Hotjar vs Ghost
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 | Hotjar | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Yes | No |
| Starter | $32/mo | $9/mo |
| Pro | $80/mo | $25/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Ghost is cheaper at the Starter tier ($9/mo vs $32/mo).
Feature Matrix
| Feature | Hotjar | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Heatmaps | Yes | - |
| Session recordings | Yes | - |
| User surveys | Yes | - |
| Feedback widgets | Yes | - |
| Funnels | Yes | - |
| Newsletter publishing | - | Yes |
| Membership and subscriptions | - | Yes |
| 0% transaction fees | - | Yes |
| SEO-optimized | - | Yes |
| Self-hosting option | - | Yes |
When to Choose Each
Choose Hotjar if you need...
- +Visual behavior insights
- +Easy setup
- +Good for UX research
MarketersDesignersDevelopersStartups
Choose Ghost if you need...
- +No revenue cut
- +Clean writing experience
- +Great SEO
- +Self-host option
Content CreatorsSolopreneursFreelancers
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Hotjar or Ghost?
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 Hotjar cheaper than Ghost?
Yes, Ghost is cheaper at the Starter tier ($9/mo).
What is the difference between Hotjar and Ghost?
Hotjar focuses on heatmaps and session recordings, while Ghost emphasizes newsletter publishing and membership and subscriptions. Hotjar is best for Marketerss, Designerss, Developerss, Startupss, while Ghost suits Content Creatorss, Solopreneurss, Freelancerss.