
Ahrefs and Moz are two of the leading tools in the SEO and keyword research landscape, widely utilized by digital marketers, SEO professionals, and content creators. Both platforms serve the primary purpose of optimizing web content and improving search engine rankings. Users are drawn to Ahrefs for its extensive backlink analysis and robust keyword research capabilities, while Moz is favored for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive suite of SEO tools, including site audits and rank tracking.
When considering these tools, potential users typically evaluate several key aspects:
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Features: Ahrefs excels in link-building and competitive analysis, offering a vast index of backlinks. Moz, on the other hand, provides effective on-page optimization features and a rich library of educational resources.
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Pricing: Pricing structures differ significantly; Ahrefs tends to be more expensive, targeting advanced users, while Moz offers more affordable entry points for beginners and small businesses.
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Ease of Use: Moz is often praised for its intuitive interface, making it accessible for newcomers, whereas Ahrefs, while powerful, may have a steeper learning curve due to its extensive functionality.
This comparison aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both tools, assisting users in determining which platform best suits their needs for SEO and keyword research.
Ahrefs VS Moz: Which tool is the most popular?
Tool | Review Count | Average Rating | Positive Reviews | Neutral Reviews | Negative Reviews |
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Ahrefs | 263 | 2.36 | 85 | 13 | 165 |
Moz | 156 | 3.98 | 116 | 4 | 36 |
Ahrefs is the most reviewed tool with 263 reviews, but it has a low average rating of 2.36, indicating poor user satisfaction. The majority of its reviews are negative (165), showing prevalent dissatisfaction among users.
Moz, while having fewer reviews (156), scores significantly higher with an average rating of 3.98, reflecting generally positive feedback. With 116 positive reviews and only 36 negative, it suggests a more favorable reception among its user base.
In summary, Ahrefs is the least popular tool based on user ratings, while Moz stands out as the more favorable option despite having a smaller total review count.


Ahrefs and Moz: Quick Comparison Overview
Feature/Aspect | Ahrefs | SEMrush |
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Primary Features | – Site Explorer – Keyword Explorer – Backlink Checker – Content Explorer – Rank Tracker |
– Keyword Research – Site Audit – Position Tracking – Content Analyzer – Marketing Insights |
Target Audience | – SEO professionals – Digital marketers – Agencies focusing on content marketing and backlink analysis |
– Digital marketers – SEO experts – Content marketers – Social media marketers and PPC specialists |
Main Advantages | – Robust backlink analysis – Comprehensive keyword data – Intuitive user interface – Constantly updated index |
– All-in-one digital marketing tool – Extensive competitor analysis – Wide array of tools for SEO and PPC – Integrated social media management |
Core Value Proposition | Focused on providing in-depth SEO insights, particularly strengths in backlink profiles and organic keyword rankings. Ideal for users prioritizing content strategy and link-building efforts. | Offers a holistic view of digital marketing, making it easier to manage all aspects of online presence through an extensive range of tools for SEO, PPC, and social media marketing. |
Ideal Use Cases | – Conducting comprehensive link audits – Developing effective content strategies – Tracking backlinks and organic rankings – Keyword planning for SEO campaigns |
– Managing and optimizing PPC campaigns – Conducting competitive analysis for market positioning – Comprehensive content analytics and SEO tracking – Social media metrics and management |
Most liked vs most disliked features of Ahrefs and Moz
Tool | Most Liked Features | Most Disliked Features |
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Ahrefs | – Extensive keyword generation aids in effective content selection. – Good value for the functionalities compared to other SEO tools. – User-friendly for SEO newcomers. – Comprehensive platform for audits, keywords, backlinks, and more. – Effectively identifies website weaknesses for SEO improvement. |
– Considered too comprehensive for some users seeking specific functionalities. – Seen as expensive for limited personal use. – Paid trial period is short and unsatisfactory. – Abundance of information leads to a steep learning curve. – Daily usage limits hinder exploration capabilities. |
Moz | – Responsive and helpful customer support with quick assistance. – Valuable suite of SEO tools including keyword research and site audits. – Educational resources enhance SEO strategy understanding. – Intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interface. – Investment is justified by features and tangible results. |
– Considered expensive, posing a barrier for small businesses or individuals. – Auto-renewal issues leading to unexpected charges. – Limitations in free versions restrict utilization. – Difficulties in navigating account settings or canceling. – Technical glitches negatively impact user experience. |
Key Features of Ahrefs vs Moz
Key Features of Ahrefs and Moz for SEO and Keyword Research
Both Ahrefs and Moz are powerful tools for SEO and keyword research, offering a variety of features that cater to different aspects of search engine optimization. Below are the key features of each, along with their benefits and unique aspects:
Ahrefs
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Site Explorer
- Benefit: Offers a detailed analysis of any website’s organic search traffic and backlink profile. Users can see the top-performing content, keywords, and referring domains.
- Unique Aspect: The extensive database of backlinks and domains ensures that users have the most up-to-date information for competitive analysis.
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Keyword Explorer
- Benefit: Allows users to find keyword ideas along with their search volume, keyword difficulty, and related terms. This helps in identifying lucrative keywords for content creation.
- Unique Aspect: Ahrefs provides results for over 100 countries, making it globally versatile for keyword research.
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Content Explorer
- Benefit: Users can discover popular content based on social shares and backlinks. This helps in finding inspiration for new content or understanding what works in a given niche.
- Unique Aspect: Offers a unique “Content Grader” feature that analyzes the highest-ranking content for specific keywords by engagement metrics.
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Rank Tracker
- Benefit: Users can monitor their website’s ranking for target keywords over time, and track how these rankings vary against competitors.
- Unique Aspect: Allows for the tracking of rankings based on specific locations, making it valuable for localized SEO strategies.
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Site Audit
- Benefit: Conducts comprehensive website audits to identify SEO issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and performance metrics.
- Unique Aspect: Provides a health score and actionable recommendations based on the audit findings, simplifying optimization efforts.
Moz
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Keyword Explorer
- Benefit: Focuses on keyword suggestions, analyzing SERP features, search volume, and keyword difficulty, helping users find the right keywords for their strategies.
- Unique Aspect: Moz uses a unique scoring method to highlight potential clicks, which provides a nuanced look at keyword value beyond just volume.
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Link Explorer
- Benefit: Reveals a site’s backlink profile, helping users understand their site’s authority and identify link-building opportunities.
- Unique Aspect: Features a "Spam Score" metric, which helps users assess the quality of potential backlinks.
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On-Page Grader
- Benefit: Analyzes individual pages for SEO best practices, assessing elements like title tags, meta descriptions, and keyword usage for optimization tips.
- Unique Aspect: Provides actionable recommendations tailored to improve on-page SEO performance.
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Campaigns
- Benefit: Users can set up set-specific SEO campaigns to monitor keyword rankings, track website performance, and manage link-building efforts in one place.
- Unique Aspect: Simplifies project management, allowing seamless integration of diverse SEO initiatives.
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MozBar
- Benefit: A browser extension that shows instant metrics while browsing any webpage, including domain authority and page authority.
- Unique Aspect: Enhances real-time analysis, giving users the ability to assess SEO factors without switching tools.
Summary
While both Ahrefs and Moz offer robust features for SEO and keyword research, they do have unique attributes that may cater to different user needs. Ahrefs excels in backlink analysis and content exploration, whereas Moz provides unique keyword insights and actionable on-page SEO recommendations. Choosing between the two may depend on specific goals, such as content marketing, backlink analysis, or comprehensive keyword research.
Ahrefs vs Moz Pricing Comparison
Feature/Brand | Ahrefs Pricing | Moz Pricing |
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Free Trial | 7-day trial for $7 | 30-day free trial |
Subscription Plans | Lite: $99/month / $990/year Standard: $179/month / $1,788/year Advanced: $399/month / $3,588/year Agency: $999/month / $9,588/year |
Moz Pro: Standard: $99/month / $1,056/year Medium: $179/month / $1,908/year Large: $299/month / $3,108/year Premium: $599/month / $6,588/year |
Lite vs Standard | Lite: 5 projects, 500 tracked keywords, 3 users Standard: 10 projects, 1,500 tracked keywords, 5 users |
Standard: 10 campaigns, 1,000 keywords, 5 users Medium: 25 campaigns, 2,500 keywords, 10 users |
Advanced vs Agency | Advanced: 25 projects, 10,000 tracked keywords, 10 users Agency: 100 projects, 100,000 tracked keywords, unlimited users |
Large: 50 campaigns, 5,000 keywords, 15 users Premium: Unlimited campaigns, 25,000 keywords, unlimited users |
Main Tools Offered | Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, Rank Tracker, Site Audit | Keyword Explorer, Site Crawl, Page Optimization, Link Explorer |
Data Updates | Every 15 minutes | Weekly updates |
Support | Email support, extensive documentation | Email and community support |
Discounts | None specified | Save 20% with annual billing |
User Access | Varies by plan (up to unlimited in Agency plan) | Varies by plan (up to unlimited in Premium plan) |
Summary of Key Differences:
- Free Trials: Ahrefs offers a paid trial, while Moz provides a free trial.
- Project Limit: Ahrefs allows for a higher project count in the upper tiers compared to Moz’s Lower caps.
- Data Refresh Rate: Ahrefs boasts faster data updates, while Moz’s data is updated weekly.
- Support: Both brands include email support; however, Moz additionally has community support for troubleshooting.
This comparison highlights the main pricing tiers, offerings, and key differences between Ahrefs and Moz, providing a clear picture for potential users to make an informed choice.
Support Options Comparison: Ahrefs vs Moz
Feature | Ahrefs | Moz |
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Live Chat | Available for all plans; responsive support. | Not available. |
Phone Support | Not available. | Not available. |
Documentation | Comprehensive help center with articles, tutorials, and FAQs. | Extensive help documentation with guides, FAQs, and community topics. |
Webinars | Regular webinars covering various topics, available to all users. | Monthly webinars featuring SEO experts and covering various topics. |
Tutorials | Step-by-step guides available within documentation. | Guides and tutorials available through the Moz Blog and Help Center. |
Community Support | User community forum for discussions and advice. | Moz Community for member discussions, questions, and tips. |
Customer Support Accessibility | Direct and proactive support via emails. | Email support for all paid plans; community involvement encouraged. |
Summary: Ahrefs offers live chat and timely documentation, while Moz emphasizes community support and robust tutorials. Both platforms provide solid resources for users seeking help, though Ahrefs leads with its live chat feature.
Unique Features of Ahrefs Vs Moz
Feature | Ahrefs Unique Features | Added Value | Moz Unique Features | Added Value |
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Site Explorer | Detailed "Content Explorer" tool that allows users to find top-performing content based on backlinks and social shares. | Helps users identify content ideas that resonate well with audiences, driving better content strategy decisions. | Keyword Explorer’s "Priority" score combines search volume, difficulty, and CTR to create a holistic view of keyword potential. | Simplifies decision-making by providing a single metric for assessing keyword value. |
Keywords Explorer | Extensive keyword difficulty scoring for local search results, including SERP analysis per location. | Empowers businesses focusing on local SEO to optimize for specific geographic markets effectively. | Moz’s "Keyword Suggestions" feature offers seed keyword generation using competitive analysis. | Enables users to easily find related keywords, expanding their targeting strategy. |
Backlink Analysis | Live backlink index updates ensure real-time data on backlinks, making competitor analysis more accurate. | Keeps users informed about the latest changes in their backlink profiles and those of their competitors. | "Link Intersect" tool identifies sites linking to competitors but not to the user. | Allows users to uncover new link-building opportunities and strategically approach potential partners. |
Rank Tracker | Customizable rank tracking with alerts based on ranking changes, including visibility and traffic estimates. | Allows for proactive SEO adjustments based on real-time performance metrics. | Moz Pro’s "Rank Tracker" emphasizes tracking rank changes against competitors. | Gives users insight into competitive positioning, fostering strategic responses to competitive trends. |
Content Gap Analysis | Comprehensive "Content Gap" tool that shows specific topics users are missing compared to competitors. | Identifies immediate content development opportunities, enhancing content strategy effectiveness. | "On-Page Grader" evaluates page optimization for specific keywords and metrics. | Provides actionable insights for improving on-page SEO, directly impacting SERP performance. |
Site Audit | In-depth site audit with specific suggestions on improving site health and performance metrics. | Helps users maintain high site efficiency, ensuring better user experience and search engine crawling. | "SEO Audit" includes a comparable feature but integrates social media and domain authority metrics. | Offers a broader perspective on overall SEO performance, linking social signals to website health. |
User Interface (UI) | Intuitive data visualization with a focus on actionable insights and ease of use for SEO novices and experts alike. | Enhances user experience, reducing learning curves and improving task efficiency when analyzing data. | "MozBar," a browser extension that provides instant metrics while browsing. | Facilitates on-the-go data analysis, giving users immediate insights directly from search engine results. |
These unique features distinguish Ahrefs and Moz in the crowded SEO and keyword research landscape, delivering targeted improvements that enhance strategic decision-making and efficiency for users.