Heap vs PostHog: Which Is Better in 2026?

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

Our Pick: PostHog (by a slight margin)

PostHog edges out with a slightly higher rating (8.5 vs 8)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
H
Heap
P
PostHog(Winner)
Overall Rating
8/10
8.5/10
Starting Price
Free
Free
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
medium
medium
Ease of Use
8/10
7/10
Features
9/10
9/10
Value for Money
7/10
10/10
Support
7/10
7/10

Overview

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

PostHog is an open-source product analytics suite with event tracking, session recording, feature flags, and A/B testing. Can be self-hosted for full data control.

Pricing Comparison

H

Heap

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting PriceFree
Free Trial
Free Tier
P

PostHog

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting PriceFree
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

FeatureHeapPostHog
Web Analytics
Product Analytics
Heatmaps
Session Recording
Funnel Analysis
Privacy Focused
Self-host option
Real Time
Ab Testing
Data Retention
Varies
Configurable
Custom Events
Auto-captured

0

features unique to Heap

0

features unique to PostHog

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
P

PostHog

Pros

  • Generous free tier
  • Open source, can self-host
  • All-in-one product analytics
  • Feature flags included
  • Session recording free

Cons

  • Self-hosting requires DevOps
  • UI not as polished
  • Can be complex to set up
  • Newer platform

The Verdict: PostHog Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but PostHog edges out Heap with a slightly higher overall rating of 8.5/10 versus 8/10. Both are solid choices, but PostHog offers a marginally better overall package.

PostHog's advantages include Generous free tier and Open source, can self-host, though Heap counters with Auto-captures all events and Retroactive analysis possible.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to PostHog, but don't count out Heap 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 PostHog if you...

  • • Need startups wanting free analytics
  • • Need teams wanting data ownership
  • • Need product-led companies

Ready to Get Started?

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

Heap vs PostHog FAQ

Based on our evaluation, PostHog has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8.5/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Both tools have similar pricing. Heap starts at $0/month while PostHog starts at $0/month.
Heap scores higher in ease of use (8/10) compared to PostHog (7/10).
Yes, migration between Heap and PostHog 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 PostHog 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. PostHog is better for: Startups wanting free analytics, Teams wanting data ownership. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Both tools have similar support ratings at 7/10.
PostHog offers better value for money with a rating of 10/10 compared to Heap's 7/10.
Consider switching if PostHog's strengths (Startups wanting free analytics) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.