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Self-Hosting Analytics: Privacy-First Alternatives to Google Analytics

Google Analytics sends your visitors' data to Google. Self-hosted analytics give you insights without compromising user privacy.

analyticsprivacyplausiblematomo

The Problem with Google Analytics


  • Sends all visitor data to Google
  • Requires cookie consent banners (GDPR)
  • Complex interface for simple questions
  • Data sampling on free tier
  • Google uses your data for advertising

    • Self-Hosted Alternatives


    Plausible Analytics

    Lightweight, privacy-focused. No cookies, no consent banners needed.

  • Script size: <1 KB (vs GA's 45 KB)
  • Simple dashboard: one page with all key metrics
  • No personal data collected
  • GDPR/CCPA compliant by design
  • Resources: 1 CPU, 512 MB RAM

    • Umami

    Similar to Plausible. Clean, fast, privacy-focused.

  • Script size: 2 KB
  • Beautiful dashboard
  • Realtime visitor count
  • Custom events tracking
  • Resources: 1 CPU, 512 MB RAM

    • Matomo

    The most feature-complete GA alternative. Full analytics suite.

  • Heatmaps, session recordings, A/B testing
  • E-commerce tracking
  • Custom dashboards
  • Import historical GA data
  • Resources: 2 CPU, 2 GB RAM

    • PostHog

    Product analytics (not just web analytics). Funnels, retention, feature flags.

  • Session replay
  • Feature flags and A/B testing
  • Event-based analytics
  • Resources: 4 CPU, 4 GB RAM

    • Comparison


    | Feature | Plausible | Umami | Matomo | PostHog |

    |---------|-----------|-------|--------|----------|

    | Simplicity | Best | Great | Complex | Complex |

    | Privacy | No cookies | No cookies | Configurable | Configurable |

    | Script size | <1 KB | 2 KB | 22 KB | 75 KB |

    | Funnels | No | No | Yes | Yes |

    | Session replay | No | No | Yes (paid) | Yes |


    Which One?


  • Just need visitor counts and sources: Plausible or Umami
  • Need full GA-replacement: Matomo
  • Need product analytics: PostHog
  • Budget-conscious: Plausible (lightest server requirements)

    • Migration from Google Analytics


    1. Deploy your chosen analytics on TinyPod

    2. Add the tracking script to your site (alongside GA)

    3. Run both in parallel for 2-4 weeks

    4. Verify data parity

    5. Remove GA script

    6. Enjoy your consent-banner-free, privacy-respecting analytics