GazeRecorder vs PyGaze

GazeRecorder uses a webcam to track eye movement and create video recordings for remote UX research on desktop and mobile. Its online service can test live websites, images, screenshots, mockups, pictures, videos and apps. The maker says it can show where participants look and for how long in real time. GazeFlow generates heatmaps over webpages, applications, static images or videos, and can combine data from multiple subjects. Desktop features include real-time webcam tracking, one-click experiment creation and dynamic heatmaps. The desktop version requires a webcam, but specialized hardware is not required; smartphone tracking uses the selfie camera. Visualizations include heatmaps, gaze paths, fixation metrics and areas of interest, with video recordings and session data available for export. The maker says respondent-level eye and click data can be provided along with aggregated sample data. The free desktop version is for non-commercial use. The FAQ gives approximate GazeCloud API accuracy of 1.0 degree and precision of 0.2 degree of visual angle. Listed platforms include web, Windows, iOS, Android and API.

PyGaze is an open-source Python toolbox for running eye-tracking experiments. It provides a shared interface for stimulus presentation and tracker communication, with support for EyeLink, SMI, Tobii, and mouse-simulated tracking. For stimuli, it works with PsychoPy and PyGame. The EyeTracker interface covers calibration, recording, gaze sampling, pupil-size retrieval, and fixation and saccade event functions. Gaze-contingent tools include forced retinal location, a cursor that follows gaze, and areas of interest. PyGaze is free at free and supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Downloads include pip installation instructions for those systems, source packages, and portable Windows environments. The about page recommends Python 2.X and describes its audience as people with minor to advanced programming skills. Some tracker connections require separate steps: PyLink is proprietary and requires registration with SR Research, while SMI and Tobii API downloads must be requested from their makers. PyGaze supplies fresh gaze samples at the tracker’s sampling rate and returns the newest available sample between fresh samples.