How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Mixpanel and Amplitude lead for event-based product analytics, with Mixpanel offering a generous free tier for mobile teams.
- Firebase Analytics is the best free foundation for mobile teams already using Google tools, with unlimited event reporting at no cost.
- PostHog suits engineering-led teams that want analytics plus feature flags, experiments, and session replay in one tool.
- UXCam and Smartlook answer a visual question, showing how users move through screens, while AppsFlyer and CleverTap cover attribution and messaging.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Mixpanel | Event-based product analytics without a data team | $0 for up to 1M events per month | Yes |
 Amplitude | Behavioral analytics and predictive modeling at scale | See website | Yes |
 Firebase Analytics | Free analytics for Google-stack mobile teams | $0 | Yes |
 PostHog | Analytics plus experiments and flags in one tool | $0 with generous free tier | Yes |
 UXCam | Seeing how users experience the app | See website | Yes |
 Smartlook | Visual behavior analytics for web and mobile | See website | Yes |
 CleverTap | Lifecycle messaging driven by behavior | See website | Free trial |
 AppsFlyer | Mobile marketing attribution at scale | See website | Yes |
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#1Mixpanel
Best for: Event-based product analytics without a data team4.5/5 on
G2 (1,375 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit mixpanel.com
Starting price$0 for up to 1M events per month
Free planYes
Mixpanel is built around events: taps, purchases, signups, and other actions inside a mobile app. Product managers can build funnels, retention charts, and cohorts without writing SQL, which makes it popular with small and mid-size mobile teams. The iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter SDKs are mature, and reports update fast enough for daily product work.
Pricing is the watch point. The free tier covers up to 1 million events per month, and paid plans are usage-based after that, so a chatty app can cross into paid tiers quickly. Session replay sits as an add-on rather than a core feature, and teams that need feature flags will add another tool. For event analytics as a daily habit, Mixpanel remains a strong default.
What we like- Clear funnels and cohorts
- Generous free tier
- Strong mobile SDKs
Watch out for- Usage pricing rises fast at scale
- Session replay is an add-on
- No native feature flags
#2Amplitude
Best for: Behavioral analytics and predictive modeling at scale4.5/5 on
G2 (2,997 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit amplitude.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Amplitude suits product and growth teams that need to understand behavior across many segments and over long periods. Its funnel, retention, and cohort tools are deep, and predictive features such as forecasts and anomaly detection help larger teams spot changes early. Enterprise controls, including governance and SSO, matter for companies with strict data rules.
Small teams may find Amplitude heavy. Setup, event taxonomy, and governance take time, and the interface rewards users who already know product analytics. Pricing moves to custom plans at scale, so budgeting needs a sales conversation rather than a simple price page. For mobile teams with scale and a data-minded product group, Amplitude is a serious long-term pick.
What we like- Deep retention and funnel analysis
- Predictive features
- Strong enterprise controls
Watch out for- Complex setup for small teams
- Pricing is custom at scale
- Learning curve is steep
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Firebase Analytics, part of Google Analytics for Firebase, is the default starting point for many Android and iOS teams. It reports events, audiences, and conversions at no cost, and it links to Crashlytics, Remote Config, and Cloud Messaging for a full mobile toolkit. Teams already using Firebase for backend or push will find setup fast.
Product analysis is less flexible than in Mixpanel or Amplitude. Funnels and cohorts exist, but deep ad hoc exploration often requires exporting to BigQuery, which adds work for non-technical teams. For a free foundation, especially for early-stage apps, Firebase Analytics is hard to beat, and many teams pair it with a dedicated product tool later.
What we like- Free unlimited event reporting
- Tight Google integration
- Crash and performance links
Watch out for- Less flexible product analysis than Mixpanel
- BigQuery export needs setup
- Web analysis is weaker
#4PostHog
Best for: Analytics plus experiments and flags in one tool4.5/5 on
G2 (1,053 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit posthog.com
Starting price$0 with generous free tier
Free planYes
PostHog bundles product analytics with session replay, feature flags, experiments, and surveys, which appeals to engineering-led mobile teams that want fewer vendors. It is open source and can be self-hosted for data residency or compliance needs, while PostHog Cloud offers a generous free tier of 1 million analytics events per month. SDKs cover iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter.
The trade-off is polish. Funnel and cohort interfaces are good but less refined than Mixpanel for daily product use, and self-hosting adds maintenance that small teams may not want. Usage pricing across several products can also grow faster than expected if event hygiene is poor. For teams that value breadth and control, PostHog is a compelling all-in-one.
What we like- Open source and self-hostable
- Flags, experiments, and replay included
- Usage-based pricing
Watch out for- Funnel UX is less polished than Mixpanel
- Self-hosting needs DevOps time
- Event costs rise with volume
#5UXCam
Best for: Seeing how users experience the app4.6/5 on
G2 (211 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit uxcam.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
UXCam is mobile-first, with auto-capture that records user gestures as data points without manual event setup for every tap. Session recordings, heatmaps, and user journeys show where users get stuck, rage tap, or drop out of a flow. Integration takes only a few lines of code, and the tool supports iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter, and Unity.
UXCam is a visual companion more than a full analytics platform. It answers how users behave on screens, while Mixpanel or Amplitude answer how many users convert and retain. Paid pricing is quoted rather than published in a simple tier, so budgeting needs a conversation. Mobile teams that already have event analytics will get the most from UXCam.
What we like- Auto-capture of gestures
- Session replay and heatmaps
- Mobile-first design
Watch out for- Not a full product analytics replacement
- Paid pricing is quoted
- Web coverage is limited
#6Smartlook
Best for: Visual behavior analytics for web and mobile4.6/5 on
G2 (874 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit smartlook.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Smartlook combines session recordings with funnels, heatmaps, and event tracking for web and mobile apps. A team can watch a session where a checkout fails, then check the funnel to see how common that drop is. The free plan suits small teams testing visual analytics, and setup is straightforward for both platforms.
Mobile depth is not as strong as UXCam, which was built mobile-first, and Smartlook analysis tools are lighter than dedicated product analytics platforms. Pricing scales with recorded sessions, so high-traffic apps should estimate session volume before committing. For teams that want visual context alongside basic funnels, Smartlook is a practical choice.
What we like- Session recordings
- Funnels and heatmaps
- Free plan for small teams
Watch out for- Mobile depth is less than UXCam
- Pricing varies by sessions
- Analysis tools are lighter
#7CleverTap
Best for: Lifecycle messaging driven by behavior4.6/5 on
G2 (681 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit clevertap.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
CleverTap sits between analytics and engagement. It tracks user behavior, builds segments, and triggers push, in-app, email, and SMS messages based on what users do or fail to do in the app. That link between insight and action helps mobile teams run onboarding, retention, and win-back campaigns without stitching several tools together.
Pure product analytics is not its strongest area. Funnels and retention exist, but teams that need deep ad hoc analysis will still want Mixpanel or Amplitude. Pricing is custom, and setup for messaging, channels, and compliance takes time. For mobile teams whose main goal is lifecycle messaging, CleverTap is a strong fit.
What we like- In-app and push messaging tied to behavior
- Segmentation
- Strong mobile engagement tools
Watch out for- Analytics depth is less than Mixpanel
- Pricing is custom
- Setup is heavier
#8AppsFlyer
Best for: Mobile marketing attribution at scale4.5/5 on
G2 (780 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit appsflyer.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
AppsFlyer answers a different question from the rest of this list: which campaign, channel, or partner drove an install and a later purchase. It attributes installs across paid, organic, and owned channels, with fraud protection and deep links for mobile growth teams. Integrations with ad networks and analytics tools are broad, which matters at scale.
AppsFlyer is not a replacement for product analytics. It will not replace funnel, cohort, or retention analysis inside the app, and it is commonly used alongside Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Firebase. Pricing is custom, and attribution setup, including SKAdNetwork and privacy frameworks, needs care. For mobile growth teams, it is the attribution standard to pair with a product tool.
What we like- Attribution across channels
- Fraud protection
- Strong partner integrations
Watch out for- Not a product analytics tool
- Pricing is custom
- Learning curve for attribution setup
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and we checked mobile SDK support, event models, funnels, retention, replay, and pricing units. We favored tools still maintained in 2026, with real mobile support and a clear free or trial path. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we left out web-only tools, dead products, and tools with no mobile SDK.
Choosing a mobile analytics stack without overpaying
Start with the question you need answered each week. If it is conversion and retention, pick an event tool first and add visual replay only when you see a drop you cannot explain. If it is attribution, add AppsFlyer alongside that event tool, not instead of it. If it is messaging, CleverTap may replace a separate push tool, but it rarely replaces product analysis.
Watch the pricing unit. Most tools charge by events, monthly active users, or sessions, and a chatty SDK can double a bill without adding insight. Set an event taxonomy early, drop low-value events, and use sampling or session caps where the tool allows. A free tier is a good trial, but a one-month paid test with real traffic gives a truer cost picture.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free product analytics tool for mobile apps?
Firebase Analytics is the best free foundation, with unlimited event reporting at no cost. Mixpanel offers a strong free tier up to 1 million events per month for event-based analysis, and PostHog offers 1 million analytics events per month plus replay and flags. Start with Firebase, then add Mixpanel or PostHog when you need deeper funnels.
Do I need session replay as well as event analytics?
Not always. Event analytics show how many users drop out of a funnel, while replay shows why a specific user struggled on a screen. Add UXCam or Smartlook when a funnel drop is unclear, or when design and usability questions dominate. Many teams run replay on a sample of sessions rather than every session.
How is product analytics different from attribution?
Product analytics tracks what users do inside the app, such as onboarding, purchases, and retention. Attribution tracks which campaign or channel brought the user to the app in the first place. Mobile teams usually need both, with a product tool for in-app behavior and AppsFlyer or a similar tool for marketing attribution.
Is PostHog really free to self-host?
PostHog is open source, and self-hosting is possible, but hosting, maintenance, and scaling still cost engineering time and infrastructure. PostHog Cloud is cheaper for most teams under a certain size, and its free tier covers early-stage apps. Check the current PostHog pricing page for event limits and add-on costs.
What should I track first in a new mobile app?
Track signup completion, core action completion, and retention at day 1, day 7, and day 30. Add purchase or subscription events if you monetize, and track the main onboarding steps so drops are visible. Keep the event list short at first, then add detail only where a funnel shows a problem.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.mixpanel.com
- https://www.amplitude.com
- https://firebase.google.com
- https://www.posthog.com
- https://www.uxcam.com
- https://www.smartlook.com
- https://www.clevertap.com
- https://www.appsflyer.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.