Ahrefs vs Moz
A side-by-side look at 2 Marketing tools for 2026 — the verdict, pricing, ratings, features, and what readers think.
SEO toolset with deep backlink and keyword data.
Visit AhrefsOur take
Ahrefs wins for SEO professionals who need the most accurate backlink data, a fast crawler, and sharp keyword insights. Moz wins for beginners and budget-conscious teams who want reliable core SEO metrics, a gentler learning curve, and the industry-standard Domain Authority score. If depth and precision are your priority, Ahrefs is the clear choice. If approachability and affordability matter most, Moz delivers strong value.
Pricing compared
Head to head
| Ahrefs | Moz | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ||
| Starting price | $129/mo | $49/mo |
| Free tier | No | No |
| Free trial | — | 30 |
| Founded | 2010 | 2004 |
| HQ | Singapore | Seattle, WA, USA |
| Team size | 100–200 | 200–500 |
Pros & cons
- Best-in-class backlink index
- Accurate keyword difficulty scores
- Fast, efficient site crawler
- Clean and intuitive interface
- Excellent content gap and competitor analysis
- No free plan
- No PPC or social media tools
- Pricier entry point than some rivals
- Limited reporting customization
- Highly beginner-friendly interface
- Trusted Domain Authority and Page Authority metrics
- MozBar free browser extension
- Generous 30-day free trial
- Excellent educational content and community
- Affordable entry-level pricing
- Smaller keyword database than Semrush or Ahrefs
- No PPC, social media, or content marketing tools
- Slower backlink index updates
- Limited reporting features
Similarities & differences
- Both focus purely on SEO — no PPC or social media tools
- Both include keyword research, backlink analysis, and site audits
- Both offer rank tracking across multiple search engines
- Both provide competitor analysis and keyword gap tools
- Both integrate with Google Search Console
- Ahrefs has a significantly larger and fresher backlink index than Moz
- Ahrefs starts at $129/mo; Moz Pro starts at $49/mo
- Moz offers a 30-day free trial; Ahrefs has no free trial
- Moz created Domain Authority (DA) — one of the most cited SEO metrics; Ahrefs uses its own Domain Rating (DR)
- Ahrefs' Site Audit is faster and more comprehensive than Moz's
- Moz offers MozBar, a free browser extension; Ahrefs has no equivalent
- Moz is considered more beginner-friendly; Ahrefs is built for power users
Who should choose which
Choose Ahrefs if you're a serious SEO professional who needs the deepest backlink data and most accurate keyword difficulty scores
Choose Moz if you're newer to SEO, working with a tighter budget, or want the trusted Domain Authority metric and strong educational resources
Features compared
| Ahrefs | Moz | |
|---|---|---|
| Plans & pricing | ||
| Free tier | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Free trial | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing model | Per seat, annual or monthly subscription | Per seat, annual or monthly subscription |
| Money-back guarantee | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Platforms & access | ||
| Web app | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Mobile apps | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Desktop app | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Self-hosted option | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Offline mode | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Integrations & extensibility | ||
| Public API | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Webhooks | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Native integrations | Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Slack, Zapier | Google Analytics, Search Console, Zapier, HubSpot |
| Automation (Zapier/Make) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Security & compliance | ||
| SSO / SAML | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Two-factor auth | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| GDPR compliant | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Encryption at rest | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Collaboration | ||
| Team workspaces | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Real-time collaboration | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Role-based permissions | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Guest access | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Support | ||
| Email support | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Live chat support | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Phone support | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Knowledge base | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ahrefs worth the extra cost over Moz?
For professional SEOs and agencies where backlink analysis and keyword accuracy directly impact results, Ahrefs is generally worth the higher price. Its backlink index is larger, updated more frequently, and its keyword difficulty scores tend to be more reliable. For individuals or small teams just getting started with SEO, Moz's lower price point and easier interface often represent better value.
Which tool has more accurate backlink data?
Ahrefs is widely considered the gold standard for backlink data. Its crawler is one of the most active on the web, and its index is updated frequently. Moz's Link Explorer has a solid index but is generally considered smaller and slower to update. For serious link building and competitor backlink analysis, Ahrefs has a clear edge.
What is the difference between Domain Authority and Domain Rating?
Domain Authority (DA) is Moz's proprietary metric that predicts how likely a site is to rank in search results, scored from 1 to 100. Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs' equivalent metric, measuring the strength of a site's backlink profile. Both are widely used but neither is an official Google metric. They use different methodologies, so the same site can show very different scores between the two.
Does Ahrefs have a free trial?
Ahrefs does not currently offer a free trial for paid plans. It previously had a $7 trial but discontinued it. Ahrefs does offer a free Webmaster Tools account that lets you audit and monitor sites you own, but this does not include full keyword research or competitor tools. Moz, by contrast, offers a generous 30-day free trial of Moz Pro.
Which is better for site audits?
Ahrefs' Site Audit is generally considered the stronger tool. It crawls faster, handles large sites well, and provides clear prioritization of technical issues with detailed explanations. Moz's Site Crawl is solid and beginner-friendly, but covers fewer checks and can be slower on larger sites. For deep technical SEO audits, Ahrefs is the preferred choice among professionals.