Heap product analytics: Features & pricing (+better alternative)

When it comes to understanding user behavior and driving product growth, analytics tools play a crucial role. But is Heap product analytics the right solution for your team? In this article, we’ll explore its strengths, limitations, and whether it aligns with your product goals.

Let’s dive in and find out!

What is Heap product analytics?

Heap is a product analytics platform that simplifies user interaction tracking. Rather than waiting for developers to define events, Heap uncovers user input points automatically the moment you install a small code snippet or SDK. This method circumvents traditional setups where teams must predict which events to track ahead of time.

Why is this helpful?

There are plenty of reasons. First, teams can analyze user actions from the past without reconfiguring their analytics. This is especially useful if you realize – months into a new design – that you should have captured a particular user action. Second, it saves time by reducing the need for engineering tasks around analytics setup. Third, it helps smaller teams move faster. Instead of delaying a product release to incorporate custom event tracking, you can rely on Heap’s baseline data collection.

• Pinpointing onboarding flow gaps and making improvements.
• Identifying where people leave a process, such as a checkout page.
• Increasing conversion rates by examining behavioral patterns.
• Supporting data-driven product decisions based on real user input.

Integration with third-party tools is also possible. CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, and data warehouses can feed data into – or receive data from – Heap. This gives you a more complete view of user behavior when combined with external data points, such as email campaigns or purchase records.

Heap was built with flexibility in mind. Organizations of various sizes – from fledgling startups to established enterprises – can harness the platform for product analytics. With the addition of Contentsquare’s resources, Heap is positioned to offer broader analytics options in the coming years.

Key features of Heap product analytics

Now, let’s dive deeper into the key features of Heap product analytics. We’ll explore how its tools for automatic data capture, analytics, segmentation, and reporting work together to provide actionable insights.

Automatic data capture

Heap’s automatic data capture stands out by recording all events from the moment it is installed. If you’re running an e-commerce site, for instance, every click, scroll, form submission, and event tracking is captured. If you later decide to investigate why a specific button isn’t getting clicks, you can define that event retroactively. This eliminates frustration about events you forgot to plan.

Ever second-guessed whether you should have tracked that micro-interaction last month?

With Heap product analytics, you set a single snippet of code and let the platform gather everything. Once the data is there, define or redefine events whenever you see fit. It’s a flexible approach that many find appealing because it cuts down on the typical analytics configuration process.

Analytics tools

Heap includes several tools for exploring and interpreting data. Together, they provide a more detailed view of user behavior:

1. Funnels and conversion tracking. Visualize how individuals progress through conversion funnel optimization processes such as checkout flows. Recognize the steps where people exit and discover opportunities to improve.

Insight: How cool would it be if these funnels had AI insights and AI suggestions as well? Well, that couldn’t be possible with Heap product analytics.

2. Path analysis and user paths. Observe the various sequences people follow within your product. Sometimes, you might spot an unexpected flow that reveals a new source of interest or a hidden friction point.

Spoiler: Thinking of Attribution analysis for better understanding sales path and conversions? Heap product analytics can’t provide that!

3. Heatmaps. See where people click, tap, or scroll on specific pages. It’s like a snapshot of user engagement hotspots that may guide design changes.
4. Session replay. Watch recordings of actual sessions to understand how users navigate. This often uncovers interface quirks or user confusion.
5. Real-time analytics. Monitor user activities as they unfold. This is helpful right after a feature launch to see how it’s received.

These capabilities make it simpler to propose changes backed by data. 

Segmentation and reporting

Segmentation in Heap allows you to filter data by behavioral segmentation or behavior patterns. This can involve grouping visitors based on device type, location, or how often they return. By zeroing in on a specific group, you can scan how these cohorts behave and refine your product design or marketing approach.

Reporting in Heap includes:

• Customizable dashboards. Construct a visual summary of the metrics you prioritize, such as daily active users or form submission rates.
• Automated reports. Schedule regular updates to ensure colleagues and stakeholders stay informed about key stats.
• Data exports. Move your raw data for further studies to other platforms, such as business intelligence tools or custom data pipelines.

With these reporting features, teams can share insights quickly. It also means less time pulling manual reports, so you can focus on interpreting data instead.

Heap pricing plans and options

Heap product analytics provides different plans to cater to businesses of varying sizes and traffic workloads, though you may have to reach out to Heap’s sales team for full details. Below is an approximate overview:

1. Free plan. This tier supports up to 10,000 sessions each month and stores data for half a year. It offers basic features, which might be enough and might not be, depending on your needs and preferences.
2. Starter plan. Aimed at growing businesses that need more sessions and longer data retention. This plan also includes custom user properties, allowing you to organize data in ways that match your product metrics.
3. Growth plan. This level often suits mid-sized companies. It typically comes with advanced features such as account-level analytics, alerts, and quicker support.
4. Enterprise plan. Tailored for larger organizations requiring extended data storage, added security measures, and dedicated assistance from Heap’s technical team.

Related: Heap pricing concerns

As your usage grows, so can the cost. Heap’s focus on capturing every interaction can lead to substantial data retention needs. Keep in mind how quickly those costs might scale if you track users in the thousands or millions each month.

Did you know?

Usermaven offers 7 attribution models, AI-powered funnel analysis, and a Maven AI assistant, unlike Heap’s limited event tracking and unpredictable cost.

Pros and cons of Heap product analytics

Pros

1. Automatic data collection. You don’t have to anticipate which events matter in advance. Heap grabs everything, reducing the chance of missing data that could guide important decisions.
2. Retroactive analysis. If you discover an interesting user action six months later, simply define that event and get instant historical data.
3. Comprehensive feature set. Funnels, path analysis, heatmaps, and session replays all under one umbrella can be beneficial for teams seeking a single analytics hub.

Cons

1. Cost considerations for large-scale usage. A high volume of traffic can drive up pricing because you store more data.
2. Learning curve for advanced features. Although basic functionality is straightforward, deeper analytics may require a better understanding of how Heap organizes events and properties.
3. Data storage challenges. If you capture everything, you need the infrastructure (and budget) to handle that data at scale.
4. Query performance. Some users have noted that large datasets can slow down Heap’s query engine, with occasional timeouts for heavily complex requests.

Related: Heap alternative

Heap’s limitations, & why Usermaven is a superior choice

Heap product analytics offers an impressive suite of tools, including auto-capture technology, funnels, heatmaps, and session replays. However, its limitations, particularly in pricing and features, may hinder its suitability for many businesses:

• Escalating costs: Heap’s pricing is tied to session volume, and as traffic grows, costs can increase dramatically. For example, beyond the free plan’s 10,000 sessions/month limit, businesses must upgrade to paid plans, which can quickly escalate into thousands of dollars annually for high-traffic websites. This pricing model can be restrictive for companies with large user bases.
• Lack of attribution features: Unlike Usermaven, Heap product analytics does not provide attribution capabilities to analyze and measure the performance of marketing channels, making it less effective for teams focused on optimizing campaigns.
• Absence of AI-powered insights: Heap lacks AI-driven tools like Usermaven’s AI Funnel Insights, which deliver actionable recommendations and smarter predictions, helping teams make informed decisions faster and more effectively.

Why Usermaven is the better choice

Feature	Usermaven	Heap
AI insights	✅ AI-powered insights across the platform	❌ No AI-powered features
Attribution models	✅ 7 flexible models	❌ No attribution
Funnels	✅ AI-driven analysis & suggestions	❌ No AI insights
Journeys	✅ AI-powered journey insights	⌛ Basic path analysis
Data retention	✅ Unlimited	❌ Limited to 1 year, pay more for longer
User interface	✅ Intuitive, minimal learning curve	⌛ Requires developer, steep learning curve
Tracking method	✅ Cookieless, ad-blocker bypassing	⌛ Relies on first-party cookies
Annotations	✅ Available	❌ Not available
Trends analysis	✅ Available	❌ Not available
Contacts Hub	✅ User and company-level data	❌ Lacks comprehensive user data

Usermaven outshines Heap by addressing these limitations:

• Transparent and scalable pricing: Usermaven’s pricing model is designed to be predictable and cost-effective, accommodating businesses of all sizes without unexpected surges.
• Advanced attribution capabilities: Usermaven’s content and channel attribution features provide granular insights into marketing performance, enabling better allocation of resources and optimizing ROI.
• AI-driven analytics: With AI Funnel Insights and other advanced tools, Usermaven empowers teams with data-driven decision-making capabilities that Heap lacks.
• Privacy-centric approach: Usermaven’s cookieless tracking ensures compliance with evolving privacy regulations while maintaining data accuracy.

For businesses seeking a comprehensive analytics solution that combines affordability, advanced features, and ease of use, Usermaven is the superior alternative to Heap product analytics.

Conclusion

Teams should weigh their needs against potential costs. If you’re working with high-traffic websites or apps, you may find pricing escalates faster than you expect. That said, for those who want to examine data from multiple angles and appreciate the simplicity of a single code snippet, Usermaven is a solid choice.

Usermaven collects event data automatically – no coding required – and offers an option for unlimited data retention. Marketers and product teams praise its clean interface and AI-assisted insights that highlight patterns quickly. It also follows strict privacy guidelines by offering cookieless tracking, which can ease data-related concerns.

While Heap product analytics remains a valuable choice for detailed analytics, Usermaven can be an attractive alternative for those who want a more predictable plan and streamlined setup.

FAQs about Heap product analytics

1. How does Heap compare to other analytics tools?
   Heap sets itself apart with automatic data collection, reducing setup time compared to other tools. However, Usermaven surpasses Heap with AI-powered insights, smarter predictions, advanced segmentation analysis, and stronger integrations, offering a more comprehensive and actionable analytics solution.
2. Is Heap suitable for small businesses?
   It can be. Heap offers a free plan that captures up to 10,000 sessions per month, making it appealing for smaller companies. As traffic grows, however, you’ll have to look closely at costs to confirm it aligns with your budget.
3. What kind of support does Heap offer?
   Heap support varies by plan. Free-tier users get basic email assistance, whereas enterprise customers can receive step-by-step onboarding, training, and a dedicated account rep.
4. How secure is data in Heap?
   Heap employs data encryption and access controls. It also aligns with certain data protection standards, such as GDPR, to address regulatory requirements. Larger businesses can opt for enterprise plans that offer additional security layers.
5. Can Heap integrate with my existing tools?
   Yes. Heap can link to services such as CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, and data warehouses. This enables you to match Heap analytics with data from other sources, like lifecycle emails or in-store sales data, for more complete insights.