Microsoft Clarity
User BehaviorFree heatmaps and session recordings from Microsoft
Overview
Microsoft Clarity is a free user behavior analytics platform that captures heatmaps, session recordings, and user interaction data without the typical enterprise pricing. Launched in 2020 as part of Microsoft's web tools ecosystem, it competes directly with paid solutions like Hotjar and Crazy Egg by offering core behavior tracking features at no cost.
The tool stands out in a market dominated by freemium models and usage-based pricing. While Hotjar limits free users to 35 sessions daily and Crazy Egg starts at $29/month, Clarity provides unlimited sessions for websites of any size. Microsoft's strategy appears focused on data collection and ecosystem integration rather than direct monetization.
Clarity's AI-powered insights automatically identify user experience issues like rage clicking, excessive scrolling, and JavaScript errors. The platform processes behavioral data to highlight pages with high bounce rates or low engagement, making it particularly valuable for content optimizers who need to understand why pages underperform in search results.
Key features
Session Recordings
Replay actual user sessions to see exactly how visitors navigate your pages. Filters help identify specific behavior patterns like rage clicks and dead clicks.
Heatmaps
Click and scroll heatmaps show where users interact most on your pages. Automatically generated for desktop and mobile views without code changes.
Insights Dashboard
AI-powered insights automatically surface issues like excessive scrolling, low click-through rates, and JavaScript errors affecting user experience.
Privacy Compliance
Built-in privacy controls mask sensitive data automatically and comply with GDPR requirements. No personal data is stored or tracked.
Real-time Analytics
Monitor live user activity with real-time session counts, popular pages, and geographic distribution of visitors.
Integration Capabilities
Connects with Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and major CMS platforms through simple tag installation or plugins.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited sessions, heatmaps, recordings, up to 10M sessions/month |
FAQ
Is Microsoft Clarity completely free to use?
Yes, Microsoft Clarity is entirely free with no usage limits, hidden fees, or premium tiers. Microsoft funds it as part of their broader web ecosystem strategy.
How does Microsoft Clarity compare to Hotjar?
Clarity offers similar core features (heatmaps, recordings) but is completely free versus Hotjar's freemium model. Hotjar has more advanced filtering and feedback collection features.
Does Microsoft Clarity slow down website performance?
The tracking script is lightweight and loads asynchronously, typically adding less than 50KB to page load. Performance impact is minimal for most websites.
Can I use Microsoft Clarity with Google Analytics?
Yes, Clarity integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics and doesn't interfere with existing tracking. Many users run both tools simultaneously for comprehensive analytics.
How does Microsoft Clarity compare?
View all comparisons →Review Sentiment
98 reviews across 2 sources
Bottom line
Microsoft Clarity costs nothing and does completely free well enough to earn a 4.7/5 from 98 users. Just know that only 30 days of data retention.
People love
- +Completely free with unlimited session recordings and heatmaps — no traffic caps
- +Dead click and rage click detection identifies frustration signals affecting user experience
- +Copilot AI integration summarizes behavioral patterns without manual session review
Common complaints
- –Only 30 days of data retention — no long-term historical analysis
- –No built-in survey or feedback collection tools like Hotjar offers
- –Limited filter and segmentation options compared to paid behavior analytics tools
Last updated Feb 2026