Faintrail

Smartlook is closing. Here's what to do next

If you use Smartlook, you have time, but not forever. Save what you need first, then choose what replaces it.

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In short

Smartlook is being retired by its owner, Cisco. New orders ended on 31 May 2026 and renewals on 31 August 2026; support ends on 31 August 2027, and the platform will be shut down with all data deleted on 30 September 2027. Cisco points customers to Splunk Observability Cloud, which won't import old Smartlook data, so export anything you need through Smartlook's API first. If you used Smartlook to watch visits to a website, Faintrail is one replacement: it replays each visit beside a plain-words log and keeps the data in the EU, the UK or the US, as you choose.

Faintrail's visit list filtered to everyone who saw the pricing page, with each visit's length, pages and problems, such as a rage click or an unsent form.

The dates

What Date
Closure announced 31 March 2026
Last day to order 31 May 2026
Last day to renew or add to a subscription 31 August 2026
Last day of support 31 August 2027
Platform shut down and all data deleted 30 September 2027

Sources, checked 15 November 2026: Cisco end-of-life notice; Smartlook pricing and FAQ; Smartlook API overview.

Before you switch

  1. Save what you need. Smartlook's FAQ says Splunk won't migrate old data. Copy what you need through the Smartlook API before 30 September 2027; the API covers visitors, events, funnels and sessions, so ask Smartlook whether the recordings themselves can be copied.
  2. List what you actually used. Website recordings, mobile app recordings, funnels, heatmaps? The answer decides what replaces it.
  3. Run the new tool beside Smartlook for a while. Then you can compare like with like before Smartlook stops.

Where Faintrail fits

Faintrail is a good fit if you used Smartlook to watch visits to a website. You get each visit as a replay with a plain-words log beside it, problems such as rage clicks and errors marked for you, filters by page and problem, and a text file of visits you can hand to an AI assistant. You choose whether the data is kept in the EU, the UK or the US.

Smartlook vs Faintrail compares the two line by line.

It isn't a fit if you recorded mobile apps, or relied on heatmaps or funnels: Faintrail records websites only and has neither yet. Cisco's own route is Splunk Observability Cloud, and our comparison page lists other tools.

Questions people ask

When does Smartlook shut down?

Smartlook will be shut down, and all remaining customer data deleted, on 30 September 2027. Support for active subscriptions ends on 31 August 2027.

Will my Smartlook data move to Splunk?

No. Smartlook's FAQ says Splunk won't migrate historical data. Copy what you need through the Smartlook API before the shutdown; the API lists visitors, events, funnels and sessions rather than recordings, so check with Smartlook what you'll get.

Can Faintrail import Smartlook recordings?

No. Faintrail records from the day you add it. Keep your Smartlook exports for reference.

Does Faintrail record mobile apps?

No. Faintrail records websites only.

Be among the first websites to use Faintrail

Faintrail is getting ready for its first websites. Join the early list and we'll tell you when you can add it to yours. One email when it's ready; nothing else.

Join the early list