Hotjar vs Smartlook: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Hotjar and Smartlook side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Smartlook leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Hotjar
Heatmaps and session recordings
Best for you if:
- • You want easy to use
Smartlook
Session replay, no longer sold: shuts down September 30, 2027
Best for you if:
- • You want session recordings
| At a Glance | Hotjar | Smartlook |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $49/mo, billed yearly Growth plan | Free plan |
Category | Web Analytics Heatmaps | Web Analytics Product Analytics |
Rating | 3.8/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.3 · Trustpilot 2.4 948 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 874 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Three separate products (Observe, Ask, Engage) each billed independently | n/a |
Choose Hotjar or Smartlook?
Choose Hotjar if
- You want easy to use
- You want visual heatmaps
Choose Smartlook if
- You want session recordings
- You want good analytics
In-Depth Analysis
Hotjar
Heatmaps and session recordings
Hotjar (now Contentsquare) offers solid heatmaps and recordings but pricing got complicated after the merger.
Watch out
Three separate products (Observe, Ask, Engage) each billed independently
Strengths
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Visual heatmaps
- Pro: User feedback
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited analytics
- Con: Can slow site
Key features
Smartlook
Session replay, no longer sold: shuts down September 30, 2027
Smartlook was discontinued for new customers on May 31, 2026.
Strengths
- Pro: Session recordings
- Pro: Good analytics
- Pro: Mobile support
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Privacy concerns
- Con: Storage limits
- Con: Better alternatives exist
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Feature gaps
Key features
Plans and prices: Hotjar vs Smartlook
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hotjar |
| contentsquare.com/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Smartlook | No plan prices on file | smartlook.com read Oct 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Hotjar pricing and Smartlook pricing.
Key Takeaways
Hotjar
- Choose if you want heatmaps and session recordings
Smartlook
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.8/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Smartlook leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Smartlook has the higher user rating (3.8/5 from 948 reviews for Hotjar, 4.6/5 from 874 reviews for Smartlook).
- Hotjar starts at $49/mo, billed yearly; Smartlook has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Hotjar and Smartlook compare in 2026?
On the data below, Smartlook leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Smartlook has the higher user rating (3.8/5 from 948 reviews for Hotjar, 4.6/5 from 874 reviews for Smartlook). Hotjar starts at $49/mo, billed yearly; Smartlook has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Hotjar and Smartlook used for?
Hotjar: Heatmaps and session recordings. Smartlook: Session replay, no longer sold: shuts down September 30, 2027.
What does Hotjar cost vs Smartlook?
Hotjar's cheapest paid plan is Growth at $49/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Smartlook has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Hotjar and Smartlook?
Hotjar's main strength: easy to use. Smartlook's main strength: session recordings.