Simple Analytics vs Countly
Simple Analytics is privacy-first analytics that doesn't track users or use cookies, while Countly is open-source product analytics for mobile, web, and desktop with crash reporting. The biggest difference up front: Countly is free, while Simple Analytics starts at $9/mo. Simple Analytics is built for privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics, whereas Countly targets mobile app teams wanting open-source analytics.
| Feature | Simple Analytics | Countly |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | ✓ |
| Crash Reports | — | ✓ |
| Events | ✓ | — |
| GDPR Compliant | ✓ | — |
| Goals | ✓ | — |
| Mobile Analytics | — | ✓ |
| No Cookies | ✓ | — |
| Push Notifications | — | ✓ |
| Surveys | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Countly is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Simple Analytics 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: Simple Analytics offers Events, GDPR Compliant and Goals that Countly lacks. Countly brings Crash Reports, Mobile Analytics and Push Notifications that Simple Analytics does not have.
Team fit: Simple Analytics is geared toward small teams teams, while Countly is aimed at mid-size teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Open source: Countly 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: 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. Countly's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. includes mobile analytics as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
Watch out for: With Simple Analytics, users commonly note that no free plan — you need to pay $9/mo from day one to use it. With Countly, the main complaint is that may lack some advanced features.
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
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Simple Analytics is designed for
choose Countly if
- You need a tool built for mobile app teams wanting open-source analytics
- Budget is a hard constraint — Countly is free, Simple Analytics is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Crash Reports and Mobile Analytics
- You care about includes mobile analytics as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows
frequently asked
What is the difference between Simple Analytics and Countly?
Simple Analytics is privacy-first analytics that doesn't track users or use cookies, while Countly is open-source product analytics for mobile, web, and desktop with crash reporting. The biggest difference up front: Countly is free, while Simple Analytics starts at $9/mo. Simple Analytics is built for privacy-conscious teams wanting ethical analytics, whereas Countly targets mobile app teams wanting open-source analytics.
Should I use Simple Analytics or Countly?
Countly is the free option; Simple Analytics charges $9/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Simple Analytics over Countly?
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; Your team size fits the small teams profile Simple Analytics is designed for.
When should I choose Countly over Simple Analytics?
Choose Countly if You need a tool built for mobile app teams wanting open-source analytics; Budget is a hard constraint — Countly is free, Simple Analytics is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Crash Reports and Mobile Analytics; You care about includes mobile analytics as a core feature, purpose-built for analytics workflows.
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