Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

Head-to-head · Backlink Analysis Tools

Semrush vs Moz Link Explorer

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Semrush #2 in Backlink Analysis Tools 9.2/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Semrush
Moz Link Explorer #4 in Backlink Analysis Tools 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Moz

Semrush leads on 1 check, Moz Link Explorer on 0, 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 scoreSemrush · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Semrush
  • Free trialonly Semrush
  • Most featuresMoz Link Explorer · 5 of 5

Semrush scores higher on our rubric for backlink analysis tools: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Semrush offers free plan; Moz Link Explorer doesn't.

Semrush is the better fit for integrated SEO and backlink teams. Moz Link Explorer is the better fit for straightforward backlink reporting.

  • Semrush fits best

    Integrated SEO and backlink teams

  • Moz Link Explorer fits best

    Straightforward backlink reporting

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Semrush 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Moz Link Explorer 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #2 in Backlink Analysis Tools #4 in Backlink Analysis Tools
Best for Integrated SEO and backlink teams Straightforward backlink reporting
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Semrush 0/5 · Moz Link Explorer 5/5
Historical backlink data Not checked yet ✓ (best)
New and lost links Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Anchor text report Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Competitor comparison Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Link intersection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Referring domains Not checked yet Not checked yet
Backlink rows Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Backlink, competitor, rank-tracking, and site-audit features in one platform
  • Daily rank tracking across locations, devices, and search engines
  • Integrations with Google, advertising, CRM, email, and analytics platforms
  • 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
Cons
  • Free access is limited to one demo project and 10 reports per day
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of backlink-only teams
  • Annual and month-to-month pricing references make comparisons less direct
  • Web-only access limits platform coverage
  • No verified integrations are listed
  • Higher quotas require paid Moz Pro subscriptions
Our verdict

Semrush is a cloud-based marketing platform for freelancers, small businesses, agencies, and larger organizations. Its SEO tools cover keyword research, competitor analysis, daily rank tracking, technical site auditing, backlink profile…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. SemrushBacklink Analysis Tools 9.2Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. Moz Link ExplorerBacklink Analysis Tools 8.6Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Semrush — where it wins

    • Backlink, competitor, rank-tracking, and site-audit features in one platform
    • Daily rank tracking across locations, devices, and search engines
    • Integrations with Google, advertising, CRM, email, and analytics platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Free access is limited to one demo project and 10 reports per day
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of backlink-only teams
    • Annual and month-to-month pricing references make comparisons less direct

  • 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
  • Semrush9.2/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A broad SEO suite for teams that need backlink research alongside tracking, audits, and reporting.

    Visit SemrushFull verdict →
  • Moz Link Explorer8.6/10 · Paid

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

    Visit MozFull verdict →

Semrush vs Moz Link Explorer: questions

Which is better for backlink analysis tools, Semrush or Moz Link Explorer?

Semrush scores higher on our rubric for backlink analysis tools: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

How do Semrush and Moz Link Explorer compare?

Of the 6 checks we put side by side, Semrush leads on 1, Moz Link Explorer on none, and 5 are level. Free plan only on Semrush.

Do Semrush and Moz Link Explorer have a free plan?

Semrush: Yes. Moz Link Explorer: No.

More comparisons

All backlink analysis tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update