AnyReplay vs PostHog
AnyReplay vs PostHog Session Replay
AnyReplay and PostHog Session Replay compared: replay inside a product-analytics platform versus focused, translated replay you can self-host on one machine.
Updated · 5 min read
PostHog is generally known as an all-in-one product analytics platform: events, funnels, feature flags, experiments, surveys and session replay in one product, with an open-source core you can self-host. AnyReplay does one of those things. It records web and React Native sessions, translates them on demand, masks inputs in the browser and documents a single-host deployment with backups that are verified weekly.
The choice is rarely "which replay is better" in the abstract. It is whether you want replay as one tab inside a product-analytics platform or as a focused tool with its own answers to language, mobile and data ownership.
What PostHog is known for
PostHog is generally known for combining product analytics with session replay, feature flags, A/B testing and surveys, so a team can move from a funnel drop-off to the sessions behind it without leaving the product. Its core is open source and self-hostable, and it also offers a hosted cloud. For plans and self-hosting requirements, check their site for current pricing and limits.
Where AnyReplay is different
Replay is the whole product
AnyReplay carries no analytics warehouse, so the recording pipeline is small and specific. The browser SDK is 34.8 KB gzipped with a 45 KB budget enforced in CI. Chunks carry hasError, hasRageClick and pageCount so you can find the sessions that matter, but there are no funnels, event dashboards or feature flags. Session replay versus analytics explains why the two answer different questions.
Translation with a memory
AnyReplay translates the rrweb event stream before replay, so seeks, restarts and mutations stay translated. Each string is extracted with its role and hashed; the translation memory is keyed on the organisation, target language and source hash, so after a handful of sessions almost every string is already cached. A human correction is marked reviewed and never sent to a model again. Organisation glossary terms, up to 200 per prompt, take precedence over the model.
Semantic React Native recording
The React Native SDK records the committed React element tree, not screenshots. On each tick it reads the tree React has committed, notes what each host element is and says, and measures where it sits. No native module or rebuild; it works in Expo Go on SDK 52+. Frames are text, so they are small and translatable; a masked element keeps its box and loses its words. Semantic recording explains the approach. Limits: videos are boxes, FlatList records only rendered rows, custom native components are unknown boxes.
Self-hosting on one machine, with backups that are tested
AnyReplay's documented deployment is deliberately small: Ubuntu 24.04, PostgreSQL, the API (NestJS), ingest (Fastify) and the dashboard (Next.js) as three systemd services behind nginx, with Cloudflare in front. deploy/backup.sh dumps the database and chunk store, encrypts with gpg on the host before upload and ships to a bucket via rclone. A daily timer runs at 03:20 UTC; a weekly timer on Sundays restores the newest backup into a throwaway database and counts rows, because an untested backup is a hope. Self-hosted session replay has the reasoning; check PostHog's docs for their requirements.
Masking and the sandbox
What visitors type is masked unless you set maskAllInputs: false, and maskAllTyping: true masks rich-text editors too; masked values replay as asterisks and the originals never leave the page. Passwords, payment card fields and card-number-shaped values are never recorded; type="email" and type="tel" inputs are recorded only if you opt out. The player iframe is sandboxed without allow-scripts, script bodies are replaced with a placeholder at record time and rebuilt as <noscript> on replay, and a test fails the build if that changes. The privacy page covers consent gating, retention and the audit trail.
Side by side
| AnyReplay | PostHog | |
|---|---|---|
| Web recording | Yes, rrweb-based; SDK 34.8 KB gzip | Yes, as part of the platform |
| React Native recording | Yes, semantic element tree; no native module | Mobile SDKs generally known; check their docs |
| Session translation | On demand, with an organisation translation memory | Check their docs |
| Input masking | Every field masked by default; passwords and payment fields never recorded | Check their docs |
| Replay sandbox | Iframe without allow-scripts; script bodies never recorded | Check their docs |
| Self-hosting | Documented single-host deployment; encrypted, verified backups | Open-source core is self-hostable; check their docs for requirements |
| Free tier | Free plan: 1 project, 500 sessions per month | Free tier generally known; check their site for limits |
| Dashboard languages | English, Turkish, German, Spanish, French | Check their docs |
When PostHog is the better fit
- You want product analytics, feature flags, experiments and replay in one tool, and the jump from a funnel to a session is the workflow you care about.
- Your team already sends events to PostHog and would rather add replay than add a vendor.
- You need native iOS or Android SDKs. AnyReplay has none yet; it records web and React Native.
- You want an open-source project with a large community around it.
When AnyReplay is the better fit
- The reviewer and the user do not share a language and you need the session readable, not just visible.
- You want a React Native recorder with no native module that produces small, semantic, translatable frames.
- You want a self-hosted footprint you can describe in one paragraph, with backups encrypted before upload and verified weekly.
- Your product managers work in Turkish, German, Spanish or French; see the product managers use case.
Free plan: one project and 500 sessions a month; see the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Can AnyReplay replace PostHog for analytics?
No. AnyReplay is session replay only: no custom events, funnels, experiments or feature flags. Teams that need those keep an analytics tool and use AnyReplay for replay.
Can I use both together?
Yes. The SDKs record independently. Use getSessionId to attach the AnyReplay session id to your analytics events so you can jump from a PostHog insight to the AnyReplay session.
How does AnyReplay self-hosting compare in size?
AnyReplay's documented deployment is one host running PostgreSQL and three Node services behind nginx. Node 20.19 or later (22 recommended) and pnpm 10 are required. For PostHog's self-hosting requirements, check their docs.
Is there a free tier?
AnyReplay has a Free plan with 1 project and 500 sessions per month. PostHog is generally known to offer a free tier; check their site for current limits.
If open source or self-hosting is the deciding factor, open-source and self-hosted session replay tools compares the options, including where AnyReplay is and is not open source.
PostHog is a trademark of its owner. AnyReplay is not affiliated with or endorsed by it. Feature descriptions are general and may be out of date; check their site for current details.