Heap vs Hotjar: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Heap positions itself as "automatically capture everything users do" 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 Heap charges custom while Hotjar charges flat — a meaningful difference for larger teams.
At a glance
| Heap | Hotjar | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 80/100 | 83/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Automatically capture everything users do | See how users really experience your site |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Heap | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-capture events | Yes | No |
| Funnel analysis | Yes | No |
| Retention analysis | Yes | No |
| User segmentation | Yes | No |
| Session replay | 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 Heap means going without Heatmaps, Session recordings, Funnels (which Hotjar offers). Choosing Hotjar means losing Auto-capture events, Funnel analysis, Retention analysis. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
Choose Heap if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- 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 Heap or Hotjar better?
Hotjar scores 83/100 compared to Heap's 80/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Heap excels at ease of use (8/10) while Hotjar scores 9/10.
How much does Heap cost compared to Hotjar?
Heap starts at free (free tier available). Hotjar starts at free (free tier available). Heap is the more affordable option.
Does Heap or Hotjar have a free plan?
Yes, both Heap and Hotjar offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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