Ahrefs vs Moz: Backlink Leader vs SEO Pioneer
The backlink analysis powerhouse versus the beginner-friendly SEO platform. We compare DR vs DA, features, and use cases to help you choose.
Quick Verdict
Ahrefs dominates backlink analysis and competitive research with a fresher link index, superior UI for link exploration, and more extensive keyword data. Moz excels for beginners and local SEO with its industry-standard Domain Authority metric, simpler interface, and lower entry price. Choose Ahrefs for power; choose Moz for accessibility.
| Criteria | Ahrefs | Moz Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Backlink Research & Analysis | Beginners & Local SEO |
| Starting Price | $129/month | $99/month |
| Free Trial | $7 for 7 days | 30-day free trial |
| Authority Metric | Domain Rating (DR) | Domain Authority (DA) |
| Key Strength | Fresh backlink data & UI | Industry-standard DA metric |
| Key Limitation | Steeper learning curve | Limited advanced features |
What is Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is an all-in-one SEO toolset founded in 2010, trusted by over 1 million users including agencies and enterprises worldwide. It's widely considered the gold standard for backlink analysis, with the most comprehensive and freshest link index in the industry.
Beyond backlinks, Ahrefs offers extensive keyword research covering more countries and languages than competitors, competitive analysis tools, site auditing, and rank tracking. Its Site Explorer and Content Explorer are particularly praised by SEO professionals.
Key Strengths
- Superior backlink analysis: Largest, freshest link index with excellent UI for competitor research
- Extensive keyword database: More countries and languages with metrics like Clicks and Return Rate
- Content Explorer: Unique tool for finding content opportunities and link prospects
Who Uses Ahrefs
Ahrefs is particularly popular with:
- Link builders needing deep backlink analysis
- SEO agencies doing competitive research
- Content marketers finding link-worthy topics
- Enterprise teams requiring comprehensive SEO data
What is Moz?
Moz is a pioneering SEO software company founded in 2004 by Rand Fishkin and Gillian Muessig. As one of the original SEO tool providers, Moz helped establish many industry standards, most notably the Domain Authority (DA) metric that remains the most widely recognized measure of website authority.
Moz Pro has built a community of over 600,000 marketers who appreciate its user-friendly approach to SEO. The platform also offers Moz Local, a specialized tool for local business SEO that's consistently rated among the best in its category.
Key Strengths
- Domain Authority (DA): The industry-standard metric recognized and used universally
- Beginner-friendly: Simpler interface with clearer on-page recommendations
- Local SEO (Moz Local): Excellent citation tracking and local listing management
Who Uses Moz
Moz is particularly popular with:
- SEO beginners learning the fundamentals
- Local businesses managing citations and listings
- Small teams preferring simplicity over complexity
- Agencies valuing the universally-understood DA metric
Domain Rating (DR) vs Domain Authority (DA)
Understanding the difference between these metrics is crucial when choosing between Ahrefs and Moz.
Ahrefs Domain Rating (DR)
- What it measures: The strength of a website's backlink profile
- Calculation: Based on linking domains, link quality, and dofollow/nofollow ratio
- Scale: 0-100 (logarithmic)
- Updates: Refreshes frequently with fresh link data
- Best for: Evaluating link building targets and competitors
Moz Domain Authority (DA)
- What it measures: Predicted likelihood of ranking on SERPs
- Calculation: Machine learning model considering multiple link factors
- Scale: 0-100 (logarithmic)
- Updates: Periodic updates to the algorithm
- Best for: Quick site authority assessment universally understood
Key Insight: DA is more widely recognized (everyone knows what “DA 50” means), but many SEO professionals consider DR more accurate for evaluating backlink strength. Use DA for client communication and DR for technical link analysis.
Ahrefs vs Moz: Feature Comparison
Both tools offer core SEO features, but excel in different areas. Here's how they compare across key categories.
Backlink Analysis
Backlink analysis is the defining feature that separates Ahrefs from competitors.
Ahrefs' Approach
Industry-leading backlink analysis with the freshest data and best exploration UI.
- 35+ trillion link index
- Site Explorer with detailed link profiles
- Link Intersect for gap analysis
- New/Lost backlinks tracking
Moz's Approach
Solid backlink analysis with the industry-standard DA metric and Spam Score.
- 44+ trillion link database
- Link Explorer with DA scores
- Spam Score to identify risky links
- Linking Domains and Page Authority
Verdict: Ahrefs wins decisively. While Moz has a larger raw database, Ahrefs has fresher data, better link discovery speed, and a superior UI for competitive backlink research. Most SEO professionals prefer Ahrefs for link analysis.
Keyword Research
Both tools offer keyword research, but with different depth and metrics.
Ahrefs' Approach
Extensive keyword database covering more countries and languages.
- Keywords Explorer with Click data
- Parent Topic clustering
- SERP features tracking
- Keyword difficulty with traffic estimates
Moz's Approach
Simpler keyword research with helpful priority scores for decision-making.
- Keyword Explorer with Priority score
- AI-powered suggestions by topic
- Difficulty and opportunity scores
- SERP analysis
Verdict: Ahrefs offers more comprehensive keyword data with unique metrics like Clicks and Return Rate. Moz's Priority score is helpful for beginners but the database is smaller.
Local SEO
Local SEO is where Moz has a significant advantage.
Ahrefs' Approach
Limited local SEO features; not a primary focus.
- Rank tracking by location
- Local keyword research
- No dedicated local listing tools
- No citation management
Moz's Approach
Moz Local is a dedicated, highly-rated local SEO solution.
- 90+ directory submissions
- Citation tracking and management
- Review monitoring and response
- GeoRank maps and competitor tracking
Verdict: Moz wins clearly for local SEO. Moz Local is an excellent standalone product for managing local listings, citations, and reviews. Ahrefs simply doesn't compete in this category.
Ease of Use
User experience matters, especially for teams with varying technical skill levels.
Ahrefs' Approach
Powerful but with a learning curve; designed for SEO professionals.
- Feature-rich interface
- Excellent documentation and tutorials
- Steeper initial learning curve
- More data-heavy dashboards
Moz's Approach
Clean, intuitive interface designed for accessibility.
- Simple, clean dashboard
- Clear on-page recommendations
- Moz Academy for learning
- Better for non-technical users
Verdict: Moz wins for usability. Its cleaner interface and simpler workflows make it better for beginners and teams with mixed skill levels. Ahrefs is more powerful but requires more expertise.
Ahrefs vs Moz: Pricing Comparison
Both offer tiered pricing, with Moz slightly more affordable at entry level.
Ahrefs Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $129 | 5 projects, 500 keywords |
| Standard | $249 | 20 projects, 2,000 keywords |
| Advanced | $449 | 50 projects, 5,000 keywords |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited |
$7 for 7-day trial. 2 months free on annual plans.
Moz Pro Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $99 | 3 sites, 300 keywords |
| Medium | $179 | 10 sites, 1,500 keywords |
| Large | $299 | 25 sites, 3,000 keywords |
| Premium | $599 | Custom |
30-day free trial. 20% discount on annual billing.
Value Analysis
Moz is $30 cheaper at entry level ($99 vs $129) and offers a more generous free trial (30 days vs 7 days for $7). However, Ahrefs provides more features at each tier, particularly for backlink analysis and keyword research.
Budget tip: Moz's Standard plan is adequate for basic SEO needs. Choose Ahrefs Lite only if you specifically need superior backlink analysis.
What Users Say: Ahrefs vs Moz Reviews
Both tools have strong reputations, but users highlight different strengths for each.
| Platform | Ahrefs | Moz Pro |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.5/5 (550+ reviews) | 4.3/5 (569 reviews) |
| Capterra | 4.7/5 (540+ reviews) | 4.5/5 (500+ reviews) |
| Free Trial | $7 for 7 days | 30 days free |
What Users Love About Ahrefs
- Backlink data: Freshest index and best exploration UI
- Competitive analysis: Excellent for gap analysis and research
- Content Explorer: Unique tool for content opportunities
“Ahrefs has a larger, fresher link index and a superior link exploration UI for competitive backlink research.”
What Users Love About Moz
- Simplicity: Clearer recommendations for non-technical users
- Domain Authority: Universal metric everyone understands
- Local SEO: Moz Local is excellent for local businesses
“Moz provides clearer on-page recommendations and is a bit friendlier for non-technical users.”
Common Complaints
Ahrefs
No free trial (only $7 for 7 days). Steeper learning curve. Higher entry price. Can be overwhelming for beginners.
Moz Pro
Data can feel limited compared to Ahrefs. Less comprehensive competitive analysis. Some features feel dated.
Who Should Use Ahrefs vs Moz?
The best tool depends on your experience level, budget, and primary SEO needs.
Choose Ahrefs If You...
- Need deep backlink analysis and link building
- Do serious competitive research
- Are an SEO professional or agency
- Need comprehensive keyword data globally
Choose Moz If You...
- Are new to SEO and want an accessible starting point
- Need local SEO and citation management
- Have a limited budget (starting at $99)
- Prefer the universally-recognized DA metric
Quick Decision Framework
| Your Priority | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Backlink analysis | Ahrefs | Fresher data, better UI |
| Ease of use | Moz | Simpler, cleaner interface |
| Local SEO | Moz | Moz Local is excellent |
| Budget-conscious | Moz | $30 cheaper entry price |
| Competitive research | Ahrefs | Superior gap analysis tools |
| Universal metric | Moz | DA is industry standard |
Final Verdict: Ahrefs vs Moz
Ahrefs is the better choice for teams that need instant visibility across search engines, granular backlink audits, and deep competitive analysis. The platform combines broad data coverage with power and precision.
Moz remains a reliable entry point for smaller teams. It delivers solid visibility signals, easier keyword tracking, and a straightforward interface. Local businesses should strongly consider Moz Local.