Google Analytics vs Plausible (2026): Which Should You Choose?
Quick Answer
Google Analytics 4 is free and powerful but complex, privacy-invasive, and requires cookie consent in the EU. Plausible is a paid ($9/month) privacy-first alternative that is simpler, loads faster (under 1KB script), and requires no cookie banners — the better choice for privacy-conscious site owners and EU-based businesses.
Google Analytics 4
8.8/10
Best for free deep data analysis
Plausible
9.2/10
Best for privacy & simplicity
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Google Analytics 4 | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / GA360 from $150k/year | $9–$19+/mo |
| Free Plan | Yes (unlimited) | 30-day trial only |
| Privacy | Collects personal data, EU issues | No cookies, GDPR-compliant |
| Cookie Consent | Required in EU | Not required |
| Script Size | ~70KB | ~1KB (45x smaller) |
| Interface | Complex, data-rich | Simple, one-page dashboard |
| Data Sampling | Yes (free tier) | No sampling, exact data |
| Best For | Large sites, enterprises, power users | Privacy-conscious, EU sites, Indies |
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Google Analytics if:
You need deep ecommerce tracking, you want free enterprise-grade analytics, you need advanced segments and explorations, you run Google Ads and want integrated attribution, or your audience is primarily outside the EU.
Choose Plausible if:
You are privacy-conscious and want GDPR compliance without cookie banners, you are based in the EU, you want a simple dashboard that shows exactly what you need, you are an indie maker or blogger, or you care about page load performance.
FAQ
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