Free Google Analytics Heatmap Tools in 2025
Looking for a heatmap that works with Google Analytics? Google's own Page Analytics extension was deprecated in 2017 and doesn't work with GA4. Here's how to add click visualization to your existing GA setup.
Updated: December 2025 | Reading time: 6 minutes
⚠️ The Problem: GA4 Has No Native Heatmaps
In 2017, Google deprecated its "Page Analytics" Chrome extension that provided basic click overlays. It stopped receiving updates in 2019 and is not compatible with GA4.
Google has not announced plans to add native heatmap functionality to GA4, leaving users to find third-party solutions. The good news? There are options that keep your data in your GA account.
🔍 Your Options for GA4 Heatmaps
| Solution | GA Integration | Data Location | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ clickmap.app | Native - uses GA4 data | Your GA account | 3 sites, 1K clicks |
| Hotjar | Separate tracking | Hotjar servers | 35 sessions/day |
| Microsoft Clarity | Separate tracking | Microsoft servers | Unlimited (free) |
| Crazy Egg | Separate tracking | Crazy Egg servers | No free tier |
| DIY (GTM + Looker) | Manual setup | Your GA account | Free but complex |
💡 Why Keep Click Data in Google Analytics?
Single Source of Truth
Click data lives alongside your other metrics. Segment by traffic source, device, demographics - all in one place.
No Additional Privacy Concerns
No extra tracking script means no new privacy policy disclosures or GDPR data processors to manage.
No Vendor Lock-In
Cancel anytime - your historical click data remains in your GA property forever.
Use GA's Analysis Tools
Export to BigQuery, build Looker Studio dashboards, use exploration reports with your click data.
🚀 How clickmap.app Works with GA4
⚡ Setup Process (5 minutes)
👁️ What You See
With the clickmap.app widget embedded, you see click counts overlaid on each clickable element directly on your live website. Unlike traditional heatmaps that show a screenshot with colored blobs, clickmap.app shows data on your actual pages - so you always see accurate, up-to-date information.
🔧 DIY Alternative: Building Your Own GA4 Heatmap
Complex setup required
Building your own solution with GTM and Looker Studio is possible but has significant drawbacks.
It's technically possible to build your own click tracking system using Google Tag Manager and Looker Studio. However, this approach has significant drawbacks:
- ❌ Complex GTM setup: You need custom triggers for every clickable element type
- ❌ No visual overlay: You can only see click data in reports, not on the actual page
- ❌ Ongoing maintenance: As your site changes, you need to update tracking configuration
- ❌ Limited click identification: Generic selectors often capture the wrong elements
clickmap.app handles all of this automatically, with smart element identification that works even when your site design changes.
⚖️ When to Consider Other Tools
clickmap.app focuses specifically on click analytics. If you need these features, you may want to look at other tools:
- 🎥 Session recordings: Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity offer video playback of user sessions
- 📜 Scroll depth heatmaps: Some tools visualize how far users scroll down each page
- 📝 User surveys: Tools like Hotjar include on-page feedback widgets
However, many teams find that click data alone provides the clearest signal of user intent - without the complexity and cost of full session recording tools.
Add Click Visualization to Your GA4 Setup
Keep your data in Google Analytics. See clicks directly on your website. Free to start.
Get Started Free →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Google Analytics 4 have built-in heatmaps?
No. GA4 does not include heatmap functionality. Google has not announced plans to add this feature. You need a third-party tool to visualize click data.
Can I still use the Page Analytics Chrome extension?
The Page Analytics extension was deprecated in 2017 and stopped working with Universal Analytics. It is not compatible with GA4. Even if you can still install it, it won't provide any functionality.
Will clickmap.app affect my GA4 quotas?
clickmap.app sends click data as custom events to your GA4 property. For most websites, this stays well within GA4's free tier limits. High-traffic sites should review GA4's event collection limits.
Can I try clickmap.app for free?
Yes. clickmap.app offers a free tier that includes 3 websites and 1,000 clicks per month. No credit card required to sign up.
📚 Related articles: clickmap.app vs Hotjar Comparison | Why Click Analytics Beats Session Recordings