Independent head-to-head
Ahrefs vs Moz Pro
Both are on our shortlist, and most people only need one. Here is where each genuinely wins.
Do you need the deepest link data, or an approachable tool that reports Domain Authority?
Choose Ahrefs for serious link analysis; choose Moz Pro if you report on Domain Authority to clients or want a gentler learning curve at a lower entry price ($49/month against $129). Moz's own link index is materially smaller, which matters most for competitive link research.
Ahrefs
Backlink Analysis ToolsThe strongest backlink index, wrapped in the cleanest interface.
Moz Pro
Backlink Analysis ToolsThe originator of Domain Authority, now the smallest of the majors.
Decision view
Compare what changes the answer
| Decision factor | Ahrefs$129/mo | Moz Pro$49/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $129/mo | $49/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | None | 7 days |
| Best for | Anyone whose work is link-led — outreach, digital PR, or competitive link analysis — and agencies managing many verified domains. | Teams who report on Domain Authority to clients or stakeholders, and beginners who want a gentler on-ramp. |
| Not for | Teams who need PPC and social data in the same subscription, or who want a usable free tier for unverified sites. | Anyone doing serious competitive link analysis, where the index gap is decisive. |
Shared answers are dimmed so trade-offs stay visible.
Plan comparison
Published plans as recorded on each vendor’s pricing page on its verification date. Limits and add-ons differ between vendors, so compare at your own volume.
Ahrefs
| Plan | Monthly | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $129 | — |
| Standard | $249 | — |
| Advanced | $449 | — |
Moz Pro
| Plan | Monthly | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $49 | — |
| Standard | $99 | — |
| Medium | $179 | — |
| Large | $299 | — |
Where Ahrefs wins
- Its own crawler and link index are the core of the product, and the reason most people subscribe
- Cleanest interface of the major platforms — less time hunting for reports
- Free Webmaster Tools is genuinely useful on your own verified sites
Where Moz Pro wins
- Domain Authority remains the industry's common currency in reporting
- Approachable interface with genuinely good learning material
- 7-day trial on Moz's own site; longer trials (such as 30 days) are only occasionally offered through partner links or promotions
Ahrefs or Moz Pro?
Choose Ahrefs for serious link analysis; choose Moz Pro if you report on Domain Authority to clients or want a gentler learning curve at a lower entry price ($49/month against $129). Moz's own link index is materially smaller, which matters most for competitive link research.
Anyone whose work is link-led — outreach, digital PR, or competitive link analysis — and agencies managing many verified domains.
Teams who report on Domain Authority to clients or stakeholders, and beginners who want a gentler on-ramp.
What decides it
- Link index
- Our Moz review flags its link index as materially smaller than Ahrefs' and Semrush's.
- Reporting metric
- Domain Authority originates with Moz and remains a common reporting metric; Ahrefs uses its own scoring.
- Price ladder
- Moz runs four tiers from $49 to $299/month; Ahrefs runs three from $129 to $449/month.
- Learning curve
- Moz is positioned as the gentler on-ramp with strong learning material; Ahrefs is praised for a clean interface but is built for people who already know what they want.