Comparison · Web analytics tools
Matomo vs Microsoft Clarity: which is better in 2026?
Matomo ranks higher in our list of web analytics tools (#1 against #6, score 89.5 against 83.5).
- 89.5Editorial score83.5
- 2Platforms1
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose Matomo if you want
Teams that want full analytics and data ownership.
The most complete open-source option here, with reports for visitors, pages and campaigns and full data ownership on-premise. It needs a web server and database to run, and Matomo Cloud is priced by monthly hits.
Choose Microsoft Clarity if you want
Sites that want heatmaps and recordings at no cost.
Free heatmaps and session recordings from Microsoft, with AI summaries of visitor behavior. The homepage says it is free forever, and it is a Microsoft service, so review its data practices before use.
The main differences
- Matomo is open source; Microsoft Clarity is not.
Side by side
 Matomo |  Microsoft Clarity | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 89.5 | 83.5 |
| Rank in list | #1 of 10 | #6 of 10 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree on-premise download; Matomo Cloud is priced by monthly hits | FreeFree forever for websites and apps, per its homepage |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Platforms | WebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hosted | WebWeb |
| Made by | Matomo | Microsoft |
| Data control | Owner-hosted or Matomo Cloud | Microsoft's data practices apply |
| Self-hosted option | Yes | No |
| Best for | Teams that want full analytics and data ownership | Sites that want heatmaps and recordings at no cost |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Matomo vs Microsoft Clarity
- Is Matomo better than Microsoft Clarity?
- Matomo ranks higher in our list of web analytics tools (#1 against #6, score 89.5 against 83.5). Matomo is best for: teams that want full analytics and data ownership. Microsoft Clarity is best for: sites that want heatmaps and recordings at no cost.
- Which is cheaper, Matomo or Microsoft Clarity?
- Matomo: Free on-premise download; Matomo Cloud is priced by monthly hits. Microsoft Clarity: Free forever for websites and apps, per its homepage.
- Do Matomo and Microsoft Clarity run on the same platforms?
- Matomo supports Web, Self-hosted. Microsoft Clarity supports Web.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.Read more about Matomo and Microsoft Clarity
All articles- Roundups · 5 min readBest open-source alternatives to paid softwareOpen-source apps that can replace paid tools for notes, office work, backups, analytics, chat and remote access, with the hosting trade-offs of each one.
- Guides · 3 min readHow to choose web analytics software: data control, depth and costChoose web analytics by data control, report depth, setup and cost. Compare Matomo, Plausible, Umami, Google Analytics, Fathom and Cloudflare Web Analytics.
