Heap vs Pendo: 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 Pendo goes after "build products users love" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. Both use freemium pricing, but Heap charges custom while Pendo charges per mau — a meaningful difference for larger teams.
At a glance
| Heap | Pendo | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 80/100 | 82/100 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Automatically capture everything users do | Build products users love |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Heap | Pendo |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-capture events | Yes | No |
| Funnel analysis | Yes | No |
| Retention analysis | Yes | No |
| User segmentation | Yes | No |
| Session replay | Yes | No |
| Product analytics | No | Yes |
| In-app guides | No | Yes |
| Tooltips | No | Yes |
| NPS surveys | No | Yes |
| Feature flags | No | No |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Heap means going without Product analytics, In-app guides, Tooltips (which Pendo offers). Choosing Pendo 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.
What company size tells you
Heap (201-500 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Pendo (1001-5000 employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
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 Pendo if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is Heap or Pendo better?
Pendo scores 82/100 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 Pendo scores 8/10.
How much does Heap cost compared to Pendo?
Heap starts at free (free tier available). Pendo starts at free (free tier available). Heap is the more affordable option.
Does Heap or Pendo have a free plan?
Yes, both Heap and Pendo offer free tiers, so you can try each before committing to a paid plan.
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