Amplitude vs Hotjar: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Amplitude positions itself as "product analytics for digital teams" while Hotjar goes after "see how users really experience your site" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Both use freemium pricing, but Amplitude charges per mtu while Hotjar charges flat — a meaningful difference for larger teams.
At a glance
| Amplitude | Hotjar | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 82/100 | 83/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Product analytics for digital teams | See how users really experience your site |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Amplitude | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Funnel analysis | Yes | No |
| Retention analysis | Yes | No |
| Behavioral cohorts | Plus+ | No |
| Session replay | Add-on | No |
| Dashboards | Yes | No |
| Heatmaps | No | Yes |
| Session recordings | No | Yes |
| Funnels | No | Yes |
| Surveys | No | Yes |
| Feedback widgets | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Amplitude means going without Heatmaps, Session recordings, Funnels (which Hotjar offers). Choosing Hotjar means losing Funnel analysis, Retention analysis, Behavioral cohorts. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Hotjar (201-500 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Amplitude (1,000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Amplitude if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Choose Hotjar if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is Amplitude or Hotjar better?
Hotjar scores 83/100 compared to Amplitude's 82/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Amplitude excels at ease of use (7/10) while Hotjar scores 9/10.
How much does Amplitude cost compared to Hotjar?
Amplitude starts at free (free tier available). Hotjar starts at free (free tier available). Amplitude is the more affordable option.
Does Amplitude or Hotjar have a free plan?
Yes, both Amplitude and Hotjar offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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