Semrush suits businesses that want to track more and do more in one platform: its SEO plan tracks 500 keywords daily across 5 websites. Moz suits small businesses that want simpler metrics, with Moz Pro Standard tracking 300 keywords a month across 3 sites and free tools such as its Domain Authority checker. Decide how many keywords you'll track, and how often.
Moz and Semrush both cover keyword research, rank tracking, site audits and link data, and both now track how brands show up in AI search. They differ in scale and in how often they check. I read Moz's Moz Pro plans page and free tools page, and Semrush's plans page.
Moz and Semrush plans compared
| Moz | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Not listed (free tools; trial on the middle plan) | Not listed (7-day free trial; free tools) |
| Entry plan | Standard | SEO |
| Sites tracked | 3 | 5 websites |
| Keywords tracked | 300 tracked keywords monthly | 500 tracked daily |
| Site audit | 400K pages crawled a month | Site Audit included |
| AI search | 150 tracked prompts, 3 AI models, weekly | AI visibility on Starter: 50 prompts daily |
| Free tools | Domain Authority checker, Keyword Explorer, Link Explorer, MozBar | AI Visibility Checker, SEO Checker, traffic checker, keyword tool, link checker |
| Bigger plans | Second user, 10 sites, 1,500 keywords | Pro+: 15 websites, 1,500 keywords daily |
Moz: simple metrics, steady tracking
Moz Pro Standard is pitched at small businesses that need the basics of SEO: 1 user, 3 tracked sites, 300 tracked keywords a month and 400K pages crawled a month. It includes AI Overviews by keyword and AI Visibility Dashboards tracking 150 prompts across GPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode, checked weekly.
Moz is best known for Domain Authority, its own score for how likely a site is to rank, and you can check any site free with its Domain Authority checker. Its other free tools include Keyword Explorer, Link Explorer and MozBar for your browser.
Semrush: more tracking, more tools
Semrush's SEO plan is aimed at freelancers and small businesses: 5 websites to monitor, 500 keywords tracked daily, keyword research and competitor analysis, Position Tracking and Site Audit. Its Starter plan covers SEO and AI search together, adding 50 prompts tracked daily, AI brand performance for one domain, 300 AI visibility reports a day and MCP access.
Pro+ takes you to 15 websites and 1,500 keywords tracked daily for growing teams, and Enterprise removes the caps. Semrush offers a 7-day free trial and a set of free tools, including an AI Visibility Checker and a link checker.
Daily against monthly: the tracking difference
Here's the detail in the small print. Semrush's plan lists 500 keywords tracked daily. Moz's Standard plan lists 300 tracked keywords a month and weekly AI prompt tracking. If you're watching rankings move after a site change or a news story, daily tracking shows it faster. If you check rankings once a week, Moz's cadence will feel fine and the simpler dashboards may suit you better.
The same applies to AI search: Semrush's Starter tracks prompts daily, Moz tracks them weekly.
Which business each platform suits
Moz suits small businesses and solo marketers who want a few clear metrics, a manageable number of keywords and weekly check-ins. Semrush suits businesses and freelancers who track more keywords and sites, or want competitor research and AI visibility in one login. For context on how Semrush markets itself, see this breakdown of Semrush's marketing strategy, and if you'd rather start free, here's keyword research with free methods.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
My advice on choosing an SEO platform
List the keywords that bring you enquiries today and the competitors you want to watch. Under 300 keywords and three sites, with a weekly check, fits Moz Standard. More than that, or a need to see daily movement, fits Semrush. Use the free tools on both first, then run Semrush's 7-day trial in a week when you can look at it every day.
Do you make SEO software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Does Semrush have a free plan?
Semrush's plans page lists a 7-day free trial and a set of free tools. No free plan is listed among its plans.
Does Moz have a free plan?
Moz Pro has no free plan listed, but Moz offers free SEO tools, including a Domain Authority checker and MozBar, and a free trial on its middle plan.
How many keywords does each entry plan track?
Moz Pro Standard tracks 300 keywords a month across 3 sites. Semrush's SEO plan tracks 500 keywords daily across 5 websites.
Do Moz and Semrush track AI search?
Yes. Moz Standard tracks 150 prompts weekly across 3 AI models, and Semrush's Starter plan tracks 50 prompts daily.
Who created Domain Authority?
Domain Authority is Moz's own metric of how likely a site is to rank.
