Simple Analytics vs Plausible — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Simple Analytics 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.. Simple Analytics (4.1) is the better pick if you need businesses wanting ethical analytics with ga migration path.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Simple Analytics | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.1(33) | ★★★★★ 4.5(145) |
| Pricing Model | paid | paid |
| Starter Price | $9/mo | $9/mo (up to 10K monthly visitors) |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | web | web |
| Learning Curve | easy | easy |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Businesses wanting ethical analytics with GA migration path | Privacy-conscious websites that want essential analytics without cookies or consent banners. |
| Verdict | situational | recommended |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Simple Analytics | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy-first tracking | — | |
| GA import | — | |
| Custom events | — | |
| Goals | — | |
| Public dashboards | — | |
| Cookie-free analytics | — | |
| GDPR/CCPA compliant by default | — | |
| Under 1KB script size | — | |
| Single-page dashboard | — | |
| Open source and self-hostable | — | |
| Goal and event tracking | — |
Simple Analytics
Pros
- ✓GA data import for easy migration
- ✓Truly simple dashboard
- ✓No consent banner needed
Cons
- ✕More expensive than alternatives
- ✕Very limited features
- ✕No free tier
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 Simple Analytics and Plausible are solid tools in the Analytics & Data space. Plausible edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and is the better choice for privacy-conscious websites that want essential analytics without cookies or consent banners.. However, if you prioritize businesses wanting ethical analytics with ga migration path, Simple Analytics is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.