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FullStory vs Hotjar
FullStory and Hotjar are both Web/App/Product Analytics tools. Here is how they compare on pricing, free plans, AI integrations and platforms, and when each is the better fit.
Side by side
| Feature | FullStory | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Web/App/Product Analytics | Web/App/Product Analytics |
| Pricing | Free tier available / Quote-based | Free; paid plans from $39/mo |
| Free option | Yes | Yes |
| AI integrations | MCP server, Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, Cursor, Gemini | MCP server |
| Platforms | Android, iOS | Shopify |
| Links | FullStory listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) | Hotjar listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) |
Which to choose
Choose FullStory if
- want automatic event capture without manual tagging
- need a free tier with 30,000 monthly sessions and 12 months of data retention
- connect behavioral data to coding tools and AI assistants like Cursor, Claude, and ChatGPT
- want to trigger in-app product tours alongside NPS surveys
Choose Hotjar if
- prefer transparent usage-based pricing starting at $39 per month
- are a marketer or UX designer focusing on heatmaps, scroll depth, and on-site feedback widgets
- need built-in monitoring for JavaScript errors and page speed delays
- want Sense AI to generate automated text summaries of session recordings
Verdict
FullStory suits product, engineering, and customer support teams at startups and enterprises that want automated interaction capture without manual tagging. It offers a generous free tier with 30,000 monthly sessions and connects with coding and AI tools like Cursor, Claude, and ChatGPT. The main trade-off is that paid plans require a custom sales quote, and complex applications need careful privacy masking setup. Hotjar, now part of Contentsquare, suits marketers, UX designers, and product teams at mid-market and enterprise organisations. It pairs heatmaps, session replays, and error monitoring with on-site feedback widgets. While Hotjar provides clear pricing starting at $39 per month alongside a permanent free tier, its lower plans restrict data retention periods, replay capture rates, and advanced journey analysis.
FAQ
- How do FullStory and Hotjar compare on pricing?
Both tools offer a free tier. FullStory's free plan includes 30,000 monthly sessions and 12 months of data retention, while its Business, Advanced, and Enterprise plans require a custom quote from sales. Hotjar offers a permanent free tier with basic features, and its paid usage-based plans start at $39 per month.
- Which tool is better for engineering and product teams?
FullStory is built for product, engineering, and customer support teams, offering automatic interaction capture and plugins for coding tools like Cursor and Codex. Hotjar is designed for marketers, UX designers, and product teams, though it also detects JavaScript errors and page speed delays.
- Do FullStory and Hotjar integrate with AI assistants?
Yes, both platforms support Model Context Protocol (MCP) to let you query session data in external AI tools. FullStory provides an MCP Server plus connectors for Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, and Codex, while Hotjar connects via the Contentsquare MCP Server.
- Can both tools collect direct user feedback?
Yes. FullStory includes Guides and Surveys to trigger in-app product tours, feedback prompts, and NPS surveys. Hotjar offers customizable on-site widgets and surveys to gather qualitative user responses.