Hotjar 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
Hotjar
P
PostHog(Winner)
Overall Rating
8/10
8.5/10
Starting Price
$32/mo
Free
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
medium
Ease of Use
9/10
7/10
Features
8/10
9/10
Value for Money
7/10
10/10
Support
8/10
7/10

Overview

H

Hotjar

Hotjar combines heatmaps, session recordings, and feedback tools to show how users interact with your website. Great for UX insights and conversion optimization.

P

PostHog

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

Better value: PostHog
H

Hotjar

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$32/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
P

PostHog

Better Value
Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting PriceFree
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: PostHog
FeatureHotjarPostHog
Web Analytics
Basic
Product Analytics
Heatmaps
Session Recording
Funnel Analysis
Privacy Focused
Self-host option
Real Time
Ab Testing
Data Retention
365 days
Configurable
Custom Events

0

features unique to Hotjar

2

features unique to PostHog

Pros & Cons

H

Hotjar

Pros

  • Visual heatmaps and recordings
  • Easy to understand insights
  • User feedback tools
  • Free tier available
  • Quick to implement

Cons

  • Recording limits on lower plans
  • Can slow down site slightly
  • Privacy considerations
  • Limited quantitative analytics
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 Hotjar 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 Hotjar counters with Visual heatmaps and recordings and Easy to understand insights.

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

Choose Hotjar if you...

  • • Need ux research and optimization
  • • Need conversion rate optimization
  • • Need understanding user behavior visually

Choose PostHog if you...

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

Ready to Get Started?

Try HotjarTry PostHog

Read our full reviews:

Hotjar Full ReviewPostHog Full Review

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

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Hotjar 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.
Yes, PostHog is more affordable with plans starting at $0/month, compared to $32/month for the other.
Hotjar scores higher in ease of use (9/10) compared to PostHog (7/10).
Yes, migration between Hotjar and PostHog is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, Hotjar is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Hotjar offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Hotjar excels at: UX research and optimization, Conversion rate optimization. PostHog is better for: Startups wanting free analytics, Teams wanting data ownership. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Hotjar rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to PostHog (7/10).
PostHog offers better value for money with a rating of 10/10 compared to Hotjar'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.