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GDPR Compliance Risk

Hotjar is a US-based service subject to the CLOUD Act. EU organizations using this service risk non-compliance with GDPR data transfer requirements.

Hotjar logo

GDPR-Compliant Alternative to Hotjar

🇺🇸Contentsquare · US-based · Subject to CLOUD Act

Hotjar is a web analytics tool developed by Contentsquare, based in the United States, designed to help businesses understand user behavior on their websites. It provides a suite of features that allow companies to track user interactions and gather feedback to improve website performance. Key features include heatmaps that visualize user clicks, taps, and scrolling behavior, and session recordings that capture real-time user interactions for analysis. Additionally, Hotjar offers feedback polls and surveys to collect user insights and measure customer satisfaction. Conversion funnels help identify where users drop off during the purchase process, while user segmentation allows for targeted analysis of specific user groups. Hotjar integrates with popular analytics tools and offers data export options for comprehensive reporting. The target audience for Hotjar includes website owners, digital marketers, UX designers, and product managers who seek to optimize user experience and increase conversion rates. It is important to note that Hotjar stores user data in the United States, making it subject to US data laws such as the CLOUD Act and FISA 702. Hotjar operates on a subscription-based pricing model, offering various plans based on the level of features and usage required.

Why You Need a GDPR-Compliant Alternative to Hotjar

Since the landmark Schrems II ruling in 2020, transferring personal data to US-based services like Hotjar has become a significant legal risk for EU organizations. The US CLOUD Act gives American authorities the power to access data held by US companies, regardless of where that data is physically stored — even if it's in an EU data center.

While the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF) adopted in 2023 provides a new legal basis for transfers, privacy experts and legal scholars have raised concerns about its long-term viability. The framework could face the same fate as its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield), both of which were struck down by the Court of Justice of the EU.

For organizations that want to eliminate compliance risk entirely, switching to a European-based web analytics is the most straightforward solution. Below are the best GDPR-compliant alternatives to Hotjar, all headquartered in Europe with data stored in EU data centers.

CLOUD Act Exposure

US authorities can access your data stored by Hotjar, even if servers are located in Europe.

GDPR Fine Risk

Non-compliant data transfers can result in fines up to 4% of annual global revenue under GDPR Article 83.

EU Alternative Available

4 GDPR-compliant European alternatives available with full EU data residency.

4 GDPR-Compliant Alternatives to Hotjar

European services with full GDPR compliance and EU data residency

Mouseflow logo

Mouseflow

🇩🇰

by Mouseflow

Mouseflow is a comprehensive web analytics service based in Denmark, designed to provide businesses with deep insights into user behavior on their websites. It allows users to track and analyze visitor interactions through features like session replay, heatmaps, and conversion funnels. These tools help businesses understand how visitors navigate their sites, identify potential issues, and optimize user experience. Key features of Mouseflow include session recordings, which capture every click and scroll, and heatmaps that visualize user engagement on different parts of a webpage. Additionally, Mouseflow offers funnel analysis to track conversion paths and form analytics to identify where users drop off during form submissions. The platform is particularly beneficial for marketers, UX designers, and website owners looking to enhance their site's performance and user engagement. Mouseflow stands out with its commitment to privacy and security, being EU-hosted and fully compliant with GDPR regulations, ensuring data sovereignty and protection for European businesses. While specific pricing details are not mentioned, Mouseflow typically offers tiered pricing based on the volume of sessions recorded, making it scalable for businesses of all sizes.

EU-hostedEU-BasedISO 27001GDPR Compliant
freemiumMigration:●●●2-4 hours

Why switch?

  • Mouseflow is ISO 27001 certified for data security.
  • GDPR compliance with EU-hosted servers ensures data protection.
  • Mouseflow offers detailed heatmaps with click, scroll, and movement data.

Consider

  • Migration from Hotjar may require data reconfiguration.
  • Mouseflow lacks direct survey and poll features.
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Matomo logo

Matomo

🇪🇺

Matomo is a comprehensive web analytics platform that empowers businesses to gain insights into their website traffic and user behavior. As an open-source, self-hosted solution, Matomo offers users complete control over their data, ensuring privacy and compliance with EU regulations. Key features include customizable dashboards, real-time data tracking, and detailed reports on visitor interactions. Unlike many analytics tools, Matomo is EU-hosted, providing a significant advantage for organizations prioritizing GDPR compliance and data sovereignty. This makes it particularly appealing to European businesses and any global entity concerned with stringent data protection standards. Matomo's pricing model is straightforward, with a free version available, allowing users to explore its capabilities without financial commitment. Its target audience includes small to medium-sized enterprises, digital marketers, and web developers who require robust analytics without compromising on data privacy. By choosing Matomo, users benefit from a reliable analytics service that respects user privacy and adheres to the highest standards of data protection.

EU-hostedISO 27001GDPR CompliantOpen SourceSelf-Hostable
freeMigration:●●●2-4 hours

Why switch?

  • Matomo is fully GDPR compliant, ensuring EU data protection.
  • Open source allows for customization and transparency.
  • Self-hosting option offers full data control and privacy.

Consider

  • Migration from Hotjar to Matomo can be time-consuming.
  • Matomo lacks built-in session recordings like Hotjar.
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Visit Matomo
OpenReplay logo

OpenReplay

🇫🇷

by OpenReplay

Open-source session replay and product analytics you can self-host for full control over data security and privacy.

SOC 2EU-BasedSOC 2 Type IIOpen SourceSelf-HostableEU-hosted
freemiumMigration:●●●2-4 hours

Why switch?

  • Self-hosted option for full data control
  • GDPR compliance with EU-based servers
  • Open-source platform allows customization

Consider

  • Migration from Hotjar could be complex
  • Potential learning curve for new users
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Visit OpenReplay
Pirsch logo

Pirsch

🇩🇪

by Pirsch

Pirsch is a web analytics service based in Germany, designed to provide insightful data while prioritizing user privacy. It offers a streamlined approach to tracking website performance without compromising on data protection. Key features include real-time analytics, user-friendly dashboards, and seamless integration with various platforms. Pirsch stands out with its commitment to privacy, ensuring that all data is processed and stored within the EU, adhering to GDPR regulations. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses and website owners who prioritize data sovereignty and compliance. The platform is particularly suited for small to medium-sized enterprises, digital marketers, and privacy-conscious developers seeking a reliable analytics tool. Pirsch operates on a transparent pricing model, offering scalable plans that cater to different levels of usage, ensuring flexibility and affordability. By choosing Pirsch, users benefit from a secure, privacy-focused analytics solution that respects user data and delivers actionable insights.

EU-hostedEU-BasedGDPR CompliantOpen Source
freemiumMigration:●●●2-4 hours

Why switch?

  • Pirsch is fully GDPR compliant, ensuring data protection for EU users.
  • Data is hosted in Germany, minimizing risk of non-EU data access.
  • Pirsch offers optional end-to-end encryption for enhanced data security.

Consider

  • Missing features like heatmaps and session recordings found in Hotjar.
  • Migration may require significant data export/import efforts.
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Visit Pirsch

Quick GDPR Compliance Comparison

ServiceHQ LocationGDPR NativeEU Data CentersCLOUD Act FreePricing
🇺🇸Hotjar
United StatesNoPartialNo-
🇩🇰MouseflowDKYesYesYesfreemium
🇪🇺MatomoEUYesYesYesfree
🇫🇷OpenReplayFRYesYesYesfreemium
🇩🇪PirschDEYesYesYesfreemium

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hotjar GDPR compliant?

Hotjar is a US-based service operated by Contentsquare. While it may have some GDPR compliance measures, as a US company it is subject to the CLOUD Act, which allows US authorities to access data stored by US companies regardless of where the data is physically located. This creates a fundamental conflict with GDPR requirements for data protection.

What are the GDPR risks of using Hotjar?

The main GDPR risks include: (1) Data transfers to the US may lack adequate protection since the Schrems II ruling invalidated Privacy Shield, (2) US authorities can demand access under the CLOUD Act, (3) Your organization may face GDPR fines up to 4% of annual revenue for non-compliant data transfers, and (4) User consent may not be sufficient to legitimize transfers given the systematic access by US authorities.

What are the best GDPR-compliant alternatives to Hotjar?

The top GDPR-compliant alternatives to Hotjar include Mouseflow, Matomo, OpenReplay. These European services store your data in EU data centers and are fully subject to GDPR protections.

How do I migrate from Hotjar to a GDPR-compliant alternative?

Most migrations involve three steps: (1) Export your data from Hotjar using their data export tools, (2) Create an account with your chosen EU alternative, and (3) Import your data into the new service. We provide detailed migration guides for each alternative to make the switch as smooth as possible.

Can EU companies legally use Hotjar?

Since the Schrems II ruling (2020), EU organizations face significant legal risk when using US cloud services like Hotjar. While the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (2023) provides a new legal basis, its long-term stability is uncertain. Many EU data protection authorities recommend using EU-based alternatives to avoid compliance risks entirely.

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Migration Resources

Last updated: January 26, 2026