Hotjar vs Redash: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Marcus Johnson, Marketing & Growth Specialistยท7 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing Hotjar and Redash in 2026, Hotjar is the stronger choice for ux designers and marketers understanding where users click and drop off due to excellent visual user behavior insights. Redash excels for data teams wanting a free, sql-based dashboard tool they can self-host with free and open-source. Hotjar offers Heatmaps, Session recordings, Surveys starting at $32/mo with a free plan. Redash provides SQL editor, Dashboards, Scheduled queries from Free (self-hosted) with a free tier. For teams prioritizing value, Hotjar delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 79/100. Hotjar and Redash compete in the analytics & bi segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading analytics & bi tools include Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI. Hotjar serves 1.3M+ websites users globally (founded 2014) while Redash reports 50K+ active users (founded 2013).

Hotjar vs Redash at a Glance

Hotjar
Redash
Starting Price
$32/mo
Free (self-hosted)
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
User Rating
4.6/5
4.3/5
Best For
UX designers and marketers understanding where use...
Data teams wanting a free, SQL-based dashboard too...
Users
1.3M+ websites
50K+
Founded
2014
2013
hiltonsoftware Score
79/100
69/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐Ÿ”ฅ
Hotjar
Analytics & BI
79
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
๐Ÿ“Š
Redash
Analytics & BI
69
hiltonsoftware.co Score

What are the main differences between Hotjar and Redash?

Hotjar and Redash differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. Hotjar leads in 7 of 7 categories.

HotjarRedash
89Ease of Use79
77Features74
73Value for Money70
71Customer Support67
69Integrations62
69Scalability58
74Learning Curve70

What are the pros and cons of Hotjar vs Redash?

Hotjar
+Excellent visual user behavior insights
+Easy to install and use
-Storage limits on free plan
-GDPR requires careful setup
Redash
+Free and open-source
+Supports many data sources
-Requires SQL knowledge
-Self-hosted maintenance

Which is better, Hotjar or Redash?

After evaluating Hotjar and Redash across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Hotjar earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 79/100 versus Redash at 69/100. Hotjar stands out for "excellent visual user behavior insights" and "easy to install and use". Redash delivers competitive advantages in "free and open-source", making Redash a viable alternative.

Both Hotjar and Redash offer free plans. Hotjar paid plans start at $32/mo while Redash begins at Free (self-hosted). ROI depends on which features justify upgrading.

Bottom line: Choose Hotjar for ux designers and marketers understanding where users click and drop off. Choose Redash for data teams wanting a free, sql-based dashboard tool they can self-host. Both Hotjar and Redash are established analytics & bi platforms.

CHOOSE HOTJAR IF:

UX designers and marketers understanding where users click and drop off.

CHOOSE REDASH IF:

Data teams wanting a free, SQL-based dashboard tool they can self-host.

Hotjar vs Redash: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hotjar better than Redash in 2026?
Hotjar outperforms Redash in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 79/100 compared to 69/100. Hotjar excels in Heatmaps, Session recordings, Surveys, making Hotjar the better choice for UX designers and marketers understanding where users click and drop off. Redash is the stronger option for Data teams wanting a free, SQL-based dashboard tool they can self-host due to free and open-source. For teams needing heatmaps, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Hotjar.
How does Hotjar pricing compare to Redash in 2026?
Hotjar starts at $32/mo and includes a free plan. Redash starts at Free (self-hosted) and offers a free plan. Hotjar includes features like Heatmaps, Session recordings, Surveys. Redash provides SQL editor, Dashboards, Scheduled queries. Hotjar serves 1.3M+ websites users while Redash serves 50K+ users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Hotjar and Redash?
Hotjar specializes in Heatmaps, Session recordings, Surveys, earning a 79/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Redash focuses on SQL editor, Dashboards, Scheduled queries, scoring 69/100. Hotjar is best for UX designers and marketers understanding where users click and drop off. Redash is best for Data teams wanting a free, SQL-based dashboard tool they can self-host. Both Hotjar and Redash serve the Analytics & BI market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Hotjar to Redash?
Migrating from Hotjar to Redash is possible since both operate in the Analytics & BI space. Export data from Hotjar and verify Redash import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Heatmaps, Session recordings, Surveys (Hotjar) versus SQL editor, Dashboards, Scheduled queries (Redash). Running both Hotjar and Redash in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Hotjar or Redash better for small business?
Both Hotjar and Redash offer free plans. Hotjar (79/100) is ideal for UX designers and marketers understanding where users click and drop off. Redash (69/100) fits Data teams wanting a free, SQL-based dashboard tool they can self-host. Evaluate both during trial periods.

Reviewed by Marcus Johnson, Marketing & Growth Specialist. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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