Ahrefs vs Moz
Last updated: 2026-07-11
Ahrefs and Moz are both well-known SEO tools, but with different strengths. Ahrefs has the best backlink crawler in the industry and a clean, fast interface. Moz is known for its Domain Authority metric, keyword research tools, and the MozBar browser extension.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular Ahrefs | best Moz Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $129/mo | $99/mo |
| Free trial | Limited free tools (Webmaster Tools) | 30-day free trial |
| Best for | Backlink analysis and content research | SEO beginners and small teams |
| Free plan | Webmaster Tools (limited) | — |
| Starting price | $129/mo (Lite), $249/mo (Standard) | — |
| Keyword database | 19B+ keywords | — |
| Site audit | ✓ | — |
| Rank tracking | ✓ | — |
| Backlink analysis | Best in industry | — |
| Competitor analysis | ✓ | — |
| Content tools | Content Explorer | — |
| API access | Enterprise plan ($449/mo+) | — |
| Support | Email + live chat | — |
| Pricing | — | $99/mo (Standard) |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
| Key feature | — | Keyword Explorer |
| Users | — | 500K+ marketers |
Ahrefs Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best backlink index in the industry (largest crawler)
- Cleaner, faster interface than Semrush
- Content Explorer — find popular content by topic
- Free Webmaster Tools (site audit, backlink checker)
- More accurate keyword difficulty scores
- Site audit is more thorough than Semrush
Cons
- Expensive — $129/mo Lite, $249/mo Standard
- No social media management tools (unlike Semrush)
- No PPC/ads research features (unlike Semrush)
- Fewer tools overall than Semrush (SEO-focused only)
- Free plan very limited (Webmaster Tools only)
Moz Pro Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent for beginners
- Strong keyword research tools
- Good link analysis
- Active community and educational resources
Cons
- More expensive than competitors
- Rank tracking limited to higher tiers
- Less data than Ahrefs/Semrush
- Interface feels dated
Final Verdict
If backlink analysis and content research are your priorities, Ahrefs is the better tool — larger backlink index, fresher data, and Content Explorer. If you need the industry-standard Domain Authority metric and a more affordable entry point ($99/mo vs $129/mo), Moz Pro is a solid choice. Many SEO professionals use both — Ahrefs for backlinks, Moz for DA.
Our pick: Ahrefs (backlinks) / Moz Pro (DA + keywords)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better backlink data: Ahrefs or Moz?
Ahrefs has the largest backlink crawler in the industry and is widely considered the gold standard for backlink analysis. Moz's link index is smaller but its Domain Authority and Page Authority metrics are the industry standard for evaluating site quality.
Is Moz cheaper than Ahrefs?
Yes. Moz Pro starts at $99/mo vs Ahrefs at $129/mo (Lite). Both offer limited free tools — Moz has the free Link Explorer (10 queries/mo) and Ahrefs has Webmaster Tools (free for verified sites).
What is the MozBar?
MozBar is a free browser extension that shows Domain Authority and Page Authority for any page you visit. It's widely used by SEO professionals for quick site quality assessments. Ahrefs has a similar SEO toolbar but it requires a paid subscription.