Hotjar
Heatmaps, session recordings, and feedback tools
Quick verdict
Hotjar is built for solo founders and small teams who need solid analytics capabilities. It holds its own against competitors like Heap. You can start for free, which makes it low-risk to test.
Hotjar is a behaviour analytics tool that helps teams understand how users interact with their website. Its heatmaps, session recordings, and on-site surveys are widely used by UX designers and conversion optimisers.
What we like
- Easy to install
- Great heatmap visualisations
- Good free plan
- User-friendly interface
Watch out for
- Session limits on lower tiers
- Less powerful for event analytics
- Can slow down pages slightly
Key features
Who should use Hotjar?
If you are a Solo / freelancer...
The free plan covers the basics. You will probably not need to upgrade until you hit the limits of the Basic (Free) plan.
If you are a 5-person startup...
Start on the free plan and upgrade when collaboration features become essential. Budget around $160/mo for a team of five on the paid plan.
If you are a 50+ person company...
You will likely need the Business plan or above. At this scale, check the trends and integrations capabilities — they matter more as teams grow.
Pricing: the honest take
The free plan is genuinely useful for heatmaps and session recordings — not just a teaser. You can run real work on it. When you outgrow it, the jump to Plus at $32/mo is reasonable.
See full Hotjar pricing breakdown →Top Hotjar alternatives
Our verdict
Hotjar is a well-regarded analytics tool with 4 pricing plans. The free plan makes it easy to get started with no upfront cost. If the watch-outs above are dealbreakers, see the alternatives below.
Hotjar: frequently asked questions
Is Hotjar free?
Yes — Hotjar offers a free plan. Paid plans start at $32/mo.
How much does Hotjar cost?
Hotjar has 4 plans. There is a free tier. Paid plans start at $32/mo. See full pricing →
What are the best alternatives to Hotjar?
Top alternatives include Heap. See full comparison →