shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Yoast?

Yoast helps you with your website's search engine optimization, with our internationally loved software and our online SEO courses. - yoast.com

Worth it. WordPress site owners should install the free plugin — it's the default for a reason, with 10M+ installs. Think twice before paying for Premium; reviewers are split at $99–129/year.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~40 public sources: G2/Trustpilot/Reddit reviews, CVE databases, and official Yoast pages.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo support evidence found
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Premium$99–$129/yr

Best for

  • WordPress blogs and content sites
  • SEO beginners wanting guidance
  • WooCommerce and Shopify stores
  • Non-technical site owners

Not for

  • Non-WordPress, non-Shopify platforms
  • Teams needing rank tracking or backlink audits — pair with a suite
  • Performance-obsessed developers; bloat complaints exist
  • Buyers assuming Premium is required — free covers basics

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

Premium listed at $99/yr and $129/yr on different sites — verify current price

medium

Extras like Local SEO are separate paid add-ons

medium

Huge install base means any new CVE becomes a mass-patching scramble

low

Free version nudges upgrades; users report confusing upsell prompts

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free plugin covers core on-page SEO; 10M+ installs
  • Praised as user-friendly by G2 reviewers
  • Long-term fans: 'Still my go-to after years of use'
  • Official Shopify app merchants call a must-have
  • Runs a security program; patches reached 13M sites fast

Cons

  • Premium titled 'Not Worth $99/Year' by prominent reviewer
  • Some reviewers say it's overrated
  • Developers report the plugin is bloated
  • Rivals like Rank Math seen as offering more
  • History of XSS vulnerabilities across versions

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/20/2026 - 12 sources - Recurring CVEs (mostly XSS) from 2016–2026, all patched; vendor runs a security program.

official x3review x7security x1news x1
  • CVE-2026-3427 — stored XSS, Stored cross-site scripting in the Yoast SEO WordPress plugin, listed March 2026.
  • CVE-2024-4041 — reflected XSS, Reflected XSS flaw in the plugin, tracked in SentinelOne's database.
  • CVE-2025-14481 — 10M+ installs affected, Vulnerability hit the plugin's massive install base; community flagged patching urgency.
  • CVE-2026-10821 — Premium plugin, Paid Premium plugin vulnerability; security alert issued September 2026.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 3/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 12

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 3/5. Free tier strong; Premium value disputed
  • Ease of use: 5/5. G2 reviewers praise user-friendliness
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Deep on-page SEO; Rank Math reportedly more
  • Support quality. No support evidence found
  • Security posture: 2/5. Repeated XSS CVEs, though patches ship fast
  • 10M+ Active installs Free WordPress plugin
  • $99–$129/yr Premium price Varies by source and year
  • 204 G2 reviews "Yoast delivers an excellent..."
  • Yes Free tier Full free plugin on WordPress.org

Pricing

Free

$0

  • Real-time SEO guidance
  • Schema and XML sitemaps

Premium

$99–$129/yr

  • Internal linking suggestions
  • Redirects manager
  • Built-in AI assistance

Security

Recurring CVEs (mostly XSS) from 2016–2026, all patched; vendor runs a security program.

  • CVE-2026-3427 — stored XSSStored cross-site scripting in the Yoast SEO WordPress plugin, listed March 2026.10
  • CVE-2024-4041 — reflected XSSReflected XSS flaw in the plugin, tracked in SentinelOne's database.
  • CVE-2025-14481 — 10M+ installs affectedVulnerability hit the plugin's massive install base; community flagged patching urgency.
  • CVE-2026-10821 — Premium pluginPaid Premium plugin vulnerability; security alert issued September 2026.

Alternatives

Compare Yoast with each alternative.

  • Rank Math

    Freemium rival reviewers say offers more features

  • All in One SEO

    Longtime competitor with strong review ratings

  • SEOPress

    Cheaper, lighter WordPress SEO option

    Yoast vs SEOPress
  • The SEO Framework

    Lightweight pick for performance-focused sites

Companies that use it

  • Small Business Trends
Full analysis

Based on ~40 public sources: G2/Trustpilot/Reddit reviews, CVE databases, and official Yoast pages.

Free Yoast is the WordPress SEO default and worth it; Premium at $99–129/yr is contested — pay only for redirects.

Methodology

Based on ~40 public sources: G2/Trustpilot/Reddit reviews, CVE databases, and official Yoast pages.

Sources

  1. official
  2. official
  3. review
  4. review
  5. review
  6. review
  7. review
  8. review
  9. review
  10. security
  11. news
  12. official

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