Hotjar is a top choice for heat maps and session replays, but its feedback surveys fall short in several areas.
Limited feedback features, clunky data management, slow session recordings, and, most notably—high costs. When these issues pile up, gathering effective feedback becomes harder.
Luckily, there are alternatives to Hotjar that do a much better job at feedback collection—and that's exactly what we'll explore in today’s blog.
7 Hotjar Feedback Alternatives
1. Blitzllama
Blitzllama is an emerging feedback collection and analysis tool that helps product teams gain quick and actionable insights at an economical price. It enables you to run targeted surveys for its detailed AI capabilities and ability to scale.
Key Features
- In-App Surveys: Run contextual micro surveys in real-time within your app to collect feedback right after they engage with your features to reduce response bias
- AI-Powered Analytics: Uses AI to analyze and categorize customer feedback into topics for easier sentiment analysis; prioritizes the critical feedback to implement into the roadmap
- Unlimited Survey Responses: Offers unlimited survey responses in the starter plan helping teams build a continuous feedback loop
- Event-Based Triggers: Deploy surveys at crucial moments in the user journey based on specific events known as triggers for highly contextual feedback
- Custom Dashboards: Create shareable dashboards with automated reports, revenue analysis, and AI recommendations
Blitzllama vs Hotjar Feature Comparison
Pros
- Faster Integration: Easy to set up SDK integration for mobile apps with no more than 30 minutes of setup time—all it takes for brands to create in-app surveys
- Multiple Feedback Analysis: Must have for teams looking for a single tool to analyze feedback from various sources including surveys, PlayStore, and customer support tickets
Cons
- Lacks Feedback Widget: Doesn’t have a feedback widget in the sidebar to collect website feedback
- No session replays or heatmaps: Blitzllama lacks session replays or heatmaps meaning no visual context to feedback surveys
Integrations
- Survey Platforms: Google Tag Manager, Web, React Native, Flutter, iOS, and Android.
- Feedback Sources: Play Store, App Store, CSVs, surveys, Intercom, Freshchat, Zendesk.
- Analytics: Export API, Webhook, Backend Trigger, Zapier, and more.
- Collaboration: Slack.
Blitzllama vs Hotjar Pricing
See how Blitzllama stacks up against Hotjar—read Blitzllama vs Hotjar
2. Qualaroo
Qualaroo is a survey tool that helps small businesses and enterprises target specific users based on behavior. It helps integrate feedback collection without hurdles to provide a smooth digital experience.
Key Features
- Targeted Feedback Nudges: Uses Nudges to initiate specific users based on actions or behaviors to ensure contextual surveys
- Multi-Channel Deployment: Create and distribute surveys across multiple channels including web, mobile, email, and in-app for better response rates
- Exit Intent Surveys: Capture reasons behind users leaving your site to boost retention efforts using Exit Intent Surveys
- Sentiment Analysis: Use AI to analyze open-ended feedback and uncover the emotions behind it—whether positive, negative, or neutral
- Question Library: Choose customizable templates from a variety of industry-specific use cases such as user feedback, marketing research, sales optimization, content improvement, and customer support feedback
Qualaroo vs Hotjar Feature Comparison
Pros
- Superior Targeting: Qualroo’s trademark Nudges allows precise targeting based on user interactions to collect relevant feedback
- Detailed Sentiment Analysis: Get in-depth sentiment analysis that provides granular insights where Hotjar has limitations
Cons
- Pricing: Qualaroo’s advanced features are available in the higher pricing plans which makes it unaffordable for startups
- Learning Curve: The tool may need some amount of extensive learning before getting a grip
Integrations
- CRM Integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot
- Analytics Integrations: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, KISSmetrics, FullStory, SessionCam, PowerBI
- Marketing Automation Integrations: Marketo, Eloqua
- Communication and Collaboration Integrations: Slack, Intercom
- Email Marketing Integration: Mailchimp
- Data Management and Tagging Integrations: Segment, Tealium, Google Tag Manager
- Testing and Optimization Integrations: Optimizely, Google Optimize
- Automation Integrations: Zapier, Webhooks
Qualtrics vs Hotjar Pricing
3. Survicate
Survicate is an enhanced feedback tool combining feedback collection across multiple touch points with easy integration options. It’s known for survey versatility.
Key Features
- Website and In-App Surveys: Run website or in-product surveys as widgets or overlays to collect real-time customer feedback
- Email and Link Surveys: Send email and link surveys to capture feedback outside product experience by embedding them in emails, generating unique links and QR codes
- Feedback Automation: Automate surveys with the help of user actions as triggers during the right moments in the user’s journey
- NPS and CSAT Surveys: Provides 400+ custom templates with the notable ones being NPS and CSAT surveys
- Advanced Reporting: Real-time dashboards offering advanced reporting features such as customizable time-frame, advanced filters, data visualization, Export options, and AI text analysis
Survicate vs Hotjar Feature Comparison
Pros
- Convenience of customization: Survicate allows you to customize survey questions that suit your goals
- Multi-channel Feedback: While Hotjar only offers web surveys and in-product surveys, Survicate offers the first two along with mobile app, email, and link surveys
Cons
- Response Limits on Lower Plans: Smaller plans have a cap on the number of responses which might not work for products if your monthly responses exceed more than 1500
- Starting troubles: Survicate's feedback widgets might be a bit difficult to implement as compared to Hotjar
Integrations
- CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, ActiveCampaign, Pipedrive (via Zapier), Drip, Marketo, Braze, Klaviyo, Mailchimp
- Customer Support: Intercom, Zendesk, Freshdesk (via Zapier), LiveChat
- Communication and Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams
- Analytics and Data Management: Google Analytics, Segment, Amplitude, Mixpanel, BigQuery, FullStory, Glassbox, LiveSession, Smartlook, Woopra, Contentsquare, Adobe Analytics
- Product Management: Productboard, Jira
- Marketing Automation: Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo, Drip, Marketo, Braze
- Integration Platforms: Zapier
Survicate vs Hotjar Pricing
Make sure to check out Survicate Alternatives
4. Sprig
Sprig is a user research tool that helps organizations collect contextual customer feedback via surveys, concept testing, and UX insights. It's used by product teams to build better products with actionable insights delivered in real-time.
Key Features
- In-Product Surveys: Run surveys within your product to gather contextual feedback, identify onboarding issues, and improve activation rates
- Session Replays: Watch video recordings of user interactions to gain a first-hand account of how users navigate your product, identify usability issues and design problems
- AI-Powered Analysis: Use AI to analyze open-ended survey responses via Machine Learning to reveal key themes, sentiments, and user requirements
- Heatmaps: Understand how users click, scroll, hover, or download to increase user engagement and retention efforts along with UX
- Targeted Surveys: Deploy targeted surveys based on triggers such as user attributes like demographics, behavior, and cohorts
Sprig vs Hotjar Feature Comparison
Pros
- Integrated Session Replays: Supports session replays for web and mobile apps helping teams monitor user behavior independently
- Advanced AI Analysis: Sprig is an advanced AI analysis suite consisting of session replays and heatmaps, alongside feedback based on themes and trends, in the end offering actionable insights
Cons
- Limited In-App Guidance: May not live up to expectations, since it doesn’t offer in-app walkthroughs or guides which will need separate tools for onboarding and user engagement
- Pricing Transparency: Articulate pricing plans are behind a wall which requires booking a consultation call to get specific pricing information which might be a little troublesome
Integrations
- Native Installation: React Native, JavaScript, iOS, Android
- Low-Code Installation: Segment Web, Segment React Native, Segment iOS, Segment Android, Google Tag Manager
- Enrichment: RudderStack, Public API, Census, Segment Classic
- Analytics: Amplitude, Mixpanel, Webhooks, Segment Stream, Data Export API
- Experimentation: Optimizely, LaunchDarkly
- Collaboration: Slack, Zapier
- Panels: User Interviews
Sprig vs Hotjar Pricing
Take a moment to read: Sprig Alternatives
5. Delighted
Delighted is a feedback collection tool by Qualtrics, assisting teams to gather feedback with an easy setup. It’s primarily known for its customer satisfaction surveys.
Key Features
- NPS, CES, and CSAT Surveys: Easy-to-customize templates for NPS, CES, and CSAT to measure satisfaction and contentment across multiple touchpoints
- Diverse Feedback Channels: Distribute surveys via email, web, SMS, or direct links for better survey response rates
- Automated Feedback Surveys: Set triggers for automated surveys to get contextual feedback reducing response bias
- Analytics and Insights: Share dashboard reports such as Snapshot Report for metric summaries, Over Time Report for trend tracking, Pivot Table Report for detailed feedback breakdown, etc for rational decision-making
- Slack and Zendesk Integration: Get real-time notifications via Slack or Zendesk to quickly close the feedback loop
Delighted vs Hotjar Feature Comparison
Pros
- Multichannel Surveys: Delighted supports multiple channels such as email, web, SMS, and mobile apps while Hotjar is limited to web surveys
- Ease of Use: With a user-friendly interface and customizable templates, the time to set up is less for quick surveys
Cons
- Basic Advanced Analytics: It doesn't offer advanced analytics like heatmaps and replay sessions, which provide a visual context to users
Integrations
- Automation Integrations: Make, Zapier
- CRM Integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot, Kustomer, Pipedrive
- E-commerce Integrations: Shopify, Squarespace, Square, Stripe
- Communication and Collaboration Integrations: Slack, Front, Intercom, Help Scout
- Analytics and Data Integrations: Segment, Google Sheets, Heap, Stitch, Fivetran, Geckoboard
- Marketing Integrations: Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign
- Customer Support Integrations: Zendesk, Freshdesk, Gorgias, Gladly
- Human Resources Integrations: BambooHR, Greenhouse
- Other Integrations: Webhooks, Airtable, Friendbuy, Everywhere
Delighted vs Hotjar Pricing
It could be worth taking a look at Delight Alternatives
6. Refiner
Refiner is a survey software exclusively for SAAS products seeking targeted feedback. It helps SAAS companies make data-driven decisions and increase retention through targeted feature development.
Key Features
- Micro-Surveys: Embed short surveys within your product with few questions that get over within minutes for a friction-free feedback experience
- User Segmentation: Run targeted surveys based on segments such as product usage, plan type, or demographics for relevant responses
- Real-Time Metrics: Track NPS, feature requests, and customer satisfaction in real-time to monitor changes in sentiments regarding priority issues
- White-Labeling Options: Customize surveys to match your brand appearance including logos, fonts, colors, and themes
- Feedback-Driven Alerts: Set up alerts on critical updates such as low NPS scores and act fast on negative feedback
Refiner vs Hotjar Feature Comparison
Pros
- Specialized In-Product Surveys: Refiner offers dedicated in-product surveys offering diverse question types with advanced targeting options for contextual feedback
- Advanced Reporting and Integrations: Get access to in-depth reporting dashboards that allow easy integration with Segment, Zapier, and Customer.io for automated actions
Cons
- Steep starter plans: With a monthly starter plan billed at $79/month, Refiner costs more in comparison to Hotjar’s $48 per month for surveys which isn’t feasible for startups
- SaaS specific: Unless you aren’t a SAAS brand, you won’t get the most of it if your product isn’t confined to an app or a desktop
Integrations
- Customer Data Platforms: Segment, Rudderstack
- Product Analytics: Amplitude, Mixpanel
- Messaging Platforms: Customer.io, Userlist
- CRMs: HubSpot, Salesforce
- Automation Platforms: Zapier, Make
- Communication Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams
- Data Management: Google Sheets
- APIs and Webhooks: REST API, Webhooks
Refiner vs Hotjar Pricing
7. SmartSurvey
SmartSurvey is a versatile survey tool meant for businesses of all sizes to make it easy to collect feedback across various touch points.
Key Features
- Customizable Survey Design: Comprehensive customization options to help you create surveys that match your brand: using fonts, colors, and themes
- Offline Surveys: Helpful in case of in-person offline surveys without the need for internet access—responses are saved and uploaded when back online
- Survey Logic and Branching: Use survey logic to create personalized questions based on the user’s response for unique responses
- Multi-Language Surveys: Create and send surveys in multiple languages to cater to a global audience
- Data Exports and Reporting: Export all the data to Excel, PDF, or CSV for special analysis or use the built-in reporting features
SuperSurvey vs Hotjar Feature Comparison
Pros
- UK and GDPR compliance: Smartsurvey is a UK-based brand storing all the data in the UK fully complying with the GDPR and European privacy laws ensuring data integrity
- Diverse Use Cases: Offers extensive templates based on different use cases such as customer surveys, HR surveys, market research surveys, education, healthcare, etc.
Cons
- Limited Behavioral Analytics: While SmartSurvey is the clear winner in surveys, it doesn’t offer in-depth behavioral analytics like Hotjar
- Learning curve: Might not be intuitive when it comes to advanced survey designs as it requires a steep learning curve to get a hang of it
Integrations
- CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive
- Marketing Automation: ActiveCampaign, Marketo
- Collaboration and Communication: Microsoft Teams, Slack
- Project Management: Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp
- Helpdesk and Support: Zendesk, Help Scout
- Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS): BambooHR, Workday
- File Storage and Document Management: Google Drive, Dropbox
- Analytics and Reporting: Google Analytics, Amplitude
- Developer Tools: GitHub, GitLab
- E-commerce: BigCommerce, Shopify
- Accounting and Finance: QuickBooks, Xero
- Email Marketing: Mailchimp, AWeber
- Workflow Automation: Zapier, Integromat
SmartSurvey vs Hotjar Pricing
Bottomline
As we reach the end, you might now have a fair idea of which alternative tool to pick instead of Hotjar. Here’s a summary of which tool is the best at what it does:
- Blitzllama: Best for collecting and analyzing feedback with affordable, in-app surveys, and detailed AI insights
- Qualaroo: Ideal for targeting users based on behavior with advanced sentiment analysis through feedback Nudges
- Survicate: Perfect for versatile feedback collection across multiple touchpoints, including web, email, and in-app
- Sprig: Great for contextual surveys and gaining visual feedback through session replays and heatmaps
- Delighted: Simplest solution for quickly setting up customer satisfaction surveys via multiple feedback channels
- Refiner: Excellent for SaaS companies seeking targeted micro-surveys and data-driven feature development
- SmartSurvey: Best for collecting diverse feedback with offline survey options and GDPR-compliant data handling
With the difference clear, here’s an alarming statistic. A study by Business of Apps reveals that the response rate for in-app surveys is 13%.
If you’re seeing <13%, you need an in-app survey tool offering targeted micro-surveys with proven higher response rates. Blitzllama can help you here. Book a demo and our team will help you in the best possible way.
