Umami vs Heap
Umami is open-source, privacy-focused web analytics you can self-host, while Heap is digital analytics platform that auto-captures every user interaction without manual event tracking. Umami is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Umami is built for developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics, whereas Heap targets teams wanting auto-captured analytics without tagging.
| Feature | Umami | Heap |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| Auto-Capture | — | ✓ |
| Cookieless | ✓ | — |
| Custom Events | ✓ | — |
| Funnels | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✓ | — |
| Real-Time Dashboard | ✓ | — |
| Segments | — | ✓ |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ | — |
| Session Replay | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Both Umami and Heap are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.
Feature gaps: Umami offers Cookieless, Custom Events and Open Source that Heap lacks. Heap brings Auto-Capture, Funnels and Segments that Umami does not have.
Team fit: Umami is geared toward individual users and small setups, while Heap is aimed at mid-size 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: Umami is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Heap is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Umami's biggest strengths are: free and open source. easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway). Heap's biggest strengths are: includes auto-capture as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. includes session replay as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
Watch out for: With Umami, users commonly note that requires self-hosting for free use. With Heap, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
choose Umami if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Cookieless and Custom Events
- You care about easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway)
- Your team size fits the individuals profile Umami is designed for
choose Heap if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting auto-captured analytics without tagging
- You specifically need Auto-Capture and Funnels
- You care about includes session replay as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile Heap is designed for
- The free tier works for you: free up to 10k sessions/mo
frequently asked
What is the difference between Umami and Heap?
Umami is open-source, privacy-focused web analytics you can self-host, while Heap is digital analytics platform that auto-captures every user interaction without manual event tracking. Umami is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Umami is built for developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics, whereas Heap targets teams wanting auto-captured analytics without tagging.
Should I use Umami or Heap?
Umami gives you open source and self-hosting; Heap is a managed service. Which trade-off works for you?
When should I choose Umami over Heap?
Choose Umami if Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Cookieless and Custom Events; You care about easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway); Your team size fits the individuals profile Umami is designed for.
When should I choose Heap over Umami?
Choose Heap if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting auto-captured analytics without tagging; You specifically need Auto-Capture and Funnels; You care about includes session replay as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows; Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile Heap is designed for; The free tier works for you: free up to 10k sessions/mo.
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