Compare
Editorial comparison for operators. Ratings are sample data unless verified.
This comparison puts Microsoft Clarity and Hotjar side by side for operators evaluating them in 2026 — pricing model, free access, API availability, and editorial fit. Both compete in Analytics & Insights, so the decision usually comes down to pricing model, integrations, and how each fits an existing workflow. Treat ratings and pricing as directional and confirm current details on each vendor's site before committing.
| Attribute | Microsoft Clarity | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Type | tool | tool |
| Summary | Free session replay and heatmap tool from Microsoft. Record user sessions, visualize behavior with heatmaps, and identify friction points without per-seat costs. | Hotjar is a behavior analytics platform offering heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback tools to help UX and growth operators understand how visitors interact with websites. |
| Pricing | free · See vendor site — sample data | freemium · See vendor site — sample data |
| Free trial | No / not listed | Yes |
| API | No / not listed | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Editor rating | — | — |
| Categories | Analytics & Insights, User Experience | Analytics & Insights, User Experience, Conversion Optimization |
| Key features | Session replay with automatic masking of sensitive form data · Heatmaps showing clicks, scrolls, and hover patterns (verify current heatmap types on vendor site) · Rage-click and dead-click detection to flag frustration signals · Native Google Analytics 4 integration for event correlation · Unlimited recordings and heatmaps on free plan | Heatmaps showing click, scroll, and mouse movement patterns across pages · Session recordings with playback, filtering by device/traffic source/user actions · Surveys and polls embedded on-page to capture user intent and feedback · Feedback widgets for collecting unsolicited user comments and ratings · Integration with Google Analytics, Slack, Zapier, and other platforms (verify on vendor site for full list) |
| Actions |
Microsoft Clarity: Free session replay and heatmap tool from Microsoft. Record user sessions, visualize behavior with heatmaps, and identify friction points without per-seat costs. Pricing: free (from See vendor site — sample data). Hotjar: Hotjar is a behavior analytics platform offering heatmaps, session recordings, and user feedback tools to help UX and growth operators understand how visitors interact with websites. Pricing: freemium (from See vendor site — sample data). Both are covered editorially on OperatorRadar; verify current features on the vendor sites.
Microsoft Clarity and Hotjar list free access (trial or free plan). Check each vendor for current limits.
Microsoft Clarity is the most budget-friendly entry point — it offers a free plan to start. If you need to build on top of it, Hotjar exposes an API where the alternative does not list one.
Select up to 4 items
Pick at least two tools or software products to compare.