Heap vs Matomo: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right analytics tool for your needs.

Our Pick: Heap (by a slight margin)

Heap edges out with a slightly higher rating (8 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
H
Heap(Winner)
M
Matomo
Overall Rating
8/10
7.5/10
Starting Price
Free
$19/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
medium
medium
Ease of Use
8/10
6/10
Features
9/10
8/10
Value for Money
7/10
8/10
Support
7/10
7/10

Overview

H

Heap

Heap automatically captures all user interactions without manual event tracking. Great for retroactive analysis and teams wanting comprehensive behavioral data.

M

Matomo

Matomo (formerly Piwik) is an open-source analytics platform that can be self-hosted. Full Google Analytics replacement with complete data ownership.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Heap
H

Heap

Better Value
Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting PriceFree
Free Trial
Free Tier
M

Matomo

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$19/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Matomo
FeatureHeapMatomo
Web Analytics
Product Analytics
Limited
Heatmaps
Session Recording
Funnel Analysis
Privacy Focused
Real Time
Ab Testing
Data Retention
Varies
Unlimited (self-host)
Custom Events
Auto-captured

0

features unique to Heap

1

features unique to Matomo

Pros & Cons

H

Heap

Pros

  • Auto-captures all events
  • Retroactive analysis possible
  • Session replay included
  • Good free tier
  • Easy implementation

Cons

  • Can be expensive at scale
  • Data can be overwhelming
  • Requires data governance
  • Some features need setup
M

Matomo

Pros

  • 100% data ownership
  • GDPR compliant
  • Similar to Google Analytics
  • Free self-hosted option
  • No data sampling

Cons

  • Self-hosting requires technical skills
  • Interface feels dated
  • Cloud version gets expensive
  • Steeper learning curve

The Verdict: Heap Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but Heap edges out Matomo with a slightly higher overall rating of 8/10 versus 7.5/10. Both are solid choices, but Heap offers a marginally better overall package.

Heap's advantages include Auto-captures all events and Retroactive analysis possible, though Matomo counters with 100% data ownership and GDPR compliant.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to Heap, but don't count out Matomo if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose Heap if you...

  • • Need teams wanting complete data
  • • Need retroactive analysis needs
  • • Need product experimentation

Choose Matomo if you...

  • • Need organizations needing data ownership
  • • Need government and healthcare
  • • Need privacy-conscious enterprises

Ready to Get Started?

Try HeapTry Matomo

Read our full reviews:

Heap Full ReviewMatomo Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

Related Comparisons

G
vs
M
Google Analytics 4 vs Matomo
H
vs
H
Hotjar vs Heap
M
vs
H
Mixpanel vs Heap
H
vs
M
Hotjar vs Matomo
A
vs
H
Amplitude vs Heap
H
vs
P
Heap vs PostHog
View all Analytics comparisons

Heap vs Matomo FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Heap has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, Heap is more affordable with plans starting at $0/month, compared to $19/month for the other.
Heap scores higher in ease of use (8/10) compared to Matomo (6/10).
Yes, migration between Heap and Matomo is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
Both tools can work for small teams. Heap is best for medium teams while Matomo suits medium teams.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Heap offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Heap excels at: Teams wanting complete data, Retroactive analysis needs. Matomo is better for: Organizations needing data ownership, Government and healthcare. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Both tools have similar support ratings at 7/10.
Matomo offers better value for money with a rating of 8/10 compared to Heap's 7/10.
Consider switching if Matomo's strengths (Organizations needing data ownership) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.