Privacy-first analytics tools measure website traffic without the cross-site tracking that triggers cookie consent requirements in many jurisdictions. The comparison is about what metrics you get, how data is stored, and whether the platform fits your technical setup — not about which tool is "most accurate." Use the scorecard below to see whether you act on the data you track, then continue in the Analytics Dashboard Setup guided workflow to specify what you will measure and how.
What operators usually compare
Monthly pageview or event limits, data retention period, dashboard metrics available at entry tier, self-hosting options, and whether the tool requires a cookie banner for its own tracking script.
If your priority is a hosted, cookieless analytics dashboard with minimal setup, Fathom or Plausible tend to be common starting points — with the tradeoff that advanced segmentation and funnel analysis may be lighter than enterprise analytics suites. Self-hosted options like Matomo appeal to operators who want full data ownership.
How to use this page
Assess whether you are tracking data you actually use in the Analytics Readiness Scorecard. Then fill in the verified facts below and trial the options whose metric set matches what you need to act on.
Options to consider
Fathom
Primary affiliateHosted privacy-focused analytics with a simple dashboard. Operators who want traffic and referral insight without cookie banners often evaluate Fathom.
Plausible
Primary affiliateLightweight open-source analytics platform with a hosted option. Teams who want a minimal script footprint and a clear privacy stance sometimes start with Plausible.
Simple Analytics
Privacy-oriented analytics with a focus on simplicity. Operators comparing European-hosted analytics options sometimes evaluate Simple Analytics.
Matomo
Open-source analytics platform with self-hosting and cloud options. Teams with technical staff who want full data ownership and deeper reporting sometimes evaluate Matomo.
Comparison table
Fill every [VERIFY] cell from the vendor's live pricing and feature pages before publishing updated copy.
| Tool | Starting price | Free tier / trial | Core capabilities (entry tier) | Integrations | Typical fit (if your priority is…) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fathom | From $15/mo (or $150/yr) | 7-day free trial, no card | Cookieless web analytics; unlimited sites on all plans; included uptime monitoring | Search Console, Slack, Webhooks, major CMS platforms | Teams wanting privacy-first simplicity with generous pageview limits |
| Plausible | Starter $9/mo; Growth $14; Business $19 | Free trial | Lightweight cookieless analytics; open-source option | Common platforms | Most marketing needs at low fixed cost |
| Simple Analytics | $20/mo self-serve (1 user included) | 14-day trial | Cookieless, privacy-first web analytics | Common platforms | Same privacy-first market; European-hosted option for teams who want simplicity |
| Matomo | Cloud Business from $26/mo; self-hosted free forever | Free self-hosted (On-Premise); Cloud free trial, no card | Cookieless GA alternative; more feature-rich — optional session recording, heatmaps, A/B testing; 100% data ownership self-hosted | Broad; plugin marketplace | Teams wanting GA-replacement depth or full data sovereignty via self-hosting |
Run your numbers first
These calculators give you planning context before you commit to a vendor trial.
Start the Analytics Dashboard Setup guided workflow →TechEd Analyst option
TechEd Analyst Privacy Analytics — cookieless analytics on your own traffic, with answers tied to your business context.
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