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Plausible vs PostHog
Comparing two analytics platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Plausible — Simple and privacy-friendly analytics. Plausible is a lightweight, open-source, cookie-free, GDPR-compliant web analytics tool.
PostHog — The open source product analytics platform. PostHog is an all-in-one open-source product platform: analytics, session replay, feature flags, A/B testing.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Plausible | PostHog |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $9/mo | Usage-based |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Funnels | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tier | 30-day trial | 1M events/mo |
| Cookie-free | Yes | No |
| Script Size | < 1KB | ~50KB |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Event Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
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
PostHog
The open source product analytics platform
Pros
- All-in-one platform
- Very generous free tier
- Open source, self-hostable
Cons
- Heavier script vs Plausible
- Can be overwhelming
Which should you choose?
Choose Plausible if you value open source and want the option to self-host. Choose PostHog if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Plausible or PostHog?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, PostHog is the safer default because PostHog offers a free tier, while Plausible requires a paid plan. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Plausible cheaper than PostHog?
Plausible starts at $9/mo, while PostHog starts at Usage-based. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Plausible to PostHog?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Plausible-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 Plausible or PostHog open source?
Yes, both Plausible and PostHog are open source and can be self-hosted.
Does Plausible or PostHog have a free tier?
PostHog 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 PostHog. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.