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Updated November 6, 2026

Google Analytics alternatives in 2026: 8 tools compared

Google Analytics: The most widely used free website analytics tool. People look for alternatives when they need a lower price, a free plan or a better fit for a specific job.

These 8 tools cover similar ground. Each entry explains who it suits, how pricing works and what to watch out for.

Key takeaways

  • Amplitude: product-led companies analysing user behaviour.
  • Fathom Analytics: businesses wanting GDPR-friendly analytics.
  • Hotjar: marketers and UX teams understanding on-page behaviour.
  • Matomo: organisations that need full ownership of analytics data.
  • Microsoft Clarity: anyone wanting heatmaps and recordings at no cost.
  • Mixpanel: product teams improving apps and SaaS products.
  • Plausible Analytics: site owners who want simple stats and privacy compliance.
  • PostHog: engineering-led product teams.

Quick comparison

ToolBest forPricingFree plan
AmplitudeProduct-led companies analysing user behaviourFreemiumYes
Fathom AnalyticsBusinesses wanting GDPR-friendly analyticsFree trialNo
HotjarMarketers and UX teams understanding on-page behaviourFreemiumYes
MatomoOrganisations that need full ownership of analytics dataFreemiumYes
Microsoft ClarityAnyone wanting heatmaps and recordings at no costFreeYes
MixpanelProduct teams improving apps and SaaS productsFreemiumYes
Plausible AnalyticsSite owners who want simple stats and privacy complianceFree trialNo
PostHogEngineering-led product teamsFreemiumYes

The best Google Analytics alternatives

1.

Amplitude

Best for: Product-led companies analysing user behaviour

Digital analytics platform for product and growth teams.

Freemium

Free plan available. Paid plans add more features and limits.

Who it suits: Product-led companies analysing user behaviour.

What we like

  • Deep behavioural analysis
  • Experimentation built in
  • Free plan

Watch out for

  • Complex for beginners
  • Enterprise pricing
Full Amplitude review

2.

Fathom Analytics

Best for: Businesses wanting GDPR-friendly analytics

Privacy-first website analytics with a simple dashboard.

Free trial

Paid plans with a free trial.

Who it suits: Businesses wanting GDPR-friendly analytics.

What we like

  • Simple and fast
  • Privacy compliant
  • Good support

Watch out for

  • No free plan
  • Less depth than GA
Full Fathom Analytics review

3.

Hotjar

Best for: Marketers and UX teams understanding on-page behaviour

Heatmaps, session recordings and feedback surveys.

Freemium

Free plan available. Paid plans add more features and limits.

Who it suits: Marketers and UX teams understanding on-page behaviour.

What we like

  • Easy visual insights
  • Free plan
  • Quick setup

Watch out for

  • Session limits
  • Can affect site performance
Full Hotjar review

4.

Matomo

Best for: Organisations that need full ownership of analytics data

Open-source analytics platform you can self-host.

Freemium

Free plan available. Paid plans add more features and limits.

Who it suits: Organisations that need full ownership of analytics data.

What we like

  • Own your data
  • Open source
  • Feature-rich

Watch out for

  • Self-hosting needs maintenance
  • Premium plugins cost extra
Full Matomo review

5.

Microsoft Clarity

Best for: Anyone wanting heatmaps and recordings at no cost

Free heatmaps and session recordings from Microsoft.

Free

Free to use.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting heatmaps and recordings at no cost.

What we like

  • Completely free
  • No traffic limits
  • Easy to install

Watch out for

  • Fewer surveys and feedback tools
  • Data retention limits
Full Microsoft Clarity review

6.

Mixpanel

Best for: Product teams improving apps and SaaS products

Product analytics for tracking user events, funnels and retention.

Freemium

Free plan available. Paid plans add more features and limits.

Who it suits: Product teams improving apps and SaaS products.

What we like

  • Powerful product analytics
  • Generous free plan
  • Fast queries

Watch out for

  • Requires event planning
  • Learning curve
Full Mixpanel review

7.

Plausible Analytics

Best for: Site owners who want simple stats and privacy compliance

Simple, privacy-friendly website analytics without cookies.

Free trial

Paid plans with a free trial.

Who it suits: Site owners who want simple stats and privacy compliance.

What we like

  • Very simple
  • Privacy friendly
  • Lightweight

Watch out for

  • Fewer advanced features
  • Paid hosted plans
Full Plausible Analytics review

8.

PostHog

Best for: Engineering-led product teams

All-in-one product analytics, session replay, feature flags and experiments.

Freemium

Free plan available. Paid plans add more features and limits.

Who it suits: Engineering-led product teams.

What we like

  • Many tools in one
  • Generous free tier
  • Open source

Watch out for

  • Can be overwhelming
  • Usage-based pricing to monitor
Full PostHog review

How we chose

  • Every tool on this list does the core job of web & product analytics, so it can replace Google Analytics for most people.
  • We weighed pricing and free plans, ease of use, and the trade-offs you take on when switching.
  • Pricing comes from each vendor’s public pricing page and changes often, so confirm before you buy.

Buying guide: what to check before you switch

Analytics tools show who visits your website or app, what they do and where they drop off. Privacy-focused tools avoid cookies; product analytics tools track events and funnels; session tools show recordings and heatmaps.

  • Privacy and cookie requirements
  • Event and funnel tracking
  • Heatmaps and recordings
  • Data retention and pricing by volume

Prices and features change often. Check each vendor’s website for current plans before you buy.