This guide will walk you through what an app store optimization (ASO) tool is, what they do, and why you should use them to give your app the best possible chance of success.
ASO tools are a set of tools that help app developers optimize their mobile apps for better visibility and higher rankings across the app stores. The tools provide valuable insights into areas such as app store search behavior, keyword rankings, competitor analysis, and more.
Top App Store Optimization Tools
Using ASO tools, app developers can make data-driven decisions to improve their app’s visibility and attract more users.
If you want to stay ahead of the game, get noticed amongst millions of other apps, and increase your return on your investment (ROI), it’s simple: you need effective app store optimization.
You can find the best ASO tools in our directory.
What are app store optimization tools?
App store optimization is an effective way to help mobile apps appear on the top results across app stores and boost rankings, downloads, and installs. App store optimization tools provide the means that developers and app owners need to make their app rank highly.
The tools offer everything from app store search behavior insights to keyword rankings and competitor analysis.
When app store optimization is executed correctly via the use of a top ASO tool, it helps you reach a worldwide audience, and ultimately turn more leads into conversions.
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Contact UsTypes of ASO tools
There are many different types of ASO tools available for you to use. We’ve included the key ones below:
- Keyword optimization tool–These ASO tools focus on keyword optimization first and foremost. They offer keyword suggestions, a way to track keywords and keyword rankings. Some popular keyword optimization tools for apps include App Radar, The Tool, Mobile Action, and Sensor Tower.
- User review analysis tool–These tools provide valuable insights on common issues, feature requests, and overall user satisfaction levels. Some popular review analysis tools include Appbot, Apptentive, ReviewTrackers, and AppFollow.
- Competitor analysis tool–These tools provide insights into the features, pricing, and overall user experience of competing apps. Some popular app competitor analysis tools include Sensor Tower, App Annie, Mobile Action, and Priori Data.
- A/B testing tool–These tools allow app marketers to test different features, designs, and layouts of an app to see which one resonates better with users. Some popular A/B testing tools include Optimizely, Leanplum, and Mixpanel.
- Apple search ads (ASA) optimization tool–These tools provide insights into how users discover and engage with an app on the App Store, allowing businesses to improve their app metadata, keywords, and ad campaigns. By optimizing ASA campaigns, businesses can improve their app’s visibility and drive more installs and revenue. Popular ASA optimization tools include SearchAdsHQ, AdTactics, and SplitMetrics.
Using ASO tools, app developers gain insights into how users discover and engage with their app, allowing them to improve their metadata, keywords, and ad campaigns.
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Discover the best ASO companies to hire.
The best app store optimization tools
App store optimization (known as ASO) tools are software solutions that help developers and marketers improve their app’s visibility in app stores, such as Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
These tools provide various features to optimize an app’s metadata, track keyword performance, monitor competition, and analyze user engagement.
We’ve listed the best app store optimization tools below.
1. Gummicube
Gummicube is a company that specializes in app store optimization and mobile app marketing.
The platform combines years of ASO expertise with the broader mobile app experience and helps brands optimize the full lifecycle of mobile app management, from visibility to user retention and monetization.
Overview
Gummicube was founded in 2010 by Dave Bell and Anh Nguyen.
The company initially focused on creating innovative methods for app store optimization, developing tools such as DATACUBE for keyword insights and Splitcube for A/B testing.
This pioneering ASO approach helped many app developers improve their app’s visibility and conversions on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Services
Gummicube provides its customers with the following services:
- An ASO tool that analyzes billions of data points from app stores to optimize keywords, track competitor performance, and identify trends
- Allows developers to test different versions of their app store assets—such as icons, screenshots, and descriptions—to find the most effective combinations
- Assists brands in optimizing app store listings to boost conversions. This includes refining metadata, images, titles, and descriptions to create listings that attract and convert users more effectively​
2. SplitMetrics
SplitMetrics is a comprehensive platform for mobile app optimization and A/B testing, primarily used by marketers and app developers to improve app store performance across the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The company helps app developers optimize app store listings, test different creative assets, and refine marketing strategies before launch.
Overview
SplitMetrics was founded in 2014 by Eugene Nevgen and Maxim Kamenkov. The company specializes in app store optimization, A/B testing, and mobile growth solutions, offering tools that help app developers and marketers enhance app visibility and optimize app store listings.
The platform works with a variety of clients, mainly app developers and companies focused on mobile growth. Some of its best-known clients include Yousician, Papaya Gaming, and FxPro Group. Each of these companies has used SplitMetrics’ services for app growth and user acquisition to optimize their overall app performance.
Services
SplitMetrics provides its customers with the following services:
- A user acquisition tool focused on app store advertising. It provides analytics and optimization features to improve Return on Ad Spend (known as ROAS) through Apple Search Ads and other in-store advertising formats
- A/B testing and conversion rate optimization tool allows developers to experiment with app store assets—such as icons, screenshots, and descriptions—before making changes live
- Consulting services for mobile app growth, helping developers and brands plan and execute strategies that maximize user acquisition, engagement, and retention
3. App Radar
App Radar is a platform that provides tools and services to help businesses, app developers, and marketers with app store optimization (known as ASO) and app marketing. It is designed to help users track, analyze, and improve their app’s visibility and performance across app stores such as Google Play and the Apple App Store.
The tool offers detailed performance reports and data analytics to track downloads, user engagement, and other important metrics for your app’s success, as well as insights and suggestions for marketing your app effectively, both on the app stores and via other channels.
Overview
App Radar was founded in 2019 by Markus Pichler and Martin Reindl. The company was established to provide developers and businesses with better tools for app store optimization and app marketing, helping them improve their app’s visibility, ranking, and overall success in app stores.
App Radar’s platform is versatile enough to cater to a wide range of industries, including tech, eCommerce, entertainment, health, fitness, and finance.
Services
App Radar provides its customers with the following services:
- Offers insights into competitors’ ASO strategies, helping you understand their strengths and weaknesses in app store listings
- Provides tools to test different versions of your app’s store listing (icons, screenshots, descriptions) to determine which performs best
- Track the performance of specific keywords and phrases critical for your app’s visibility
4. APPlyzer
APPlyzer is a platform that provides tools for app store optimization and app marketing. Like App Radar, Applyzer helps app developers, marketers, and businesses track the performance of their apps across the app stores. The platform gathers data-driven insights to help apps improve their visibility, rankings, and user acquisition strategies.
The platform helps you to identify the most effective keywords for your app to improve its discoverability on the app stores, track keyword rankings over time, monitor trends, and adjust your ASO strategy to upgrade your app’s position in search results.
Overview
APPlyzer was founded in 2009 by Michael Dorn and Stefan Eipeltauer. They launched the platform to help app developers and marketers improve their apps’ performance in the app stores, primarily focusing on ASO, keyword tracking, and market intelligence.
The platform was designed to provide tools for better understanding app performance, competitor strategies, and user sentiment, ultimately enabling developers to improve visibility and increase their downloads.
Services
APPlyzer provides its customers with the following services:
- Monitor how many downloads your app is receiving, as well as your revenue generation (especially if your app is monetized)
- Applyzer provides insights into the app market and helps you understand how your app performs compared to others in your niche
- Helps track the latest trends in the app stores to ensure your app stays competitive
5. Search Ads Optimization
SAO (known as Search Ads Optimization) specializes in optimizing and automating Apple Search Ads campaigns through AI-driven keyword bid management. The platform helps businesses increase revenue, improve return on ad spend (known as ROAS), reduce cost per acquisition, and minimize wasted ad spend.
SAO continuously monitors and adjusts keyword bids using advanced AI algorithms for optimal performance and ensures campaigns achieve the best results while providing comprehensive analysis and easy-to-use tools to track, manage, optimize, and scale campaigns.
Overview
Dilip Reddy is the founder of Search Ads Optimization and aims to help app developers and marketers optimize their Apple Search Ads campaigns and increase their ROI using data-driven insights. He has over ten years of experience as a senior data engineer, data scientist and architect, working with various data tech and platforms.
Reddy is passionate about solving complex data problems and creating value for businesses and customers.
Services
Search Ads Optimization provides its customers with the following services:
- User-friendly interface and attribution integration that enables businesses to make data-driven decisions
- Continuously monitors and adjusts keyword bids using advanced AI algorithms
- Helps businesses increase revenue, improve return on ad spend, reduce cost per acquisition, and minimize wasted ad spend
6. V.O.X by Liberteenz, Inc
V.O.XÂ is one of the leading mobile marketing companies in Japan and harnesses the power of Apple Search Ads (known as ASA) to drive organic downloads in the Apple App Store and improve overall mobile app performance.
Using the platform, users can explore and analyze market trends to design their digital products to better meet customer needs. V.O.X provides users with the insights they need to maximize their online presence, outshine the competition, and boost visibility.
Overview
V.O.X, founded in 2007, is one of the leading mobile marketing companies in Japan. With over 10 years of experience in app development, marketing, and SaaS development, they have been able to help top companies such as Recruit Holdings, Rakuten, Sony, Baidu, SEGA, Casio, Tencent Games, and Didi Taxi.
They aim to redefine the mobile app space by focusing advertising efforts on maximizing organic users. To achieve this, they created V.O.X itself.
Services
V.O.XÂ provides its customers with the following services:
- In-app advertising solutions that allow businesses to promote their products or services within apps
- Non-intrusive ad experiences by incorporating native advertising formats that blend naturally into the user interface of apps or websites. This reduces ad fatigue and improves the user experience
- Helps app developers improve their app’s visibility and ranking in the App Store and Google Play through advanced ASO strategies
Why are ASO tools important?
ASO tools are important for app marketers because they can help to optimize your app’s performance across app store search results. This can ultimately lead to improved visibility for your app and increased downloads and revenue.
It’s fair to say that using ASO tools can be a crucial factor in the success of an app in what is a highly competitive market. Below we’ve listed the key benefits of using ASO tools.
Boost app visibilityÂ
This involves optimizing various elements of your mobile app, including the title, description, keywords, icon, screenshots, and reviews, to improve visibility and attract more downloads–the goal is to increase an app’s organic traffic, user engagement, and revenue.
Enhance brand awarenessÂ
Brand awareness measures how familiar users are with your brand or app, and the goal is for your brand to be the first thing that comes to their mind within a category.
It sits at the top of the funnel, meaning you have to maximize this measurement in order to push toward converting as many users as possible–ASO tools are a big help here.
App store optimization tool example
Source: TheTool
Increase downloads and installs
Ensuring your mobile app is easily discoverable in the app stores by optimizing your listing with ASO is key to more downloads and installs.
On top of using optimization tools, you should also consider running targeted advertising campaigns on social media and other platforms to reach potential users who may be interested in your app.
Wider reach
By employing app store optimization, you’ll be able to reach a wider, international audience for your mobile app. Increased reach means more downloads, more installs, and more people talking about your app overall, which boosts your chances of success significantly.
Generate more app revenueÂ
By optimizing your app’s title, description, and keywords, you can increase downloads and ultimately boost your app’s revenue.
In-app purchases or subscriptions that provide additional features or content for users are worth considering, but only if they don’t interfere with the user experience.
Tools for app store optimization – key featuresÂ
By now, you’ll understand why app store optimization is so important for your app’s success, but it’s worth knowing about the different features that ASO tools offer as well. Below we’ve listed some of the key features you can expect to find from the cream of the crop.
Customized ASO strategyÂ
It’s important to analyze your target audience and competitors–ASO tools will help you to research the keywords and phrases your potential users are searching for in the app store.
You can use these keywords to optimize your app’s title and description, making sure to highlight its unique features and benefits.
A great tool will also help you to analyze your competitors’ own ASO strategies and identify areas where you can differentiate and stand out; this could include improving your app’s visuals, adding unique features, or offering a better user experience.
Keyword research and suggestions
ASO tools will enable you to conduct keyword research by using a keyword database, such as App Annie. These tools can help you identify popular keywords and suggest new ones based on your app’s category and features.
Once you have a list of relevant keywords, you can prioritize them based on their search volume and competition level. You can use these keywords to strategically change the app’s title, description, and other metadata to improve your app’s visibility and attract more downloads.
Keyword analysis
ASO tools will enable you to pay attention to the search volume and competition level of each keyword and prioritize them accordingly.
This information can help you to optimize your app’s description to improve your overall visibility. You’ll be able to regularly monitor and update your keywords based on their ranking history and changes in user behavior using ASO tools alone.
User review analysisÂ
ASO tools will help you to analyze user reviews so you can identify common themes and issues that users are experiencing. You’ll be able to look for patterns in the feedback and prioritize the most frequently mentioned issues, taking note of both positive and negative feedback.
You can then use this information to make improvements and updates to your app to better meet the needs and expectations of your users.
Data on app downloads and revenue
ASO tools can give you insights into how many downloads your app has received, how much revenue it has generated, and other important metrics.
You’ll be able to use this information to track the success of your app and make data-driven decisions about how to improve it.
Top ASO Tools
Competitor tracking
ASO tools will allow you to identify top-performing competitor apps. The tools can give you insights into how many downloads your competitors’ apps have received, how much revenue they have generated, and other helpful metrics that allow you to up your game.
By analyzing the data, you can gain a better understanding of the market and can make informed decisions about how to improve your own app.
Create app profile copy
By using ASO tools, you’ll be able to create a compelling app profile that highlights the unique features and benefits of your app and effectively communicates the value proposition to potential new users.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to use this data responsibly and in accordance with privacy regulations.
App store optimization tool example
Source: Astro
Collect reviews and ratings
The tools will enable you to collect reviews and ratings from your users, allowing you to gain valuable insights into what users like and dislike about your app. You can then make informed decisions about how to improve it.
Collecting reviews and ratings allows you to build trust with your users and increase the likelihood that they will continue to use and recommend the app.
Track app performance
ASO tools will allow you to regularly analyze key metrics such as user engagement, retention rates, and app crashes. This will help you to identify any areas of the app that may need improvement, as well as measure the effectiveness of any changes you need to make.
You can use analytics tools to track these metrics and generate reports that provide actionable insights.
Collect information on target users
To better understand your target users, you’ll need to collect information on their demographics, location, and preferences. This will help you tailor your app to their needs and ensure that you meet their (often) high expectations–ASO tools can help you do this.
By understanding your target users, you can create a more engaging and enjoyable experience for them, leading to increased engagement and retention rates.
Monitor your ads
ASO tools will help you to keep an eye on your ads to ensure that they are reaching your target audience effectively. By monitoring your ads, you can identify any trends or patterns in user behavior that may impact your ad performance.
The information can be used to optimize your ad campaigns and improve your overall ROI–monitoring your ads can help you identify any potential issues or errors in your ad content or targeting.
Monthly data reportsÂ
To ensure that you’re staying on top of your ad performance, generating monthly data reports is recommended too. These reports can provide valuable insights into your ads’ performance and help you make informed decisions about optimizing your campaigns.
ASO tools will allow you to create monthly data reports and will detail metrics such as conversion rate and cost per conversion. By analyzing this data on a regular basis, you can stay ahead of any issues and continually improve your performance.
A/B and split testing
There are many ASO tools available that can help you to create and test different variations of your app store listing, track metrics such as impressions and downloads, and make data-driven decisions about how to optimize your listing.
Some popular A/B and split testing tools for ASO include StoreMaven, SplitMetrics, and TestNest. When selecting a tool, be sure to consider factors such as ease of use, pricing, and the level of control offered.
How much do ASO tools cost?
The cost of ASO tools, of course, varies depending on the specific tool and the precise features it offers.
When selecting an ASO tool, be sure to consider factors such as pricing and the level of customization as well as what other users made of the tool.
App store optimization tool example
Source: Gummicube
Below we’ve listed some general costs you can expect for app store optimization:
- ASO tools can cost upwards of $10,000 per year
- Across each option, the average app store optimization cost ranges from free to $9 per month up to $2,000 per month
- Many vendors offer free trials or demonstrations of paid services
- Getting an app store optimization cost to the lowest point possible relies on boosting CVR (conversion rate) and installs
- Knowing how App Store fee structures work may help with planning the cost of your app store optimization. For Google Play, in recent years, marketing fees have been reduced from 30% to 15%
There are plenty of tools and strategies on offer to support ASO ranging from smart banners and promotional codes to pre-orders and paid user acquisition, such as Apple Search Ads.
What are the best ASO tools?
ASO tools are essential for optimizing your mobile app to rank higher in an app store’s search results. By utilizing these tools, you can significantly enhance the visibility and discoverability of your app, leading to a substantial increase in downloads and revenue.
ASO tools provide in-depth analysis of various aspects of your app, such as its keywords, metadata, and user engagement, which can be improved to make the app itself more effective.
That said, it’s important to consider your budget and specific needs when selecting a tool, as there may be other options that better suit your requirements.
Ultimately, using ASO tools gives you a definite advantage in a saturated app market and can help you achieve your app marketing goals with confidence.
