Fathom vs PostHog
Fathom is simple, privacy-focused website analytics. GDPR, CCPA, and PECR compliant, while PostHog is open-source product analytics suite with session replay, feature flags, A/B testing, and surveys. The biggest difference up front: PostHog is free, while Fathom starts at $14/mo. Fathom is built for businesses that want simple analytics without privacy headaches, whereas PostHog targets product teams that need analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one tool.
| Feature | Fathom | PostHog |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| A/B Testing | — | ✓ |
| Cookieless | ✓ | — |
| EU Isolation | ✓ | — |
| Event Tracking | ✓ | — |
| Feature Flags | — | ✓ |
| Privacy First | ✓ | — |
| Product Analytics | — | ✓ |
| Session Replay | — | ✓ |
| Surveys | — | ✓ |
| Uptime Monitoring | ✓ | — |
Pricing: PostHog is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Fathom starts at $14/mo. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Fathom offers Cookieless, EU Isolation and Event Tracking that PostHog lacks. PostHog brings A/B Testing, Feature Flags and Product Analytics that Fathom does not have.
Team fit: Fathom is geared toward individual users and small setups, while PostHog is aimed at any size teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: PostHog is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Fathom is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Fathom's biggest strengths are: privacy-compliant out of the box. simple, one-page dashboard. PostHog's biggest strengths are: all-in-one: analytics, session replay, feature flags, a/b tests. generous free tier (1m events/mo).
Watch out for: With Fathom, users commonly note that more expensive than plausible. With PostHog, the main complaint is that can be overwhelming — lots of features.
choose Fathom if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses that want simple analytics without privacy headaches
- You specifically need Cookieless and EU Isolation
- You care about simple, one-page dashboard
- Your team size fits the individuals profile Fathom is designed for
choose PostHog if
- You need a tool built for product teams that need analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one tool
- Budget is a hard constraint — PostHog is free, Fathom is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need A/B Testing and Feature Flags
- You care about generous free tier (1m events/mo)
frequently asked
What is the difference between Fathom and PostHog?
Fathom is simple, privacy-focused website analytics. GDPR, CCPA, and PECR compliant, while PostHog is open-source product analytics suite with session replay, feature flags, A/B testing, and surveys. The biggest difference up front: PostHog is free, while Fathom starts at $14/mo. Fathom is built for businesses that want simple analytics without privacy headaches, whereas PostHog targets product teams that need analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one tool.
Should I use Fathom or PostHog?
PostHog is the free option; Fathom charges $14/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Fathom over PostHog?
Choose Fathom if Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses that want simple analytics without privacy headaches; You specifically need Cookieless and EU Isolation; You care about simple, one-page dashboard; Your team size fits the individuals profile Fathom is designed for.
When should I choose PostHog over Fathom?
Choose PostHog if You need a tool built for product teams that need analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one tool; Budget is a hard constraint — PostHog is free, Fathom is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need A/B Testing and Feature Flags; You care about generous free tier (1m events/mo).
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