OpenReplay vs PostHog
Self-host pick — both replace FullStory (Session replay + product analytics).
Both OpenReplay and PostHog self-host as a replacement for FullStory (Session replay + product analytics). Pick PostHog if you want the lighter footprint — 20min docker-compose (`hobby` deploy is one command), $20-40 vps — clickhouse + postgres + kafka + redis stack. Pick OpenReplay if you need product teams that want pixel-perfect session replay + user analytics under their own infrastructure for privacy or cost reasons — 1h docker-compose or k8s (multi-service: backend + Postgres + Redis + ClickHouse + MinIO) and $30-80/mo vps — clickhouse + minio for session blobs are the cost line.
| OpenReplayopen-source | PostHogopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | Elastic-2.0 | MIT |
| Setup time | 1h docker-compose or k8s (multi-service: backend + Postgres + Redis + ClickHouse + MinIO) | 20min docker-compose (`hobby` deploy is one command) |
| Monthly cost | $30-80/mo VPS — ClickHouse + MinIO for session blobs are the cost line. | $20-40 VPS — ClickHouse + Postgres + Kafka + Redis stack. |
| GitHub | openreplay/openreplay | PostHog/posthog |
| Replaces | FullStory | FullStory + 2 other |
Good fit for
OpenReplay
Product teams that want pixel-perfect session replay + user analytics under their own infrastructure for privacy or cost reasons.
Weak at:Heavy stack — at least 4 services to run; not a 'docker run' replacement.
PostHog
Teams that want one tool covering session replay + product analytics + feature flags rather than three separate vendors.
Weak at:Replay polish is solid but UI is denser than FullStory's; learning curve for the whole product surface.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli fullstory prints FullStory's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, OpenReplay or PostHog?
OpenReplay: 1h docker-compose or k8s (multi-service: backend + Postgres + Redis + ClickHouse + MinIO). PostHog: 20min docker-compose (`hobby` deploy is one command).
What does each cost to run?
OpenReplay: $30-80/mo VPS — ClickHouse + MinIO for session blobs are the cost line.. PostHog: $20-40 VPS — ClickHouse + Postgres + Kafka + Redis stack.. Both projects are free and open source.
Do OpenReplay and PostHog replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to FullStory.