Plausible vs Simple Analytics
Plausible is privacy-friendly, lightweight web analytics. No cookies, GDPR-compliant out of the box, while Simple Analytics is privacy-first analytics that doesn't track users or use cookies. Plausible is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Plausible is built for privacy-conscious sites that want simple, clean analytics, whereas Simple Analytics targets privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics.
| Feature | Plausible | Simple Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | — |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| Cookieless | ✓ | — |
| Events | — | ✓ |
| GDPR Compliant | — | ✓ |
| Goal Tracking | ✓ | — |
| Goals | — | ✓ |
| Lightweight Script | ✓ | — |
| No Cookies | — | ✓ |
| Privacy First | ✓ | — |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Plausible starts at $9/mo. Simple Analytics starts at $9/mo.
Feature gaps: Plausible offers Cookieless, Goal Tracking and Lightweight Script that Simple Analytics lacks. Simple Analytics brings Events, GDPR Compliant and Goals that Plausible does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target small teams teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Open source: Plausible is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Simple Analytics is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.
Where each tool shines: Plausible's biggest strengths are: privacy-first — no cookies, no consent banners needed. lightweight script under 1kb. Simple Analytics's biggest strengths are: includes no cookies as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows. includes gdpr compliant as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
Watch out for: With Plausible, users commonly note that much less feature-rich than google analytics. With Simple Analytics, the main complaint is that no free plan — you need to pay $9/mo from day one to use it.
choose Plausible if
- You need a tool built for privacy-conscious sites that want simple, clean analytics
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Cookieless and Goal Tracking
- You care about lightweight script under 1kb
choose Simple Analytics if
- You need a tool built for privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics
- You specifically need Events and GDPR Compliant
- You care about includes gdpr compliant as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
frequently asked
What is the difference between Plausible and Simple Analytics?
Plausible is privacy-friendly, lightweight web analytics. No cookies, GDPR-compliant out of the box, while Simple Analytics is privacy-first analytics that doesn't track users or use cookies. Plausible is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Plausible is built for privacy-conscious sites that want simple, clean analytics, whereas Simple Analytics targets privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics.
Should I use Plausible or Simple Analytics?
Plausible gives you open source and self-hosting; Simple Analytics is a managed service. Which trade-off works for you?
When should I choose Plausible over Simple Analytics?
Choose Plausible if You need a tool built for privacy-conscious sites that want simple, clean analytics; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Cookieless and Goal Tracking; You care about lightweight script under 1kb.
When should I choose Simple Analytics over Plausible?
Choose Simple Analytics if You need a tool built for privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics; You specifically need Events and GDPR Compliant; You care about includes gdpr compliant as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
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