Ahrefs vs Moz
Ahrefs is All-in-one SEO toolset with site audit, keyword research, backlink analysis, and rank tracking, while Moz is SEO platform with domain authority, keyword research, and link analysis. Ahrefs is built for seo professionals wanting comprehensive backlink and keyword data, whereas Moz targets seo teams wanting trusted domain authority metrics.
At a glance
|
Ahrefs
|
Moz
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Best for | SEO professionals wanting comprehensive backlink and keyword data | SEO teams wanting trusted domain authority metrics |
| Starting price | $99/mo | $99/mo |
| Free tier | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Backlink Analysis | ✓ | — |
| Domain Authority | — | ✓ |
| Keyword Explorer | — | ✓ |
| Keyword Research | ✓ | — |
| Link Analysis | — | ✓ |
| Rank Tracking | ✓ | — |
| SERP Analysis | — | ✓ |
| Site Audit | ✓ | — |
Ahrefs
Strengths
- Includes Backlink Analysis as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows
- Includes Keyword Research as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows
- Pricing starts at $99/mo, which includes the full seo feature set
- Established product with 15+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem
Weaknesses
- Starts at $99/mo — on the expensive side, especially for small teams or solo users
- Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
- Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in seo
- Per-user pricing at $99/mo makes it hard to justify for large teams
Moz
Strengths
- Includes Domain Authority as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows
- Includes Keyword Explorer as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows
- Free Moz Bar extension — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
- Established product with 22+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem
Weaknesses
- Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
- Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
- Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in seo
- Mobile experience lags behind the desktop version in features and polish
The bottom line
Pricing: Ahrefs starts at $99/mo. Moz starts at $99/mo.
Feature gaps: Ahrefs offers Backlink Analysis, Keyword Research and Rank Tracking that Moz lacks. Moz brings Domain Authority, Keyword Explorer and Link Analysis that Ahrefs does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target mid-size teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: Ahrefs's biggest strengths are: includes backlink analysis as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows. includes keyword research as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows. Moz's biggest strengths are: includes domain authority as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows. includes keyword explorer as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows.
Watch out for: With Ahrefs, users commonly note that starts at $99/mo — on the expensive side, especially for small teams or solo users. With Moz, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
Choose Ahrefs if...
- You need a tool built for seo professionals wanting comprehensive backlink and keyword data
- You specifically need Backlink Analysis and Keyword Research
- You care about includes keyword research as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows
Choose Moz if...
- You need a tool built for seo teams wanting trusted domain authority metrics
- You specifically need Domain Authority and Keyword Explorer
- You care about includes keyword explorer as a core feature, purpose-built for seo workflows
- The free tier works for you: free moz bar extension
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