Microsoft Clarity vs Hotjar: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Microsoft Clarity and Hotjar 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:
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
Hotjar
Heatmaps and session recordings
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.3/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • Behavior analytics tool with heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback surveys.
- • Visualizes clicks, scrolls, and mouse movements to understand how visitors interact with pages.
| At a Glance |  Microsoft Clarity |  Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Screen Recording | Screen Recording |
Rating | 80/100 | 83/100 |
| Feature | Microsoft Clarity | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 83 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Screen RecordingWeb Analytics | Screen RecordingSurvey Tools |
How Microsoft Clarity and Hotjar Compare
Microsoft Clarity
Free heatmaps and session recordings
Free · 80/100 score
Hotjar
Heatmaps and session recordings
Free tier available · 83/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Microsoft Clarity is free. Hotjar is freemium.
Go with: Microsoft Clarity
Want the highest-rated option?
Microsoft Clarity: 80/100. Hotjar: 83/100.
Go with: Hotjar
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Hotjar
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Microsoft Clarity is free. Hotjar is freemium. 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?
Hotjar scores higher: 83/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Hotjar
- Higher score: 83/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Microsoft Clarity
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Hotjar (83/100) is our pick. That said, Microsoft Clarity is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft Clarity or Hotjar better?
Hotjar scores 83/100 in our evaluation. Microsoft Clarity is free and Hotjar is freemium.
What are Microsoft Clarity and Hotjar used for?
Microsoft Clarity: Free heatmaps and session recordings. Hotjar: Heatmaps and session recordings.
What does Microsoft Clarity cost vs Hotjar?
Microsoft Clarity is completely free. Hotjar is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.