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Heatpoints vs Hotjar: workflows and limits

A predictive heatmap and a behavioural heatmap answer different questions. Compare Heatpoints with the Hotjar/Contentsquare workflow before deciding which evidence you need.

Try Heatpoints on your image
Workflow comparison, based on the official sources linked below. Reviewed 9 September 2026.
QuestionHeatpointsHotjar
QuestionWhat is visually prominent in this image?Where did recorded visitors interact?
InputImage or browser captureInstrumented website activity
Before launchCan analyse a draft without trafficBehavioural evidence requires recorded use
Useful combinationSuggest a visual revisionMeasure how the published revision is used

What Hotjar offers

Contentsquare's heatmap guide describes maps based on website interactions, including clicks and scrolling. These behavioural views need recorded site activity. They should not be confused with a saliency prediction generated from a draft image.

References: Contentsquare: behavioural heatmaps

When to consider Hotjar

Choose a behavioural analytics workflow when you need to investigate actual visitor interactions, such as an ignored link or a section that few people reach. Verify the current Hotjar/Contentsquare product, installation and data-processing conditions directly with the provider.

When Heatpoints fits

Use Heatpoints before launch or when you want a visual hypothesis from a screenshot. It needs no visitor sample to calculate that prediction. It cannot replace interaction histories, session recordings or measurements of scroll reach.

Initial free access has usage limits. Chrome asks for email verification after the initial scans. Pro is coming soon. Check the current allowance in the product; this comparison does not promise unlimited analysis.

References: Heatpoints access and pricing

Compare a real task, not just a score

Choose a representative image and write down what should attract attention before running either tool. Keep dimensions, crop and page state consistent. Inspect whether the result answers your question and whether you can explain it to the person making the design decision.

Scores from different products need not use the same formula or normalisation. A higher number cannot establish better prediction accuracy. No shared benchmark or conversion experiment was conducted for this comparison.

References: How Heatpoints calculates and summarises a map

Sources and disclosure

Reviewed on 9 September 2026 against the official pages linked here. This comparison is published by Heatpoints, not an independent testing laboratory. Vendor descriptions are attributed to their documentation; access, plan limits and prices may change. Check image retention, permissions and export conditions before submitting confidential material.

References: Contentsquare: behavioural heatmaps · Heatpoints data handling