GazeRecorder

GazeRecorder brings webcam-based eye tracking to remote research on desktop and mobile. It is a practical fit for researchers who want gaze visualizations without dedicated tracking hardware. Its free desktop edition is restricted to non-commercial use, so commercial teams should look elsewhere.

Overview

Studies can cover live websites, apps, images, screenshots, mockups, pictures and videos. GazeRecorder reports where participants look and for how long in real time, and can provide eye- and click-tracking data for individual respondents as well as aggregated sample data. That combination supports both session-level review and broader comparisons across participants.

GazeFlow can generate heatmaps over web pages, applications, static images and videos, merging data from multiple subjects. Gaze paths, fixation metrics and areas of interest provide additional ways to interpret attention. The FAQ gives GazeCloud API accuracy of approximately 1.0 degree and precision of approximately 0.2 degree of visual angle; those figures make it a weaker choice when a study depends on highly precise gaze placement.

Key features

Remote study materials: Test live sites and a broad range of visual materials, including apps and video. This flexibility suits UX researchers comparing content types within remote studies.

Live viewing metrics: Real-time indications of where participants look and for how long can help researchers follow attention during a session, rather than relying only on later analysis.

Heatmaps and gaze data: GazeFlow combines subjects' data into heatmaps, while gaze paths, fixation metrics and areas of interest offer other views of attention. These are useful for identifying patterns, but the stated accuracy figures warrant caution for fine-grained placement judgments.

Web and survey workflows: The FAQ says it works with survey platforms that can direct participants to an external URL and return them afterward. PC participant browsers listed are Chrome 53+, Edge 12+, Firefox 42+, Opera 40+ and Safari 11+.

API options: GazeCloud API and GazeRecorder API are linked, and GazeCloudAPI.js can add real-time eye tracking to a website. This gives developers an integration path beyond the standalone research workflow.

Webcam-based setup: The desktop version requires a webcam but not specialized hardware; the maker also describes smartphone tracking through the selfie camera without extra equipment. That lowers the hardware barrier, though it does not remove the non-commercial desktop restriction.

Pricing

GazeRecorder (non-commercial use): free. The desktop version includes real-time webcam tracking, one-click experiment creation and dynamic heatmap generation. It is suitable for non-commercial exploration and research, but not commercial desktop projects.

The free price is compelling for eligible users, but the non-commercial condition is the central limit. No paid GazeRecorder plan is described; developers considering the linked APIs should assess those separately.

Platforms

GazeRecorder supports web, Windows PCs, iOS, Android and API workflows. The desktop system requirement is a webcam, with no specialized tracking hardware required. Mobile tracking uses a smartphone's selfie camera according to the maker.

Who it's for

Choose GazeRecorder for remote UX research that needs to cover varied visual materials, collect respondent-level and aggregate gaze data, and visualize attention without dedicated eye-tracking equipment. It also suits non-commercial desktop experimentation and teams whose survey flow can send participants to an external URL and receive them back. It is not the right desktop choice for commercial use, or for studies where the stated GazeCloud API accuracy is too coarse.

Pros and cons

Pros

No specialized hardware: A webcam is the desktop requirement, and mobile tracking uses a phone's selfie camera, reducing equipment needs.

Broad stimulus coverage: Live sites, apps, images and video can all be used, with heatmaps that combine multiple subjects.

Useful data range: Respondent-level eye and click data sit alongside aggregated sample data, supporting both individual and group analysis.

Free non-commercial desktop plan: The price is free, making it accessible for non-commercial work.

Cons

Desktop use is non-commercial only: Commercial users need another option.

Accuracy may constrain precise studies: The stated GazeCloud API figures are approximately 1.0 degree accuracy and 0.2 degree precision.

PC browser requirements are specific: Participants need one of the listed browser versions or later for PC studies.

Alternatives

Eye Tracking Software is a useful starting point for comparing tools across the category.

Labvanced is worth considering if its free tier's 300 MB storage, 10 recordings and one active recruiting link fit your study; it also offers a free trial and broader platform support.

GazePlotter is a free, open-source option for researchers who prefer software licensed under GNU GPL v3 and need broad desktop and mobile platform coverage.

Chiasm suits teams willing to pay for a usage-based or monthly option: its Flex plan is billed at €0.25/min with no monthly minimum, while Starter is €199 a month.

Hawkeye may fit small projects that can stay within its free allowance of one project and five sessions; its Starter Plan is $39.99 a month.

RealEye is a paid alternative with a free trial; its Basic annual plan is $325 a month, billed at $3,900 annually.

OGAMA is a free Windows-only freeware option.

OpenGazer is a free, open-source gaze tracker for Linux users prepared to handle its build dependencies.

Pupil Player is another option for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Verdict

GazeRecorder is a strong starting point for non-commercial researchers who need remote webcam-based gaze tracking across varied materials, live metrics and multi-subject heatmaps without specialized hardware. Its free desktop price is the main draw; the non-commercial restriction and stated accuracy figures are the main reasons to choose another tool for commercial work or precision-critical studies.