Fathom vs Umami
Fathom is simple, privacy-focused website analytics. GDPR, CCPA, and PECR compliant, while Umami is open-source, privacy-focused web analytics you can self-host. The biggest difference up front: Umami is free, while Fathom starts at $14/mo. Fathom is built for businesses that want simple analytics without privacy headaches, whereas Umami targets developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics.
| Feature | Fathom | Umami |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| Cookieless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Events | — | ✓ |
| EU Isolation | ✓ | — |
| Event Tracking | ✓ | — |
| Open Source | — | ✓ |
| Privacy First | ✓ | — |
| Real-Time Dashboard | — | ✓ |
| Self-Hosted | — | ✓ |
| Uptime Monitoring | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Umami 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 EU Isolation, Event Tracking and Privacy First that Umami lacks. Umami brings Custom Events, Open Source and Real-Time Dashboard that Fathom does not have. Both share Cookieless.
Team fit: Both tools target individuals teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Open source: Umami 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. Umami's biggest strengths are: free and open source. easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway).
Watch out for: With Fathom, users commonly note that more expensive than plausible. With Umami, the main complaint is that requires self-hosting for free use.
choose Fathom if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses that want simple analytics without privacy headaches
- You specifically need EU Isolation and Event Tracking
- You care about simple, one-page dashboard
choose Umami if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics
- Budget is a hard constraint — Umami is free, Fathom is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Custom Events and Open Source
- You care about easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway)
frequently asked
What is the difference between Fathom and Umami?
Fathom is simple, privacy-focused website analytics. GDPR, CCPA, and PECR compliant, while Umami is open-source, privacy-focused web analytics you can self-host. The biggest difference up front: Umami is free, while Fathom starts at $14/mo. Fathom is built for businesses that want simple analytics without privacy headaches, whereas Umami targets developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics.
Should I use Fathom or Umami?
Umami is the free option; Fathom charges $14/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Fathom over Umami?
Choose Fathom if Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses that want simple analytics without privacy headaches; You specifically need EU Isolation and Event Tracking; You care about simple, one-page dashboard.
When should I choose Umami over Fathom?
Choose Umami if Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics; Budget is a hard constraint — Umami is free, Fathom is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Custom Events and Open Source; You care about easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway).
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