Session replay vs a feedback button: which tells you more?
Replays show what people did. A feedback button tells you what they meant and expected. When each helps, and why many teams use both.
Short answer: session replay shows you what someone did; a feedback button tells you what they were trying to do and what they expected. Replays are great for spotting where people struggle without asking; feedback tells you why, and what they need. If you can only start with one and you have few users, start with feedback.
Side by side
| Session replay | Feedback button | |
|---|---|---|
| Tells you | What happened on screen | What they wanted, expected and felt |
| Volume | Sessions included in your recording configuration | Only the moments people choose to report |
| Effort for you | Watching and finding the right replay | Reading a report |
| Privacy | Configure masking, consent and recording coverage | Review screenshot capture and private-area settings |
| Best when | Lots of traffic, conversion work | Early products, client work, bugs and requests |
What reviewers say
In our review research, session replay tools had the highest average rating (4.67 of 5) of the groups we studied, and the most common complaint was missing features (20.0% of their reviews).
Using both
- Use replays to find screens where people struggle.
- Put a feedback prompt or button on those screens.
- Read the reports to learn why, then check the replays to confirm the fix.