Microsoft Clarity vs Amplitude: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Microsoft Clarity 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.
Bottom line: Amplitude is our overall pick for web analytics workflows. 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:
Microsoft Clarity
Free heatmaps and session recordings
Best for you if:
- • 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
Amplitude
Understand user behavior with product analytics and experimentation
Best for you if:
- • Product analytics platform
- • User behavior tracking
| At a Glance |  Microsoft Clarity |  Amplitude |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Web Analytics | Web Analytics |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Microsoft Clarity or Amplitude?
Choose Microsoft Clarity if
Free heatmaps and session recordings
- Free heatmaps and recordings
- Easy setup
- Good insights
- You want a fully free tool (Amplitude requires payment)
Choose Amplitude if
Understand user behavior with product analytics and experimentation
- Powerful analytics features
- Good free tier
- Strong cohort analysis
| Feature | Microsoft Clarity | Amplitude |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 88 reviews | ★4.5/5 3,052 reviews |
| Categories | Web AnalyticsHeatmaps | Web AnalyticsProduct Analytics |
In-Depth Analysis
Microsoft Clarity
Free heatmaps and session recordings
Microsoft Clarity offers an exceptionally generous pricing model, being entirely free.
Watch out
No hidden costs; genuinely free.
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
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
Growth and Enterprise pricing is entirely custom and not published. Industry benchmarks suggest $50K-150K/year for Growth and $150K-400K+/year for Enterprise. You cannot budget without a sales conversation.
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
Pricing: Microsoft Clarity vs Amplitude
| Plan | Microsoft Clarity | Amplitude |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $0 Starter |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $49 Plus |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Custom Growth |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Microsoft Clarity pricing and Amplitude pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Microsoft Clarity is free. Amplitude is freemium.
Go with: Microsoft Clarity
Want the highest-rated option?
Microsoft Clarity: 4.6/5 (88 reviews). Amplitude: 4.5/5 (3,052 reviews).
Go with: Microsoft Clarity
Value user reviews?
Microsoft Clarity: 88 reviews (4.6/5). Amplitude: 3,052 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Amplitude
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Microsoft Clarity is free. Amplitude is freemium. 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 (3,052 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 is our pick. That said, Microsoft Clarity is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft Clarity or Amplitude better?
Amplitude is rated in our evaluation. Microsoft Clarity is free and Amplitude is freemium.
What are Microsoft Clarity and Amplitude used for?
Microsoft Clarity: Free heatmaps and session recordings. Amplitude: Understand user behavior with product analytics and experimentation.
What does Microsoft Clarity cost vs Amplitude?
Microsoft Clarity is completely free. Amplitude is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.