Plausible Analytics vs Google Analytics
Self-host swap-in for Google Analytics. · Self-host Google Analytics · Plausible Analytics on os-alt
Plausible Analytics is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Google Analytics — license AGPL-3.0, 10min docker-compose to stand up, and $5 vps for sites under ~100k pageviews/mo (plausible + postgres + clickhouse). Compare against Google Analytics's Free (GA4); $150k+/yr for GA360 / Analytics 360 below.
| Plausible Analyticsopen-source | Google Analyticspaid SaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Web analytics | Web analytics |
| License / pricing | AGPL-3.0 | Free (GA4); $150k+/yr for GA360 / Analytics 360 |
| Starting price | $0 self-host | free tier |
| GitHub | plausible/analytics | closed source |
| Setup time | 10min docker-compose | SaaS — sign up + bill |
| Monthly cost | $5 VPS for sites under ~100k pageviews/mo (Plausible + Postgres + ClickHouse). | Free (GA4); $150k+/yr for GA360 / Analytics 360 |
Switching from Google Analytics to Plausible Analytics
GA does not export raw events for free, so historical-data migration is impractical. Practical path: install both side-by-side, drop the GA snippet after a 30-day overlap. Plausible imports GA4 metadata (property → site mapping) via Settings → Import from Google Analytics if you connect the GA API once.
- Good fit for
- Marketing sites and SaaS landing pages that want pageviews + sources + UTM tracking with no cookie banner.
- Weak at
- No funnels-as-deep as GA4; not built for ecommerce attribution out of the box.
Other open-source self-host alternatives to Google Analytics
Plausible Analytics also replaces
- Amplitude— Product analytics / event tracking / funnels
- Fathom Analytics— Privacy-first web analytics
- Mixpanel— Product analytics
In a terminal? npx os-alt google-analytics prints Google Analytics's self-host options —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Is Plausible Analytics a free alternative to Google Analytics?
Yes — Plausible Analytics is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $5 VPS for sites under ~100k pageviews/mo (Plausible + Postgres + ClickHouse).. Google Analytics pricing anchor: Free (GA4); $150k+/yr for GA360 / Analytics 360.
How long does Plausible Analytics take to set up vs Google Analytics?
Self-hosting Plausible Analytics: 10min docker-compose. Google Analytics is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.
What is Plausible Analytics good at, and what is it weak at?
Good fit for: Marketing sites and SaaS landing pages that want pageviews + sources + UTM tracking with no cookie banner.. Weak at: No funnels-as-deep as GA4; not built for ecommerce attribution out of the box..