Frase
Hotjar
| Feature | Frase | Hotjar |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $14.99/mo | Free / from $32/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | content-writers, seo-freelancers, bloggers, small-teams | ux-designers, product-managers, marketers, conversion-optimizers |
| Founded | 2016 | 2014 |
| Serp Analysis | ✓ | ✗ |
| Content Briefs | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Writer | ✓ | ✗ |
| Content Optimization | ✓ | ✗ |
| Answer Engine | ✓ | ✗ |
| Topic Scoring | ✓ | ✗ |
| Heatmaps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Session Recordings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Surveys | ✗ | ✓ |
| Feedback Widgets | ✗ | ✓ |
| Funnels | ✗ | ✓ |
| User Interviews | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dashboards | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Frase Pros
- Affordable compared to competitors
- Fast SERP research
- AI writing assistant included
- Good content optimization
✗ Frase Cons
- AI content quality varies
- Limited integrations
- Smaller feature set than enterprise tools
✓ Hotjar Pros
- Heatmaps show exactly where users click
- Session recordings reveal UX issues
- Easy to install (one script tag)
- Surveys and feedback widgets included
✗ Hotjar Cons
- Can slow down site if not configured well
- Session recordings take time to review
- Limited to web — no mobile app analytics
The Verdict
Frase is built for content writers and seo freelancers, with a focus on serp-analysis and content-briefs. Hotjar targets ux designers and product managers and leads with heatmaps and session-recordings.
On pricing, Frase is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $14.99/mo compared to $32/mo for Hotjar. That $17.009999999999998/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Hotjar has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Frase requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, Hotjar offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Frase takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.