Amplitude vs PostHog 2026: Managed Depth or Open-Source Suite?
Quick verdict: PostHog is our overall pick for Amplitude vs PostHog.
Both start free and both map user behavior, from opposite ends: Amplitude's free tier covers 2M events per month with polished product analytics and Plus starts at $0 with usage-based billing, while PostHog gives 1M events per month free, bills $0.00005 per event past that with no seat fees, and ships the whole thing MIT-licensed for self-hosting.
| Tool | Rating | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amplitude | 4.0/5 | Free Usage-based | Amplitude is enterprise product analytics with behavioral cohorts and path analysis, and a… |
| PostHog Best overall Best free Best for teams | 4.0/5 | Free Usage-based | PostHog is an open-source product analytics suite with session replay, feature flags and s… |
Bottom line: Amplitude sells analysis; PostHog sells a platform of tools plus the right to walk away with the code. Amplitude is the refined instrument - retention curves, behavioral cohorts, session replay and guides in a mature UI, free to 2M events per month, with Plus starting at $0 and scaling with event volume - and its event-based meter bills actual engagement rather than the size of your user list. PostHog bundles analytics, session replay, feature flags, experiments, surveys and error tracking into one install: 1M events a month free with unlimited teammates, then $0.00005 per event with no seat fees, and self-hosting under an MIT license if you want the cloud bill gone entirely. The honest caveats run opposite directions: Amplitude asks for instrumentation discipline and analyst time before the dashboards pay off, while PostHog's all-in-one surface has a broader learning curve and its managed cloud grows into per-product usage lines as you enable more. Scores: PostHog 4.0 overall with value 5/5 (the free tier plus open-source exit is the category's best insurance policy), Amplitude 4.0 with the 5/5 core and stability edge of a purpose-built tool. Pick Amplitude when product analytics is a dedicated team's job; pick PostHog when one engineer should own analytics, flags and replays without a procurement conversation.
Pricing and details
Amplitude · 4.0/5
Free plan available · Usage-based
Plus; re-based 2026 to usage billing from $0 (first 2M events/mo free, scales to 70M events/mo); free tier 2M events/mo forever
Amplitude is enterprise product analytics with behavioral cohorts and path analysis, and a capable free version.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Core features at 5/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Stability at 5/5.
- Pricing: free tier, Plus from $0 (usage-based) — Plus; re-based 2026 to usage billing from $0 (first 2M events/mo free, scales to 70M events/mo); free tier 2M events/mo forever
- Positioning: Amplitude is enterprise product analytics with behavioral cohorts and path analysis, and a capable free version.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Value for money at 3/5.
- Weigh integration depth compared with enterprise suites before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-09-12
PostHog · 4.0/5
Free plan available · Usage-based
Usage-based: 1M events/mo free, then $0.00005/event; no seat fees; free tier includes unlimited team members, 1 project, 1-year retention; MIT self-host
PostHog is an open-source product analytics suite with session replay, feature flags and self-hosting.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Core features at 5/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Value for money at 5/5.
- Pricing: free tier, paid from usage-based/custom — Usage-based: 1M events/mo free, then $0.00005/event; no seat fees
- Positioning: PostHog is an open-source product analytics suite with session replay, feature flags and self-hosting.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Collaboration at 3/5.
- Weigh the premium pricing for heavier usage before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-08-31
Frequently asked questions
Which is better overall, Amplitude or PostHog?
PostHog is our overall pick (4.0/5 vs 4.0/5). Both start free and both map user behavior, from opposite ends: Amplitude's free tier covers 2M events per month with polished product analytics and Plus starts at $0 with usage-based billing, while PostHog gives 1M events per month free, bills $0.00005 per event past that with no seat fees, and ships the whole thing MIT-licensed for self-hosting.
Do Amplitude and PostHog offer free plans?
Amplitude and PostHog have a free tier. Amplitude paid plans start at Usage-based; PostHog paid plans start at Usage-based.
What does PostHog cost?
Usage-based — Usage-based: 1M events/mo free, then $0.00005/event; no seat fees; free tier includes unlimited team members, 1 project, 1-year retention; MIT self-host. Prices were last verified on 2026-09-12.