Fathom Analytics vs Hotjar
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tool.
| Fathom Analytics | Hotjar | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Privacy-first, GDPR-compliant analytics with no cookie banner needed. | Heatmaps, session recordings, and surveys for understanding user behaviour. |
| Category | Analytics | Analytics |
| Pricing | Subscription | Freemium |
| Skill Level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Platforms | Web, Browser | Web, Browser |
| Use Cases | Solo Indie, Side Project, Small Team | Small Team, Solo Indie, Client Work |
| Traits | Privacy Friendly, Eu Gdpr Compliant, Fast To Set Up | Has Free Tier, Fast To Set Up |
| Best For | Best for developers and privacy-conscious site owners who want simple, clean analytics without GDPR cookie banners or data-selling concerns. | Best for product teams and UX researchers who want to understand why users drop off, not just where. |
Fathom Analytics
Fathom collects pageviews, referrers, and events without storing personal data or using cookies — making it exempt from GDPR cookie consent requirements. A single JS snippet replaces Google Analytics, the dashboard loads instantly, and data is never sold. Hosted in the EU/US with transparent pricing.
View detailsHotjar
Hotjar visualises where users click, scroll, and move on your pages via heatmaps and session recordings. Feedback widgets and surveys let you ask users directly what is confusing or missing. The free tier gives 35 daily sessions. Essential for conversion rate optimisation alongside quantitative analytics.
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