vidIQ
AskZyro PickThe most complete YouTube research and growth toolkit — an AI coach that actually knows your channel.
Best for
YouTubers at any size who want data-driven ideas, keyword research, packaging feedback and a coach that understands their channel — especially creators publishing weekly and trying to grow systematically.
Skip it if
Creators who don't publish on YouTube, channels wanting a video editor or scheduler (vidIQ researches, it doesn't edit), users who only need occasional thumbnail checks, and teams managing many channels under one budget unless Enterprise fits.
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Independently researched · Pricing checked 6 November 2026 · 9-minute read
The 30-second verdict
vidIQ is the closest thing YouTube creators have to a research department and a coach in one subscription.
Its real advantage is context: the AI Coach reads your channel's actual performance — which videos stalled, which keywords your audience searches, which thumbnails worked — instead of repeating generic growth advice found anywhere.
Read our full verdict ↓Collapse ↑
Daily Ideas and keyword research solve the two problems that stall most channels: what to make next, and whether anyone is searching for it. The extension then keeps that intelligence one click away inside YouTube itself.
The honest caveat is pricing structure. The free plan is a demo — 150 credits and three ideas a day — and everything that makes vidIQ genuinely useful lives behind Boost at around $16.58/month annually. For a creator publishing weekly, that is reasonable; for an occasional uploader, it may be more tool than needed.
For a channel treating growth as a system rather than luck, vidIQ is the strongest starting point.
4.4
Output quality
4.6
Ease of use
4.3
Value for money
Reviewed by AskZyro Editorial Team · 6 November 2026
Awaiting image
Product screenshot — vidIQ in use — coming soon.
What is vidIQ?
vidIQ is a YouTube growth platform that helps creators research keywords, find video ideas, optimise titles and thumbnails, track competitors and understand what is working on their channel — through a browser extension, a web app and a mobile app.
Its distinguishing feature versus generic AI tools is that it works on your actual channel data. The AI Coach analyses your videos, niche and performance signals to produce advice specific to your channel rather than generic YouTube tips.
vidIQ is built around an AI credit system: every plan includes a monthly credit allowance that powers the AI tools — ideas, thumbnails, keyword research, AI Coach conversations and the vidIQ MCP connector that pipes channel data into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor.
How vidIQ works
A typical workflow is:
- Connect your YouTube channel.
- Install the browser extension or open the web app.
- Check Daily Ideas for video suggestions matched to your niche.
- Research a keyword's search volume and competition.
- Score your title and thumbnail before publishing.
- Publish and track performance against competitors.
- Ask the AI Coach why a video stalled and what to change.
The extension overlays vidIQ data directly inside YouTube — search results, watch pages and your own channel — so research happens where you already work.
Key capabilities
AI Coach — A YouTube-specific assistant powered by your channel's data. It can audit your channel with priorities to fix, diagnose why a video stalled, improve titles and packaging based on viewer intent, and build a content plan around your niche and cadence. It analyses metrics including average view percentage, likes, subscribers gained or lost, estimated minutes watched and views. Data trails about 3 days behind, and it works best once a channel has at least a few uploads.
Daily and Customized Ideas — Daily Ideas generates video concepts matched to your channel and niche: 3 per day on Free, 50 per day on Boost and above. Customized Ideas generates suggestions around a keyword you choose: 3 lifetime searches on Free, unlimited on Boost and above.
Keyword research — Search volume, competition scores and related terms for YouTube queries, plus Keywords For You (algorithm-picked opportunities for your channel), Rising Keywords and Top Search Terms bringing viewers to your videos. Free plans see only three results per section.
Title and thumbnail scoring — Preview how a title and thumbnail will perform before publishing, with scoring and AI-generated variations on paid plans.
Competitor and trend research — Track channels in your niche, monitor their outlier videos and spot trends early. Subscriber insights and trend data are unlimited on Boost.
Channel analytics — vidIQ's own analytics layer over YouTube Studio data, including views velocity, engagement metrics and video-level diagnostics.
Optimization suggestions — Checklist-style recommendations on titles, descriptions, tags and cards for each upload.
Thumbnails — AI thumbnail generation and editing tools on paid plans, consuming AI credits.
vidIQ MCP — Connects your vidIQ account to Claude, ChatGPT or any MCP-compatible AI assistant on every plan including Free. Each tool call uses the same AI credit balance.
Browser extension and mobile app — Chrome extension overlays data on YouTube pages; the mobile app covers research and channel monitoring on the go.
1-on-1 Coaching — A separate paid add-on pairing you with a dedicated YouTube coach for growth plans, channel audits and feedback on titles, hooks and pacing.
What you can do with vidIQ
Plan next month's content
Daily and Customized Ideas matched to your niche
Validate a video idea before filming
check search demand and competition
Fix packaging
score and test titles and thumbnails before publishing
Diagnose a stalled video
ask AI Coach what to change next time
Track competitors
monitor rival channels and their outlier hits
Optimise uploads
per-video checklists for titles, descriptions and tags
Repurpose content
clip long videos into Shorts on Max
Key features
AI Coach
channel-aware assistant that audits performance, diagnoses stalled videos and plans content
Daily Ideas
personalised video ideas from channels like yours (3/day free, 50/day paid)
Customized Ideas
keyword-driven suggestions matched to your channel data
Keyword research
search volume, competition and related terms for YouTube queries
Keywords For You
algorithm-picked keyword opportunities for your channel
Title and thumbnail scoring
pre-publish packaging checks with AI variations
Competitor tracking
monitor rival channels and their outlier videos
Trend research
spot rising topics and niche trends before they peak
Channel analytics
velocity, engagement and video diagnostics beyond YouTube Studio
Optimization checklist
per-video recommendations for titles, descriptions and tags
AI thumbnails
generation and editing tools on paid plans
Short clipping
repurpose long videos into Shorts on Max
Browser extension
vidIQ data overlaid on YouTube search, watch and channel pages
Mobile app
research and monitoring on iOS and Android
1-on-1 coaching
dedicated human YouTube coach as a paid add-on
Pricing
Checked 6 November 2026| Plan | Price | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Testing the platform and light research | 150 AI credits/mo, 3 daily personalized ideas, 3 lifetime customized searches, limited keyword results, basic channel analytics, vidIQ MCP, browser extension and mobile app |
| Boost | $19/mo (~$16.58/mo annual, $199/yr) | Serious creators publishing regularly | 2,000 AI credits/mo, 50 daily ideas, unlimited customized searches, 30+ research tools, keyword ideas, optimization suggestions, competitor intel, thumbnails, unlimited trends and subscriber insights, AI Coach |
| Max | $49/mo (~$39/mo annual, $468/yr) | Heavy AI users and high-output channels | 6,000 AI credits/mo, 3x AI Coach conversations, Max Mode AI, short-form clipping tools, everything in Boost |
| Multi-channel | Boost $19/$29/$39/mo for 1/2/3 channels | Creators running several channels | Shared AI credit balance across connected channels |
| Enterprise | Custom | Brands, agencies and MCNs | Centralised control, team roles and permissions, cross-channel reporting, priority onboarding and support |
| Boost + Coaching | Boost plus coaching fee | Creators wanting human guidance | Everything in Boost plus a dedicated 1-on-1 YouTube coach, custom growth plan and channel audit |
Free
$0
Best for: Testing the platform and light research
Includes: 150 AI credits/mo, 3 daily personalized ideas, 3 lifetime customized searches, limited keyword results, basic channel analytics, vidIQ MCP, browser extension and mobile app
Boost
$19/mo (~$16.58/mo annual, $199/yr)
Best for: Serious creators publishing regularly
Includes: 2,000 AI credits/mo, 50 daily ideas, unlimited customized searches, 30+ research tools, keyword ideas, optimization suggestions, competitor intel, thumbnails, unlimited trends and subscriber insights, AI Coach
Max
$49/mo (~$39/mo annual, $468/yr)
Best for: Heavy AI users and high-output channels
Includes: 6,000 AI credits/mo, 3x AI Coach conversations, Max Mode AI, short-form clipping tools, everything in Boost
Multi-channel
Boost $19/$29/$39/mo for 1/2/3 channels
Best for: Creators running several channels
Includes: Shared AI credit balance across connected channels
Enterprise
Custom
Best for: Brands, agencies and MCNs
Includes: Centralised control, team roles and permissions, cross-channel reporting, priority onboarding and support
Boost + Coaching
Boost plus coaching fee
Best for: Creators wanting human guidance
Includes: Everything in Boost plus a dedicated 1-on-1 YouTube coach, custom growth plan and channel audit
Strengths, limitations & watch-outs
What it does brilliantly
- Purpose-built for YouTube — not a generic SEO tool repurposed
- AI Coach uses your real channel data rather than generic advice
- Daily ideas matched to your niche reduce content-planning time
- Keyword research sized for YouTube, not Google
- Extension puts data where you already work inside YouTube
- Genuinely useful free tier for testing
- Fair entry price — Boost at ~$16.58/mo annual undercuts many creator tools
- vidIQ MCP brings channel data into whichever AI assistant you prefer
- Scales to multi-channel and enterprise setups
- 1-on-1 coaching option for creators who want human feedback
Where it falls short
- Free plan is a demo — 150 credits and 3 daily ideas run out fast
- Best features (keyword depth, unlimited searches, thumbnails) require Boost
- AI credits do not roll over month to month
- Coach data lags about 3 days and needs existing uploads to be useful
- No video editing, scheduling or publishing — research and ideation only
- Pro tier was discontinued; there is a large jump between Free and Boost for casual users
- AI suggestions still need editorial judgement — it cannot guarantee views
- Multi-channel and team needs push you to custom Enterprise pricing
What to know before paying
- Free plan: 150 AI credits/mo, 3 personalized ideas per day, 3 lifetime customized searches, only 3 results in keyword sections
- Boost: 2,000 AI credits/mo (2,500/3,000 on 2/3-channel plans)
- Max: 6,000 AI credits/mo (8,000/10,000 on 2/3-channel plans)
- AI credits are per account, not per channel — multi-channel plans share one balance
- Plan credits refresh monthly and do not roll over; purchased top-up credits persist
- AI Coach can only analyse data up to about 3 days old and works best after 2+ uploads
- No native video editing, thumbnail rendering is AI-assisted rather than a full design suite
Privacy & data
vidIQ connects to your YouTube channel with read/analytics permissions. Channel data powers the AI Coach and analytics; review vidIQ's data terms and revoke access in your Google account if you cancel.
Commercial use
Suitable for creators, brands and agencies. Multi-channel plans share one AI credit balance, and MCP access is included on every plan — useful for agencies embedding channel data into AI workflows.
Alternatives to vidIQ
| If you need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube SEO and channel management | TubeBuddy | A/B testing and bulk tools at competitive pricing |
| Video editing and repurposing | Descript | Transcript-based editing for long-form content |
| Clipping long videos into Shorts | Opus Clip | AI clip selection and vertical repurposing |
| Thumbnail and packaging design | Canva | Templates and design tools for YouTube graphics |
| Recording interviews and video podcasts | Riverside | Studio-quality remote recording for guest content |
If you need…
YouTube SEO and channel management
Choose
TubeBuddy
Why
A/B testing and bulk tools at competitive pricing
If you need…
Video editing and repurposing
Choose
Why
Transcript-based editing for long-form content
If you need…
Clipping long videos into Shorts
Choose
Why
AI clip selection and vertical repurposing
If you need…
Thumbnail and packaging design
Choose
Why
Templates and design tools for YouTube graphics
If you need…
Recording interviews and video podcasts
Choose
Why
Studio-quality remote recording for guest content
vidIQ in a workflow
Frequently asked questions
What is vidIQ?+
vidIQ is a YouTube growth platform offering keyword research, daily video ideas, an AI coach, thumbnail tools, competitor tracking and channel analytics.
Is vidIQ free?+
Yes. The Free plan includes 150 AI credits a month, 3 daily personalized ideas and limited research tools. Paid plans unlock the full toolkit.
How much does vidIQ cost?+
Boost costs $19/month or $199/year (about $16.58/month). Max costs $49/month or $468/year (about $39/month). Enterprise is custom priced.
Is there still a vidIQ Pro plan?+
No. vidIQ discontinued the Pro tier; the current self-serve line-up is Free, Boost and Max.
What are vidIQ AI credits?+
AI credits power vidIQ's AI tools — ideas, thumbnails, keyword research, AI Coach and MCP calls. Free gets 150/month, Boost 2,000, Max 6,000. Unused plan credits do not roll over.
What is the vidIQ AI Coach?+
An AI assistant trained on YouTube that uses your channel's real data — view counts, retention, subscriber changes — to give channel-specific advice, audits and content plans.
What is Daily Ideas?+
A tool that generates video ideas matched to your channel and niche. Free users get 3 per day; Boost and above get 50 per day.
Does vidIQ do keyword research?+
Yes. It shows YouTube search volume, competition and related terms, plus keyword opportunities picked specifically for your channel.
Can vidIQ help with thumbnails?+
Yes. Paid plans include thumbnail scoring, feedback and AI thumbnail tools.
Does vidIQ work inside YouTube?+
Yes. The Chrome extension overlays vidIQ data on YouTube search results, watch pages and channel pages.
What is vidIQ MCP?+
A connector that lets AI assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor query your vidIQ and channel data. It is included on every plan including Free, and calls use your AI credit balance.
Can vidIQ manage multiple channels?+
Yes. Boost and Max are sold for 1, 2 or 3 channels with a shared credit balance; larger teams use Enterprise.
Does vidIQ offer coaching?+
Yes. A separate Boost + Coaching option pairs you with a dedicated 1-on-1 YouTube coach for growth plans and feedback.
Can vidIQ edit videos?+
No. vidIQ covers research, ideas, packaging and analytics. You still need an editor such as Descript or CapCut, and a tool like Opus Clip or vidIQ Max's clipping for repurposing.
Is vidIQ better than TubeBuddy?+
vidIQ is generally stronger on AI features, daily ideas and coaching. TubeBuddy is competitive on price and A/B testing. The better pick depends on which workflow you prefer.
Is vidIQ worth it for a small channel?+
The free plan is worth trying at any size. Boost makes most sense once you publish regularly and want data-driven ideas and packaging feedback.
Does vidIQ guarantee more views?+
No. It improves research and packaging decisions, but growth still depends on content quality, consistency and audience fit.
How accurate is vidIQ's keyword data?+
It is directional YouTube data rather than precise counts — useful for comparing opportunities, not absolute volumes.
Can vidIQ post or schedule videos?+
No. It has no scheduler — it focuses on research, ideation and optimisation.
Does vidIQ have a mobile app?+
Yes, for iOS and Android, covering research and channel monitoring on the go.
Reviewed by AskZyro Editorial Team
We assess AI tools for output quality, ease of use, pricing, practical value and limitations. Where possible, we test tools directly and verify product and pricing details with the provider.
Last reviewed: 6 November 2026
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