and you need to purchase the premium version to access it.

When to Use Yoast SEO and Rank Math

Use Yoast SEO if:

  • Suppose you have been using Yoast for a long time and are comfortable with its interface and features. Switching to a new SEO plugin can involve a learning curve. 
  • If you have a smaller or single website and don’t need the advanced multi-site management capabilities of Rank Math
  • If you prioritize readability analysis and want a dedicated readability score separate from the overall SEO score, which Yoast provides.

Rank Math could be the preferred choice if:

  • You manage multiple websites across different domains.
  • You seek a comprehensive suite of SEO features available for free, with affordable scaling options as your needs grow.
  • You require extensive global SEO customization capabilities for your website(s).

In General

Although Yoast SEO has been a pioneering plugin in WordPress, Rank Math has rapidly gained ground, gathering over two million downloads and a five-star user rating. 

While relying on Yoast SEO since 2020, my experience with Rank Math over the past year has been a game-changer. Initially, the simplicity and user-friendliness of Rank Math caught my attention, but as I continued to use it extensively, I grew increasingly fond of its streamlined approach and intuitive interface.

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