Google Analytics vs Simple Analytics vs Matomo

The once awesome Google Analytics is now GA4. In my opinion, it's a regression in usability but power users may like the advanced capabilities. There are fewer built-in reports now so you'll have to use the built-in report builder tool or Looker Studio if you need advanced reports that used to exist by default. This is an issue for most casual users as they are not easy to create. You can still get some general data with the built-in reports like visits, some attribution and e-commerce revenue.

Simple Analytics is also a privacy-first Google Analytics alternative tool. Their interface is the simplest and easy to use and understand. But this is at the cost or more advanced features that Plausible and Fathom have. 

Matomo may be the closest thing to what the old Google Analytics used to offer. They have an interface similar to the old Google Analytics but they are now Privacy First as well. In my testing, they were the least accurate due to how they send data back to their servers. They use a technology that can be blocked by people using adblockers and I found about 20% of my test data was missing. This setting can be changed, however.

• It’s FREE
• Lots of Integrations
• Large Community for Help

• Super Simple Interface
• Privacy First
• Goals and Events Tracking

• Interface similar to old version of Google Analytics
• Lots of Built-in reports
• Lots of Add Ons like Ecommerce Tracking, A/B Testing, etc

• Lack of Built-In Reports
• Slow
• Bugy
  
  

• Least amount of built-in reports of the Privacy First analytics tools
• Limited filtering
• May be too simple for some

• The default tracking method leads to loss of data
• The interface may be too complex for some.
• Pricing is more expensive but the service offers more features.

The main thing GA4 has going for it is that it is free. Besides that, it’s kind of a pain. I use it for general analytics and I built and use conversiontracking.com for ecommerce tracking.

I like Simple Analytics, but it is a bit to simple and for the cost there are better privacy-first alternatives. They do have a Free plan but it denotes fair use. Not sure what that means.

Matomo is nice and offers a lot of add-ons and is perfect for someone wanting that old Goolge Analaytcs feel back.

Pricing: FREE - larger sites will be sampled.

Plans are based on monthly pageviews and are feature-gated. Free plan. 2 months free with annual plans.

Free:  Fair use unlimited pageviews
Simple: Starts at $10 per month for 10k pageviews
Team: Starts at $40 per month for 10k pageviews

Pricing is based on pageviews and add-ons. Try for free, no credit card required. 2 months off with annual plans.

Pricing: Starts at $26 per month for 50,000 page views.