Behavior AnalyticsFullSession vs. Hotjar Heatmaps
FullSession vs. Hotjar Heatmaps: Which Wins for SaaS? ...
Comparison
FullSession vs. Hotjar Heatmaps: Pick the Stack That Lifts Conversion Faster
By Roman Mohren, FullSession CEO • Last updated: Nov 2025
Related reading: Heatmaps for Conversion: From Insight to A/B Wins
TL;DR: Teams that pair interactive heatmaps with funnel jump-to-replay identify friction faster and protect conversion on priority flows. Updated: Nov 2025.
Privacy: Sensitive inputs are masked by default; allow-list only when truly necessary.
On this page
Decision TL;DR: Who should pick which?
Choose FullSession if you want interactive heatmaps with real-time readouts, quick funnel drop-off context, and a privacy-first capture model designed to keep payloads light—ideal for PLG teams who need fast diagnosis and fewer tools to juggle.
Choose Hotjar if you mainly want a surveys‑first UX stack and prefer its broader template library.
Note: FullSession also includes in‑app feedback, so teams can keep feedback + heatmaps + funnels in one workflow.
Feature / Cost / Privacy Parity (Updated Nov 2025)
Snapshot based on public pages; confirm current details with vendors.
Feature parity
| Capability | FullSession | Hotjar | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Click/tap & scroll heatmaps | Yes (interactive / near real-time) | Yes (aggregate) | Nov 2025 |
| Rage-click / frustration signals | Yes | Yes | Nov 2025 |
| Funnels with heatmap/replay jump | Yes (drop-off context) | Funnels supported; integration varies | Nov 2025 |
| Session replays next to hotspots | Yes | Yes | Nov 2025 |
| Device/viewport segmentation | Yes | Yes | Nov 2025 |
Cost posture (operating guidance)
| Lens | FullSession | Hotjar | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing visibility | Public pricing page | Public pricing; free + paid tiers | Nov 2025 |
| Entry positioning | Trial / transparent tiers | Free plan with session caps | Nov 2025 |
| Scaling watch-outs | Right-size capture; keep payload lean | Watch session caps & add-ons | Nov 2025 |
Privacy posture
| Area | FullSession | Hotjar | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default input masking | On (allow-list exceptions) | Privacy & consent controls documented | Nov 2025 |
| Replay/heatmap controls | Granular, privacy-first | Suite-level controls | Nov 2025 |
Migration (3 steps, ~30 minutes typical)
1) Install the snippet (5–10 min)
Add FullSession via tag manager or module import. Confirm default masking and consent flags.
2) Create a like-for-like view (10–15 min)
Reproduce your top Hotjar views: device filters, target pages, and key steps (pricing, sign-up, checkout). Save presets in FullSession.
3) Validate parity & switch (5 min)
Compare click/tap clusters and scroll depth over a 24–72h window. Spot-check with replay; then move the team’s daily ritual to FullSession.
Risks & mitigations
- Risk #1: Different heatmap sampling windows create apparent discrepancies. Mitigation: Align windows (e.g., 7 days) and device filters before comparing.
- Risk #2: SDK overhead on Core Web Vitals. Mitigation: Use streamed, batched capture; keep masking defaults to reduce payload.
- Risk #3: Team change-management. Mitigation: Save presets (A/B Rescue, Mobile Fold, Rage-Tap) and run a 15-minute workflow enablement.
Proof (before/after)
| Scenario | KPI | Before (median) | After (median) | Lift | Method | Window | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heatmap-to-funnel triage | Checkout conversion | 2.3% | 2.9% | +26% | Pre/Post | Last 90 days | Nov 2025 |
| Mobile fold fix from hotspots | Sign-up completion | 41% | 46% | +5 pts | AA cohort | Last 60 days | Nov 2025 |
| Rage-tap disabled CTA fix | Time-to-diagnosis | 10.5h | 6.8h | −35% | ITS | Last 90 days | Nov 2025 |
Heatmap → Funnel triage
Mobile fold fix
Rage-tap CTA fix
Switch & Save
Get started on the plan that fits your workflow. You can switch plans anytime.
FAQs
- Does FullSession support the same heatmap types as Hotjar?
- Yes—click/tap and scroll coverage, plus frustration signals. FullSession emphasizes interactive/near real-time readouts and quick funnel context.
- How does pricing compare?
- Both have public pricing pages; Hotjar highlights a free plan with session caps and paid tiers. Confirm current details on each vendor's site.
- What about privacy?
- FullSession masks sensitive inputs by default with allow-lists for exceptions; Hotjar documents privacy practices across its suite. Evaluate per your data policy.
- Can I migrate saved views?
- Recreate your top filters (pages, devices, variants) as saved presets in FullSession; parity typically takes ~30 minutes.
- Will this slow my site?
- FullSession capture is engineered for low overhead via streaming/batching; keep masking defaults to minimize payload.
- Can I still use surveys/polls?
- If you rely heavily on Hotjar’s surveys, you can keep them and run FullSession for heatmaps/funnel triage—or consolidate as your team prefers.
- Do I need replays?
- Heatmaps show where; replays reveal why. Many teams use both for faster fixes, especially on mobile friction.