PinClicks Alternative: Free Pinterest Keyword Research (2026)
Policy baseline: Amazon affiliate links on Pinterest (2026 rules) — disclosures, direct vs bridge links, and what gets flagged before you scale pins.
This post is part of the complete Amazon affiliate Pinterest guide.
Updated June 2026
New here? Start with the beginner guide or the 30-day game plan. Scale pins with URL2Pin.
- One primary topic per article—use the series grid at the bottom for related reads.
- Verify Amazon Associates and Pinterest rules in official help centers before scaling.
PinClicks is a Pinterest research tool: keyword explorer, account explorer, rank tracking over time and a Pin Score for individual pins. It is good at that, and it is worth stating plainly that it does not create or schedule pins and does not claim to. Plans start at around $29 a month. So this is less a head-to-head than a question of what you need: research on its own, or research plus the pins. If you want rank tracking, PinClicks is the better tool and URL2Pin does not replace it. Verify current pricing before deciding.
The best alternative is the one that removes your slowest step. For most affiliates and sellers, that step is turning a URL into multiple pins — not finding a place to post them.
Why look for a PinClicks alternative
- Research only — does not generate pins or schedule them to Pinterest.
- Paid from around $29 a month, where basic keyword research can be free.
- Rank tracking is capped on the entry plan.
- No affiliate workflow — no link builder, disclosure step or product page.
PinClicks vs URL2Pin at a glance
| Capability | URL2Pin | PinClicks |
|---|---|---|
| Pinterest keyword research | Yes, free and no signup | Yes, core product |
| Rank tracking over time | No | Yes |
| Pin Score and competitor pin stats | No | Yes |
| Creates pins from a URL | Yes | No |
| Schedules to Pinterest | Yes | No |
| Affiliate link and disclosure | Yes | No |
| Entry price | Free, paid from $12 a month | From around $29 a month |
*Competitor pricing and features change often — verify current details on their site before deciding.
How URL2Pin approaches it
The workflow is paste URL → pick angles → schedule. A single product page or blog post becomes a full Pinterest campaign — images, AI titles and descriptions, disclosure, and affiliate links — without a separate design app. Pair it with the free keyword tool for titles and the pin worth checker before you commit to a product.
Who should use which
| You are… | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wants keyword research only, at no cost | URL2Pin free tools | Keyword tool, no signup |
| Wants rank tracking and pin analytics | PinClicks | Purpose-built for research |
| Wants research and the pins made | URL2Pin | Research, generation and scheduling |
Try it free: Paste one Amazon or blog URL into URL2Pin for multiple pin angles in minutes. Research titles with the free Pinterest keyword tool and score products first with the Amazon pin worth checker.
Related: free Pinterest keyword tool · best free Pinterest keyword tools · Pinterest keyword research for bloggers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good PinClicks alternative?
It depends what you use it for. For keyword research alone, the free Pinterest keyword tool needs no signup. For rank tracking over time there is no free equivalent, and PinClicks remains the better choice.
Does PinClicks create pins?
No. PinClicks is a research and analytics tool covering keyword exploration, account exploration, rank tracking and pin scoring. Creating and scheduling pins is a separate job.
Can I use both together?
Yes, and many people do. Research the phrases in PinClicks, then generate and schedule the pins elsewhere. They overlap only on keyword research.
Is there a free Pinterest keyword tool?
Yes. Enter one seed topic and get grouped primary, question and long-tail phrases, with no account required. See free tools.
Conclusion
PinClicks and URL2Pin solve different halves of the same problem. If you need rank tracking, keep PinClicks. If you need the keyword research free, or you need the pins made and scheduled once the research is done, start with [URL2Pin](/urltopin).
See also: general Pinterest guides
Amazon-specific tactics sit on top of Pinterest fundamentals. When saves stall or traffic flatlines, these blogger-focused tutorials help you fix distribution—not just affiliate setup.
More in this series
Internal links help readers and search engines see how Amazon Associates topics fit together. Start from the niche hub or the step-by-step beginner guide.
Ready to try it?