Moz Local vs Yext: Best Local SEO Tool? (2025)

Quick Comparison

| Starting Price | $20/mo (2 locations) | $199/mo (1 location) |

| Best For | Single-location businesses | Multi-location enterprises |

| Directory Submissions | 40+ major directories | 200+ directories & publishers |

| Citation Monitoring | Basic | Advanced (real-time alerts) |

| Review Management | Basic (view only) | ✅ Advanced (respond, analyze) |

| Google Business Profile | Manual sync | ✅ Automated management |

| API Access | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Enterprise) |

| Learning Curve | 30 minutes | 2-4 hours |

| NAP Cleanup | Manual | ✅ Automated suppression |

| Best Support | Email | Phone + dedicated rep |

Bottom Line: Moz Local = Best Value. Yext = Most Powerful (but overkill for most).

Moz Local: The Small Business Favorite

What It Does Best

Moz Local → is designed for single-location small businesses that need to get found on Google Maps without complexity or high costs.

Standout Features:

1. Affordable — $20/mo for 2 locations (Yext charges $199/mo for 1 location)

2. Dead Simple — Set up in 30 minutes, no training needed

3. Duplicate Suppression — Finds and suggests fixes for duplicate listings

4. Review Monitoring — See all reviews across platforms in one dashboard

5. Local SEO Insights — Shows how you rank for local searches

Pricing:

- Lite: $20/mo (2 locations)

- Preferred: $30/mo (5 locations)

- Elite: Custom pricing (10+ locations)

Where It Falls Short

- Limited Directories — 40+ directories vs Yext's 200+ (matters for national brands)

- Basic Review Management — You can see reviews but can't respond from Moz

- No Automated Syncing — Changes to Google Business Profile aren't auto-synced

- Slower Updates — Can take 4-8 weeks for directory changes to appear

- No API — Can't integrate with other tools

Who Should Use Moz Local

✅ Single-location businesses (restaurants, dentists, law firms)

✅ Small agencies managing 5-10 local clients

✅ Startups needing local visibility on a budget

✅ Service businesses (plumbers, electricians, contractors)

✅ Anyone spending under $50/mo on local SEO

Yext: The Enterprise Standard

What It Does Best

Yext → is built for multi-location businesses that need enterprise-grade listing management, review tools, and automation. It's the "Salesforce of local SEO."

Standout Features:

1. Massive Network — 200+ directories, publishers, and apps (Apple Maps, Bing, Yelp, etc.)

2. Real-Time Sync — Updates across all platforms in minutes (Moz takes weeks)

3. Advanced Review Management — Respond to reviews from one dashboard, AI sentiment analysis

4. Google Business Profile Posts — Create and schedule posts directly from Yext

5. Knowledge Graph — Proprietary data structure that ensures NAP consistency

Pricing:

- Essentials: $199/mo (1 location, basic listings)

- Complete: $399/mo (1 location, reviews + analytics)

- Premium: Custom (multi-location, API, dedicated support)

Note: Yext's pricing is notoriously complex. Most businesses pay $300-500/mo per location.

Where It Falls Short

- Expensive — 10x the cost of Moz Local for similar core features

- Complex — Steep learning curve, requires training

- Overkill for Most — Single-location businesses don't need 200+ directories

- Contract Lock-In — Annual contracts common (harder to cancel)

- Overwhelming Dashboard — Too many features for simple needs

Who Should Use Yext

✅ Multi-location franchises (50+ locations)

✅ National chains (retail, QSR, hospitality)

✅ Enterprise brands needing advanced analytics

✅ Businesses with dedicated marketing teams

✅ Anyone managing 100+ Google Business Profiles

Head-to-Head: 8 Key Features

1. Pricing & Value

Moz Local WINS

- $20/mo for 2 locations vs Yext's $199/mo for 1 location

Yext:

- $199-$399/mo per location

Verdict: Moz Local offers 10x better value for small businesses.

2. Directory Distribution

Yext WINS

- 200+ directories including niche platforms (Foursquare, TripAdvisor, Pandora, etc.)

Moz Local:

- 40+ major directories (Google, Bing, Yelp, Facebook, Apple Maps)

Verdict: Yext if you need comprehensive coverage, Moz Local if major directories are enough.

3. Review Management

Yext WINS

- Respond to reviews from one dashboard

Moz Local:

- View reviews only (can't respond)

Verdict: Yext for businesses prioritizing reputation management.

4. Google Business Profile Management

Yext WINS

- Automated sync with Google Business Profile

Moz Local:

- Manual updates only

Verdict: Yext for active Google Business Profile management.

5. Duplicate Listing Cleanup

TIE

Both tools identify duplicate listings, but:

- Moz Local: Suggests fixes, you implement manually

- Yext: Automated suppression (actively removes duplicates)

Verdict: Yext for automation, Moz Local if you're willing to do manual work.

6. Ease of Use

Moz Local WINS

- 30-minute setup (even for non-technical users)

Yext:

- 2-4 hour setup (complex onboarding)

Verdict: Moz Local for simplicity, Yext for power users.

7. Citation Monitoring

Yext WINS

- Real-time monitoring with alerts when listings change

Moz Local:

- Monthly monitoring (not real-time)

Verdict: Yext for proactive monitoring, Moz Local for basic tracking.

8. Reporting & Analytics

Yext WINS

- Advanced analytics (search performance, customer actions, ROI tracking)

Moz Local:

- Basic reports (listing status, search visibility)

Verdict: Yext for data-driven teams, Moz Local for basic insights.

Real-World Scenarios: Which Tool Saves You More?

Scenario 1: Single-Location Restaurant

Moz Local — $20/mo

- Annual Cost: $240

Yext Complete — $399/mo

- Annual Cost: $4,788

Winner: Moz Local saves $4,548/year (95% cheaper)

Why Yext is overkill: Restaurants get 90% of their traffic from Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Paying for 200+ directories doesn't move the needle.

Scenario 2: 10-Location Retail Chain

Moz Local Elite — ~$100/mo (10 locations)

- Annual Cost: $1,200

Yext Premium — ~$3,000/mo (10 locations @ $300/mo each)

- Annual Cost: $36,000

Winner: Depends on internal labor costs.

Math: If updating 10 locations manually takes 5 hours/month @ $50/hr = $250/mo in labor.

Moz Total Cost: $1,200 + ($250 x 12) = $4,200/year

Yext Total Cost: $36,000/year

Verdict: Moz Local still 8x cheaper even with labor costs.

Scenario 3: 500-Location Franchise (National Chain)

Moz Local Elite — Not scalable (max ~50 locations)

Yext Enterprise — Custom pricing (~$150/location/mo bulk rate)

- Annual Cost: $900,000

Why Yext wins: At this scale, automation is critical. Manual updates for 500 locations = full-time team of 5+ people ($300K/year in salaries). Yext's $900K includes:

Net Savings: ~$200K/year vs building internal system.

Decision Framework: Which Tool Should You Choose?

Choose Moz Local If...

✅ You have 1-5 locations

✅ You're a small business with under $1M revenue

✅ You primarily care about Google & Yelp (the top 2)

✅ Your budget is under $50/mo

✅ You want simple, set-and-forget listings

✅ You can handle manual review monitoring

Start with: [Moz Local Lite - $20/mo (2 locations) →](/tools/moz-local)

Choose Yext If...

✅ You have 10+ locations (or plan to grow to 10+)

✅ You're a franchise or chain with 50+ locations

✅ You need real-time sync across all platforms

✅ Review management is a top priority

✅ You have a dedicated marketing team

✅ Your budget is $500+/mo

Start with: [Yext Essentials - $199/mo (1 location) →](/tools/yext)

The "Hybrid" Strategy (For Growing Businesses)

For businesses with 5-20 locations:

Start with Moz Local for core listings, add point solutions for specific needs:

- Moz Local: $30/mo (5 locations) — Core listings

- GatherUp: $79/mo — Review management & requests

- Google Business Profile Dashboard: Free — Direct GBP management

Total Cost: ~$110/mo vs Yext's $1,500/mo for 5 locations

Savings: $16,680/year while getting similar functionality.

What Real Users Say

Moz Local Reviews

Positive:

> "Moz Local is perfect for our single-location law firm. Set it up in 20 minutes, never think about it. $20/mo is a no-brainer." — *Personal Injury Attorney*

> "We manage 8 local clients with Moz Local. The duplicate listing detection alone saves us 2 hours/month per client." — *Local SEO Agency*

Negative:

> "Updates are slow (took 6 weeks for Yelp). Also wish I could respond to reviews from Moz instead of going to each site." — *Restaurant Owner*

Yext Reviews

Positive:

> "Yext transformed our 250-location franchise. Real-time sync means changes go live in minutes. The review management saves our team 20 hours/week." — *VP Marketing, QSR Chain*

> "We tried Moz Local but outgrew it fast. Yext's API integrates with our POS system—location changes auto-sync everywhere." — *Multi-Location Retailer*

Negative:

> "Yext is way too expensive for single-location businesses. We paid $399/mo for features we never used. Switched to Moz Local and saved $4,500/year." — *Small Business Owner*

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake #1: Assuming More Directories = Better Results

Why it's wrong: 80% of local search traffic comes from Google, Apple Maps, Bing, and Yelp. Yext's 200+ directories don't significantly impact rankings.

Better approach: Focus on the top 10 directories that matter for your industry. Moz Local covers these.

❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring Review Management Needs

Why it's wrong: If reviews are critical to your business (restaurants, hotels, dentists), Moz Local's "view-only" reviews are limiting.

Better approach: If reviews drive 30%+ of revenue, invest in Yext or a dedicated review tool like Birdeye ($299/mo).

❌ Mistake #3: Choosing Based on Location Count Alone

Why it's wrong: Yext charges per location, but Moz Local's pricing jumps fast above 5 locations.

Better approach: Calculate cost per location:

- Moz Local: $4/location/mo (at 5 locations)

- Yext: $199-$399/location/mo

If you have 10+ locations but don't need Yext's advanced features, explore alternatives like [Semrush Local →](/tools/semrush-local) ($20/mo unlimited locations).

❌ Mistake #4: Not Testing First

Why it's wrong: Both tools offer free trials. Don't commit without testing your specific use case.

Better approach:

1. Moz Local: 14-day free trial

2. Yext: Contact sales for demo (no self-serve trial)

3. Test with 1-2 real locations

4. Measure time savings vs cost

Alternatives to Consider

Before committing, also explore:

For Single-Location Businesses:

- Semrush Local — $20/mo, unlimited locations (best value!)

- BrightLocal — $39/mo, includes citation building + audits

- Whitespark — $20/mo, citation tracking + management

For Multi-Location Businesses:

- Semrush Local — $20/mo unlimited locations (seriously underpriced)

- BrightLocal — $79/mo for 10 locations

- SOCi — Enterprise alternative to Yext (custom pricing)

Read: [BrightLocal vs Moz Local 2025 →](/learn/brightlocal-vs-moz-local)

Final Verdict: Moz Local vs Yext

For 90% of Businesses: **Moz Local Wins**

Why: Most small businesses have 1-5 locations and get 90% of their traffic from Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Moz Local covers these directories at $20/mo. Yext's $199/mo starting price is overkill unless you need advanced features.

Best Plan: [Moz Local Lite - $20/mo (2 locations) →](/tools/moz-local)

For Enterprise & Franchises: **Yext Wins**

Why: If you're managing 50+ locations, Yext's automation pays for itself. Real-time sync, advanced review management, and API access eliminate the need for full-time listing management staff.

Best Plan: [Yext Premium (Contact sales for custom pricing) →](/tools/yext)

The Secret "Best Value" Option: **Semrush Local**

Plot twist: Semrush Local → offers unlimited locations for $20/mo. It's basically Moz Local's pricing with better scalability.

Why it's hidden: Semrush doesn't heavily promote this tool (they make more money on core Semrush). But for 5-50 location businesses, it's the sweet spot.

Best Plan: [Semrush Local - $20/mo (unlimited locations) →](/tools/semrush-local)

FAQ

Can I manage multiple locations with Moz Local?

Yes. Moz Local offers tiered pricing:

Does Yext have a free trial?

No. Yext requires you to contact sales for a demo. They don't offer self-serve free trials like Moz Local does.

Which tool is better for review management?

Yext wins. It lets you respond to reviews from one dashboard, request reviews, and analyze sentiment with AI. Moz Local only monitors reviews (you can't respond from Moz).

If reviews are critical, consider a dedicated review tool like Birdeye or GatherUp alongside Moz Local.

How long does it take for directory updates to appear?

Moz Local: 4-8 weeks (manual submissions)

Yext: Minutes to hours (real-time API sync)

Can I switch from Moz Local to Yext later?

Yes. Both tools are subscription-based with no long-term contracts (though Yext often pushes annual deals). You can cancel Moz Local anytime and migrate to Yext.

Note: When you cancel Moz Local, your listings don't disappear—they just stop being monitored/updated by Moz.

Which tool is better for local SEO rankings?

Both are equal for core listings (Google, Bing, Apple Maps). The #1 ranking factors for local SEO are:

1. Google Business Profile optimization (both tools help)

2. Reviews (Yext is better for management)

3. NAP consistency (both tools ensure this)

The real difference: Yext's real-time sync means ranking signals update faster, but Moz Local's 4-8 week delay rarely impacts rankings noticeably.

Next Steps

30-Day Action Plan

Week 1: Audit Current Listings

1. Google your business name + city

2. Check Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook

3. Look for duplicate listings or incorrect NAP

4. Document current listing status (spreadsheet)

5. Count how many directories you're on

Week 2: Test Moz Local

1. Sign up for 14-day free trial

2. Add your location(s)

3. Let Moz scan for duplicate listings

4. Review suggested directory submissions

5. Monitor review dashboard

Week 3: Calculate ROI

1. Estimate time spent managing listings manually (hours/month)

2. Calculate labor cost (hours x hourly rate)

3. Compare to Moz Local cost ($20/mo)

4. If time savings > $20/mo, Moz Local wins

5. If you need features Moz doesn't have, request Yext demo

Week 4: Commit & Optimize

1. Subscribe to chosen tool

2. Submit to all recommended directories

3. Fix duplicate listings

4. Set up review monitoring alerts

5. Schedule quarterly audit (repeat Week 1)

Start Your Comparison Today:

🔥 [Try Moz Local Free (14 days) - $20/mo →](/tools/moz-local)

🔥 [Request Yext Demo - $199/mo →](/tools/yext)

💡 [Try Semrush Local - $20/mo unlimited locations →](/tools/semrush-local)

More Comparisons:

📊 [BrightLocal vs Moz Local 2025 →](/learn/brightlocal-vs-moz-local)

📊 [Best Local SEO Tools for Small Business →](/learn/ai-seo-tools-small-business)

📊 [Yext Alternatives: Cheaper Options That Work →](/learn/yext-alternatives)

*Last Updated: November 10, 2025 — Prices verified on official websites*