Open source vs Proprietary
PostHog vs Amplitude: Which One Should You Choose in 1970?
PostHog is a open source Product & Web Analytics tool priced as free tier then usage-based per product, starting at $0 (1M events/mo free) then usage-based. Amplitude is proprietary, priced as per monthly tracked user (MTU) + event volume, starting at $61/mo (Plus).
Quick verdict
- Choose PostHog for
- PostHogproduct analytics, session replay, feature flags and experiments in one stack
- Choose Amplitude for
- Amplitudestrong behavioural cohort and retention analysis at scale
PostHog vs Amplitude: feature comparison
| Feature | PostHogOpen SourceSelf-Hostable | AmplitudeProprietary |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Source Available | Yes | No |
| Self-Hostable | Yes | No |
| Self-Hosting Difficulty | Medium (Docker hobby deploy; production needs Kubernetes) | N/A |
| Pricing Model | Free tier then usage-based per product | Per monthly tracked user (MTU) + event volume |
| Starting Price | $0 (1M events/mo free) then usage-based | $61/mo (Plus) |
| Free Tier | Free 1M events and 5,000 session replays/mo | Free 50,000 MTUs/mo with limited features |
| GitHub Stars | 40.7k | N/A |
Pricing takeaway
PostHog starts at $0 (1M events/mo free) then usage-based (free 1M events and 5,000 session replays/mo). Amplitude starts at $61/mo (Plus) (free 50,000 MTUs/mo with limited features).
- PostHog
- Free tier then usage-based per product. Starts at $0 (1M events/mo free) then usage-based. Free 1M events and 5,000 session replays/mo.Full PostHog pricing breakdown
- Amplitude
- Per monthly tracked user (MTU) + event volume. Starts at $61/mo (Plus). Free 50,000 MTUs/mo with limited features.Full Amplitude pricing breakdown
Pros and cons
PostHog
Visit PostHogPros
- Product analytics, session replay, feature flags and experiments in one stack
- Autocapture means events start flowing without a tracking plan
- Open-source core with a self-hosted deployment option
Cons
- Usage pricing spread across several products is hard to forecast
- A full production self-host is infrastructure-heavy
- Each module is shallower than the single-purpose specialist it replaces
Amplitude
Visit AmplitudePros
- Strong behavioural cohort and retention analysis at scale
- Experimentation and audience sync built into the platform
- Guided taxonomy and templates help new teams structure events
Cons
- The useful analysis features sit in the expensive tiers
- Event volume is billed on top of MTU pricing
- No open-source or self-hosted option
PostHog vs Amplitude: FAQ
Is Amplitude a good alternative to PostHog?
PostHog is a open source Product & Web Analytics tool priced as free tier then usage-based per product, starting at $0 (1M events/mo free) then usage-based. Amplitude is proprietary, priced as per monthly tracked user (MTU) + event volume, starting at $61/mo (Plus).
Which is cheaper, PostHog or Amplitude?
PostHog starts at $0 (1M events/mo free) then usage-based (free 1M events and 5,000 session replays/mo). Amplitude starts at $61/mo (Plus) (free 50,000 MTUs/mo with limited features).
Is PostHog or Amplitude open source?
PostHog is open source (github.com/PostHog/posthog). Amplitude is proprietary.
Can I self-host PostHog or Amplitude?
PostHog can be self-hosted. Difficulty: Medium (Docker hobby deploy; production needs Kubernetes). Amplitude cannot be self-hosted.
Do PostHog and Amplitude have a free tier?
PostHog: Free 1M events and 5,000 session replays/mo. Amplitude: Free 50,000 MTUs/mo with limited features.