Mixpanel vs Amplitude: Product Analytics Showdown
The two giants of product analytics. Here's how to choose — and when you might need something different.
Quick Verdict
Choose Mixpanel
- You're budget-conscious (generous free tier)
- You want faster time-to-value
- You track high event volumes (B2B)
- You prefer simpler self-serve analytics
Choose Amplitude
- You need robust A/B testing
- You have a dedicated data team
- You need strict data governance
- You want CDP capabilities built-in
Consider Clickyard
- You need website optimization, not in-app analytics
- You don't have a data team
- You want AI recommendations without setup
- You're focused on conversions, not retention
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of Mixpanel, Amplitude, and Clickyard
| Feature | Mixpanel | Amplitude | Clickyard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 20M events/mo | Limited | 10K sessions |
| A/B testing | Enterprise only | Strong | |
| Learning curve | Moderate | Steep | Minimal |
| AI features | Spark AI | Amplitude Made Easy | Weekly recommendations |
| Event setup | Required | Required | Automatic |
| Session replay | Recent addition | Yes | |
| Focus | Product analytics | Product analytics | Conversion optimization |
Detailed Overview
Mixpanel Overview
Mixpanel is a product analytics platform focused on event tracking, retention analysis, and user journeys. Known for its generous free tier and accessible approach.
Strengths
- Generous free tier (20M events)
- Faster time-to-value
- Good retention/cohort analysis
- Spark AI for natural language queries
- More affordable at scale
Weaknesses
- A/B testing only on enterprise
- Requires event instrumentation
- Less powerful for complex analysis
- Session replay is basic
B2B companies with high event volumes wanting affordable product analytics
Free (20M events) → Growth (custom) → Enterprise (~$14k+/year)
Amplitude Overview
Amplitude is a comprehensive digital analytics platform with product analytics, experimentation, and CDP. Built for data-mature organizations.
Strengths
- Powerful A/B testing
- Strong data governance
- CDP capabilities
- Session replay included
- Amplitude Made Easy for faster setup
Weaknesses
- Complex — requires data team
- Expensive at scale (MTU-based)
- Steep learning curve
- Can be overkill for simpler needs
Large organizations with dedicated data teams needing comprehensive analytics
Starter (free) → Plus ($49/mo) → Growth (custom) → Enterprise ($50k+/year)
Website Conversion vs. Product Analytics
Mixpanel and Amplitude track in-app behavior. Clickyard optimizes your website conversions.
Free to start. No credit card required.
Mixpanel vs Amplitude FAQ
Mixpanel for budget-conscious teams wanting simpler product analytics. Amplitude for data-mature organizations needing experimentation and governance. Both require event instrumentation.
Ready to Move Beyond Comparisons?
Stop comparing tools. Start getting AI-powered recommendations that actually improve your conversions.