PostHog vs Plausible — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of PostHog and Plausible to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Plausible takes the lead with a 4.5 rating and is best for privacy-conscious websites that want essential analytics without cookies or consent banners.. PostHog (4.5) is the better pick if you need startups wanting product analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one open-source platform..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | PostHog | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.5(167) | ★★★★★ 4.5(145) |
| Pricing Model | open_source | paid |
| Starter Price | Pay-as-you-go above free limits | $9/mo (up to 10K monthly visitors) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web | web |
| Learning Curve | medium | easy |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Startups wanting product analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one open-source platform. | Privacy-conscious websites that want essential analytics without cookies or consent banners. |
| Verdict | recommended | recommended |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | PostHog | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Product analytics | — | |
| Session replay | — | |
| Feature flags | — | |
| A/B testing | — | |
| Surveys | — | |
| Self-hostable open source | — | |
| Cookie-free analytics | — | |
| GDPR/CCPA compliant by default | — | |
| Under 1KB script size | — | |
| Single-page dashboard | — | |
| Open source and self-hostable | — | |
| Goal and event tracking | — |
PostHog
Pros
- ✓All-in-one replaces 4-5 separate tools
- ✓Open source with free self-hosting
- ✓Cloud free tiers are genuinely generous
Cons
- ✕Individual analytics less powerful than dedicated Mixpanel/Amplitude
- ✕Session replay less polished than FullStory
- ✕Self-hosting requires infrastructure management
Plausible
Pros
- ✓No cookies, no consent banners — privacy by default
- ✓Lightest analytics script at under 1KB
- ✓Single-page dashboard shows essential metrics clearly
Cons
- ✕Much less capable than GA4 for marketing analytics
- ✕No audience building or remarketing integrations
- ✕Paid cloud hosting required (self-hosting is free)
The Bottom Line
Both PostHog and Plausible are solid tools in the Analytics & Data space. Plausible edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.5 vs 4.5) and is the better choice for privacy-conscious websites that want essential analytics without cookies or consent banners.. However, if you prioritize startups wanting product analytics, session replay, and feature flags in one open-source platform., PostHog is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.