Starts atFrom $39/mo
- No free option listed
- Free trial7 days
Head-to-head
Exploding Topics vs Google Trends: is the paid tool worth it for creators?
At a glance
Starts atFree
- Free option listed
Google Trends is free and shows how search interest in any term changes over time, including YouTube search. Exploding Topics costs $39/month and finds rising topics for you, before you know what to search. Start with Google Trends. Pay for Exploding Topics only if you need a feed of new ideas.
Quick verdict
- Choose Google Trends to check if a topic you already have is rising, at no cost.
- Choose Exploding Topics if you want a curated list of growing topics and products.
- Use both: find a topic in Exploding Topics, confirm interest in Google Trends.
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Google Trends | Exploding Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Entrepreneur: $39/month. Investor: $99. Business: $249 |
| Trial | Not needed | 7-day free trial |
| How it works | You type a term and see interest over time | It surfaces rising topics in a database |
| Tracked trends | Not applicable | 100 on Entrepreneur, 500 on Investor |
| Best for | Checking a topic before you film | Finding topics you had not thought of |
Which one for YouTube Shorts and TikTok ideas?
Short-form trends move in days, so neither tool replaces scrolling TikTok's own feed. Google Trends helps you check whether interest in a topic is going up or down. Exploding Topics tracks topics over longer periods, which suits niche channels that plan explainers a month ahead. At $39 a month, it is worth it only if it leads to a few videos you would not have made.
How to choose
- Start with Google Trends. It is free.
- If you run out of ideas, take Exploding Topics' 7-day trial and list 10 topics.
- Keep paying only if those topics perform.
Common questions
Is Exploding Topics better than Google Trends?
It does a different job. It finds rising topics. Google Trends measures interest in terms you choose.
Is Exploding Topics free?
No. It starts at $39/month, with a 7-day free trial.
Do I need Exploding Topics if I have Google Trends?
Not to check a topic. Google Trends does that free. Exploding Topics is for discovering topics you have not thought of.
Related: Exploding Topics review, Google Trends review, video idea tools, trending sound tools.
Sources: explodingtopics.com/pricing, trends.google.com. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.