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Mixpanel vs PostHog
Comparing two analytics platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Mixpanel — Event analytics for product teams. Mixpanel is a product analytics platform focused on event tracking, funnels, and cohort analysis.
PostHog — The open source product analytics platform. PostHog is an all-in-one open-source product platform: analytics, session replay, feature flags, A/B testing.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Mixpanel | PostHog |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $28/mo | Usage-based |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Funnels | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tier | 1M events/mo | 1M events/mo |
| Cookie-free | No | No |
| Script Size | ~30KB | ~50KB |
| Self-hosted | No | Yes |
| Event Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
Mixpanel
Event analytics for product teams
Pros
- Powerful segmentation and funnels
- Mature product analytics
- Good free tier
Cons
- Expensive above free tier
- Not for simple web analytics
PostHog
The open source product analytics platform
Pros
- All-in-one platform
- Very generous free tier
- Open source, self-hostable
Cons
- Heavier script vs Plausible
- Can be overwhelming
Which should you choose?
Choose Mixpanel if a free tier is important for your stage. Choose PostHog if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Mixpanel or PostHog?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, PostHog is the safer default because PostHog is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. Mixpanel is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Mixpanel cheaper than PostHog?
Mixpanel starts at $28/mo, while PostHog starts at Usage-based. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Mixpanel to PostHog?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Mixpanel-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most analytics migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Mixpanel or PostHog open source?
PostHog is open source; Mixpanel is a proprietary managed service.
Does Mixpanel or PostHog have a free tier?
Both Mixpanel and PostHog offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is PostHog. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.