Head-to-head · October 2026
GA Google Analytics vs HotJar
GA Google Analytics comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against HotJar.
GA Google Analytics
✨ Connects Google Analytics to WordPress ✨ Easily add Google Analytics 4 to your web pages
HotJar
Hotjar is a new, powerful tool that reveals the online behavior and voice of your users. By combining both A)…
| Metric | GA Google Analytics | HotJar |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 400K+ | 100+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 39.9K | 115 |
| Download trend | -39.6% | +5.5% |
| Rating | 4.9/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 158 | 1 |
| Health score | 89/100 | 32/100 |
| Last updated | 2 months ago | 9 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 4.9.34 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6.20+ | 5.2.4+ |
| First released | Nov 2012 | Dec 2017 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
GA Google AnalyticsHotJar
Choose GA Google Analytics if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 400K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 158 reviews
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
Choose HotJar if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.9 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: analytics
FAQ
GA Google Analytics vs HotJar: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 19, 2026
Which is better, GA Google Analytics or HotJar?
GA Google Analytics comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against HotJar. Choose GA Google Analytics if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose HotJar if you care most about download trend.
Is GA Google Analytics more popular than HotJar?
GA Google Analytics is the more popular of the two with 400K+ active installs, compared with 100+ for HotJar.
Can I use GA Google Analytics and HotJar together?
Both plugins cover analytics, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are GA Google Analytics and HotJar free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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