451 lines
17 KiB
JSON
451 lines
17 KiB
JSON
{
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"slug": "smartlook-alternative",
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"page_type": "alternative",
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"seo": {
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"title": "Best Smartlook Alternative 2026 - Open Source & Free",
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"description": "Looking for a Smartlook alternative? OpenPanel offers product analytics with self-hosting, transparent pricing, and mobile SDKs \u2014 without session replay costs. Open source and free to start.",
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"noindex": false
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},
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"hero": {
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"heading": "Best Smartlook Alternative",
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"subheading": "Need product analytics without requiring session replay? OpenPanel is an open-source alternative to Smartlook that focuses on event-based analytics, funnels, and retention\u2014with self-hosting and transparent pricing.",
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"badges": [
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"Open-source",
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"Self-hostable",
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"No session limits",
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"Product analytics"
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]
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},
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"competitor": {
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"name": "Smartlook",
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"logo": "/logos/smartlook.svg",
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"url": "https://www.smartlook.com",
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"short_description": "Combined product analytics and visual insights platform with session recordings, heatmaps, and event tracking. Acquired by Cisco in 2023.",
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"founded": 2016,
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"headquarters": "Brno, Czech Republic"
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},
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"overview": {
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"title": "Why consider OpenPanel over Smartlook?",
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"paragraphs": [
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"Smartlook combines product analytics with visual insights \u2014 session recordings, heatmaps, and event tracking in one platform. Since its acquisition by Cisco in 2023, it has positioned itself as an enterprise-ready analytics and observation tool. But enterprise ownership often means enterprise pricing, proprietary lock-in, and cloud-only infrastructure with no option for self-hosting.",
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"OpenPanel focuses purely on product analytics without the session replay overhead, delivering event tracking, funnels, retention analysis, and cohort breakdowns with a cleaner, more focused experience. The result is a lighter tool that does analytics well rather than trying to be everything \u2014 and at a dramatically lower cost with transparent, event-based pricing starting at $2.50 per month.",
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"Being open source under the MIT license gives OpenPanel advantages that Smartlook's proprietary, Cisco-owned platform can't match. You can self-host on your own infrastructure for complete data sovereignty, audit the source code for security compliance, and avoid the vendor lock-in risk that comes with acquisition-prone platforms. Self-hosting also means unlimited data retention, compared to Smartlook's plan-based limits.",
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"If you need session replay specifically, Smartlook has the edge in that area. But for teams that want focused, cost-effective product analytics with open-source transparency and the freedom to self-host, OpenPanel delivers more value without the enterprise complexity."
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]
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},
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"summary_comparison": {
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"title": "OpenPanel vs Smartlook: Which is right for you?",
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"intro": "Both platforms offer product analytics, but Smartlook adds visual behavior tools (session replay, heatmaps) while OpenPanel focuses on event-based analytics with self-hosting.",
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"one_liner": "OpenPanel is open source with self-hosting for product analytics; Smartlook combines analytics with session replay and heatmaps.",
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"best_for_openpanel": [
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"Teams needing self-hosting for data ownership and compliance",
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"Open source requirements for transparency",
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"Focus on event-based product analytics without visual replay",
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"Teams wanting unlimited data retention with self-hosting",
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"Server-side SDKs for backend tracking"
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],
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"best_for_competitor": [
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"Teams needing session recordings to watch user interactions",
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"UX designers requiring heatmaps (click, scroll, movement)",
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"Mobile app crash reports with linked session recordings",
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"Teams wanting combined analytics and replay in one tool",
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"Unity game developers (Smartlook supports Unity)"
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]
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},
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"highlights": {
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"title": "Key differences at a glance",
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"intro": "Here's how OpenPanel and Smartlook compare on the factors that matter most.",
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"items": [
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{
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"label": "Open source",
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"openpanel": "Yes (MIT)",
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"competitor": "No (proprietary, Cisco-owned)"
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},
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{
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"label": "Self-hosting",
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"openpanel": "Yes, with Docker",
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"competitor": "No (cloud only)"
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},
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{
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"label": "Session replay",
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"openpanel": "Not available",
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"competitor": "Yes, full recordings"
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},
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{
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"label": "Heatmaps",
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"openpanel": "Not available",
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"competitor": "Click, scroll, movement"
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},
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{
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"label": "Pricing model",
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"openpanel": "Event-based / free self-host",
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"competitor": "Session-based from $55/mo"
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}
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]
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},
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"feature_comparison": {
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"title": "Feature comparison",
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"intro": "OpenPanel focuses on product analytics; Smartlook combines analytics with visual behavior insights.",
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"groups": [
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{
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"group": "Core analytics",
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"features": [
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{
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"name": "Event tracking",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Funnels",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Retention analysis",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": "Basic",
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "User profiles",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Cohorts",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": "Limited",
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Custom dashboards",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": "Limited",
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Real-time data",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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}
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]
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},
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{
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"group": "Visual behavior analytics",
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"features": [
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{
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"name": "Session recordings",
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"openpanel": false,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Click heatmaps",
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"openpanel": false,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Scroll heatmaps",
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"openpanel": false,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Movement heatmaps",
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"openpanel": false,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Crash reports with replay",
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"openpanel": false,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": "Smartlook links crash reports to recordings"
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}
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]
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},
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{
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"group": "Privacy & compliance",
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"features": [
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{
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"name": "Self-hosting",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": false,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Open source",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": false,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "GDPR compliant",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Cookie-free tracking",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": false,
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "SOC 2 certified",
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"openpanel": false,
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"competitor": true,
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"notes": "Type II"
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},
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{
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"name": "EU data residency",
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"openpanel": "Via self-hosting",
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"competitor": "Yes"
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}
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]
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},
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{
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"group": "Integrations & data",
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"features": [
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{
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"name": "REST API",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": "Pro plans only",
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Data export",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": "CSV (Pro+)",
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"name": "Webhooks",
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"openpanel": true,
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"competitor": "Limited",
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"notes": null
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}
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]
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}
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]
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},
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"technical_comparison": {
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"title": "Technical comparison",
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"intro": "For developers evaluating analytics tools, here's how the implementations compare.",
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"items": [
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{
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"label": "SDK size (JS)",
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"openpanel": "~2.3 KB gzipped",
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"competitor": "Larger (includes recording)",
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"notes": "Smartlook's SDK includes session replay code"
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},
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{
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"label": "Supported platforms",
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"openpanel": [
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"JavaScript",
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"React",
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"Next.js",
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"Vue",
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"React Native",
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"iOS",
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"Android",
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"Flutter",
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"Node.js"
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],
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"competitor": [
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"JavaScript",
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"iOS",
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"Android",
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"React Native",
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"Flutter",
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"Unity",
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"Cordova",
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"Xamarin"
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],
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"label": "Open source",
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"openpanel": "Yes (MIT)",
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"competitor": "No",
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"label": "Self-hosted deployment",
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"openpanel": "Docker, simple setup",
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"competitor": "Not available",
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"label": "Database",
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"openpanel": "ClickHouse + PostgreSQL",
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"competitor": "AWS cloud infrastructure",
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"notes": null
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},
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{
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"label": "Data retention",
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"openpanel": "Unlimited (self-hosted)",
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"competitor": "1-3 months base, up to 12 months",
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"notes": null
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}
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]
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},
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"pricing": {
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"title": "Pricing comparison",
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"intro": "OpenPanel offers event-based pricing with free self-hosting. Smartlook uses session-based pricing.",
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"openpanel": {
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"model": "Event-based, transparent",
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"description": "Start at $2.50/month for 5,000 events. Self-host for free with unlimited events. All features included at every tier."
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},
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"competitor": {
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"model": "Session-based",
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"description": "Free tier: 3,000 sessions/month with basic features. Pro: $55/month for 5,000 sessions with extended retention and exports. Enterprise: Custom pricing for 50,000+ sessions.",
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"free_tier": "Yes (3,000 sessions/month)",
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"pricing_url": "https://www.smartlook.com/pricing"
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}
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},
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"migration": {
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"title": "Migrating from Smartlook to OpenPanel",
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"intro": "Moving from Smartlook to OpenPanel involves transitioning from combined session replay and analytics to event-based product analytics.",
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"difficulty": "moderate",
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"estimated_time": "2-4 hours",
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"steps": [
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{
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"title": "Understand feature differences",
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"description": "OpenPanel focuses on event-based product analytics. If you rely on session recordings and heatmaps, consider using complementary tools like Microsoft Clarity."
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},
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{
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"title": "Create OpenPanel account or self-host",
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"description": "Sign up for OpenPanel cloud or deploy self-hosted using Docker. Configure your project settings."
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},
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{
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"title": "Install OpenPanel SDK",
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"description": "Replace the Smartlook snippet with OpenPanel's SDK. Install via npm or use the CDN. For mobile apps, install the appropriate native SDK."
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},
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{
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"title": "Map events and properties",
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"description": "Convert Smartlook's event tracking to OpenPanel's event structure. Set up user identification using identify() to track users across sessions."
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},
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{
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"title": "Build analytics dashboards",
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"description": "Create funnels, retention charts, and cohort analyses in OpenPanel to replace Smartlook's analytics."
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}
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],
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"sdk_compatibility": {
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"similar_api": true,
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"notes": "Both use similar event tracking APIs. Main difference is OpenPanel doesn't automatically record sessions."
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},
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"historical_data": {
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"can_import": false,
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"notes": "Historical session recordings from Smartlook cannot be migrated. Event data may be exportable depending on your Smartlook plan."
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}
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},
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"use_cases": {
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"title": "Where OpenPanel is a better fit than Smartlook",
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"intro": "OpenPanel shines when you need product analytics with data ownership and don't require visual replay features.",
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"items": [
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{
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"title": "Product analytics & growth",
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"description": "Deep event-based analytics with funnels, retention analysis, and cohorts. Stronger retention and cohort capabilities than Smartlook.",
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"icon": "chart"
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},
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{
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"title": "Data ownership & self-hosting",
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"description": "Complete data control with self-hosting. Smartlook is cloud-only with no self-hosting option.",
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"icon": "server"
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},
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{
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"title": "Open source requirements",
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"description": "Full transparency and customization with MIT license. Smartlook is proprietary (now Cisco-owned).",
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"icon": "code"
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},
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{
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"title": "Unlimited data retention",
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"description": "Self-hosted OpenPanel has unlimited retention. Smartlook limits data retention even on paid plans.",
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"icon": "database"
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},
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{
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"title": "Cost-effective for high volume",
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"description": "Event-based pricing or free self-hosting. Smartlook's session-based pricing scales up quickly.",
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"icon": "dollar"
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}
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]
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},
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"faqs": {
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"title": "Frequently asked questions",
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"intro": "Common questions about switching from Smartlook to OpenPanel.",
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"items": [
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{
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"question": "Can OpenPanel replace Smartlook's session recordings?",
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"answer": "No, OpenPanel does not provide session recordings or heatmaps. If you need visual behavior analytics, consider using Microsoft Clarity (free) or Hotjar alongside OpenPanel, or continue using Smartlook for recordings while using OpenPanel for deeper product analytics."
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},
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{
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"question": "Which tool has better funnel analysis?",
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"answer": "Both tools offer funnel analysis. Smartlook's advantage is the ability to watch session recordings of users who dropped off. OpenPanel offers more advanced funnel customization and cohort breakdowns."
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},
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{
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"question": "Can I self-host Smartlook?",
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"answer": "No, Smartlook is only available as a cloud-hosted service (now part of Cisco). OpenPanel offers both cloud hosting and self-hosted deployment via Docker for complete data ownership."
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},
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{
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"question": "What happened with Cisco acquiring Smartlook?",
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"answer": "Cisco completed the acquisition of Smartlook in June 2023. Smartlook is being integrated into Cisco's AppDynamics platform. The Smartlook product continues to operate independently."
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},
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{
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"question": "How does pricing compare?",
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"answer": "Smartlook uses session-based pricing with a free tier of 3,000 sessions/month and paid plans starting at $55/month. OpenPanel uses event-based pricing with 10,000 free events/month. OpenPanel's self-hosted option is completely free with unlimited events."
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},
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{
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"question": "Does OpenPanel support mobile apps?",
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"answer": "Yes. Both platforms offer mobile SDKs. OpenPanel supports iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter with event tracking. Smartlook additionally supports Unity, Cordova, and Xamarin with session replay capabilities."
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}
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]
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},
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"related_links": {
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"guides": [
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{
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"title": "Track custom events",
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"url": "/guides/track-custom-events"
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},
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{
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"title": "React Native analytics setup",
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"url": "/guides/react-native-analytics"
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},
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{
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"title": "Swift/iOS analytics setup",
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"url": "/guides/swift-analytics"
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}
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],
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"articles": [
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{
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"title": "9 best open source web analytics tools",
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"url": "/articles/open-source-web-analytics"
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}
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],
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"alternatives": [
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{
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"name": "Mouseflow",
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"url": "/compare/mouseflow-alternative"
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},
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{
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"name": "FullStory",
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"url": "/compare/fullstory-alternative"
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}
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]
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},
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"ctas": {
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"primary": {
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"label": "Start with OpenPanel",
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"href": "https://dashboard.openpanel.dev/onboarding"
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},
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"secondary": {
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"label": "View on GitHub",
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"href": "https://github.com/Openpanel-dev/openpanel"
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}
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}
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} |