Plausible vs Umami
Plausible is privacy-friendly, lightweight web analytics. No cookies, GDPR-compliant out of the box, while Umami is open-source, privacy-focused web analytics you can self-host. The biggest difference up front: Umami is free, while Plausible starts at $9/mo. Plausible is built for privacy-conscious sites that want simple, clean analytics, whereas Umami targets developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics.
| Feature | Plausible | Umami |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cookieless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Events | — | ✓ |
| Goal Tracking | ✓ | — |
| Lightweight Script | ✓ | — |
| Open Source | — | ✓ |
| Privacy First | ✓ | — |
| Real-Time Dashboard | — | ✓ |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing: Umami is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Plausible starts at $9/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: Plausible offers Goal Tracking, Lightweight Script and Privacy First that Umami lacks. Umami brings Custom Events, Open Source and Real-Time Dashboard that Plausible does not have. Both share Cookieless and Self-Hosted.
Team fit: Plausible is geared toward small teams teams, while Umami is aimed at individual users and small setups. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: Both Plausible and Umami are open source, so self-hosting and code audits are on the table with either choice.
Where each tool shines: Plausible's biggest strengths are: privacy-first — no cookies, no consent banners needed. lightweight script under 1kb. Umami's biggest strengths are: free and open source. easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway).
Watch out for: With Plausible, users commonly note that much less feature-rich than google analytics. With Umami, the main complaint is that requires self-hosting for free use.
choose Plausible if
- You need a tool built for privacy-conscious sites that want simple, clean analytics
- You specifically need Goal Tracking and Lightweight Script
- You care about lightweight script under 1kb
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Plausible is designed for
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, Plausible is not
- You specifically need Custom Events and Open Source
- You care about easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway)
- Your team size fits the individuals profile Umami is designed for
frequently asked
What is the difference between Plausible and Umami?
Plausible is privacy-friendly, lightweight web analytics. No cookies, GDPR-compliant out of the box, while Umami is open-source, privacy-focused web analytics you can self-host. The biggest difference up front: Umami is free, while Plausible starts at $9/mo. Plausible is built for privacy-conscious sites that want simple, clean analytics, whereas Umami targets developers who want free, self-hosted, privacy-first analytics.
Should I use Plausible or Umami?
Umami is the free option; Plausible charges $9/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Plausible over Umami?
Choose Plausible if You need a tool built for privacy-conscious sites that want simple, clean analytics; You specifically need Goal Tracking and Lightweight Script; You care about lightweight script under 1kb; Your team size fits the small teams profile Plausible is designed for.
When should I choose Umami over Plausible?
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, Plausible is not; You specifically need Custom Events and Open Source; You care about easy to self-host (docker, vercel, railway); Your team size fits the individuals profile Umami is designed for.
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