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Software · head to head

Customer.io vs PostHog

Customer.io logo

Customer.io

Software

Data-driven messaging for teams getting started, scaling and beyond

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PostHog logo

PostHog

Software

The single platform to analyze, test, observe, and deploy new features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PostHog has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Customer.io essentials plan caps at 5,000 profiles (people and objects) and 1,000,000 monthly emails, with overages billed at $0.12 per 1,000 emails beyond that; PostHog the free tier covers 1M events, 5K web session recordings and 2.5K mobile recordings per month before usage-based billing starts

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Customer.io and PostHog actually diverge.

Attributes where Customer.io and PostHog differ
AttributeCustomer.ioPostHog
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android, Api
FoundedUnknown2020

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Customer.io

Nothing recorded that PostHog does not also cover.

Only in PostHog

  • Product analytics
  • Session recording
  • Feature flags
  • A/B testing
  • Heatmaps
  • SQL access
  • Data warehouse
  • Apps platform

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Customer.io

No use cases recorded yet. See the Customer.io review.

PostHog

  • Product analyticsnot Customer.io
  • Feature experimentationnot Customer.io
  • User behavior trackingnot Customer.io
  • A/B testingnot Customer.io
  • Debug production issuesnot Customer.io

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Customer.io

  • Essentials plan caps at 5,000 profiles (people and objects) and 1,000,000 monthly emails, with overages billed at $0.12 per 1,000 emails beyond that
  • Standard and Premium tiers show custom pricing only, and Enterprise is negotiated rate, so three of the four published tiers require a sales conversation
  • Monthly plans accept credit card only; annual billing via invoice (ACH/wire) requires the annual commitment

PostHog

  • The free tier covers 1M events, 5K web session recordings and 2.5K mobile recordings per month before usage-based billing starts
  • Accounts without a card on file are limited to 1 project; adding one raises it to 6
  • Data retention is 1 year until a card is added, which extends it to 7 years
  • Support is community-only until the account is on a paid plan
  • Error tracking is capped at 100K exceptions and surveys at 1500 responses per month on the free tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Customer.io

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Customer.io review.

PostHog

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1M events/month
    • 5K sessions/month
    • Unlimited users
  • Paid$undefined/month
    • $0.00031/event
    • $0.005/session
    • Advanced permissions
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • SAML SSO
    • Advanced security
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Customer.io if

Nothing in the data separates Customer.io from PostHog on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Customer.io review

Choose PostHog if

  • You need product analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want session recording.
PostHog review

Questions people ask

Is Customer.io or PostHog better?
Neither clearly leads. Customer.io starts at On request and PostHog at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Customer.io or PostHog?
PostHog has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Customer.io and Free for PostHog.
Does Customer.io or PostHog run on more platforms?
Customer.io runs on Web. PostHog runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use PostHog for free?
Yes. PostHog has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Customer.io starts at On request.
What can Customer.io do that PostHog cannot?
PostHog covers Product analytics, Session recording, Feature flags, A/B testing.
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