Brandwave

Hotjar vs Qualtrics:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Qualtrics had more branded searches than Hotjar among UX research tools worldwide. Qualtrics had about 246,000 branded searches, while Hotjar had 110,000. Qualtrics made up 45.8% of all UX research tool searches we track, and Hotjar accounted for 20.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about UX research tools, Hotjar appeared in four of the five answers and Qualtrics in three. Hotjar and Qualtrics were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.

Among UX research tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Qualtrics, about 2 searches for every 1 for Hotjar

Qualtrics 246K searchesHotjar 110K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Hotjar, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Qualtrics in 3

Hotjar in 4 of 5Qualtrics in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

Hotjar first in 2Qualtrics first in 2

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Top UX research tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hotjar was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Qualtrics was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Hotjar and Qualtrics were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Maze1st
  2. UserTesting2nd
  3. Dovetail3rd
  4. Lyssna4th
  5. User Interviews5th
  6. UXtweak6th
  7. Hotjar7th
  8. Qualtrics8th
  9. Optimal Workshop9th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • User Interviews5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Maze5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Dovetail5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • UserTesting5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Hotjar4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Qualtrics3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Lyssna3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Optimal Workshop2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • UXtweak2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about UX research tools

5 answers

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 Qualtrics more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Hotjar and Qualtrics by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine UX research tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Hotjar and Qualtrics among UX research tools worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Qualtrics, Hotjar. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthQualtricsUser InterviewsHotjarLyssnaOptimal WorkshopUXtweakMazeDovetailUserTesting
Oct 202561.3%12.3%22.5%1.7%0.9%0.9%0.26%0.12%0.03%
Nov 202557.7%17.3%21.1%1.6%1%0.84%0.3%0.11%0.05%
Dec 202557.4%17.3%21.1%1.9%0.84%0.84%0.36%0.13%0.05%
Jan 202652.6%19.3%23.5%2.2%0.94%0.94%0.31%0.17%0.04%
Feb 202664.4%15.8%15.8%1.8%0.94%0.77%0.29%0.12%0.08%
Mar 202665.6%19.6%10.8%1.8%0.96%0.64%0.29%0.13%0.17%
Apr 202662.9%23.1%10.3%1.7%0.75%0.62%0.28%0.1%0.15%
May 202659.6%26.7%9.8%1.6%0.71%0.71%0.32%0.12%0.32%
Jun 202651.9%28.5%15.6%1.8%0.76%0.61%0.26%0.13%0.4%
Jul 202653.3%29.2%13.1%2.2%0.77%0.64%0.33%0.14%0.24%
Aug 202650.2%33.7%12.4%2.1%0.72%0.47%0.25%0.15%0.08%
Sep 202645.8%30.7%20.5%1.6%0.67%0.45%0.26%0.12%0.02%

How has the Hotjar and Qualtrics comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Qualtrics was ahead of Hotjar in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hotjar’s share of searches among UX research tools worldwide moved from 22.5% to 20.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Qualtrics’ share of searches among UX research tools worldwide moved from 61.3% to 45.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 246K.

How did search popularity change for UX research tools worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Hotjar gained share of searches among UX research tools worldwide, from 12.4% to 20.5%.

  2. In September 2026, Qualtrics lost share of searches among UX research tools worldwide, from 50.2% to 45.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hotjar’s and Qualtrics’ 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.

Hotjar

1 branded search term

  • hotjar

Qualtrics

1 branded search term

  • qualtrics

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among UX research tools

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