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Marketing & Analytics · head to head

Google Optimize vs Mouseflow

Google Optimize logo

Google Optimize

Marketing & Analytics

A/B testing for Google Analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mouseflow logo

Mouseflow

UX Research

Session replay and heatmaps

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023; Mouseflow the free plan is 500 sessions a month, one website and one month of data retention
  • They diverge on capability: Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Mouseflow covers Session Replay.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Optimize and Mouseflow actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Optimize and Mouseflow differ
AttributeGoogle OptimizeMouseflow
CategoryMarketing & AnalyticsUX Research
Founded19982009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Google Optimize

  • A/B testing
  • Google Analytics integration
  • Visual editor
  • Real-time analytics
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google's security
  • Cloud deployment
  • 40+ languages language support

Only in Mouseflow

  • Session Replay
  • 6 Types of Heatmaps
  • Funnels
  • Form Analytics
  • User Feedback
  • Segment
  • HubSpot
  • Salesforce

Both cover

  • Google Analytics
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Google Optimize

  • A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot Mouseflow
  • Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Mouseflow
  • Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot Mouseflow

Mouseflow

  • Session replay to watch how visitors use a pagenot Google Optimize
  • Click, scroll and geographic heatmapsnot Google Optimize
  • Conversion funnel and form analyticsnot Google Optimize
  • Friction detection on problem pagesnot Google Optimize
  • On-site feedback surveysnot Google Optimize

Where each one falls short

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

Google Optimize

  • Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
  • Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product

Mouseflow

  • The free plan is 500 sessions a month, one website and one month of data retention
  • Data retention is tiered, from 1 month on free to 12 months on Premium at $319 a month
  • Essential at $25 a month covers a single website project
  • SSO, custom privacy settings and priority support are on the higher tiers only
  • The 14 day money-back guarantee applies to annual subscriptions and excludes Enterprise

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Optimize

Free
  • FreeFree
    • A/B testing
    • Google Analytics integration
    • Visual editor

Mouseflow

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Mouseflow review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Optimize if

  • You need a/b testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want google analytics integration.
Google Optimize review

Choose Mouseflow if

  • You need session replay.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want 6 types of heatmaps.
Mouseflow review

Questions people ask

Is Google Optimize or Mouseflow better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Optimize starts at Free and Mouseflow at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Optimize or Mouseflow?
Google Optimize starts at Free and Mouseflow at Free.
Does Google Optimize or Mouseflow run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Google Optimize for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Optimize best used for?
Google Optimize is most often used for a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals, personalising page content for defined audience segments, redirect tests between alternative landing page urls. Of those, a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals and personalising page content for defined audience segments are not what Mouseflow is typically brought in for.
What can Google Optimize do that Mouseflow cannot?
Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics. Mouseflow covers Session Replay, 6 Types of Heatmaps, Funnels, Form Analytics. Both handle Google Analytics, Web support.
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