Google Analytics vs Plausible
Google Analytics 4 is free and does almost everything, if you can find it. Plausible is paid and does far less, all on one page, without cookies. Most people choosing between them are really choosing between depth and readability.
Written by the people who make Moxel, which is neither of these.
SHORT ANSWER
Which one?
Pick Google Analytics if you need free, Google Ads, or custom reports. Pick Plausible if you want one readable page and no cookie banner.
GOOGLE ANALYTICS
Pick Google Analytics if
- You need free at any traffic level.
- You run Google Ads and want conversions flowing back into your campaigns.
- You or someone on your team likes building custom reports.
- You want to follow returning visitors over long periods.
PLAUSIBLE
Pick Plausible if
- You opened Google Analytics and could not find your answer.
- You would rather not set cookies. Google Analytics sets its own, so in the EU and UK it usually sits behind a consent banner.
- You want a light script. Plausible's is about 1.3 KB compressed, and Google's base tag is about 150 KB.
- You want your data built and hosted in the EU, by a company that does not sell ads.
SIDE BY SIDE
The same questions, both answers.
| Question | Google Analytics | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Google AnalyticsFree | PlausiblePaid, by monthly page views. Free to self-host. |
| Cookies | Google AnalyticsYes | PlausibleNone |
| Hosting | Google AnalyticsHosted by Google | PlausibleThe EU, or your own server |
| Open source | Google AnalyticsNo | PlausibleYes |
| Forms | Google AnalyticsForm started and form sent | PlausibleCounted as a goal when a form is sent |
| Funnels | Google AnalyticsYes, built by hand in its Explore section | PlausibleOn the Business plan |
| Visitor location | Google AnalyticsCountry, region and city | PlausibleCountry, region and city |
| Setup | Google AnalyticsA tag, often through Google Tag Manager | PlausibleOne script tag |
| Script size | Google AnalyticsAbout 150 KB compressed for the base tag, more with each tag you add | PlausibleAbout 1.3 KB compressed |
Checked against each tool's own site in October 2026. Tools change, so see Google Analytics and Plausible for today's details and prices.
Work at Google Analytics or Plausible and see something wrong or out of date here? Email moxelmail@gmail.com and we will fix it. Every page that mentions your tool updates at once.
NEITHER
If you want the fix, not the report.
Google Analytics records that a form was started and sent. Plausible counts it once when it is sent. Moxel shows the fields in between, marks the worst step of your checkout, and writes what to change next to each number. It costs $27 a month after a 30-day trial.
Landed
0
Viewed product
0
Added to cart
0
Reached checkout
0
Paid
0
QUESTIONS
Asked a lot.
- Can I run Google Analytics and Plausible together?
- Yes. Plenty of people keep Google Analytics for ad reporting and use Plausible for a daily look at traffic. The numbers will not match exactly, because ad blockers and consent banners affect each one differently.
- Does Plausible need a cookie banner?
- Plausible sets no cookies and says it needs no consent banner. Google Analytics sets cookies, so in the EU and UK it usually needs consent first.