---
title: "Hotjar vs Microsoft Clarity: Which is Better in 2026? | App Stack Builder"
description: "Hotjar vs Microsoft Clarity compared for 2026 — pricing, free tiers, features, pros & cons. See which session replay & heatmaps tool is the better fit for your startup."
source: https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/hotjar-vs-microsoft-clarity
retrieved: 2026-10-07
---

![](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=hotjar.com&sz=128)

vs

![](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=clarity.microsoft.com&sz=128)

# Hotjar vs Microsoft Clarity: Which is Better in 2026?

Session Replay & Heatmaps

Choosing between [Hotjar](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/hotjar) and [Microsoft Clarity](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/microsoft-clarity)? Both are popular session replay & heatmaps tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.

Quick verdict

Both Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity are strong session replay & heatmaps choices. The right pick comes down to your specific feature needs, existing stack, and team preferences.

## Hotjar vs Microsoft Clarity — Side by Side

|                | Hotjar                                   | Microsoft Clarity                          |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Category       | Session Replay & Heatmaps                | Session Replay & Heatmaps                  |
| Pricing        | Free · paid from $49/mo                  | Free                                       |
| Starting price | Free tier available                      | Free tier available                        |
| Free tier      | ✓                                        | ✓                                          |
| Rating         | 4.4                                      | 4.6                                        |
| Best for       | Session Replay & Heatmaps — heatmaps, ux | Session Replay & Heatmaps — heatmaps, free |

## Pros & Cons

![](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=hotjar.com&sz=128)

[Hotjar](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/hotjar)

* ✓Easiest heatmaps and replays for non-technical teams
* ✓Surveys and feedback widgets alongside behaviour data
* ✓Much larger free plan since the Contentsquare merger
* ✗Pricing climbs steeply with session volume
* ✗Brand and plans in flux after the Contentsquare merger
* ✗Less useful for debugging than developer-focused replay tools

![](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=clarity.microsoft.com&sz=128)

[Microsoft Clarity](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/microsoft-clarity)

* ✓Completely free at any traffic level
* ✓Rage-click and dead-click insights out of the box
* ✓Two-minute install, works alongside GA
* ✗30-day recording retention with no way to pay for more
* ✗No surveys, funnels or product analytics depth
* ✗Data goes to Microsoft, which some privacy reviews will flag

## Key Features Compared

### Hotjar

* ✓7,000 sessions / month at entry tier
* ✓13 months of data
* ✓3 projects
* ✓Scales to $739 / month at 200k sessions

### Microsoft Clarity

* ✓Unlimited traffic, no sampling
* ✓Recordings retained 30 days
* ✓Heatmaps retained up to 9 months
* ✓Unlimited team members

### Choose Hotjar if…

* ✓You want a free tier to validate before paying.
* ✓Easiest heatmaps and replays for non-technical teams
* ✓Surveys and feedback widgets alongside behaviour data
* ✓Much larger free plan since the Contentsquare merger
[Hotjar review & pricing ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/hotjar)

### Choose Microsoft Clarity if…

* ✓You want a free tier to validate before paying.
* ✓Completely free at any traffic level
* ✓Rage-click and dead-click insights out of the box
* ✓Two-minute install, works alongside GA
[Microsoft Clarity review & pricing ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/microsoft-clarity)

## Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hotjar better than Microsoft Clarity?⌄

Both Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity are strong session replay & heatmaps choices. The right pick comes down to your specific feature needs, existing stack, and team preferences.

What is the difference between Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity?⌄

Hotjar — The best-known heatmap and session recording tool, now sold as part of Contentsquare. Growth starts at $49/month for 7,000 sessions. Microsoft Clarity — Free session recordings and heatmaps from Microsoft, with no traffic limits, no sampling and no paid tier. Both are session replay & heatmaps tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.

Hotjar vs Microsoft Clarity: which is cheaper?⌄

Hotjar pricing: Free · paid from $49/mo. Microsoft Clarity pricing: Free. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.

Which is rated higher, Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity?⌄

In our catalog, Hotjar rates 4.4 out of 5 and Microsoft Clarity rates 4.6 out of 5, so Microsoft Clarity has a slight edge on reviews.

See more options in our guide to the [best session replay & heatmaps tools for startups](https://appstackbuilder.com/categories/session-replay).

## Still not sure which to pick?

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