Software · head to head
PostHog vs Apache Spark
PostHog
Software
The single platform to analyze, test, observe, and deploy new features
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Apache Spark
Software
A multi-language engine for data engineering, data science, and machine learning
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: PostHog the free tier covers 1M events, 5K web session recordings and 2.5K mobile recordings per month before usage-based billing starts; Apache Spark licensed under Apache License 2.0 per spark.apache.org; as open source software it has no paid tier or vendor price to compare
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which PostHog and Apache Spark actually diverge.
| Attribute | PostHog | Apache Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | usage-based | open-source |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, Api | Web |
| Founded | 2020 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 PostHog
- Product analytics
- Session recording
- Feature flags
- A/B testing
- Heatmaps
- SQL access
- Data warehouse
- Apps platform
Only in Apache Spark
Nothing recorded that PostHog does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
PostHog
- Product analyticsnot Apache Spark
- Feature experimentationnot Apache Spark
- User behavior trackingnot Apache Spark
- A/B testingnot Apache Spark
- Debug production issuesnot Apache Spark
Apache Spark
No use cases recorded yet. See the Apache Spark review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Apache Spark
- Licensed under Apache License 2.0 per spark.apache.org; as open source software it has no paid tier or vendor price to compare
- Installation on a laptop requires pip install pyspark or a Docker image per spark.apache.org; there is no hosted single-click deployment offered by the Apache project itself
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Apache Spark
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Apache Spark review.
Which should you pick?
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.
Questions people ask
- Is PostHog or Apache Spark better?
- Neither clearly leads. PostHog starts at Free and Apache Spark at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, PostHog or Apache Spark?
- PostHog starts at Free and Apache Spark at Free.
- Does PostHog or Apache Spark run on more platforms?
- PostHog runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Apache Spark runs on Web.
- Can I use PostHog for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is PostHog best used for?
- PostHog is most often used for product analytics, feature experimentation, user behavior tracking, a/b testing. Of those, product analytics and feature experimentation are not what Apache Spark is typically brought in for.
- What can PostHog do that Apache Spark cannot?
- PostHog covers Product analytics, Session recording, Feature flags, A/B testing.