Hotjar vs Amplitude: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Hotjar and Amplitude 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Hotjar
Heatmaps and session recordings
Best for you if:
- • You need screen recording features specifically
- • Behavior analytics tool with heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback surveys.
- • Visualizes clicks, scrolls, and mouse movements to understand how visitors interact with pages.
Amplitude
Digital analytics platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.7/10 vs 8.3/10)
- • You need product analytics features specifically
- • Product analytics platform
- • User behavior tracking
| At a Glance |  Hotjar |  Amplitude |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Screen Recording | Product Analytics |
Rating | 83/100 | 87/100 |
| Feature | Hotjar | Amplitude |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 83 | 87 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Screen RecordingSurvey Tools | Product AnalyticsA/B Testing |
How Hotjar and Amplitude Compare
Hotjar
Heatmaps and session recordings
Free tier available · 83/100 score
Amplitude
Digital analytics platform
Free tier available · 87/100 score
Hotjar is a screen recording tool. Amplitude is in product analytics.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Hotjar
Want the highest-rated option?
Hotjar: 83/100. Amplitude: 87/100.
Go with: Amplitude
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Amplitude
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Hotjar is a screen recording tool. Amplitude is in product analytics. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Amplitude scores higher: 87/100 vs 83/100.
Key Takeaways
Amplitude
- Higher score: 87/100 vs 83
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Hotjar
- Better fit for screen recording
The Bottom Line
Amplitude (87/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hotjar or Amplitude better?
Amplitude scores 87/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Hotjar and Amplitude used for?
Hotjar: Heatmaps and session recordings. Amplitude: Digital analytics platform.
What does Hotjar cost vs Amplitude?
Hotjar is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Amplitude is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.