PostHog 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 PostHog and Smartlook side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a 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:
PostHog
Open-source product analytics with event tracking, feature flags, and session recording
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
Smartlook
Session replay, no longer sold: shuts down September 30, 2027
Best for you if:
- • You want session recordings
| At a Glance | PostHog | Smartlook |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan |
Category | Product Analytics Web Analytics | Web Analytics Product Analytics |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 1,054 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 874 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Overage fees for events beyond free tier | n/a |
Choose PostHog or Smartlook?
Choose PostHog if
- You want open source
- You want all-in-one
- You work in product analytics, not web analytics
Choose Smartlook if
- You want session recordings
- You want good analytics
- You work in web analytics, not product analytics
In-Depth Analysis
PostHog
Open-source product analytics with event tracking, feature flags, and session recording
PostHog's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust free tier offering 1M events and unlimited seats.
Watch out
Overage fees for events beyond free tier
Strengths
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: All-in-one
- Pro: Self-hostable
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Can get expensive
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: PostHog vs Smartlook
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PostHog |
| posthog.com/pricing read Oct 15, 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 PostHog pricing and Smartlook pricing.
Key Takeaways
PostHog
- Choose if you want open-source product analytics with event tracking, feature flags, and session recording
Smartlook
- Choose if you want session replay, no longer sold: shuts down September 30, 2027
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 1,054 reviews for PostHog, 4.6/5 from 874 reviews for Smartlook).
- 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 PostHog and Smartlook compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 1,054 reviews for PostHog, 4.6/5 from 874 reviews for Smartlook). Both have a free plan.
What are PostHog and Smartlook used for?
PostHog: Open-source product analytics with event tracking, feature flags, and session recording. Smartlook: Session replay, no longer sold: shuts down September 30, 2027.
What does PostHog cost vs Smartlook?
PostHog has no public paid-plan price on file. Smartlook has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between PostHog and Smartlook?
PostHog's main strength: open source. Smartlook's main strength: session recordings.