PostHog vs Pirsch
PostHog is open-source product analytics suite with session replay, feature flags, A/B testing, and surveys, while Pirsch is privacy-friendly web analytics with no cookies, made and hosted in Germany. The biggest difference up front: PostHog is free, while Pirsch starts at $4/mo. PostHog is built for product teams that need analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one tool, whereas Pirsch targets privacy-focused teams wanting simple web analytics.
| Feature | PostHog | Pirsch |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | — |
| Cookie-Free | — | ✓ |
| Events | — | ✓ |
| Feature Flags | ✓ | — |
| GDPR-Ready | — | ✓ |
| Product Analytics | ✓ | — |
| Server-Side | — | ✓ |
| Session Replay | ✓ | — |
| Surveys | ✓ | — |
Pricing: PostHog is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Pirsch starts at $4/mo, but Free for 2.5K pageviews. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: PostHog offers A/B Testing, Feature Flags and Product Analytics that Pirsch lacks. Pirsch brings Cookie-Free, Events and GDPR-Ready that PostHog does not have.
Team fit: PostHog is geared toward any size teams, while Pirsch is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: PostHog is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Pirsch is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: PostHog's biggest strengths are: all-in-one: analytics, session replay, feature flags, a/b tests. generous free tier (1m events/mo). Pirsch's biggest strengths are: includes cookie-free as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. includes gdpr-ready as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
Watch out for: With PostHog, users commonly note that can be overwhelming — lots of features. With Pirsch, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
choose PostHog if
- You need a tool built for product teams that need analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one tool
- Budget is a hard constraint — PostHog is free, Pirsch is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need A/B Testing and Feature Flags
- You care about generous free tier (1m events/mo)
choose Pirsch if
- You need a tool built for privacy-focused teams wanting simple web analytics
- You specifically need Cookie-Free and Events
- You care about includes gdpr-ready as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Pirsch is designed for
- The free tier works for you: free for 2.5k pageviews
frequently asked
What is the difference between PostHog and Pirsch?
PostHog is open-source product analytics suite with session replay, feature flags, A/B testing, and surveys, while Pirsch is privacy-friendly web analytics with no cookies, made and hosted in Germany. The biggest difference up front: PostHog is free, while Pirsch starts at $4/mo. PostHog is built for product teams that need analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one tool, whereas Pirsch targets privacy-focused teams wanting simple web analytics.
Should I use PostHog or Pirsch?
PostHog is the free option; Pirsch charges $4/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose PostHog over Pirsch?
Choose PostHog if You need a tool built for product teams that need analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one tool; Budget is a hard constraint — PostHog is free, Pirsch is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need A/B Testing and Feature Flags; You care about generous free tier (1m events/mo).
When should I choose Pirsch over PostHog?
Choose Pirsch if You need a tool built for privacy-focused teams wanting simple web analytics; You specifically need Cookie-Free and Events; You care about includes gdpr-ready as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows; Your team size fits the small teams profile Pirsch is designed for; The free tier works for you: free for 2.5k pageviews.
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