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Head-to-head · Session Recording Software

Microsoft Clarity vs Smartlook

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Microsoft Clarity #1 in Session Recording Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit site
Smartlook #8 in Session Recording Software 8.3/10 Free plan · pricing on request Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Smartlook

Microsoft Clarity leads on 0 checks, Smartlook on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMicrosoft Clarity · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

Microsoft Clarity scores higher on our rubric for session recording software: 9.3 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Microsoft Clarity is the better fit for teams wanting free, broad session analytics. Smartlook is the better fit for teams needing broad integrations across platforms.

  • Microsoft Clarity fits best

    Teams wanting free, broad session analytics

  • Smartlook fits best

    Teams needing broad integrations across platforms

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Side by side

Feature Microsoft Clarity 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Smartlook 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.3
Ranking #1 in Session Recording Software #8 in Session Recording Software
Best for Teams wanting free, broad session analytics Teams needing broad integrations across platforms
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free Free plan · pricing on request
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Email, Docs
Compliance GDPR PCI DSS
Integrations 1 integrations 20 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Clarity 0/2 · Smartlook 0/2
Mobile app capture Not checked yet Not checked yet
Funnel analysis Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Monthly session limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Recording retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Privacy controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Friction signals Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Always-on recordings with click, scroll, area, and conversion heatmaps
  • Rage-click, dead-click, AI summaries, and 40+ filtering options
  • Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, and Google Analytics support
  • Covers web, iOS, Android, and API implementations
  • Combines replay, heatmaps, funnels, flows, and crash reports
  • Offers REST API, webhooks, and a wide integration set
Cons
  • Standard playback retention is limited to 30 days
  • The listed integration is limited to Google Analytics
  • Mobile analytics requires SDKs for Android and iOS apps
  • No longer accepts new paid subscriptions
  • Standalone platform is scheduled for decommissioning on 30 September 2027
  • Existing paid subscriptions have separate end dates
Our verdict

Microsoft Clarity is a free behavior analytics product for websites and mobile apps. It is aimed at teams that need to examine user journeys through session recordings, playback, heatmaps, interaction signals, and segmentation without a…

Read the review →

Smartlook is a product-analytics platform for websites and mobile applications. It brings together session recordings and replay, click, move, and scroll heatmaps, event tracking, conversion funnels, behavior flows, crash reports, and…

Read the review →
  1. Microsoft ClaritySession Recording Software 9.3Free plan
  2. SmartlookSession Recording Software 8.3Free plan · pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Microsoft Clarity — where it wins

    • Always-on recordings with click, scroll, area, and conversion heatmaps
    • Rage-click, dead-click, AI summaries, and 40+ filtering options
    • Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, and Google Analytics support

    Where it doesn't

    • Standard playback retention is limited to 30 days
    • The listed integration is limited to Google Analytics
    • Mobile analytics requires SDKs for Android and iOS apps
  • Smartlook — where it wins

    • Covers web, iOS, Android, and API implementations
    • Combines replay, heatmaps, funnels, flows, and crash reports
    • Offers REST API, webhooks, and a wide integration set

    Where it doesn't

    • No longer accepts new paid subscriptions
    • Standalone platform is scheduled for decommissioning on 30 September 2027
    • Existing paid subscriptions have separate end dates
  • Microsoft Clarity9.3/10 · Free plan

    A broad, free analytics toolkit for understanding web and mobile user behavior.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Smartlook8.3/10 · Free plan · pricing on request

    A broad web and mobile analytics suite whose standalone product is being wound down.

    Visit SmartlookFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update