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Head-to-head · Backlink Analysis Tools

Moz Link Explorer vs SEO SpyGlass

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Moz Link Explorer #4 in Backlink Analysis Tools 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Moz
SEO SpyGlass #15 in Backlink Analysis Tools 6.9/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit SEO SpyGlass

Moz Link Explorer leads on 0 checks, SEO SpyGlass on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMoz Link Explorer · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly SEO SpyGlass
  • Free trialonly SEO SpyGlass

Moz Link Explorer scores higher on our rubric for backlink analysis tools: 8.6 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #15.

SEO SpyGlass offers free plan; Moz Link Explorer doesn't.

Moz Link Explorer is the better fit for straightforward backlink reporting. SEO SpyGlass is the better fit for desktop-based backlink researchers.

  • Moz Link Explorer fits best

    Straightforward backlink reporting

  • SEO SpyGlass fits best

    Desktop-based backlink researchers

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Side by side

Feature Moz Link Explorer 8.6/10 Visit ↗ SEO SpyGlass 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 6.9
Ranking #4 in Backlink Analysis Tools #15 in Backlink Analysis Tools
Best for Straightforward backlink reporting Desktop-based backlink researchers
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $129/yr
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud Desktop
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Features Moz Link Explorer 5/5 · SEO SpyGlass 5/5
Historical backlink data ✓ ✓
New and lost links ✓ ✓
Anchor text report ✓ ✓
Competitor comparison ✓ ✓
Link intersection ✓ ✓
Specs
Referring domains Not checked yet Not checked yet
Backlink rows Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers links, linking domains, authority metrics, and follow status
  • Tracks discovered and lost linking domains with 12-month trends
  • Exports links, linking domains, and top-page data to CSV
  • Analyzes more than 50 backlink quality factors
  • Covers history, new/lost links, comparison, and link intersection
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with CSV, TSV, and XLSX export
Cons
  • Web-only access limits platform coverage
  • No verified integrations are listed
  • Higher quotas require paid Moz Pro subscriptions
  • Free edition is limited to 1,100 backlinks per website
  • Paid plans are billed annually
  • Desktop software may not suit browser-first workflows
Our verdict

Moz Link Explorer is a backlink analysis tool for individuals and teams reviewing the link profiles of websites, domains, subdomains, and individual pages. It brings inbound-link and linking-domain analysis together with Domain Authority,…

Read the review →

SEO SpyGlass is desktop software for backlink research and link-profile analysis. It is designed for website owners, SEO professionals, and agencies that need to discover backlinks, assess link quality, compare profiles, study competitor…

Read the review →
  1. Moz Link ExplorerBacklink Analysis Tools 8.6Paid
  2. SEO SpyGlassBacklink Analysis Tools 6.9Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Moz Link Explorer — where it wins

    • Covers links, linking domains, authority metrics, and follow status
    • Tracks discovered and lost linking domains with 12-month trends
    • Exports links, linking domains, and top-page data to CSV

    Where it doesn't

    • Web-only access limits platform coverage
    • No verified integrations are listed
    • Higher quotas require paid Moz Pro subscriptions
  • SEO SpyGlass — where it wins

    • Analyzes more than 50 backlink quality factors
    • Covers history, new/lost links, comparison, and link intersection
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with CSV, TSV, and XLSX export

    Where it doesn't

    • Free edition is limited to 1,100 backlinks per website
    • Paid plans are billed annually
    • Desktop software may not suit browser-first workflows
  • Moz Link Explorer8.6/10 · Paid

    A focused backlink reporting tool with useful link metrics, trends, exports, and a free plan.

    Visit MozFull verdict →
  • SEO SpyGlass6.9/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A feature-rich desktop backlink analyzer with a useful free tier and low annual entry price.

    Visit SEO SpyGlassFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update