Google Analytics and Plausible take opposite approaches to web analytics. GA4 is free, powerful, and complex; Plausible is paid, simple, and privacy-first.
Quick verdict
- Choose Google Analytics for free, deep measurement and Google Ads integration.
- Choose Plausible for a simple, cookie-free, GDPR-friendly dashboard you can set up in minutes.
Head to head
| Google Analytics | Plausible | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Price | Free | From $9/mo |
| Privacy | Cookies & consent needed | Cookie-free, no banner |
| Ease of use | Complex | Very simple |
| Depth | Deep | Lightweight |
Bottom line
Pick Google Analytics for free depth; pick Plausible for simplicity and privacy. Read the full Google Analytics review and Plausible review.