Amplitude vs Microsoft Clarity: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Amplitude and Microsoft Clarity comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Amplitude wins this matchup. Google Analytics is our overall Web Analytics pick. Google Analytics is our free Web Analytics pick. Pick Microsoft Clarity if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Amplitude
Understand user behavior with product analytics and experimentation
Best for you if:
- • You want powerful analytics features
- • You want good free tier
Microsoft Clarity
Free heatmaps and session recordings
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Amplitude requires payment)
- • You want free heatmaps and recordings
- • You want easy setup
| At a Glance | Amplitude | Microsoft Clarity |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Web Analytics | Web Analytics |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Amplitude or Microsoft Clarity?
Choose Amplitude if
Understand user behavior with product analytics and experimentation
- You want powerful analytics features
- You want good free tier
Choose Microsoft Clarity if
Free heatmaps and session recordings
- You want a fully free tool (Amplitude requires payment)
- You want free heatmaps and recordings
- You want easy setup
| Feature | Amplitude | Microsoft Clarity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 3,059 reviews | ★4.6/5 113 reviews |
| Categories | Web AnalyticsProduct Analytics | Web AnalyticsHeatmaps |
In-Depth Analysis
Amplitude
Understand user behavior with product analytics and experimentation
Amplitude free Starter plan is genuinely useful: 10K monthly tracked users (MTUs), 10M events, session replay, and unlimited feature flags.
Watch out
MTU-based pricing can be expensive for products with many low-engagement users. A marketing site with 500K monthly visitors costs far more on Amplitude (MTU-based) than Mixpanel (event-based) if each visitor generates few events.
Strengths
- +Powerful analytics features
- +Good free tier
- +Strong cohort analysis
- +Session replay included
Weaknesses
- -Can be complex to set up
- -Expensive at scale
- -Learning curve for advanced features
Key features
Microsoft Clarity
Free heatmaps and session recordings
Microsoft Clarity offers an exceptionally generous pricing model, being entirely free.
Watch out
Potential for data storage limits (unspecified).
Strengths
- +Free heatmaps and recordings
- +Easy setup
- +Good insights
- +GDPR compliant option
- +Unlimited traffic
Weaknesses
- -Less features than paid tools
- -Microsoft ecosystem
- -Privacy concerns
- -Basic analytics
- -Limited filtering
Key features
Pricing: Amplitude vs Microsoft Clarity
| Plan | Amplitude | Microsoft Clarity |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Starter | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $49 Plus | N/A |
| Tier 3 | Custom Growth | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Amplitude pricing and Microsoft Clarity pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Microsoft Clarity is free. Amplitude is freemium.
Go with: Microsoft Clarity
Want the highest-rated option?
Amplitude: 4.5/5 (3,059 reviews). Microsoft Clarity: 4.6/5 (113 reviews).
Go with: Microsoft Clarity
Value user reviews?
Amplitude: 3,059 reviews (4.5/5). Microsoft Clarity: 113 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Amplitude
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Amplitude is freemium. Microsoft Clarity is free. Go with Microsoft Clarity if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are web analytics tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Microsoft Clarity is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.5/5.
Key Takeaways
Amplitude
- Larger review base (3,059 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Microsoft Clarity
- Completely free
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.5/5
The Bottom Line
Amplitude wins this matchup. Google Analytics is our overall Web Analytics pick. Google Analytics is our free Web Analytics pick. That said, Microsoft Clarity is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amplitude or Microsoft Clarity better?
Amplitude is rated in our evaluation. Amplitude is freemium and Microsoft Clarity is free.
What are Amplitude and Microsoft Clarity used for?
Amplitude: Understand user behavior with product analytics and experimentation. Microsoft Clarity: Free heatmaps and session recordings.
What does Amplitude cost vs Microsoft Clarity?
Amplitude is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Microsoft Clarity is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.