PostHog vs RRWeb (DIY)
Self-host pick — both replace FullStory (Session replay + product analytics).
Both PostHog and RRWeb (DIY) 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 RRWeb (DIY) if you need engineering teams that want session replay as a primitive they own end-to-end and don't need a fancy product UI — 2h — script install + ingest endpoint + storage + replay UI and $5+ vps plus storage — variable based on traffic.
| PostHogopen-source | RRWeb (DIY)open-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Setup time | 20min docker-compose (`hobby` deploy is one command) | 2h — script install + ingest endpoint + storage + replay UI |
| Monthly cost | $20-40 VPS — ClickHouse + Postgres + Kafka + Redis stack. | $5+ VPS plus storage — variable based on traffic. |
| GitHub | PostHog/posthog | rrweb-io/rrweb |
| Replaces | FullStory + 2 other | FullStory |
Good fit for
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.
RRWeb (DIY)
Engineering teams that want session replay as a primitive they own end-to-end and don't need a fancy product UI.
Weak at:Bring your own everything — no analytics, no heatmaps, no admin UI; this is a library, not a product.
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, PostHog or RRWeb (DIY)?
PostHog: 20min docker-compose (`hobby` deploy is one command). RRWeb (DIY): 2h — script install + ingest endpoint + storage + replay UI.
What does each cost to run?
PostHog: $20-40 VPS — ClickHouse + Postgres + Kafka + Redis stack.. RRWeb (DIY): $5+ VPS plus storage — variable based on traffic.. Both projects are free and open source.
Do PostHog and RRWeb (DIY) replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to FullStory.