Google Analytics vs Plausible
The 80/20 verdict.
Both tools have a place in the ecosystem. See the table below for the side-by-side, and visit each tool's detail page for the full 80/20 verdict.
| Google Analytics | Plausible | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Free web analytics platform tracking user behavior across 28 million websites worldwide. | Privacy-respecting website analytics. Single-page dashboard, no cookies, no consent banner. |
| Pricing model | freemium | paid |
| Starts at | $0/mo | $9/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| 80/20 verdict | core | situational |
| Best for | any website that needs web traffic data for free, teams running Google Ads who need integrated attribution, businesses requiring Google Search Console integration | sites with EU traffic, founders who don't want a consent banner, teams that read GA4 reports once a quarter at most |
Google Analytics
Free web analytics platform tracking user behavior across 28 million websites worldwide.
Visit Google Analytics
Affiliate link — see how we evaluate.
Plausible
Privacy-respecting website analytics. Single-page dashboard, no cookies, no consent banner.
Visit Plausible
Affiliate link — see how we evaluate.