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Google Analytics vs GoatCounter

GoatCounter scores 25 out of 30 and Google Analytics scores 12. GoatCounter is ahead on footprint, lock-in, self-direction, power, longevity and delivery.

Google Analytics

The giant

12/30 · Mixed

Google's free analytics service for websites, made by an advertising company.

GoatCounter

The small tool

25/30 · Convivial

Web analytics that counts pages and visits without tracking people, hosted for free or run yourself.

Footprint
2
5
Lock-in
2
4
Self-direction
2
4
Power
1
4
Longevity
2
4
Delivery
3
4
Price
Free
Free hosted service; free to self-host
Source
Closed source
Open source
Runs on
Web
Web, self-hosted binary or Docker
Maker
XL · Extra large
S · Small

What you give up by switching

GoatCounter keeps to simple counts, and we did not see the audience, funnel or advertising tools that Google's product offers on the page we read. The repository belongs to a personal account and its README asks readers for financial support, so the project leans on its maker and its donors.

How to move

Add its script, about 3.5 KB, next to your Google tag for a few weeks, compare the numbers, and then remove the Google tag.

Scores are our opinion on six questions from Ivan Illich, based on public sources and dated October 2026. Read the full reviews of Google Analytics and GoatCounter, or see how we score.

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