Hotjar Analytics vs Northbeam: Shopify Performance Comparison
Hotjar Analytics wins with Grade A vs Grade B — a one-grade performance difference that compounds on mobile devices.
Both apps provide heatmaps, session recording, and analytics functionality for Shopify stores. This page presents StackConflict’s independent lab results for both — measured in a clean-room environment with no other apps installed.
Head-to-Head Metrics
| Metric | Hotjar Analytics | Northbeam | Faster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Grade | A | B | Hotjar Analytics |
| JS Payload | 14.81 KB | 131.23 KB | Hotjar Analytics |
| CPU Desktop | 8 ms | 69 ms | Hotjar Analytics |
| CPU Mobile | 24 ms | 1153 ms | Hotjar Analytics |
| Layout Shift | 0.0 | 0.0 | Hotjar Analytics |
Mobile CPU measured with 4× CDP throttle (mid-range Android). Tested 2026-05-30.
Hotjar Analytics — The Faster Option (Grade A)
Hotjar Analytics scores Grade A with a JS payload of 14.81 KB and 8 ms desktop CPU execution. Mobile CPU: 24 ms. It passes every StackConflict threshold for payload, CPU, and layout stability — making it safe to install on any storefront including mobile-first stores where Time-to-Interactive directly impacts conversion.
View full Hotjar Analytics speed report →
Northbeam — The Heavier Option (Grade B)
Northbeam scores Grade B with a JS payload of 131.23 KB and 69 ms desktop CPU execution. Mobile CPU: 1153 ms. Performance is acceptable but worth monitoring, particularly on stores with high mobile traffic share.
View full Northbeam speed report →
When to Choose Hotjar Analytics
- You are running a mobile-heavy store and Core Web Vitals matter
- You want to stack multiple apps without worrying about combined JS cost
- Conversion rate optimisation is a key priority
When to Choose Northbeam
- You need its specific features and can monitor its mobile impact
- Your other apps are lightweight (Grade A) so there is headroom
- You are on desktop-skewed traffic where CPU cost matters less
Performance Verdict
Winner: Hotjar Analytics — Hotjar Analytics wins with Grade A vs Grade B — a one-grade performance difference that compounds on mobile devices.
About This Test
StackConflict measures each Shopify app in an isolated clean-room environment — a single development store, no other scripts, Playwright-controlled browser. V8 CPU cost is the ScriptDuration delta before and after injection. CLS is captured from the same browser session. Results represent the median of three independent runs with outliers removed.
Data from the StackConflict Lab. Last updated 2026-05-30.