The 2023 Hotjar Review From A Marketer: Is It Still Worth The Money?
Hotjar, a popular behavior analytics and user feedback solution, has been a go-to for many professionals and businesses alike.
But in 2023, when we have many similar (or maybe even better?) solutions, one question arises:
Does it still hold its ground?
We’re about to dissect its functionalities, usability, and value to find this out for you.
What is Hotjar?
Hotjar is a behavior analytics and user feedback poll service. It helps users understand the actions of their website users and get their feedback through tools like heatmaps and surveys. The tool works almost like a powerful camera that lets you record user behavior.
Key Features of Hotjar: heatmaps, visitor recordings, conversion funnel & more
Hotjar offers a range of features that make it a valuable tool for website analysis.
One of its key options is the use of heatmaps, which visually display user interactions, such as:
- clicks,
- scrolls,
- and movements,
allowing users to identify areas of high activity.
The visitor recordings feature provides real interaction insights, giving website owners a glimpse into how users navigate their site.
Additionally, there’s also the conversion funnels functionality. It helps in understanding user drop-off points on specific pages or steps, aiding in website optimization efforts.
Another useful aspect of Hotjar is the form analysis, which aids in pinpointing problematic fields that might lead to user drop-offs.
Now, all these look great and everything.
However, it’s essential to acknowledge that like any tool, Hotjar also has its limitations.
Users like you should consider these while interpreting the data and making improvements to their websites.
Detailed Review of Hotjar Features
Let’s take a closer look at these features, shall we?
Heatmaps
Hotjar’s heatmaps give you a visual representation of clicks, moves, and scroll behavior. It’s like seeing your website through your users’ eyes.
But while it’s a nifty tool, it’s not exactly perfect. For instance, it doesn’t provide a live view, and dynamic elements can sometimes throw it off.
This means you might not always get the full picture.
Visitor Recordings
Visitor recordings are like CCTV for your website. You can watch users’ interactions, clicks, taps, and mouse movements.
It’s insightful, but remember: it’s not real-time. And if your site has a lot of dynamic content, the recordings might not capture everything.
This can leave you with an incomplete understanding of your users’ behavior.
Conversion Funnels
Hotjar’s conversion funnels let you track a user’s journey. You can see at what step users are dropping off.
It’s a good option to have, but it doesn’t give you the ‘why’ behind the drop-offs.
Without this crucial piece of the puzzle, it’s rather hard to make effective improvements.
Form Analysis
Form analysis shows you which fields take too long to fill, which ones are left blank, and where users drop off.
It’s useful, but it doesn’t tell you why users struggle with specific fields.
If you don’t have answers to the ‘why’, you’re left guessing at solutions.
User Experience with Hotjar
Now, let’s talk about what it’s like to use Hotjar.
User Interface
Hotjar’s user interface is clean and intuitive. It’s not difficult to navigate, but it’s not the most modern-looking.
And, on top of that, it can feel a bit clunky at times.
In today’s world, where design aesthetics can greatly impact user experience, this is definitely something to consider.
Ease of Use
While Hotjar is relatively user-friendly, it does have a learning curve. That’s something important to think about especially for non-tech savvy users.
Let us be clear: it’s not the most straightforward tool out there.
This means you might need to invest some time and resources into training. If you’re running a small business, this could be a potential dealbreaker for you.
User Satisfaction
Users have a love-hate relationship with Hotjar.
While it’s praised for its capabilities, it’s often criticized for its limitations and the lack of depth in its analytics.
This mixed bag of reviews suggests that while it has its strengths, it might not be the best fit for everyone.
Hotjar Pricing and Plans
Hotjar’s pricing is a bit on the steep side.In total, there are 3 pricing categories: Observe, Ask and Engage. Each includes a free plan, but it’s quite limited.
The Plus plan comes in at $39 per month, and if you want more advanced features, you’re looking at up to $550 per month.
This can be a significant investment, especially for small businesses or startups.
Free Plan
The free plan is pretty basic, offering:
- heatmaps, visitor recordings, and conversion funnels (Observe category),
- surveys (Ask category), and
- interviews (Engage category).
If you experience high traffic with lots of users, you’ll quickly outgrow this plan.
Plus Plan
The Plus plan, at either $39, $59 or $350 per month, supports:
- up to 100 daily sessions (Observe category),
- up to 250 monthly survey responses (Ask category), and
- up to 180 interviews per year (Engage category).
It’s a step up from the free plan, but still lacks some of the more advanced features.
This means that even with the Plus plan, you might not have all the tools you need to fully understand your users’ behavior.
Business Plan
The Business plan is ideal for growing businesses. Priced at $79, $99 or $550 per month, users can expect:
- up to 500 daily sessions for the standard price (Observe category),
- up to 500 monthly survey responses for the standard price (Ask category), and
- up to 30 interviews per month (Engage category).
It also offers additional options such as custom-built integrations, API identification and API event tracking and even custom branding.
Scale Plan
This is the most advanced and feature-full option you can get as a Hotjar user.
Starting from either $153, $213 or custom prices per month, you can get access to:
- up to 500 daily sessions for the standard price (Observe category),
- up to 500 monthly survey responses for the standard price (Ask category), and
- up to 60 interviews per month (Engage category).
Note: Keep in mind that pricing of the Business and Scale plans may increase - this is dependent on the limit of session replays you pick for your account.
Criticisms of Hotjar
Hotjar isn’t without its flaws. Here are some of the main criticisms:
Limitations of Features
While Hotjar offers a range of features, they’re not the most comprehensive.
The heatmaps and visitor recordings have limitations, and the conversion funnels and form analysis lack depth.
This means that while you get a general idea of your users’ behavior, you might miss out on some nuances.
Pricing Concerns
Hotjar’s pricing is a common point of contention.
The free plan is limited, and the paid plans can get expensive, especially for small businesses.
This means that while Hotjar offers some great benefits, they might not be accessible to everyone.
Data Privacy Issues
Data privacy is a big concern with tools like Hotjar.
While they do offer options to suppress sensitive information, it’s still a worry for many users.
In an age where data privacy is a hot topic, this is something that can’t be ignored.
Limited Customization Options
Hotjar doesn’t offer a lot of customization options.
You’re pretty much stuck with what you get, which can be frustrating for advanced users.
This lack of flexibility means that Hotjar might not always be able to meet your specific needs.
Lack of Advanced Analytics
Hotjar’s analytics are pretty basic.
If you’re looking for in-depth insights and advanced analytics, you’re out of luck.
We consider this to be a major drawback if you’re trying to gain a deep understanding of your users’ behavior.
Customer Support Issues
While this isn’t necessarily a universal experience, some users have reported issues with Hotjar’s customer service, citing slow response times and lack of helpfulness.
Good customer support is crucial for any service, and if Hotjar falls short in this area, it can lead to a frustrating user experience.
If any of the aspects mentioned above could potentially frustrate you, there’s one solution.
And that’s… seeking an alternative tool.
How to Pick the Best Alternative for Hotjar in 5 Steps?
Choosing the right tool to replace Hotjar can feel like navigating a maze.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some factors to consider when picking the very best alternative.
#1 Consider the Budget
Money matters. So when looking for something better, consider your budget.
While free tools might be tempting, they often come with limitations.
On the other hand, pricier options might offer more features but could be an overkill for your needs. Thus, look for a tool that offers the best value for your money.
For instance, LiveSession offers a range of features at a reasonable price, making it a cost-effective choice.
#2 Evaluate the Features
Not all tools are created equal. Some offer basic features, while others provide more advanced options.
Identify the capabilities that are crucial for your business and make sure the tool you choose offers them.
For example, if heat maps and visitor recordings are important to you, LiveSession could be a good fit as it offers these features (and more).
#3 Assess Ease of Use
A tool could have all the features in the world, but if it’s not user-friendly, it’s not much use.
Consider the tool’s interface, navigation, and learning curve. Remember, time spent struggling with a tool is time taken away from your business.
LiveSession scores high on ease of use, making it a great choice for both beginners and advanced users.
#4 Check User Reviews
User reviews can provide invaluable insights into a tool’s strengths and weaknesses.
Look for reviews from businesses similar to yours to get a better idea of whether the tool would be a good fit.
Keep in mind, though, that every business is unique, so what works for one might not work for another.
LiveSession is a pretty multipurpose and universal solution.
#5 Think About Customer Support
Good customer support can be a lifesaver when you run into issues.
Check what kind of support the tool offers - is it 24/7, or only during business hours? Is it via email, phone, or live chat?
A tool with excellent customer support, like LiveSession, can save you a lot of headaches down the line.
Now, let’s talk about LiveSession in more detail - a tool that’s been making big waves in the user experience space.
Remember, the best alternative to Hotjar is the one that fits your business needs and budget. Take the time to do your research, and you’re sure to find the perfect tool for you.
alt: LiveSession website banner
Overview of LiveSession
LiveSession is a user experience and behavior analytics tool that’s been gaining a lot of popularity recently.
It offers similar features to Hotjar but does a few things differently - in a good way.
It’s like the new kid on the block that’s challenging the status quo.
Key Features of LiveSession
LiveSession offers heatmaps, visitor recordings, a conversion rate optimization tool, and form analysis, much like Hotjar.
But it also offers advanced functionalities like DevTools, custom events, and user identification. It’s like Hotjar, but on steroids.
User Experience with LiveSession
LiveSession scores high on user experience.
The interface is modern and intuitive, and the tool is easy to use, even for beginners.
It’s like they’ve taken the best parts of Hotjar and made them even better.
Pricing and Plans of LiveSession
LiveSession’s pricing is more affordable than Hotjar’s.
Their basic plan starts at $65 per month for 5,000 sessions, and their pro plan is $99 per month for 10,000 sessions.
It’s like getting a premium tool at a bargain price. And let’s not forget about its forever-free plan, too.
Could it get any better?
alt: LiveSession use cases banner
Comparison: Hotjar vs LiveSession
Let’s put Hotjar and LiveSession head to head.
As you can see, LiveSession outperforms Hotjar in every category. It’s like comparing a good tool with a great one.
Conclusion: Is Hotjar Still the Best?
After a thorough review, it’s clear that while Hotjar is a decent tool, it’s not the best.
It does have its strengths. But its limitations such as high pricing, and the availability of superior alternatives like LiveSession make it hard to recommend in 2023.
It’s like choosing between a reliable old car and a shiny new one with better features and performance.
You know which one is which.
So choose wisely and get ready to enjoy a whole new world of website user behavior analytics.
P.S. Interested in similar reviews? Stay up to date with our blog.
Hotjar Review FAQs
What is the main purpose of Hotjar?
Hotjar’s primary purpose is to provide insights into user behavior on your website through tools like heatmaps and surveys. It’s like having a magnifying glass that lets you zoom in on your users’ behavior.
How does Hotjar’s heatmap feature work?
Hotjar’s heatmap feature provides a visual representation of user clicks, moves, and scrolls on your website. It’s like seeing your website through your users’ eyes, but with some limitations.
What are the main differences between Hotjar’s free and plus plans?
The free plan offers basic features and supports up to 35 daily sessions. The Plus plan, at $32 per month, supports up to 100 daily sessions and offers more advanced features. It’s like choosing between a basic and a premium package.
How does Hotjar compare to LiveSession?
While Hotjar has been a popular choice, LiveSession offers more advanced features, a better user experience, and more affordable pricing, making it a superior alternative for those looking to optimize user journey and more. It’s like choosing between a good tool and a great one.
Is Hotjar worth the cost in 2023?
Given its limitations, high pricing, and the availability of better alternatives like LiveSession, Hotjar may not be worth the cost in 2023. It’s like paying a premium price for a tool that’s no longer the best in its category.
Is Hotjar user-friendly for beginners?
While Hotjar is relatively easy to use, it does have a learning curve, especially for non-tech-savvy users. Tools like LiveSession offer a more user-friendly experience. It’s like choosing between a tool that requires some getting used to and one that’s easy to use right off the bat.