GazeRecorder

GazeRecorder is webcam-based eye-tracking software for remote UX studies on desktop and mobile. It suits researchers who want gaze visualizations without specialized tracking hardware, but the desktop version is restricted to non-commercial use.

Its mix of live metrics, participant-level data and aggregated heatmaps makes it useful for exploratory research across varied visual materials. The stated API accuracy is a consideration for studies that depend on precise gaze placement.

Overview

GazeRecorder uses a webcam to record video and track eye movement in remote studies. Researchers can use live websites, images, screenshots, mockups, pictures, videos and apps as test materials. The service can show where participants look and for how long in real time, and provide respondent-level eye and click data alongside aggregated sample data.

GazeFlow can combine data from multiple subjects into heatmaps over web pages, applications, static images and videos. Gaze paths, fixation metrics and areas of interest add ways to examine attention beyond a single heatmap. This breadth is useful for exploratory UX work, while the GazeCloud API's stated accuracy of approximately 1.0 degree and precision of approximately 0.2 degree of visual angle may not suit studies that require tightly localized measurements.

Key features

• Remote testing: The online service supports desktop and mobile research across websites, apps and other visual materials, making it a flexible option for studies that do not require participants to attend a lab.
• Live metrics and recordings: Researchers can see gaze location and duration in real time and export video recordings and session recording data. That combination supports reviewing individual sessions as well as summarizing attention.
• Multiple visualizations: Heatmaps, gaze paths, fixation metrics and areas of interest offer several views of participant attention. GazeFlow can merge subject data, which helps reveal broader patterns rather than relying on one participant's session.
• Webcam-based setup: Desktop tracking requires a webcam, and the maker says specialized hardware is not required. Smartphone eye tracking uses the selfie camera without extra hardware, lowering equipment demands for remote participants.
• Survey and API connections: The software works with survey platforms that can send participants to an external URL and receive them back. GazeCloud API and GazeRecorder API are also linked, and GazeCloudAPI.js can add real-time eye tracking to a website.

Pricing

GazeRecorder's free plan costs nothing and is for non-commercial use only. It is a fit for non-commercial research that can use webcam tracking and the available visualizations and exports; the commercial restriction rules it out for commercial desktop projects.

No paid GazeRecorder plan is provided. The free option's clearest limit is its non-commercial term, so teams planning commercial work should consider an alternative rather than assume the desktop version can cover that use.

Platforms

GazeRecorder supports web, Windows PCs, iOS, Android and API. The desktop page requires a webcam, while smartphone tracking uses the selfie camera. For PC participants, supported browsers are Chrome 53+, Edge 12+, Firefox 42+, Opera 40+ and Safari 11+.

Who it's for

GazeRecorder is best suited to researchers and UX teams running remote, non-commercial studies across websites, apps, images or video who want gaze data without dedicated tracking hardware. The combination of live views and aggregated visualizations serves exploratory comparisons well. It is a weaker fit for commercial desktop work, or for research whose conclusions depend on greater gaze precision than the stated API figures suggest.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad test-material support: Studies can cover live sites, apps, mockups, images and video rather than being limited to one content type.
• No specialized tracking hardware: A webcam is the desktop requirement, and smartphones use their selfie cameras, which reduces participant equipment needs.
• Individual and aggregate analysis: Respondent-level eye and click data, session recordings and multi-subject heatmaps support both session review and broader pattern analysis.

Cons

• Desktop use is non-commercial only: That restriction excludes commercial desktop studies on the free version.
• Stated precision may constrain some studies: The GazeCloud API figures are approximate, so work needing tightly localized gaze measurements may need another approach.
• PC browser compatibility has minimum versions: Participants using older versions than those supported may not fit the stated browser requirements.

Alternatives

Compare eye-tracking software if you want to consider options across the category.

• GazePlotter is a free, open-source alternative under GNU GPL v3, with Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows support; choose it if open-source licensing or its broader platform range matters more.
• Labvanced has a free plan with 300 MB storage, 10 recordings and one active recruiting link, plus a free trial; choose it if those stated caps fit your needs and you want a freemium option.
• Hawkeye offers a free plan limited to one project and five sessions, as well as a Starter Plan at $39.99 a month billed monthly; choose it if that project-and-session allowance or paid monthly option suits your study.
• OpenGazer is a free, open-source gaze tracker for Linux that requires a webcam and Linux build dependencies; choose it if you want a Linux-based open-source tool and can handle those requirements.
• PyGaze is a free, open-source eye-tracking toolbox distributed as a Python package and source downloads for Linux, macOS and Windows; choose it if a Python toolbox is a better fit than a remote webcam research service.
• OGAMA is free open-source Windows freeware; consider it if you want a Windows freeware option.
• ViewPoint EyeTracker costs $5,998, paid once for software with a 90 Hz monocular remote camera and adjustable-intensity illuminator; choose it if that specified camera setup fits your needs and budget.
• RealEye is a paid option with a Basic annual plan at $325 a month, billed $3,900 annually, including unlimited studies, 20 own participants per month and studies up to 3 minutes; choose it if those terms suit your study needs.

Verdict

Choose GazeRecorder for non-commercial remote UX research when webcam-based tracking, varied test materials and multi-subject visualizations matter more than specialized hardware. Its strongest case is the breadth of its remote workflow and analysis views at no cost. Look elsewhere for commercial desktop use or studies that require tighter gaze precision.