Amplitude vs Heap
Amplitude is digital analytics platform for understanding user behavior across the full product journey, while Heap is digital analytics platform that auto-captures every user interaction without manual event tracking. Amplitude is built for growth teams needing advanced product analytics, whereas Heap targets teams wanting auto-captured analytics without tagging.
At a glance
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Growth teams needing advanced product analytics | Teams wanting auto-captured analytics without tagging |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Auto-Capture | — | ✓ |
| Behavioral Analytics | ✓ | — |
| CDP | ✓ | — |
| Cohorts | ✓ | — |
| Experiments | ✓ | — |
| Funnels | — | ✓ |
| Segments | — | ✓ |
| Session Replay | — | ✓ |
Amplitude
Strengths
- Includes Behavioral Analytics as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- Includes Cohorts as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- Free up to 10M events/mo — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
- Established product with 14+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem
Weaknesses
- Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
- Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
- Data accuracy depends on tracking setup — misconfigured events give misleading results
- Mobile experience lags behind the desktop version in features and polish
Heap
Strengths
- Includes Auto-Capture as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- Includes Session Replay as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- Free up to 10K sessions/mo — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
- Established product with 13+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem
Weaknesses
- Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
- Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
- Data accuracy depends on tracking setup — misconfigured events give misleading results
- Mobile experience lags behind the desktop version in features and polish
The bottom line
Pricing: Both tools offer free tiers, so you can test each before committing. Amplitude's free plan: Free up to 10M events/mo. Heap's free plan: Free up to 10K sessions/mo.
Feature gaps: Amplitude offers Behavioral Analytics, CDP and Cohorts that Heap lacks. Heap brings Auto-Capture, Funnels and Segments that Amplitude does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target mid-size teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: Amplitude's biggest strengths are: includes behavioral analytics as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. includes cohorts as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. Heap's biggest strengths are: includes auto-capture as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. includes session replay as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
Watch out for: With Amplitude, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Heap, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
Choose Amplitude if...
- You need a tool built for growth teams needing advanced product analytics
- You specifically need Behavioral Analytics and CDP
- You care about includes cohorts as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- The free tier works for you: free up to 10m events/mo
Choose Heap if...
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting auto-captured analytics without tagging
- You specifically need Auto-Capture and Funnels
- You care about includes session replay as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
- The free tier works for you: free up to 10k sessions/mo
Looking for more options?
Related comparisons
Stay sharp
price changes, and honest takes — weekly.