I'm a wildly unsuccessful entrepreneur, and it's led to me building a lot of different websites. Basically, any idea that has popped into my head, or anything that I wanted to share with the world over the past 20 or so years, I made a website for. And I've dabbled quite a bit with sitemap generators in the process.
A sitemap is like a map of your website for search engines. It helps them find and index your content so you can boost your site's visibility, attract more visitors, and potentially even increase your chances of getting a highly coveted
rich snippet feature.So, whether you're a fellow serial website creator, an SEO pro, or just a curious newbie, I've got you covered. In this article, I'll share the eight best sitemap generators out there, what makes them great, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
The 8 best sitemap generators
- Slickplan for the best all-around option
- Yoast SEO for WordPress users
- Octopus for visual sitemaps
- XML-Sitemaps.com for ease of use
- Screaming Frog for SEO professionals
- XML Sitemap Generator for Google for WordPress beginners
- Sitemap Automator for large websites
- Dyno Mapper for enterprises
What makes the best sitemap generator?
So, you're ready to map your site. But let's face it, most sitemap generators do pretty much the same thing. They crawl your website and spit out an XML file. The real question is, which one does it better? Here's what sets the best sitemap generators apart from the rest:
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Error detection and reporting: Even the most meticulous website creators make mistakes. A good sitemap generator can help you sniff out broken links, missing pages, or any other formatting faux pas that could confuse search engines.
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Customization options: A top-notch generator lets you fine-tune your sitemap to your heart's content. Want to prioritize certain pages? Exclude others? Set different update frequencies for different types of content? A good sitemap tool should be able to create something unique to your site, not just churn out a bunch of pre-set pathways.
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Update frequency: Your website is a living, breathing thing, constantly evolving and growing. A good sitemap generator should keep up with the pace, automatically updating your sitemap whenever you make changes.
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Scalability: If your website is a sprawling digital empire (or you dream of it being one), you need a sitemap generator that can manage the load. Look for a tool that can handle thousands or even millions of pages without breaking a sweat.
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Tool focus: Some tools try to be jacks-of-all-trades, offering a smorgasbord of SEO features. While additional
SEO tools can be handy, I prefer a sitemap generator that really dives deep into this feature. This focused approach often means a cleaner, more intuitive interface, faster performance, and more in-depth sitemap-specific features.
To pick the best of the best, I used my own experience with sitemaps, tested some new tools, and even reached out to fellow website creators for their thoughts. And while it wasn't particularly exciting work, I can safely say that these are the eight best sitemap generators I've found.
The best sitemap generators at a glance
|
Best for |
Standout feature |
Pricing |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Slickplan |
An all-around option |
Visual sitemap editor, real-time team collaboration |
From $11.99/month |
| Yoast SEO |
WordPress users |
Integrated WordPress sitemap creation, SEO analysis & guidance |
Free plan available; paid plans from $99/year |
| Octopus |
Visual sitemaps |
Drag-and-drop interface, AI-powered sitemap generation |
Free plan available; paid plans from $12/month |
| XML-Sitemaps.com |
Ease of use |
Simple URL-based sitemap creation, fast generation |
Free plan available (up to 500 pages), paid plan $49.99/one time |
| Screaming Frog |
SEO professionals |
Comprehensive website crawling and technical SEO audits |
Free plan available (up to 500 URLs); paid plans from $259/year |
| XML Sitemap Generator for Google |
WordPress beginners |
Easy-to-use WordPress plugin focused on Google sitemaps |
Free |
| Sitemap Automator |
Large websites |
Automatic sitemap generation and updates |
$29.95 one time |
| Dyno Mapper |
Enterprises |
Interactive sitemaps, content audits, keyword tracking |
From $49/month |
Best sitemap generator overall
Slickplan Sitemap Builder (Web)
Slickplan pros:
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Visually appealing, intuitive interface
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Easy drag-and-drop building
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Real-time collaboration for teams
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Automatic sitemap generation
Slickplan cons:
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Lacks deep SEO analysis tools
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Requires a paid subscription
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Customization options could be more robust
Alright, I've seen my fair share of sitemap tools, and most of them are about as exciting as watching paint dry. But Slickplan? It's refreshingly different. This tool is all about making sitemaps visual, intuitive, and even (dare I say) enjoyable to build.
First, Slickplan lets you ditch the endless spreadsheets and simply drag and drop pages to create a sitemap. It's like arranging virtual sticky notes on a whiteboard but way more organized. You can see your entire website's structure at a glance, which helps spot any potential issues or areas for improvement.
Second, Slickplan's visual sitemaps are a game-changer. Instead of staring at a boring list of URLs, you get a colorful, interactive map that shows you exactly how your site is organized. You can even add notes and mockups to each page for easier collaboration.
And if you're starting with an existing website, you don't have to build your sitemap from scratch. Slickplan's site crawler does the heavy lifting for you, automatically generating a sitemap based on your current site structure.
It's a dream for web designers, content strategists, agencies, and anyone who values a visual, collaborative approach to website planning. If you're
building a new site or revamping an existing one, Slickplan helps you create a user-friendly structure. But if you're an SEO pro who lives and breathes keywords, you might find Slickplan a bit light on data analysis.Slickplan is the tool I recommend if you want to make sitemaps that are easy to understand, easy to share, and (most importantly) easy on the eyes. It may not be the most feature-packed tool, but it gets the job done with style.
Slickplan pricing: From $11.99/month
Best WordPress sitemap generator
Yoast SEO (Web, WordPress Plugin)
Yoast SEO pros:
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Built-in WordPress SEO guidance
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Real-time content analysis and feedback
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Simple, visual SEO scoring system
Yoast SEO cons:
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Limited to WordPress websites
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Advanced features require a paid plan
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Primarily an SEO tool, not just a sitemap generator
Yoast is amazing. It's as simple as that. That's why it's practically a
default SEO tool for most WordPress users. In fact, when putting together this piece, I reached out to a ton of startup CEOs, website builders, and entrepreneurs, and almost all of them told me they used Yoast to build their sitemaps.Rick Wallace, the founder of Crossword Baron, for example, had great things to say:
"As the founder of a website with more than 700,000 posts (crosswordbaron.com) I found it really difficult to find a sitemap generator that worked. Most tried to generate a single sitemap for all the posts, which is obviously way too large for Search Console to process.
I solved this issue by using Yoast SEO, which is a broader SEO plugin with a sitemap function. The beauty of Yoast's sitemap generator is it creates a sitemap index and then a separate sitemap for every 1,000 posts. This way I end up with a sitemap index that tells Google where to find the 700-odd separate sitemaps I have for my posts."
I get it, too. I've used Yoast for every single random website I've put together over the past decade. It's easy, fast, and free. And it's loaded with must-have SEO tools—like readability checks, title and meta description optimization, and schema implementation—that make optimizing content a breeze.
Even if you ignore all the bells and whistles, the sitemap feature alone is solid. It lives right in your WordPress dashboard, automatically generating and updating your sitemap so search engines always know what's happening on your site. No fuss, no muss.
The bottom line: if you're on WordPress, Yoast is a no-brainer for sitemaps. It's reliable, easy to use, and seamlessly integrated into your existing workflow. Plus, you get a whole bunch of other SEO goodies on top of it. But if you're looking for a dedicated sitemap tool with a little more pizzazz, keep reading—there are some other good options out there.
Yoast SEO pricing: Free plan available; Yoast SEO Premium $99/year
Best sitemap generator for visual sitemaps
Octopus (Web)
Octopus pros:
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Visually engaging sitemap creation
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Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
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AI-powered content suggestions
Octopus cons:
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Limited features compared to competitors
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Occasional interface glitches
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Not ideal for large, complex websites
If manually creating sitemaps feels like untangling a giant ball of yarn, Octopus can help untangle the mess. It's like a digital sketchpad for your website, where you can visually map out your site's structure and content.
Octopus isn't the most feature-packed tool on the market. It's designed for sitemap creation, not full-blown
SEO analysis. But what it does, it does well. The drag-and-drop interface is super intuitive, and it's got an AI helper that actually gets it.Just click the AI Generate button, and you'll be prompted to type in a brief description of your website or the type of content you want to include. The AI then works its magic, analyzing your input and creating a sitemap draft tailored to your needs. It suggests relevant pages, groups them logically, and even proposes possible titles and content types for each section. It's like having a website consultant whispering in your ear and guiding you through the planning process.
Plus, it's free to use for basic projects, which is always a bonus.
Here's the catch: Octopus is still pretty new, so it's got a few quirks to iron out. The interface can be a bit buggy at times, and it lacks some of the advanced features you'll find in more established tools, like in-depth SEO analysis or integrations with Google Analytics. But if you're looking for a simple, visual, and even enjoyable way to create sitemaps, it's definitely worth checking out.
Octopus pricing: Free plan available; paid plans from $12/month
Best sitemap generator for ease of use
XML-Sitemaps.com (Web, Desktop)
XML-Sitemaps.com pros:
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Ridiculously simple to use
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Blazing-fast sitemap generation
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Free for smaller websites
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Budget-friendly paid plans
XML-Sitemaps.com cons:
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Lacks visual editing and SEO features
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No frills, just the basics
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Not ideal for large-scale projects
If you need a sitemap and you need it fast, XML-Sitemaps.com is your go-to tool. It's not fancy, it doesn't have a ton of cutting-edge features, and it's certainly not trying to revolutionize the sitemap game. It does one thing, and it does it well: it creates sitemaps.
Why I love it:
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Simplicity: Just plug in your website's URL, hit a button, and bam—you've got a sitemap. It's so easy that even your grandma could do it…if she knew what a sitemap was.
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Lightning-fast: XML-Sitemaps.com churns out sitemaps in a flash, even for larger websites.
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Free for small sites: It's free for up to 500 pages, but even its paid plans are incredibly affordable.
XML-Sitemaps.com is all about the basics, and that's exactly why bloggers, small businesses, and the "just get it done" crowd love it. There's no steep learning curve, no endless features to sift through—just a straightforward interface that lets you generate a sitemap in seconds. You literally paste in your URL, click a button, and boom, you're done. It's like the no-nonsense friend who always comes through when you need them, even if they don't show up with your favorite Starbucks order.
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one.
XML-Sitemaps.com pricing: Free for up to 500 pages; unlimited for $49.99/one time
Best sitemap generator for SEO professionals
Screaming Frog (Desktop)
Screaming Frog pros:
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Uncovers every hidden SEO issue
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Customizable crawls for targeted audits
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Export detailed data for in-depth analysis
Screaming Frog cons:
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Steep learning curve
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Limited free version
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Overkill for simple needs
I've crawled my way through a lot of
SEO tools, and let me tell you, Screaming Frog is in a league of its own. This isn't your average sitemap generator—it's like strapping on a pair of X-ray goggles and seeing your website's skeleton.If you're a hardcore SEO pro who wants to dive deep into the technical aspects of your website, this is the tool for you. Screaming Frog will unearth every hidden issue that could be holding your site back from ranking glory.
But let's be real: it's not for everyone. It's a beast of a tool, and it takes time and effort to master. The interface can be intimidating for beginners, and the sheer amount of data it spits out—like response codes, crawl depth, and inlinks—can be overwhelming if you don't know what you're looking for.
Screaming Frog is the tool I recommend if you're serious about technical SEO and want a comprehensive view of your website's health. It's not the prettiest or the easiest tool to use, but it's the most powerful one out there. If you're ready to take your SEO game to the next level, Screaming Frog is the way to go.
Screaming Frog pricing: Free for up to 500 URLs; paid version from $259/year
Best sitemap generator for WordPress beginners
XML Sitemap Generator for Google (Web, WordPress plugin)
XML Sitemap Generator for Google pros:
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Automatic updates
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Integrates directly into WordPress
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Laser-focused on Google
XML Sitemap Generator for Google cons:
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WordPress only
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Only generates sitemaps for Google
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Limited functionality
XML Sitemap Generator for Google is a WordPress plugin. It isn't trying to be the flashiest or most feature-packed tool out there: just install it, activate it, and forget about it. It works seamlessly behind the scenes, automatically generating and updating your sitemap as your site grows. Like Yoast, it's pinned right on your WordPress dashboard, so no need to mess around with external tools or complex settings.
It's laser-focused on Google, which, let's face it, is the search engine that matters most for the majority of websites. Once your sitemap is generated, XML Sitemap Generator will even automatically submit it to Google, ensuring your content gets indexed quickly and efficiently.
So, if you're a WordPress newbie who just wants to check "sitemap" off your SEO to-do list without any fuss, this plugin is your new best friend. It's also great for seasoned WordPress pros who want a simple, reliable solution that takes care of the Google-specific details.
XML Sitemap Generator for Google pricing: Free
Best sitemap generator for large websites
Sitemap Automator (Desktop)
Sitemap Automator pros:
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Automatically updates your sitemap
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Powerful filters for customization
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Pings search engines when changes occur
Sitemap Automator cons:
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No free option
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Lacks visual editing and collaboration
Manually updating sitemaps is about as fun as watching a snail race. But Sitemap Automator is here to rescue you from the world's slowest (and slimiest) competition.
This tool is like a trusty robot that lives on your website, silently working in the background to keep your sitemap fresh and up to date. It's a set-it-and-forget-it solution for those who have better things to do than constantly tinker with sitemaps.
Here are some standout features:
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Automated updates: Sitemap Automator automatically crawls your website and updates your sitemap whenever new pages or content are added.
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Powerful filters: Control which pages get included in your sitemap, and set priorities for different types of content.
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Search engine pinging: It automatically notifies major search engines whenever your sitemap changes, ensuring they always have the latest version.
Once you've downloaded and installed it, Sitemap Automator automatically crawls your site, detects any changes or new pages, and updates your sitemap accordingly. You can even customize how often it crawls and which pages to include or exclude.
Sitemap Automator pricing: $29.95 one-time payment
Best sitemap generator for enterprises
Dyno Mapper (Web)
Dyno Mapper pros:
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Interactive sitemaps with content inventory
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Content audits and keyword tracking
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Comprehensive accessibility testing
Dyno Mapper cons:
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Premium price tag
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Overwhelming for beginners
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More than you need for a basic sitemap
Dyno Mapper is a full-fledged website command center, equipped with a suite of powerful tools to analyze, optimize, and conquer your online domain. It's got interactive visualizations that let you do things like explore your website's structure and complete content inventories.
But it doesn't stop there. It dives deep into your content, identifying underperforming pages and suggesting ways to improve them. It
tracks your keyword rankings, so you know exactly where you stand in the search engine battlefield. And it even offers comprehensive accessibility testing, ensuring your site is user-friendly for everyone.Dyno Mapper also helps you plan and execute your content strategy, track your competitors, and monitor your backlinks. It's a one-stop shop for website optimization, packed with features that'll make your head spin (in a good way).
Dyno Mapper isn't for everyone. And it's expensive. But if you're working with a big, complex website and you have the budget for all the bells and whistles, Dyno Mapper is where you'd want to allocate those funds.
Dyno Mapper pricing: From $49/month
Automate your website
Building a sitemap is an essential, albeit kind of boring, part of creating a website. A well-crafted sitemap leads search engines to every corner of your digital domain. So take the time to choose the right tool, let it do its magic, and watch your website's visibility soar.
And if you're looking to streamline your entire SEO workflow, don't forget to explore the power of automation.
Zapier can connect all of your SEO tools, automate tedious tasks, and free up more time for brainstorming your next brilliant website.Related reading: