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Google Analytics 4 vs Plausible
Comparing two analytics platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Google Analytics 4 — Free web analytics by Google. Google Analytics 4 is the free, event-based web and app analytics platform from Google.
Plausible — Simple and privacy-friendly analytics. Plausible is a lightweight, open-source, cookie-free, GDPR-compliant web analytics tool.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Google Analytics 4 | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $9/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Funnels | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tier | Unlimited | 30-day trial |
| Cookie-free | No | Yes |
| Script Size | ~50KB+ | < 1KB |
| Self-hosted | No | Yes |
| Event Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR Compliant | No | Yes |
Google Analytics 4
Free web analytics by Google
Pros
- Free and ubiquitous
- Deep integration with Google Ads/Search Console
- Huge ecosystem
Cons
- Privacy/GDPR concerns
- Cookie banner required
- GA4 UX is controversial
Plausible
Simple and privacy-friendly analytics
Pros
- Tiny script, fast
- Privacy-first, no cookie banner
- Open source and self-hostable
Cons
- Paid only (or self-host)
- Less detailed than product analytics tools
Which should you choose?
Choose Google Analytics 4 if a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Plausible if you value open source and want the option to self-host.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Google Analytics 4 or Plausible?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Plausible is the safer default because Plausible is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. Google Analytics 4 is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Google Analytics 4 cheaper than Plausible?
Google Analytics 4 starts at Free, while Plausible starts at $9/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Google Analytics 4 to Plausible?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Google Analytics 4-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most analytics migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Google Analytics 4 or Plausible open source?
Plausible is open source; Google Analytics 4 is a proprietary managed service.
Does Google Analytics 4 or Plausible have a free tier?
Google Analytics 4 has a free tier; Plausible does not.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Google Analytics 4. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.