Moz vs Ahrefs
Moz was the original SEO toolset and invented the Domain Authority metric that the industry still references. Ahrefs built a larger, faster crawler and overtook Moz on raw data capability. Today, Moz has pivoted toward local SEO and accessibility, while Ahrefs dominates technical SEO and link analysis. Here is how they compare for marketing teams choosing their primary SEO platform.
Last updated: 10 April 2026
Moz
The original SEO toolset, known for Domain Authority, MozBar, and strong local SEO tools. Now focused on accessibility and local search.
Local SEO, businesses tracking Domain Authority, and teams wanting a simpler SEO tool with good learning resources
Free tools available. Standard from $99/month. Medium $179/month. Large $299/month.
Ahrefs
Data-first SEO platform with the largest live backlink index, comprehensive keyword database, and powerful content research tools.
Technical SEO, backlink analysis, content research, and teams who prioritise data depth and freshness
Lite from $129/month. Standard $249/month. Advanced $449/month. Enterprise $14,990/year.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Moz | Ahrefs |
|---|---|---|
| Backlink Index | 40T+ links (Link Explorer) | 35B+ live links |
| Authority Metric | Domain Authority (DA) — industry standard | Domain Rating (DR) — data-driven |
| Keyword Database | 500M+ keywords | 11B+ keywords |
| Local SEO | Excellent — Moz Local product | Limited — no local-specific tools |
| Site Audit | Good — core technical checks | Excellent — 170+ checks |
| Content Research | Basic — Top Pages | Excellent — Content Explorer |
| Browser Extension | MozBar — free, popular | Ahrefs SEO Toolbar — free |
| Learning Resources | Excellent — Whiteboard Friday | Good — Ahrefs Academy + blog |
Moz
Strengths
- +Domain Authority is the industry-standard authority metric
- +Moz Local is excellent for local business SEO
- +MozBar browser extension is popular and free
- +Strong educational resources (Whiteboard Friday, Beginner's Guide)
Weaknesses
- −Backlink index is significantly smaller than Ahrefs
- −Crawl speed and data freshness lag behind competitors
- −Keyword Explorer has a smaller database
- −Feature development has slowed relative to Ahrefs and Semrush
Ahrefs
Strengths
- +Largest live backlink index — 35B+ links crawled
- +Content Explorer finds linkable content ideas at scale
- +Site Audit covers 170+ technical SEO checks
- +Data updates faster than any competitor
Weaknesses
- −More expensive than Moz at every tier
- −No local SEO tools comparable to Moz Local
- −Domain Rating is less widely cited than Domain Authority
- −Learning curve is steeper for SEO beginners
Our Verdict
Ahrefs is the stronger SEO tool for most use cases — its backlink data, keyword database, and content research capabilities are materially better than Moz. Choose Moz if local SEO is your primary focus (Moz Local is genuinely excellent) or if your team is new to SEO and values Moz's educational ecosystem. For agencies and serious SEO teams, Ahrefs provides significantly more value per pound spent.
We use Ahrefs daily for client SEO campaigns. Let us show you what your competitive landscape looks like.
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