Hotjar is Overkill for Feedback (Try This Instead)

If you've thought about this, you're not alone. Many developers and founders make this mistake.

Here's why it doesn't work—and what to do instead.

The Problem

Many teams turn to Hotjar thinking it will solve their feedback needs. But there are issues:

▸Issue 1: Too Expensive

Hotjar starts at a premium price point that's hard to justify for small teams or side projects. When you're bootstrapping, every $50-$300/month matters.

▸Issue 2: Overkill Features

Most teams use maybe 20% of Hotjar's features. You're paying for enterprise functionality when you just need basic feedback collection.

▸Issue 3: Complex Setup

Getting Hotjar properly configured takes hours or days. Reading docs, setting up integrations, configuring workflows—it's a project in itself.

▸Issue 4: Hidden Costs

Beyond the monthly fee, there are hidden costs:

✓Time to learn the platform
✓Training team members
✓Migration if you outgrow it
✓Integration with your existing tools

Why Teams Make This Mistake

▸The Sunk Cost Fallacy

You see the price tag and think "we can't afford this," so you either go without feedback or try to build it yourself. Both options are worse than paying $19/mo for a tool that works.

▸Underestimating Complexity

Feedback seems simple:

✓Form for user input
✓Store in database
✓Show in dashboard

But then you need:

✓File uploads (screenshots)
✓Email notifications
✓User authentication
✓Spam prevention
✓Search and filtering
✓Export functionality
✓Team collaboration
✓Mobile responsiveness

Suddenly it's a 3-month project.

▸Overestimating ROI

You assume you need all the advanced features to justify the cost. But basic feedback collection (bugs, features, NPS) covers 90% of use cases.

What Successful Teams Do Instead

Smart teams use dedicated feedback tools that are:

Affordable

✓Free tiers for getting started
✓Paid plans under $50/mo
✓No hidden costs or setup fees

Quick to Set Up

✓Add a script tag
✓Configure in dashboard
✓Done in 5-10 minutes

Feature-Complete

✓Bug reports with screenshots
✓Feature voting
✓NPS surveys
✓Team collaboration
✓Email notifications

Low Maintenance

✓No servers to manage
✓No code to maintain
✓Automatic updates
✓Built-in security

The Better Approach: Boost Toad

Boost Toad solves all these problems:

Price: Free to start, $19/mo for 1,000 submissions Compare that to Hotjar's pricing—you save $20-$280/month.

Setup: Add one script tag. Seriously, that's it.

<script src="https://boosttoad.com/api/widget/bundle?projectId=YOUR_PROJECT_ID" async></script>

html

Features: Everything you need, nothing you don't.

✓Bug reports with screenshots
✓Feature request voting + public roadmap
✓NPS surveys
✓General feedback
✓Team access
✓Email notifications

Maintenance: Zero. We handle servers, security, updates, scaling.

Real-World Example

Startup A: Tried to build feedback in-house

✓3 weeks of dev time ($12,000)
✓Ongoing maintenance (4 hours/month)
✓Basic features only
✓Total first year: $16,800

Startup B: Used Boost Toad

✓5 minutes setup
✓$19/month ($228/year)
✓All features included
✓Zero maintenance
✓Total first year: $228

Savings: $16,572 (or 9 months of runway)

When Hotjar Makes Sense

To be fair, there are cases where Hotjar is justified:

Choose Hotjar if:

✓You need Hotjar-specific features (heatmaps, session recording, etc.)
✓You have enterprise budget ($500+/month)
✓You need complex integrations
✓You have compliance requirements only Hotjar meets

Choose Boost Toad if:

✓You just need feedback collection
✓You're bootstrapping or on a budget
✓You value quick setup
✓You want all-in-one (bugs + features + NPS)

How to Make the Switch

▸Step 1: Calculate Your True Cost

What are you really paying for Hotjar?

✓Monthly fee: $___
✓Setup time: ___ hours × $100/hour
✓Ongoing management: ___ hours/month
✓Total annual cost: $___

▸Step 2: Try Boost Toad Free

No credit card required. See if it meets your needs.

▸Step 3: Migrate (if needed)

Export your data from Hotjar. Import to Boost Toad or just start fresh.

▸Step 4: Invest the Savings

Put that money toward:

✓More development
✓Marketing
✓Hiring
✓Runway

Wrapping Up

Hotjar is a great tool, but it's not always the right tool.

For most teams, the best approach is:

✓Use an affordable, dedicated tool
✓Get it set up in minutes
✓Focus on your actual product
✓Scale when you need to

Boost Toad gives you everything you need for $0-$49/month. No setup hassle, no maintenance burden, no opportunity cost.

Stop overpaying. Start shipping.

Try Boost Toad free →