PostHog vs FullStory

Self-host swap-in for FullStory. · Self-host FullStory · PostHog on os-alt

PostHog is one of the open-source self-host replacements for FullStory — license MIT, 20min docker-compose (`hobby` deploy is one command) to stand up, and $20-40 vps — clickhouse + postgres + kafka + redis stack. Compare against FullStory's Custom pricing — typically $200-400/mo for small SMB; rises to thousands at scale below.

	PostHogopen-source	FullStorypaid SaaS
Category	Session replay + product analytics	Session replay + product analytics
License / pricing	`MIT`	Custom pricing — typically $200-400/mo for small SMB; rises to thousands at scale
Starting price	$0 self-host	$200/user/mo
GitHub	PostHog/posthog ★ 34.5k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	20min docker-compose (`hobby` deploy is one command)	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$20-40 VPS — ClickHouse + Postgres + Kafka + Redis stack.	from $200/user/mo (Custom pricing — typically $200-400/mo for small SMB; rises to thousands at scale)

Switching from FullStory to PostHog

Pull the `hobby` compose from posthog.com/docs/self-host. Add PostHog's session-replay snippet (`posthog.init(KEY, { autocapture: true, session_recording: { ... } })`). PostHog bundles session replay, product analytics, feature flags, and surveys — broader than FullStory. Frustration-click detection is built in; AI summaries via OpenAI key.

Good fit for: 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.
License note: Core is MIT; PostHog Cloud's commercial license adds some enterprise add-ons but unrestricted on self-host.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to FullStory

OpenReplay
Elastic-2.01h docker-compose or k8s (multi-service: backend + Postgres + Redis + ClickHouse + MinIO)$30-80/mo VPS — ClickHouse + MinIO for session blobs are the cost line.
RRWeb (DIY)
MIT2h — script install + ingest endpoint + storage + replay UI$5+ VPS plus storage — variable based on traffic.

PostHog also replaces

Amplitude— Product analytics / event tracking / funnels
Mixpanel— Product analytics

In a terminal? npx os-alt fullstory prints FullStory's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is PostHog a free alternative to FullStory?

Yes — PostHog is open source under MIT. Self-host cost: $20-40 VPS — ClickHouse + Postgres + Kafka + Redis stack.. FullStory starts at $200/user/mo (Custom pricing — typically $200-400/mo for small SMB; rises to thousands at scale).

How long does PostHog take to set up vs FullStory?

Self-hosting PostHog: 20min docker-compose (`hobby` deploy is one command). FullStory is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is PostHog good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: 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..