Hotjar vs Simple Analytics
Hotjar is behavior analytics tool with heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback surveys, while Simple Analytics is privacy-first analytics that doesn't track users or use cookies. The biggest difference up front: Hotjar is free, while Simple Analytics starts at $9/mo. Hotjar is built for teams wanting heatmaps and session recordings, whereas Simple Analytics targets privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics.
| Feature | Hotjar | Simple Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Events | — | ✓ |
| Funnels | ✓ | — |
| GDPR Compliant | — | ✓ |
| Goals | — | ✓ |
| Heatmaps | ✓ | — |
| No Cookies | — | ✓ |
| Session Recordings | ✓ | — |
| Surveys | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Hotjar is completely free (Free for 35 sessions/day), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Simple Analytics starts at $9/mo. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Hotjar offers Funnels, Heatmaps and Session Recordings that Simple Analytics lacks. Simple Analytics brings Events, GDPR Compliant and Goals that Hotjar does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target small teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: Hotjar's biggest strengths are: includes heatmaps as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. includes session recordings as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. Simple Analytics's biggest strengths are: includes no cookies as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. includes gdpr compliant as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
Watch out for: With Hotjar, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Simple Analytics, the main complaint is that no free plan — you need to pay $9/mo from day one to use it.
choose Hotjar if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting heatmaps and session recordings
- Budget is a hard constraint — Hotjar is free, Simple Analytics is not
- You specifically need Funnels and Heatmaps
- You care about includes session recordings as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- The free tier works for you: free for 35 sessions/day
choose Simple Analytics if
- You need a tool built for privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics
- You specifically need Events and GDPR Compliant
- You care about includes gdpr compliant as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
frequently asked
What is the difference between Hotjar and Simple Analytics?
Hotjar is behavior analytics tool with heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback surveys, while Simple Analytics is privacy-first analytics that doesn't track users or use cookies. The biggest difference up front: Hotjar is free, while Simple Analytics starts at $9/mo. Hotjar is built for teams wanting heatmaps and session recordings, whereas Simple Analytics targets privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics.
Should I use Hotjar or Simple Analytics?
Hotjar is the free option; Simple Analytics charges $9/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Hotjar over Simple Analytics?
Choose Hotjar if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting heatmaps and session recordings; Budget is a hard constraint — Hotjar is free, Simple Analytics is not; You specifically need Funnels and Heatmaps; You care about includes session recordings as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows; The free tier works for you: free for 35 sessions/day.
When should I choose Simple Analytics over Hotjar?
Choose Simple Analytics if You need a tool built for privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics; You specifically need Events and GDPR Compliant; You care about includes gdpr compliant as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
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