Hotjar vs Smartlook: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Hotjar and Smartlook. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Hotjar starts at $49/mo, making it $30/mo cheaper than Smartlook ($79/mo). Hotjar offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Hotjar vs Smartlook: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Hotjar | Smartlook |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49/mo | $79/mo |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 4 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Hotjar is the more affordable option, starting at $49/mo compared to Smartlook's $79/mo. Both are Analytics tools with 8 combined pricing plans and 43 features compared. At comparable tiers, the monthly price difference is $30.
Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Analytics needs.
| Pricing Plans | Hotjar Try it free | Smartlook Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free $0/monthCheapest Includes
| |
| Tier 2 | GrowthPopular $49/monthCheapest $39 / year Includes
| ProPopular $79/month $79 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Pro Custom pricing Includes
| Business $199/monthCheapest $199 / year Includes
|
| Tier 4 | Enterprise Custom pricing Includes
| Enterprise Custom pricing Includes
|
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Hotjar
Hotjar offers a free plan, starts at $30/mo lower ($49/mo vs $79/mo).
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Hotjar
Try Hotjar freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose Hotjar if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Hotjar starts at $49/mo, saving $30/mo compared to Smartlook at $79/mo
- •You prefer Hotjar's free tier features—200k monthly sessions, 1 project
- •You want more features built-in—Hotjar offers 3 additional features across its plans
Choose Smartlook if:
- •You prefer Smartlook's free tier features—Session recordings, Heatmaps
- •Smartlook's 4-tier usage-based structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
- •Smartlook's feature bundling aligns with how Analytics teams actually work day-to-day
Both Hotjar and Smartlook offer free plans [1], eliminating cost barriers for evaluation. This means you can test both tools thoroughly with your actual workflows before any financial commitment. The free tiers differ in scope: Hotjar includes 6 features, while Smartlook includes 5 features. Evaluate which free tier matches your evaluation needs before deciding to upgrade. When upgrading to paid tiers, Hotjar offers better value at approximately $30.00/mo difference for comparable tier levels. Plan accordingly if your team will graduate from the free tier within 12 months. Your best approach is to activate both free trials and evaluate which tool's workflow, integrations, and user experience align better with your team's needs before committing to paid plans.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hotjar vs Smartlook
Which is cheaper, Hotjar or Smartlook?
How many pricing plans does Hotjar have vs Smartlook?
Does Hotjar or Smartlook offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for Hotjar or Smartlook?
What is the most popular Hotjar plan?
What is the most popular Smartlook plan?
Does Hotjar or Smartlook offer custom enterprise pricing?
Sources
- Hotjar Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Smartlook Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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