Hotjar vs Microsoft Clarity: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Hotjar 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.
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:
- 0
- • Behavior analytics tool with heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback surveys.
- • Visualizes clicks, scrolls, and mouse movements to understand how visitors interact with pages.
Microsoft Clarity
Free heatmaps and session recordings
Best for you if:
- 0
- • You need something completely free
- • Microsoft Clarity is a free behavior analytics tool with session recordings
- • It provides heatmaps, recordings, and insights without sampling limits
| At a Glance |  Hotjar |  Microsoft Clarity |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Screen Recording | Screen Recording |
Rating | - | - |
| Feature | Hotjar | Microsoft Clarity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Screen RecordingSurvey Tools | Screen RecordingWeb Analytics |
How Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity Compare
Hotjar
Heatmaps and session recordings
Free tier available
Microsoft Clarity
Free heatmaps and session recordings
Free
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Microsoft Clarity is free. Hotjar is freemium.
Go with: Microsoft Clarity
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Hotjar
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Hotjar
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Hotjar is freemium. Microsoft Clarity is free. Go with Microsoft Clarity if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are screen recording tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Hotjar
- 0
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Microsoft Clarity
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Hotjar is our pick. That said, Microsoft Clarity is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity better?
Hotjar is rated high in our evaluation. Hotjar is freemium and Microsoft Clarity is free.
What are Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity used for?
Hotjar: Heatmaps and session recordings. Microsoft Clarity: Free heatmaps and session recordings.
What does Hotjar cost vs Microsoft Clarity?
Hotjar is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Microsoft Clarity is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.