Hotjar vs Microsoft Clarity:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Microsoft Clarity had more branded searches than Hotjar among heatmap and session replay tools in New Zealand. Microsoft Clarity had about 590 branded searches, while Hotjar had 260. Microsoft Clarity made up 33.9% of all heatmap and session replay tool searches we track, and Hotjar accounted for 14.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about heatmap and session replay tools, Hotjar appeared in all five answers and Microsoft Clarity in four. Microsoft Clarity was mentioned before Hotjar in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Microsoft Clarity, about 2 searches for every 1 for Hotjar
Who does AI mention more?
Hotjar, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft Clarity, named ahead of Hotjar in every answer
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Top heatmap and session replay tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hotjar appeared in all five answers. Microsoft Clarity was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Microsoft Clarity was listed before Hotjar in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Microsoft Clarity1st
- Contentsquare2nd
- Hotjar3rd
PostHog4th
Mouseflow5th
Fullstory6th
Lucky Orange7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Hotjar5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft Clarity4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- PostHog3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Contentsquare3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Mouseflow2 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
- Fullstory1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about heatmap and session replay tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which heatmap and session replay tool should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best heatmap and session replay tools in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best heatmap and session replay tool in New Zealand for website analytics?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“website heatmap software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“user behaviour analytics tool”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven heatmap and session replay tools we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Microsoft Clarity, Hotjar. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | PostHog | Microsoft Clarity | Hotjar | Contentsquare | Lucky Orange | Fullstory | Mouseflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 27.9% | 27.9% | 34.3% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 4.1% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 23.9% | 29.4% | 36.2% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 1.8% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.6% | 27.6% | 27.6% | 3.4% | 1.7% | 4.3% | 1.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.2% | 32.2% | 26.2% | 3.4% | 2% | 3.4% | 0.67% |
| Feb 2026 | 26.7% | 40.4% | 21.9% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.4% | 36.4% | 16% | 3.1% | 4.9% | 1.9% | 1.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.2% | 46.5% | 16.8% | 4.5% | 3.2% | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| May 2026 | 32.4% | 39.9% | 17.6% | 4.7% | 2% | 2% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 40.4% | 33% | 17.9% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 2.3% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.8% | 39.8% | 14.4% | 2.8% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.55% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.1% | 38.1% | 13.8% | 2.6% | 3.7% | 2.1% | 1.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.4% | 33.9% | 14.9% | 4% | 2.3% | 1.7% | 1.7% |
How has the Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Microsoft Clarity took it in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hotjar’s share of searches among heatmap and session replay tools in New Zealand moved from 34.3% to 14.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 590 to 260.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Clarity’s share of searches among heatmap and session replay tools in New Zealand moved from 27.9% to 33.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 480 to 590.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand heatmap and session replay tools in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, PostHog overtook Microsoft Clarity to become the leader among heatmap and session replay tools in New Zealand, with 41.4% of the searches.
In September 2026, Hotjar gained share of searches among heatmap and session replay tools in New Zealand, from 13.8% to 14.9%.
In September 2026, Microsoft Clarity lost share of searches among heatmap and session replay tools in New Zealand, from 38.1% to 33.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hotjar’s and Microsoft Clarity’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
Microsoft Clarity
2 branded search terms
- microsoft clarity
- microsoftclarity
Other head-to-heads among heatmap and session replay tools
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