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Software · head to head

PostHog vs Zendesk

PostHog logo

PostHog

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zendesk logo

Zendesk

Software

Champions of customer service

From
$19/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PostHog has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Zendesk aI agents operate on per-resolution billing; customers pay only when an AI agent successfully resolves a ticket without escalation
  • They diverge on capability: PostHog covers Product analytics, Zendesk covers Ticket management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PostHog and Zendesk actually diverge.

Attributes where PostHog and Zendesk differ
AttributePostHogZendesk
Starting priceFree$19/month
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb
Founded20202007

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 PostHog

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

Only in Zendesk

  • Ticket management
  • Omnichannel support
  • Knowledge base
  • Live chat
  • Call center
  • Analytics & reporting
  • Automation
  • Customer satisfaction

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Microsoft Teams
  • SOC2
  • HIPAA

What people use each for

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

PostHog

  • Product analyticsnot Zendesk
  • Feature experimentationnot Zendesk
  • User behavior trackingnot Zendesk
  • A/B testingnot Zendesk
  • Debug production issuesnot Zendesk

Zendesk

  • Help desk and ticketing system managementnot PostHog
  • Omnichannel customer supportnot PostHog
  • Knowledge base and self-service portalsnot PostHog
  • AI-assisted customer servicenot PostHog

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

Zendesk

  • AI agents operate on per-resolution billing; customers pay only when an AI agent successfully resolves a ticket without escalation
  • Copilot and Contact Center features available as separate add-ons at £50+/agent/month
  • Advanced routing, workforce engagement, and approval workflows limited to Enterprise tier
  • Highest tier requires sales consultation and custom pricing

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

Zendesk

$19/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Zendesk 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.
PostHog review

Choose Zendesk if

  • You need ticket management.
  • You also want omnichannel support.
Zendesk review

Questions people ask

Is PostHog or Zendesk better?
Neither clearly leads. PostHog starts at Free and Zendesk at $19/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PostHog or Zendesk?
PostHog has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for PostHog and $19/month for Zendesk.
Does PostHog or Zendesk run on more platforms?
PostHog runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Zendesk runs on Web.
Can I use PostHog for free?
Yes. PostHog has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zendesk starts at $19/month.
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 Zendesk is typically brought in for.
What can PostHog do that Zendesk cannot?
PostHog covers Product analytics, Session recording, Feature flags, A/B testing. Zendesk covers Ticket management, Omnichannel support, Knowledge base, Live chat. Both handle Slack, Microsoft Teams, SOC2, HIPAA.
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