Brandwave

Google Analytics vs Hotjar:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Google Analytics had more branded searches than Hotjar among web analytics tools in New Zealand. Google Analytics had about 8,620 branded searches, while Hotjar had 280. Google Analytics made up 81.2% of all web analytics tool searches we track, and Hotjar accounted for 2.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about web analytics tools, Google Analytics appeared in all five answers and Hotjar in three. Google Analytics was mentioned before Hotjar in every answer.

Among web analytics tools in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google Analytics, about 31 searches for every 1 for Hotjar

Google Analytics 8.6K searchesHotjar 280 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Google Analytics, mentioned in every answer we collected

Google Analytics in 5 of 5Hotjar in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Google Analytics, named ahead of Hotjar in every answer

Google Analytics first in 5Hotjar never first

Follow Google Analytics vs Hotjar 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 web analytics tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Analytics appeared in all five answers. Hotjar was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Analytics was listed before Hotjar in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Google Analytics1st
  2. Matomo2nd
  3. Plausible Analytics3rd
  4. Microsoft Clarity4th
  5. Adobe Analytics5th
  6. Hotjar6th
  7. Mixpanel7th
  8. Amplitude8th
  9. PostHog9th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Google Analytics5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Matomo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Analytics4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Plausible Analytics4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Hotjar3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Microsoft Clarity2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • PostHog1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Mixpanel1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Amplitude1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about web analytics tools

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Google Analytics or Hotjar more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Analytics and Hotjar by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine web analytics tools we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Google Analytics and Hotjar among web analytics tools in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGoogle AnalyticsPostHogMicrosoft ClarityHotjarMixpanelMatomoAdobe AnalyticsAmplitudePlausible Analytics
Oct 202579.3%4.5%4.5%5.7%2.6%1.9%0.65%0.37%0.28%
Nov 202578.6%3.7%4.4%5.5%5.4%1.5%0.45%0.09%0.18%
Dec 202578%5.4%4.5%4.6%4.6%1.8%0.41%0.41%0.27%
Jan 202679.4%5.5%5.5%4.7%3%1.2%0.22%0.11%0.45%
Feb 202680.4%4.5%6.8%3.9%1.8%1.7%0.45%0.23%0.23%
Mar 202684.4%4.9%4.9%2.3%0.96%1.7%0.4%0.16%0.32%
Apr 202682.2%3.8%7.2%2.9%1.4%1.4%0.38%0.19%0.48%
May 202683.4%4.7%5.8%3%1.1%0.96%0.48%0.1%0.38%
Jun 202677.8%7.9%6.5%3.8%1.7%1.4%0.35%0.09%0.61%
Jul 202680.4%6.7%6.8%2.6%1.5%1%0.27%0.18%0.46%
Aug 202680.9%6.7%6.8%2.6%1.1%1.1%0.37%0.09%0.28%
Sep 202681.2%7%5.7%2.6%1.5%1.1%0.38%0.19%0.19%

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

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand web analytics tools in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Google Analytics’ share of searches among web analytics tools in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 77.8% to 81.2% in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Hotjar in New Zealand fell 54.8% over 12 measured months, from 620 to 280 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

14 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Analytics’ and Hotjar’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.

Google Analytics

10 branded search terms

  • google analytics
  • google analytics 360
  • google analytics 4
  • google analytics certified
  • google analytics consultant
  • google analytics heatmap
  • google analytics tracking
  • googleanalytics
  • learning google analytics
  • traffic google analytics

Hotjar

4 branded search terms

  • hotjar
  • hotjar analytics
  • hotjar heatmap
  • hotjar tracking

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among web analytics 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