Both are strong choices. The short answer: pick Plausible if you are privacy-conscious sites that want simplicity. Pick Hotjar if you are conversion optimization research.
| Plausible | Hotjar | |
|---|---|---|
| In one line | Lightweight, privacy-first analytics without cookie banners. | Heatmaps, recordings and feedback polls. |
| Pricing | From $9/mo | Free plan; from $32/mo |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Best for | Privacy-conscious sites that want simplicity | Conversion optimization research |
| Category | Analytics & Heatmaps | Analytics & Heatmaps |
| Website | plausible.io | hotjar.com |
Plausible details Hotjar details