Top content creation tools - FREE TRIALS on most

Even in 2024, content reigns supreme, shaping the way brands interact with their audience and carving paths to new opportunities.

This guide takes a look at the top content creation tools, particularly those offering free trials, providing an essential compass for digital marketers, content creators, and business owners. The right tool can transform your content strategy, enhancing your online presence and engagement.

From SEO optimization and social media management to comprehensive content marketing, these tools make your work easier while improving the quality and impact of your content.

The best tool is the one that fits seamlessly into your workflow and helps you achieve your content goals more efficiently.

Understanding content creation tools

What are content creation tools?

Content creation tools are software applications that assist in the creation, editing, and management of digital content. They support various formats, including text, images, videos, and social media posts. These tools streamline the process of developing engaging and relevant content, making them essential for producing high-quality material efficiently. They are especially useful for creating consistent and impactful content across multiple platforms.

Why do we need content creation tools?

In today's fast-paced online environment, staying relevant and engaging requires continuous production of fresh content. Content creation tools make this process more manageable. They aid in generating content ideas, optimizing content for search engines, and scheduling posts across different channels. Plus, these tools often include analytics features, allowing users to measure the performance of their content and make informed decisions to improve their content strategies.

The role of content creation tools in content marketing

Content creation tools are integral to content marketing. They ensure that the content not only appeals to the target audience but also fits seamlessly into the overall marketing strategy. These tools help in optimizing content for better search engine visibility, ensuring it reaches the intended audience. They also provide insights into content performance, enabling marketers to understand audience preferences and adjust their strategies for maximum impact.

Best content creation tools with free trials

Selecting the right content creation tools is crucial for enhancing your digital presence and making content production easier. With numerous options available, it can be challenging to choose the most suitable ones, especially when considering budget constraints. To address this, we're focusing on some of the best content creation tools that offer free trials. Our selection criteria are based on factors such as versatility, ease of use, and their overall contribution to improving content quality and engagement.

1. Semrush

Semrush is a comprehensive digital marketing tool designed to assist businesses and content creators in enhancing their online presence. It offers a suite of tools that cover a broad spectrum of digital marketing needs, from SEO and content marketing to social media management and competitor analysis. Semrush's integrated approach provides a one-stop solution for those looking to optimize their digital marketing strategies.

Features and benefits

Keyword research and SEO optimization

SEMrush is renowned for its extensive keyword research capabilities. The Keyword Magic Tool allows you to find the most effective keywords for your content, helping to enhance its search engine visibility. This tool provides detailed analytics, including search volume and competition level, enabling you to target keywords that are both relevant and achievable. This feature is particularly useful for generating content ideas and identifying primary and semantically related keywords to strengthen your SEO strategy.

Content marketing analytics

Understanding the performance of your content is crucial, and SEMrush offers tools to track and analyze this. You can monitor how your content is performing in terms of engagement and reach, allowing you to refine your strategy based on real data.

Social media toolkit

Managing your social media presence is made easier with SEMrush's social media tools. These tools help you schedule social media posts, track performance, and engage with your audience more effectively.

SEO content template

This feature aids in creating SEO-friendly content. By entering your target keywords, SEMrush generates a template that provides recommendations on text length, readability, and keyword usage, based on the analysis of top-ranking pages in search engines.

Site audit and position tracking

The Site Audit tool helps you identify technical SEO issues on your website, while the Position Tracking feature allows you to monitor the rankings of your website for target keywords, providing insights into your SEO and PPC performance.

Competitor analysis

SEMrush facilitates detailed competitor analysis, letting you understand your competitors’ strategies. This includes analyzing their top keywords, backlinks, and overall online performance, which can inform your own content strategy.

Information about the free trial

SEMrush provides a 7-day free trial, giving users full access to most of its features. This trial is an excellent opportunity for potential users to explore the tool's comprehensive capabilities and how it can enhance their digital marketing efforts.

Additionally, SEMrush offers a free plan with limited functionality, which is suitable for those who want to experience the tool without the time constraint of a trial. This is particularly beneficial for individuals or small businesses beginning to explore digital marketing tools.

2. Buffer

Buffer is a streamlined and user-friendly social media management platform, originally known for its scheduling capabilities. It has evolved into a more comprehensive tool, assisting users with various aspects of social media management, including content creation, analytics, and engagement. Buffer's intuitive design makes it a favored choice for those seeking a straightforward approach to managing their social media presence.

Features and benefits

Content creation and integration

Buffer simplifies content creation, allowing you to import content from sources like Canva, Google Drive, and Dropbox. You can also create and edit images using Buffer's tools like Pablo and Remix.

Scheduling and calendar view

Buffer enables you to schedule social media posts across multiple platforms and offers a calendar view for better visualization of your posting schedule.

Instagram-Specific Features: Tailored features for Instagram include first comment posting and a shop grid to drive traffic and sales.

Analytics and reporting

Buffer provides in-depth analytics for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, offering insights into audience demographics and content performance.

Engagement tools

Manage your social media engagement by tracking and responding to comments and interactions on your social media posts.

Landing page builder

The Start Page feature allows you to create a mobile-friendly landing page, which can be used as a link-in-bio or even as a simple homepage for your brand.

Information about the free trial

Buffer offers a 14-day free trial for its paid plans, allowing users to explore the full range of features before making a decision. Beyond the trial, Buffer also has a free plan, which includes basic publishing tools and the landing page builder. This plan is ideal for individuals or businesses just starting on social media, allowing the management of up to three channels and scheduling 10 posts per channel​​.

3. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a well-established social media management platform that provides a comprehensive suite of social media tools to help social media content creators, businesses, and individuals manage and grow their presence on social media. It is designed to cater to various social media tasks, including content curation, scheduling and publishing posts, team management, and measuring ROI. Hootsuite supports integration with a wide range of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and more.

Features and benefits

Publishing and scheduling

Hootsuite allows social media content creators to create, schedule, and publish content across multiple social media networks. It includes features like AI-powered content creation assistance, Canva templates for easy graphic design, and bulk post scheduling.

Engagement tools

The platform provides solutions for both marketers and customer service teams, facilitating faster response times and improved customer satisfaction. Features include a universal inbox for handling messages, automated tagging and assignments, and inbox analytics.

Social listening and monitoring

With Hootsuite Streams, you can monitor brand mentions and industry trends, and engage in relevant conversations. This feature is essential for staying connected with your audience and understanding public perception of your brand.

Analytics and reporting

Hootsuite offers in-depth analytics tools that help you understand post performance, audience sentiment, and industry benchmarks. These insights are crucial for strategizing and optimizing your social media efforts.

Social media ads management

Manage your paid ads alongside organic content and gain insights into their performance to maximize ad spend efficiency.

Information about the free trial

Hootsuite offers a free 30-day trial for users to explore its features. This trial period allows you to test the platform's capabilities and determine how it can meet your social media management needs. After the trial, you can choose from various pricing plans based on your requirements.

4. Buzzsumo

Buzzsumo is a dynamic content marketing tool that offers content research tools, influencer identification, and social media analytics. It's designed to help marketers and businesses discover content trends, generate content ideas, track brand mentions, and engage with key influencers. Buzzsumo offers a comprehensive platform for content discovery and analysis, allowing users to understand what content resonates in their niche and how to optimize their content strategy.

Features and benefits

Content discovery and analysis

Buzzsumo enables users to find trending content in their industry and provides detailed analytics on content performance. This feature helps in identifying what types of content generate the most engagement and helps produce compelling content ideas.

Influencer identification

The platform makes it easy to find and connect with influential figures on major social networks like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, which can be pivotal for content marketing strategies.

Monitoring and alerts

Buzzsumo offers robust monitoring capabilities, including the ability to track brand mentions, competitor content, and general industry trends. Users can set up customized alerts for various topics, brands, or keywords.

Question analyzer

This feature pools questions from platforms like Reddit and Quora, helping marketers create content that addresses the specific queries and pain points of their target audience.

Facebook analyzer

Buzzsumo’s Facebook Analyzer offers insights into Facebook content, enabling users to understand the types of posts that drive engagement and how to tailor their content for Facebook’s audience.

Information about the free trial

Buzzsumo offers a free trial, allowing users to test its features before committing to a subscription. The trial period provides access to many of the tool's functionalities, giving potential users a hands-on experience of how Buzzsumo can enhance their content marketing efforts.

5. Hubspot

Hubspot is a comprehensive CRM platform designed to scale with businesses of all sizes. It integrates various functionalities, including marketing, sales, customer service, operations, and content management, to build exceptional customer experiences. Hubspot's CRM system is a central feature, offering a unified platform for customer data management, engagement tracking, and sales opportunities.

Features and benefits

CRM and sales features

Hubspot offers a free CRM system to handle customer data efficiently, providing insights into customer behavior and interests. Sales forecasting and reporting tools help sales teams stay organized and make accurate predictions.

CMS and website building

The platform includes drag-and-drop website builders, customizable templates, SEO optimization tools, and secure hosting options.

Reporting and analytics

Hubspot features customizable reports and dashboards, goal tracking, attribution reporting for marketing efforts, and customer feedback analysis.

Streamlined workflows

Hubspot offers automation tools for tasks such as email marketing and customer relationship management, significantly enhancing productivity and allowing teams to focus on high-value activities.

Personalization and targeting

The platform's CRM system utilizes customer data to enable personalized marketing and customer interactions, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of campaigns and customer engagements.

Improved customer engagement

Hubspot's CRM facilitates effective and timely communication with customers, ensuring consistent engagement and fostering customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Data-driven decision making

Hubspot provides robust analytics and reporting tools, offering valuable insights for strategic decision-making and optimizing marketing and sales strategies.

Scalability and integration

Designed for businesses of all sizes, Hubspot is scalable and integrates seamlessly with a range of other tools, supporting a unified and efficient technology ecosystem for growing businesses.

Information about the free trial

Hubspot offers a free 14-day trial of its all-in-one marketing software. This trial lets you test features like SEO, social media, blog tools, lead conversion with forms and landing pages, automated workflows, email marketing tools, and the HubSpot Smart CRM. Additionally, Hubspot offers a free plan with limited features and capabilities, suitable for small businesses or individuals starting with CRM and marketing tools.

Comparing content creation tools

In the world of digital marketing, having the right content creator tools at your disposal can be a game-changer. Each of the top content creator tools has its strengths, and the right choice depends on your specific needs and budget. Whether you’re a small business looking to manage social media effectively or a large enterprise in need of comprehensive SEO and content marketing tools, there’s a tool out there for you.

Best use case

• SEMRush: Comprehensive SEO and content marketing

• Buffer: Social media scheduling and analytics

• Hootsuite: All-in-one social media management

• Buzzsumo: Content discovery and influencer marketing

• Hubspot: Full-suite CRM and marketing automation

Free trial length

• SEMRush: 7 days

• Buffer: 14 days

• Hootsuite: 30 days

• Buzzsumo: 30 days

• Hubspot: 14 days for marketing software

Free trial features

• SEMRush: full access to preimum features

• Buffer: Most features available

• Hootsuite: Most features available

• Buzzsumo: Limited access to premium features

• Hubspot: Limited access to premium features

Free version available:

• SEMRush: Yes, with limited features

• Buffer: Yes

• Hootsuite: Yes

• Buzzsumo: No

• Hubspot: Yes, CRM only

Ease of use/Learning curve

• SEMRush: Extensive features with a learning curve; efficient once mastered

• Buffer: User-friendly and intuitive, great for beginners

• Hootsuite: Comprehensive with a learning curve; efficient for managing multiple accounts

• Buzzsumo: User-friendly, especially for content research and analysis

• Hubspot: Comprehensive but user-friendly— a wide range of features may require exploration

Pricing comparison

Semrush pricing

Free Plan

SEMrush offers a free option with limited access to its features, suitable for users needing basic functionalities such as site audits and keyword analytics.

Pro Plan - $129.95 monthly

Ideal for freelancers, startups, and in-house marketers with a limited budget. Features include basic functionalities suitable for smaller-scale operations.

Guru Plan - $249.95 monthly

Geared towards growing marketing agencies or SMBs, offering extended features and historical data access.

Business Plan - $499.95 monthly

Aimed at large agencies and enterprises, it includes advanced features and higher data allowances.

Buffer pricing

Free Plan

Suitable for individuals and businesses starting with social media. Allows connection of up to 3 channels.

Essentials Plan

Priced at $6/month per channel, targeting professionals using publishing, analytics, and engagement tools.

Team Plan

At $12/month per channel, this plan is for teams requiring unlimited users, collaboration, and reporting.

Agency Plan

Priced at $120/month for 10 channels, designed for marketing agencies managing 10 or more channels.

Buzzsumo pricing

Content Creation

Priced at $199/month when billed yearly. This plan is targeted at marketers and marketing agencies looking to enhance their content strategy. It includes a content analyzer, trending feeds, a question analyzer, and more.

PR & Comms

At $299/month with annual billing, this plan suits agencies needing to monitor coverage and engage with journalists. It includes everything in the Content Creation plan, plus media database & outreach, coverage reports, and Slack integration.

Suite

Most popular at $499/month, billed yearly, ideal for large brands and agencies’ entire marketing team. It offers everything in PR & Comms, plus a YouTube analyzer, advanced Chrome extension, and article uploads.

Enterprise

For $999/month, this plan provides comprehensive features for large brands and agencies and includes everything in the Suite plan, plus RSS feed, granular location search, and early access to new features.

Hubspot pricing

Hubspot offers a range of products, each with different pricing models. However, the Hubspot Marketing Hub is available in three pricing plans designed to cater to different business needs.

CRM Suite Starter - from $20 per month

This plan is ideal for new businesses or those just starting with CRM and marketing tools. It integrates essential marketing, sales, service, CMS, operations, and commerce software.

Professional Plan - from $800 per month

Targeted at growing teams and businesses, this plan provides advanced features for comprehensive CRM and marketing strategies.

Enterprise Plan - from $3,600 per month

Suitable for large-scale businesses, the Enterprise plan offers a wide range of features for extensive CRM, marketing, and sales operations.

Choosing the right content creation tool

Selecting the ideal content creation software is not just about picking the most popular or feature-rich option. It's about finding the content creation tool that aligns perfectly with your needs and goals. Let's delve into how you can make this crucial decision.

Understanding your needs

Firstly, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your content creation needs. This involves assessing the type of content you produce, whether it's blog posts, social media content, videos, or graphics. Consider the platforms where your content will be published and the audience you are targeting. Are you focusing on SEO-driven content, social media engagement, or comprehensive digital marketing? Identifying your key requirements will help you narrow down the tools that cater to your specific needs.

Tips for identifying your needs

• Assess your content types: Do you need a tool for writing, graphic design, video editing, or social media management?

• Determine your goals: Whether it's increasing web traffic, boosting social media engagement, or enhancing brand visibility, your goals will dictate the features you need.

• Consider your team's size and skill level: Ensure the tool you choose is user-friendly and matches the expertise level of your team.

Trying out the free trials

All of the content creation tools we’ve mentioned offer free trials, providing a perfect opportunity to test them without financial commitment. These trials allow you to explore the features, usability, and effectiveness of the tools in real-world scenarios.

Tips for evaluating tools during the trial periods

• Test key features: Focus on the features most important to your content strategy. If social media management is your priority, examine scheduling, analytics, and engagement features.

• Evaluate user experience: Pay attention to the interface and ease of use. A tool can have excellent features but might be too complex or time-consuming to learn.

• Check integration capabilities: Ensure the tool integrates seamlessly with other platforms you use, like CRM systems or email marketing software.

• Get team feedback: If you work in a team, gather their opinions on the tool’s functionality and user-friendliness.

By meticulously assessing your needs and thoroughly testing potential tools, you can make an informed decision that will enhance your content creation process. Remember, the best tool is the one that fits seamlessly into your workflow and helps you achieve your content goals more efficiently.

In summary

It's clear that finding your favorite content creation tools requires some trial and error. Each tool, with its unique set of features and capabilities, caters to different aspects of the content creation process.

The key takeaway? Leverage the free trials to your advantage. They're your gateway to experiencing firsthand how these tools can integrate into your workflow and elevate your content strategy.