Brandwave

Hotjar vs Optimizely:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Optimizely had more branded searches than Hotjar among conversion rate optimisation tools worldwide. Optimizely had about 246,000 branded searches, while Hotjar had 110,000. Optimizely made up 40.2% of all conversion rate optimisation tool searches we track, and Hotjar accounted for 18%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about conversion rate optimisation tools, both Hotjar and Optimizely appeared in all four answers. Optimizely was mentioned before Hotjar in three out of four answers.

Among conversion rate optimisation tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Optimizely, about 2 searches for every 1 for Hotjar

Optimizely 246K searchesHotjar 110K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Hotjar in 4 of 4Optimizely in 4 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Optimizely, named ahead of Hotjar in 3 of 4 answers

Optimizely first in 3Hotjar first in 1

Follow Hotjar vs Optimizely and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top conversion rate optimisation tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, both Hotjar and Optimizely showed up in all four answers. Optimizely was listed before Hotjar in three of them.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. VWO1st
  2. Microsoft Clarity2nd
  3. Optimizely3rd
  4. Hotjar4th
  5. Contentsquare5th
  6. Unbounce6th
  7. Crazy Egg7th
  8. Convert.com8th
  9. AB Tasty–
  10. Kameleoon–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Optimizely4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Microsoft Clarity4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Hotjar4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • VWO4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Contentsquare3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Unbounce2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Crazy Egg2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Convert.com1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • AB Tasty0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Kameleoon0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about conversion rate optimisation tools

4 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Hotjar or Optimizely more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Hotjar and Optimizely by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten conversion rate optimisation tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Hotjar and Optimizely among conversion rate optimisation tools worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthOptimizelyMicrosoft ClarityHotjarVWOContentsquareUnbounceCrazy EggAB TastyKameleoonConvert.com
Oct 202539.6%17.7%21.7%8%3.6%4.4%2.4%1.6%0.87%0.32%
Nov 202542.3%18.9%18.9%7%3.1%4.7%2.5%1.4%0.93%0.34%
Dec 202544.9%20.1%16.5%7.4%2.7%4.1%2.2%1.2%0.66%0.31%
Jan 202643.4%19.5%15.9%10.7%3.2%3.2%1.7%1.4%0.64%0.29%
Feb 202642%23%12.6%10.3%3.8%3.8%2.1%1.4%0.75%0.29%
Mar 202643%23.6%10.6%10.6%3.9%3.9%2.1%1.4%0.77%0.3%
Apr 202643.8%24%10.8%8.8%4%4%2.2%1.4%0.78%0.3%
May 202643.2%29%8.7%8.7%3.2%3.2%1.7%1.2%0.77%0.44%
Jun 202641.2%27.7%12.4%8.3%3%3%1.7%1.4%0.91%0.43%
Jul 202644.2%29.7%8.9%7.3%3.3%2.7%1.5%1.2%0.79%0.55%
Aug 202645.1%30.3%9.1%6.1%2.7%2.7%1.5%1.2%0.66%0.7%
Sep 202640.2%27%18%5.4%3%2.4%1.6%1.1%0.72%0.62%

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

3 findings

How did search popularity change for conversion rate optimisation tools worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Hotjar gained share of searches among conversion rate optimisation tools worldwide, from 9.1% to 18%.

  2. In September 2026, Optimizely lost share of searches among conversion rate optimisation tools worldwide, from 45.1% to 40.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

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

Hotjar

1 branded search term

  • hotjar

Optimizely

1 branded search term

  • optimizely

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among conversion rate optimisation tools

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free