Heatlens vs Matomo Heatmap & Session Recording
Facts about Heatmap & Session Recording checked on 9 October 2026, from matomo.org pages listed below.
Both are Matomo plugins, and both keep the data in your Matomo database when you host Matomo yourself. Heatmap & Session Recording is the official premium plugin from the Matomo team and also records sessions. Heatlens focuses on heatmaps, with a one-time price.
| Heatlens | Heatmap & Session Recording | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | €299 excl. VAT, once, per Matomo instance, for any number of users; optional priority support €99 a year | Subscription priced by the number of Matomo users: €219 a year for 1 to 4 users, €1,739 for up to 20 users, €3,459 for up to 50 users; monthly billing also offered; 30-day trial |
| Heatmaps | Clicks, movement, scroll depth with the average fold | Clicks, movement, scroll depth |
| Session recordings | No | Yes |
| Where the data is stored | Your own Matomo database | Your own Matomo database, or Matomo Cloud in Frankfurt |
| Matomo Cloud | Not available | Available |
| Masking | Form fields and marked elements, plus emails and long digit sequences, masked in the browser | Inputs and textareas masked in the browser by default; keystroke recording off by default |
| Consent | Required by default | Matomo states that prior consent is required for heatmaps and session recordings |
| Connection to the vendor | None: no license or update check | Licensed and updated through the Matomo Marketplace |
| Retention | You choose, per campaign and in Matomo | Unlimited on-premise; 3 months on Matomo Cloud |
When Heatmap & Session Recording is the better choice
- You need session recordings as well as heatmaps.
- You use Matomo Cloud.
- You want the plugin made by the Matomo team, with updates through the Marketplace.
When Heatlens is the better choice
- Heatmaps are what you need, and you'd rather pay once than renew a subscription.
- Several people use your Matomo: Heatlens has no per-user price, while Heatmap & Session Recording costs €1,739 a year for a team of up to 20 users.
- Your Matomo server has no internet access, or your policy rules out any connection to a vendor.
- You run Matomo 6 and want a dedicated edition for it.
Sources
- Matomo pricing, consulted 9 October 2026: matomo.org/pricingforai
- Heatmap & Session Recording on the Marketplace, prices per user tier as listed on 9 October 2026: plugins.matomo.org/HeatmapSessionRecording
- Retention: matomo.org/faq/heatmap-session-recording/…
- Masking and consent: matomo.org/faq/heatmap-session-recording/…
- Matomo Cloud hosting: matomo.org/faq/new-to-piwik/…
Matomo is a registered trademark of InnoCraft Ltd. Heatlens is not affiliated with Matomo or InnoCraft. Something out of date? Tell us at contact@coderise.fr and we will correct it.