Moz vs Ahrefs is a choice between two of the oldest names in SEO software. Moz created Domain Authority, a score that marketers still quote every day. Ahrefs built one of the largest backlink indexes on the web. Both tools cover keyword research, link analysis, site audits, and rank tracking.
This guide compares the two tools on price, free tools, data, and AI features, so you can decide which one fits your work in 2026. For a wider list, see our guide to the best AI SEO tools.
Moz vs Ahrefs: Quick Comparison
| Point | Moz Pro | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beginners, small businesses, local SEO | SEO professionals, agencies, link builders |
| Entry price | $49 per month (entry-level plan) | $29 per month (Starter, limited credits) |
| Main working plans | $99, $179, and $299 per month | $129, $249, and $449 per month |
| Yearly discount | Save 20 percent | No discounts |
| Free trial | Yes, on selected plans | No free trial |
| Authority score | Domain Authority (DA) | Domain Rating (DR) |
| Strongest area | Ease of use and learning resources | Backlink data and competitor research |
| Main weakness | Smaller link index, lower limits | Higher price, credit limits on lower plans |
Prices were checked on the official pricing pages in October 2026 and can change. Always confirm before you pay.
What Is Moz?
Moz is an SEO software company best known for Moz Pro and for the Domain Authority score. Its main product, Moz Pro, includes Keyword Explorer for keyword research, Link Explorer for backlinks, Site Crawl for technical audits, and rank tracking through campaigns. In addition, the company sells Moz Local, a separate product for local business listings.
The company also has a long history of teaching SEO. Its beginner guides and videos are a big reason many people start with it.
What Is Ahrefs?
Ahrefs is a full SEO platform known for its backlink index and its own web crawler. Its core tools are Site Explorer for competitor and backlink research, Keywords Explorer for keyword research, Site Audit for technical checks, and Rank Tracker for positions.
Ahrefs is the tool many SEO professionals use every day. The trade-off is price, because the plans most professionals work on cost more than Moz.
Moz vs Ahrefs Pricing
Price is close at the entry level in the Moz vs Ahrefs comparison, but the gap grows on the higher plans.
Moz Pro lists three main plans: Standard at $99 per month, Medium at $179, and Large at $299. An entry-level plan is also available at $49 per month. Paying yearly saves 20 percent. Moz offers a free trial on selected plans, so check the pricing page to see which plan includes it.
Ahrefs has five paid plans: Starter at $29 per month, Lite at $129, Standard at $249, Advanced at $449, and Enterprise from $1,499. The Starter plan runs on a small credit limit, so it suits light checks only. Ahrefs does not run discounts or free trials. However, Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is free for websites you own and verify.
At each level, Moz is the cheaper option. Moz Standard costs $99 while Ahrefs Lite costs $129. Moz Medium costs $179 while Ahrefs Standard costs $249.
Free Tools From Moz and Ahrefs
You can try both tools before paying anything. These free tools have limits, but they show which style of data you prefer.
Free Moz Tools
- Free Domain Authority Checker: Domain Authority, linking root domains, ranking keywords, and spam score. No login needed, with three free reports per day.
- Keyword Explorer: keyword research with a small monthly limit on a free Moz account.
- Link Explorer: backlink research with a small monthly limit on a free Moz account.
- MozBar: a browser extension that shows authority scores while you browse.
- All free Moz SEO tools: the full list.
Free Ahrefs Tools
- Website Authority Checker: Domain Rating, backlinks, and linking websites for any domain. No login needed.
- Ahrefs Webmaster Tools: free site audit and backlink data for websites you own and verify.
- Free Keyword Generator: keyword ideas for any topic.
- Free Backlink Checker: the top backlinks of any website.
- All free Ahrefs SEO tools: the full list.
Domain Authority vs Domain Rating: A Free Tool Test
Moz and Ahrefs each have their own authority score. Moz calls it Domain Authority (DA), and Ahrefs calls it Domain Rating (DR). Both run from 0 to 100, and both try to show how strong the backlink profile of a website is.
To see the difference in practice, the domain wordpress.org was checked in the free authority checker of both tools on October 3, 2026.
| What the free tool showed | Moz | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Authority score | Domain Authority 98 | Domain Rating 97 |
| Linking sites | 14 million linking root domains | 5.0 million linking websites |
| Backlinks | Not shown in the free report | 1.9 billion, 86 percent dofollow |
| Ranking keywords | 115.8 thousand | Not shown in the free report |
| Spam score | 2 percent | Not shown |
| Free limit | Three reports per day, no login | No login needed |
The two scores are almost the same for this website, 98 and 97. However, the number of linking sites is very different, 14 million in Moz and 5 million in Ahrefs. This does not mean one tool is wrong. Each company crawls the web in its own way and counts links with its own rules. For that reason, pick one tool and compare websites inside that tool, instead of mixing numbers from both.
Remember that DA and DR are third-party scores. Google does not use either of them as a ranking factor. They are useful for comparing websites, not for predicting rankings.
Moz vs Ahrefs: Keyword Research
Moz Keyword Explorer shows monthly volume, difficulty, organic click-through rate, and a priority score that combines these numbers. The priority score is helpful for beginners, because it turns several metrics into one simple number.
Ahrefs Keywords Explorer goes deeper. It adds metrics such as clicks, traffic potential, and parent topic, and it lets you filter large keyword lists in many ways. For large content plans, this extra depth saves time.
Backlink Data
This is where Ahrefs has its strongest reputation. Site Explorer shows who links to any website, which pages get the most links, new and lost links, and anchor text. Link builders rely on this data for outreach.
In comparison, Moz Link Explorer covers the same basics and adds Spam Score, which helps you spot risky links. Many SEO professionals still see the Ahrefs index as larger and faster to update, so serious link builders usually prefer it.
Site Audit and Rank Tracking
Both tools crawl your website and list technical problems such as broken links, missing titles, and duplicate content. Moz explains each issue in plain language, which helps beginners. Ahrefs Site Audit gives more detail and more control over the crawl.
In addition, both tools track keyword positions. The number of keywords and websites you can track depends on the plan, so compare the limits with the number of sites you manage.
AI Features
Both companies have added AI features. Moz now describes its Medium and Large plans as including AI search tools next to classic SEO. Ahrefs offers an AI content helper and Brand Radar, which tracks how brands appear in AI answers.
Treat these features as helpers, not as the main reason to buy. They change quickly, so check the current feature list of each plan before you decide.
Who Should Choose Moz?
- You are new to SEO and want clear reports and good learning material.
- Your budget is closer to $99 per month than $249.
- Local SEO matters to your business.
- A yearly plan with a 20 percent discount suits you.
Who Should Choose Ahrefs?
- SEO is your job, or you work for clients.
- Link building and competitor research are a big part of your week.
- Your work needs the deepest backlink data.
- Your usage is high enough to justify $129 per month or more.
What Other Users Say About Moz and Ahrefs
One short test is not enough to judge an SEO tool, so it helps to look at what long-term users report. These points are a summary of common themes in public user reviews on sites such as G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius, and in SEO discussions on Reddit.
Moz Pros According to Users
- Beginner friendly. Reviewers often say the interface is easy to understand.
- Domain Authority. DA is a score that clients and marketers already know.
- Learning resources. The guides and videos are praised as some of the best in SEO.
- Fair price. The main plans cost less than the matching Ahrefs plans.
Moz Cons According to Users
- Its link index is seen as smaller and slower to update than the Ahrefs index.
- Keyword and tracking limits on the lower plans feel tight.
- Some users say the tool has not kept up with newer rivals.
Ahrefs Pros According to Users
- Depth of data. This is the most common praise, especially for backlinks.
- Competitor research. Users like seeing which pages and keywords bring traffic to other websites.
- Speed. New links and keywords show up quickly.
- Trusted by professionals. It is the tool SEO specialists recommend most often for link building.
Ahrefs Cons According to Users
- Price is the main complaint, especially for freelancers and small teams.
- Credit limits on the lower plans can run out quickly.
- Also, beginners can find the amount of data overwhelming at first.
My Experience and the Limits of This Comparison
I used Ahrefs for about a month in my own SEO work, so I have seen how its reports and limits feel in real use. For Moz, this comparison relies on its free tools, the official pricing page, and public user reviews, not on long paid use. Therefore, treat this article as a practical starting point and not as an expert review.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Moz or Ahrefs better for beginners?
Moz is usually easier for beginners because its reports are simpler and its learning material is strong. Ahrefs gives more data, but it takes longer to learn.
What is the difference between DA and DR?
Domain Authority (DA) is the Moz score, and Domain Rating (DR) is the Ahrefs score. Both rate the strength of a website backlink profile from 0 to 100, but each uses its own data and formula, so the numbers can differ.
Does Google use Domain Authority or Domain Rating?
No. DA and DR are third-party metrics made by Moz and Ahrefs. Google does not use them to rank pages.
Is Moz cheaper than Ahrefs?
Yes, on the main plans. Moz Standard costs $99 per month and Ahrefs Lite costs $129. However, Ahrefs has a $29 Starter plan with limited credits, which is lower than the $49 entry-level Moz plan.
Does Moz or Ahrefs have a free trial?
Moz offers a free trial on selected Moz Pro plans. Ahrefs does not offer a free trial, but both companies have free tools that you can use without paying.
Moz vs Ahrefs: Final Verdict
Choose Moz if you are learning SEO, run a small or local business, and want a simpler tool at a lower price. Choose Ahrefs if SEO is a serious part of your work and you need deep backlink and competitor data.
In the Moz vs Ahrefs choice, neither tool is better for everyone. If your budget is very small, also read our Ubersuggest vs Ahrefs comparison, or browse all AI tools on Infistan.