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Google Analytics vs Plausible
Google Analytics vs Plausible
A side-by-side look at Google Analytics (the paid SaaS) and Plausible (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Google Analytics | Plausible | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Google's free website and app analytics. | Lightweight, privacy-first Google Analytics alternative. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | AGPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free (GA4); Analytics 360 enterprise-priced. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 2/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Web only |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Cookie-free, lightweight analytics with a clean dashboard.
Plausible strengths
- No cookies — no consent banner needed.
- Tiny script, fast page loads.
- Clean, simple dashboard.
Plausible weaknesses
- Lighter feature set than GA4 (no funnels in free tier).
- Retention limits on cloud tier.
- Some goal-tracking requires plan upgrade.
What's the catch with Google Analytics?
- Cookie consent and GDPR complexity.
- GA4 migration was rough.
- Data shared with Google.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Google Analytics: see Google Analytics alternatives, or learn more about Plausible on its project page.