PostHog vs Smartlook:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, PostHog had more branded searches than Smartlook among heatmap tools worldwide. PostHog had about 246,000 branded searches, while Smartlook had 14,800. PostHog made up 41.8% of all heatmap tool searches we track, and Smartlook accounted for 2.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about heatmap tools, PostHog appeared in two of the five answers and Smartlook in none.
Who do people search for more?
PostHog, about 17 searches for every 1 for Smartlook
Who does AI mention more?
PostHog, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Smartlook in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
PostHog, the only one of the two named
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Top heatmap tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, PostHog was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Smartlook did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Microsoft Clarity1st
Hotjar2nd
Mouseflow3rd
Crazy Egg4th- Contentsquare5th
Fullstory6th
Lucky Orange7th- PostHog8th
Smartlook–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Microsoft Clarity5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hotjar5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Crazy Egg4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Mouseflow4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- PostHog2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Contentsquare2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fullstory2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Lucky Orange1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Smartlook0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about heatmap tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which heatmap tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best heatmap tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best heatmap tool for a website?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“heatmap tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“website heatmap software”
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 21, 2026.
Is PostHog or Smartlook more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for PostHog and Smartlook by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine heatmap tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for PostHog, Smartlook. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | PostHog | Microsoft Clarity | Hotjar | Contentsquare | Smartlook | Fullstory | Crazy Egg | Lucky Orange | Mouseflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.6% | 24.8% | 30.9% | 5% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 26.6% | 26.7% | 27.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 2% |
| Dec 2025 | 28.7% | 28.8% | 24.4% | 3.9% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 29.2% | 29.4% | 24.6% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.8% | 35.7% | 20.6% | 5.8% | 4.8% | 2.7% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 1.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 37.1% | 30.8% | 14.6% | 5% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 1.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 28.3% | 35% | 17% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 32.1% | 39.7% | 13.4% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 2% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.1% | 32.3% | 15.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.87% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.8% | 34.7% | 10.9% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.76% | 1.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.7% | 34.4% | 10.9% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.93% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.8% | 28.1% | 19.6% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 0.77% | 0.75% |
How has the PostHog and Smartlook comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- PostHog was ahead of Smartlook in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PostHog’s share of searches among heatmap tools worldwide moved from 24.6% to 41.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Smartlook’s share of searches among heatmap tools worldwide moved from 4.1% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 14.8K.
How did search popularity change for heatmap tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Smartlook lost share of searches among heatmap tools worldwide, from 3.1% to 2.5%.
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?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using PostHog’s and Smartlook’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 heatmap tools
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