Head-to-head · Session Recording Software
Microsoft Clarity vs 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 |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
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 →
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All session recording software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







