ahrefs vs moz-pro
Ahrefs vs Moz Pro — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
Ahrefs and Moz Pro represent the classic SEO platform battle — the data powerhouse versus the user-friendly favorite. Both charge $99/month for their entry plans, but they take fundamentally different approaches to SEO analysis and reporting.
The core difference comes down to data depth versus usability. Ahrefs built its reputation on having the web's second-largest backlink index (after Google), making it the go-to choice for serious link builders and competitive analysts. Moz Pro focuses on making SEO accessible with cleaner interfaces, better educational resources, and their proprietary Domain Authority metric that's become an industry standard.
Feature Comparison
Ahrefs dominates in backlink analysis with over 35 trillion backlinks in their database, updated every 15 minutes. Their Site Explorer shows detailed link profiles, referring domains, and anchor text distribution that Moz simply can't match in scope. Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer also covers 171 countries and provides more granular keyword difficulty scores based on actual backlink data. Moz Pro counters with superior user experience and educational value. Their Keyword Explorer presents data more clearly for beginners, and their Link Explorer, while smaller in scope, offers better spam detection and link quality assessment. Moz's standout feature is their proprietary Domain Authority and Page Authority metrics, which have become industry standards for quick site evaluation. Their On-Page Grader also provides more actionable optimization recommendations than Ahrefs' content audit tools. Site auditing capabilities favor Ahrefs slightly, with more comprehensive technical SEO issue detection and faster crawling speeds. However, Moz Pro's site audit reports are more digestible for non-technical users, with better prioritization of critical issues.
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms start at $99/month, but the value proposition differs significantly. Ahrefs' Lite plan includes 5 projects, 300 keywords to track, and 25,000 results per report — generous limits for most small agencies. Their $199 Standard plan jumps to 20 projects and 2,000 tracked keywords, making it better for growing agencies. Moz Pro's $99 Standard plan is more restrictive with 5 campaigns, 300 keywords tracked, and 3,000 page crawls per campaign. However, their $179 Medium plan offers 10 campaigns and 750 keywords, positioning it between Ahrefs' tiers. Moz Pro generally provides better value for smaller operations that prioritize ease of use over raw data volume.
Best For
Ahrefs is the better choice for serious SEO professionals, agencies handling competitive niches, and anyone who needs comprehensive backlink analysis. If you're doing outreach campaigns, competitive link building, or managing SEO for highly competitive markets, Ahrefs' superior data coverage and API access make it essential. It's also better for technical SEOs who can handle more complex interfaces in exchange for deeper insights. Moz Pro works better for small businesses, in-house marketers, and beginners who need guidance alongside their data. The cleaner interface, better educational resources, and industry-standard DA/PA metrics make it ideal for teams that need to present SEO data to non-technical stakeholders. Choose Moz Pro if you value user experience and learning resources over maximum data depth.
The Verdict
Ahrefs wins for most serious SEO operations. While Moz Pro offers a friendlier experience, Ahrefs' superior backlink database, more comprehensive keyword data, and faster site auditing capabilities provide better ROI for agencies and competitive markets. The learning curve is steeper, but the data advantage is substantial enough to justify the extra complexity for most professional use cases.