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Build vs PostHog

Open-source product analytics suite — Should you build, vibe code, or buy?

Our Verdict
⚡ Vibe Code It
Already open source. Self-host for free or use their cloud.
Pricing
$0-$450/mo
Founded
2020
HQ
San Francisco, CA
Vibe Time
1 week

What is PostHog?

PostHog is a open-source product analytics suite. The company is $27m raised. With 50+ employees, PostHog serves teams looking for analytics solutions.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Open source
  • Self-hostable
  • Feature flags
  • Session replay
  • Great DX

Weaknesses

  • Newer company
  • Self-host requires infra
  • Some rough edges

Who Should Use PostHog?

Best For

Not Ideal For

Vibe Coding PostHog

Using AI tools like Cursor and Claude, you can build a posthog-like solution in 1 week for approximately $0-5k.

What You Can Build

What's Harder to Replicate

Getting Started

Use this prompt with Cursor or Claude to scaffold your alternative:

Build a open-source product analytics suite with these core features:


Tech stack: Next.js 14, TypeScript, Prisma, PostgreSQL, Tailwind, shadcn/ui
Include authentication, API routes, database schema, and a clean UI.

Open Source Alternatives

Before paying for PostHog, consider these open source options:

PostHog ↗

The product itself

Alternatives to PostHog

Mixpanel

More mature

Amplitude

Enterprise features

Plausible

Simpler, privacy-focused

The Bottom Line

PostHog is solid, but this is a space where vibe coding works well. If you have specific requirements or want full control, consider building your own with modern AI tools.

Calculate Your Build vs Buy Costs →