PyGaze vs RealEye

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.

RealEye is a cloud-based webcam eye-tracking research platform for building online studies, tracking participants, and analyzing results. Researchers can use images, videos, or live websites as stimuli, configure display settings, and add instructions and follow-up questions. The dashboard includes heatmaps, gaze and fixation analysis, Areas of Interest statistics, survey answers, and raw or processed data exports. A facial coding feature analyzes neutral, happy, and surprised expressions. External survey connections can redirect participants to services such as Qualtrics, Google Forms, or SurveyMonkey and pass participant identifiers through URL parameters. RealEye says webcam image and sound processing happens in the browser, and that it stores gaze-point predictions rather than webcam images or sound. It states that it is GDPR compliant and runs on AWS data centers in the United States. Participants using a researcher's own link need a laptop or PC with a webcam; smartphone tests are also offered. Basic costs $325 a month billed annually or $390 a month. Standard costs $825 a month billed annually or $990 a month.