Ghost vs Hotjar
Full side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and use cases to help you pick the right tool.
Bottom line: Ghost is both cheaper and higher-rated - a strong pick for most teams.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Ghost | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No | Yes |
| Starter | $9/mo | $32/mo |
| Pro | $25/mo | $80/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Ghost is cheaper at the Starter tier ($9/mo vs $32/mo).
Feature Matrix
| Feature | Ghost | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter publishing | Yes | - |
| Membership and subscriptions | Yes | - |
| 0% transaction fees | Yes | - |
| SEO-optimized | Yes | - |
| Self-hosting option | Yes | - |
| Heatmaps | - | Yes |
| Session recordings | - | Yes |
| User surveys | - | Yes |
| Feedback widgets | - | Yes |
| Funnels | - | Yes |
When to Choose Each
Choose Ghost if you need...
- +No revenue cut
- +Clean writing experience
- +Great SEO
- +Self-host option
Content CreatorsSolopreneursFreelancers
Choose Hotjar if you need...
- +Visual behavior insights
- +Easy setup
- +Good for UX research
MarketersDesignersDevelopersStartups
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Ghost or Hotjar?
Ghost scores higher in our review (4.4/5 vs 4.3/5). However, Hotjar may be a better fit depending on your specific needs and budget.
Is Ghost cheaper than Hotjar?
Yes, Ghost is cheaper at the Starter tier ($9/mo).
What is the difference between Ghost and Hotjar?
Ghost focuses on newsletter publishing and membership and subscriptions, while Hotjar emphasizes heatmaps and session recordings. Ghost is best for Content Creatorss, Solopreneurss, Freelancerss, while Hotjar suits Marketerss, Designerss, Developerss, Startupss.