TubeBuddy and VidIQ have been the dominant YouTube Chrome extensions for years. Teka Creator Tools is the new challenger building to replace both. This comparison gives you the full picture — with verified pricing, real ratings, and an honest take on what each tool does well and where each one falls short.
We're writing this from inside the creator tool space, which means we're not a neutral third party — but we've worked to make this comparison accurate because bad comparisons don't help anyone. We'll call out where other tools are genuinely better.
At a Glance — The Key Numbers
| Metric | TubeBuddy | VidIQ | Teka Creator Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Users | 10M+ (claimed) | 3M+ active | Early access |
| Chrome Web Store Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 (10,900+ ratings) | New |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.5/5 (550+ reviews) | 4.3/5 (1,210+ reviews) | — |
| Free Plan | ✓ Basic SEO | ✓ 150 AI credits/mo | ✓ AI tools included |
| Entry Paid Plan | $9/mo (Pro) | $19/mo (Boost) | R99/mo (~$5.40/mo) |
| A/B Testing | ✓ Pro+ | ✗ | Roadmap |
| AI Script Writing | ✗ | ✓ Paid | ✓ Paid |
| Works Inside YouTube | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Browser Slowdown Reports | ⚠ Frequent | ⚠ Frequent | Designed to avoid |
Free Plans: What You Actually Get
TubeBuddy Free
TubeBuddy's free plan is the most useful for keyword research and SEO auditing. The Keyword Explorer shows search volume estimates and competition scores. You also get tag suggestions, basic title and description audits, and the thumbnail analyser. What's not there: A/B testing, bulk processing, and any AI writing features — all behind the $9–$49/month paywall.
VidIQ Free
VidIQ's free plan is the most useful for AI-assisted creation. You get 150 AI credits per month — enough for roughly 5 AI-generated titles or 2 video scripts. The AI Coach answers questions about your channel with personalised advice based on your real analytics. The views-per-hour overlay runs on every video you see in YouTube. Keyword research and niche trend ideas are also included. The 150 credits per month is a hard ceiling — once used, you wait for the month to reset or upgrade to Boost ($19/mo, 2,000 credits).
Teka Creator Tools Free
Teka Creator Tools' free plan is the most useful for AI tools and competitor scoring in a single extension. Unlike VidIQ's monthly credit cap, the free plan includes core AI title generation and keyword research as ongoing features. Score overlays appear on every thumbnail you browse, showing performance context without opening a dashboard. The Channel AI Coach identifies your next highest-leverage action. Currently in early access — join the waitlist.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
Round 1: Keyword Research
Round 2: AI Tools
Round 3: A/B Testing
Round 4: Competitor Analysis
Round 5: Browser Performance
Round 6: Price-to-Value
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | TubeBuddy | VidIQ | Teka Creator Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan AI credits | ✗ | 150/month | ✓ Included |
| Free keyword research | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Views-per-hour overlay | ✓ Free | ✓ Free | Score overlays |
| A/B testing | ✓ $9/mo+ | ✗ | Roadmap |
| AI title generation | Paid only | ✓ Free (limited) | ✓ Free |
| AI script writing | ✗ | ✓ Paid | ✓ Paid |
| Channel AI Coach | ✗ | ✓ Free (limited) | ✓ Free |
| Competitor tracking | ✓ Paid | ✓ Paid | ✓ Paid (Beat This Video) |
| Score overlays on browse | ✗ | Views/hour | ✓ Performance score |
| Bulk video editing | ✓ Paid | ✗ | ✗ |
| Shorts optimisation | Limited | Limited | ✓ Pro Max+ |
| Shorts video generation | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Studio plan |
| Best paid plan price | $49/mo | $39/mo | R499/mo (~$27) |
| Entry paid price | $9/mo | $19/mo | R99/mo (~$5.40) |
Who Should Use Which Tool
Choose TubeBuddy if: You want A/B testing for titles and thumbnails. This is TubeBuddy's unique strength and nothing else offers it. TubeBuddy Pro at $9/month is also the most affordable entry point from the established players.
Choose VidIQ if: You want the most mature AI tool suite and the best free plan in the established market. 150 AI credits per month, the AI Coach, views-per-hour overlays, and keyword research — all without spending a dollar. The 3M+ user base and 4.5/5 Chrome rating give it the most validation.
Choose Teka Creator Tools if: You want AI tools inside YouTube on a free plan with no credit caps, or you want the most affordable paid plan (~$5.40/mo equivalent) that includes AI scripts, competitor analysis, and Best Time to Post. Join the early access list — launching soon.
The Bottom Line
TubeBuddy and VidIQ built their dominance before AI tools became standard. Both carry real limitations: VidIQ has no A/B testing, TubeBuddy has minimal AI capabilities, and both are known to slow down YouTube. Their paid plans are priced for the Western market — $19–$49/month is a significant investment for a creator who hasn't reached YouTube Partner Program (YPP) eligibility yet.
Teka Creator Tools is building a different approach: a free plan that doesn't count credits, a lightweight extension that stays out of YouTube's way, and paid plans priced for the global creator market. It's newer, and that's a real trade-off — but if you're starting fresh in 2026, the waitlist is worth joining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try Teka Creator Tools Free
Everything you need in one extension — inside YouTube. AI titles, competitor scores, channel coaching. No credit card required.
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