Hotjar vs PostHog:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, PostHog had more branded searches than Hotjar among session replay tools worldwide. PostHog had about 246,000 branded searches, while Hotjar had 115,000. PostHog made up 42.2% of all session replay tool searches we track, and Hotjar accounted for 19.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about session replay tools, PostHog appeared in all five answers and Hotjar in one. PostHog was mentioned before Hotjar in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
PostHog, about 2 searches for every 1 for Hotjar
Who does AI mention more?
PostHog, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
PostHog, named ahead of Hotjar in every answer
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Top session replay tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, PostHog appeared in all five answers. Hotjar was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. PostHog was listed before Hotjar in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Fullstory1st- PostHog2nd
LogRocket3rd
Microsoft Clarity4th
Contentsquare5th
OpenReplay6th- Hotjar7th
Smartlook–
Glassbox–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- PostHog5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fullstory5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft Clarity4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- LogRocket4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Contentsquare3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- OpenReplay3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hotjar1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Smartlook0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Glassbox0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about session replay tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which session replay tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best session replay tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best session replay tool for support team insights?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“session replay tool”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“user session recording”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Hotjar or PostHog more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hotjar and PostHog by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine session replay tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for PostHog, Hotjar. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | PostHog | Microsoft Clarity | Hotjar | Contentsquare | Smartlook | Fullstory | LogRocket | OpenReplay | Glassbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.2% | 25.2% | 31.6% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 1% | 0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.5% | 27.5% | 28.2% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3% | 0.9% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.4% | 29.4% | 25% | 4% | 4.8% | 3.3% | 3.2% | 0.96% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 29.9% | 29.9% | 25.1% | 4.9% | 4% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 0.8% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 24.7% | 36.9% | 21.4% | 6.1% | 4.9% | 2.8% | 2.2% | 0.98% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.4% | 31.4% | 15.1% | 5.2% | 4.2% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 1% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 29.2% | 35.8% | 17.5% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 3.3% | 2.6% | 0.95% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 33.1% | 40.5% | 13.8% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 2.1% | 1.6% | 0.88% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.3% | 32.2% | 15.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 0.7% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.4% | 34.8% | 11.1% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.93% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.7% | 34.3% | 10.9% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.4% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.2% | 28.3% | 19.8% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 1.1% | <0.01% |
How has the Hotjar and PostHog comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: PostHog took it in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hotjar’s share of searches among session replay tools worldwide moved from 31.6% to 19.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 138K to 115K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PostHog’s share of searches among session replay tools worldwide moved from 25.2% to 42.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 246K.
How did search popularity change for session replay tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Hotjar gained share of searches among session replay tools worldwide, from 10.9% to 19.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for PostHog worldwide rose 123.6% over 12 measured months, from 110K to 246K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hotjar’s and PostHog’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among session replay tools
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