Plausible

Open SourceAGPL-3.0Self-hostable

Lightweight, cookie-free, privacy-friendly web analytics that's GDPR-friendly and easy to read — a privacy-first open-source alternative to Google Analytics.

Open source alternative to

Google Analytics

Visit Plausible View source

About Plausible

Plausible strips web analytics down to what a team actually reads: a single-page dashboard with no cookies, no consent banner and no personal data collection required in most jurisdictions — a deliberate contrast to Google Analytics' sprawling interface.

It's open source under AGPL-3.0 and self-hostable, with transparent pricing on its managed cloud option too, making it a popular privacy-first pick for teams that want analytics without the compliance overhead.

Key features

No cookies required — Tracks visits without cookies or personal data, avoiding the need for a consent banner in most cases.
Single-page dashboard — One readable dashboard instead of a sprawling multi-report interface.
Lightweight script — A tracking script under 1KB keeps page load impact negligible.
GDPR-friendly by design — Built from the ground up to align with GDPR and CCPA without extra configuration.

The honest read

What we like

Genuinely lightweight tracking script
No cookie banner required in most jurisdictions
Simple dashboard anyone on the team can read
Transparent open-source pricing
GDPR/CCPA-friendly by default

Worth knowing

Less granular than GA4 for deep behavioral analysis
Self-hosting needs both Postgres and ClickHouse
Fewer built-in integrations than Google's ecosystem
Advanced funnels and segments are paid-tier features

FAQ

Is Plausible free to use?

Yes — Plausible is free and open source under AGPL-3.0 to self-host. A paid managed cloud plan is also available.

Does Plausible require a cookie banner?

In most jurisdictions, no — Plausible doesn't use cookies or collect personal data, which typically removes the need for a cookie consent banner.

Can I self-host Plausible?

Yes, though it requires running both PostgreSQL and ClickHouse alongside the app.

How is Plausible different from Google Analytics?

Plausible is lightweight, privacy-first and doesn't require cookies or consent banners in most cases, while Google Analytics collects far more granular data but comes with heavier compliance requirements.