Home › Hotjar alternatives
Cheaper alternatives to Hotjar
Updated September 30, 2026 · Researched by the SaveStack team
On this page: Shortlist · Quick comparison · FAQ
The shortlist
Microsoft ClarityBest valueFree plan
Microsoft's behavioral analytics tool with heatmaps, session recordings, and ML insights, free with no traffic limits.
- Free forever with no traffic limits or forced upgrades
- Includes heatmaps, session recordings, and ML-driven insights
- Less depth in segmentation, experimentation, and funnel analysis than paid CRO platforms
Crazy Egg
Heatmaps, conversion analytics, and surveys with a free plan that needs no credit card.
- Free plan includes Instant Heatmaps, conversion analytics, and surveys
- No credit card required to start
- Free tier lacks full session-recording and A/B testing quotas; paid plans pause data collection when limits are hit
PostHog
Product analytics, session replay, and heatmaps with a generous free monthly event allowance and no card required.
- Free monthly event allowance across analytics, session replay, and heatmaps
- Not a trial: usage stops instead of billing you unexpectedly
- Usage-based model is more complex for non-technical teams; overages cost per event
Quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | You save | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotjar (the expensive one) | $39/month (starting paid plan; Hotjar's standalone pricing page now redirects to Contentsquare — figure is vendor-stated in Contentsquare's own content) | — | — | Teams that need every bell and whistle |
| Microsoft Clarity | Free forever ($0; no traffic limits) | Yes | Save $468/year | Teams that only need heatmaps and session replays. |
| Crazy Egg | Free ($0; Instant Heatmaps, analytics and surveys) | Yes | Save $468/year | Small sites wanting basic heatmaps and surveys for free. |
| PostHog | Free ($0; monthly free usage across analytics and replay) | Yes | Save $468/year | Product teams wanting analytics, replay, and heatmaps in one free tool. |
Pricing sources: each vendor's official pricing page, last checked September 30, 2026.
FAQ
Why switch away from Hotjar? It usually comes down to price. Most teams use a fraction of what Hotjar offers, so the full subscription is hard to justify. For Hotjar specifically, switching to Microsoft Clarity saves $468/year versus Hotjar's sticker price.
Are cheaper tools worse? Rarely, for the basics. The cheaper tools on this page handle the same day-to-day workflow — what you lose is usually the enterprise layer: SSO, audit logs, or white-glove support. The trade-offs are listed under each alternative.
Can I switch back later? Absolutely. Nearly every alternative here offers a free plan or trial, so you can run it alongside Hotjar before cancelling.
Prices checked September 30, 2026 and may have changed. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page.