Hotjar vs PostHog
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: PostHog (4.5/5)
We tested Hotjar and PostHog side-by-side. PostHog comes out ahead overall, but Hotjar may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Hotjar | PostHog |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Value for Money | 8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 7.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Overall | 8/10 | 8.5/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Hotjar | PostHog |
|---|---|---|
| Heatmaps | Yes | No |
| Session Recordings | Yes | No |
| Surveys | Yes | No |
| Feedback | Yes | No |
| Funnels | Yes | No |
| Product Analytics | No | Yes |
| Session Replay | No | Yes |
| Feature Flags | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Hotjar: Free – $99+/mo
PostHog: Free tier / From $0 (usage-based)
Hotjar Pros & Cons
Pros
- Visual heatmap analytics
- Session recordings reveal UX problems
- Easy setup
- Built-in feedback surveys
Cons
- Not for quantitative analytics
- Limited segmentation
PostHog Pros & Cons
Pros
- All-in-one platform
- Open-source
- Generous free tier
- Self-hostable
Cons
- Engineering-focused
- Learning curve
- Smaller community
- Less polished UI
Key Specifications
| Spec | Hotjar | PostHog |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing | Free – $99+/mo | Free tier / From $0 (usage-based) |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Valletta, Malta | London, UK |
| Employees | 400+ | N/A |
| Heatmaps | Yes | N/A |
| Free Plan | Yes (35 daily sessions) | N/A |
| Session Replay | Yes | N/A |
Our Verdict
PostHog wins overall. Choose Hotjar if you value UX designers. Choose PostHog if you prioritize Product teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hotjar better than PostHog?
Based on our testing, PostHog scores higher with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to Hotjar's 4.3/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Hotjar and PostHog?
Hotjar is known for: Visual analytics tool with heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback surveys.. PostHog is known for: All-in-one product analytics with session replay, feature flags, and A/B testing..
Which is cheaper, Hotjar or PostHog?
Hotjar pricing: Free – $99+/mo. PostHog pricing: Free tier / From $0 (usage-based).
Can I use Hotjar and PostHog together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the Analytics & Data category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of Hotjar?
Visual heatmap analytics. Session recordings reveal UX problems. Easy setup
What are the pros of PostHog?
All-in-one platform. Open-source. Generous free tier
Which analytics & data should I choose?
Choose Hotjar if you value UX designers. Choose PostHog if you prioritize Product teams.