Marketing
Plausible
Lightweight, cookie-free web analytics.
What it is
Plausible is a privacy-first web analytics platform positioned as a simpler alternative to Google Analytics. The tracking script is lightweight, which keeps pages fast, and it runs without cookies, so many sites can use it without a consent banner. The dashboard shows pageviews, referrers, entry and exit pages and campaign data in a single view, and goals and custom events can be tracked without extra configuration. It is open source, so it can be self-hosted, or run as a hosted service.
Plausible pricing
Plausible does not publish a plan ladder we could verify. Pricing not verified.
Prices read from the vendor's own pricing page on 2026-09-03. Vendors change plans without notice — check the source before you budget.
Key features
Realtime dashboard
Live visitor counts, referrers and top pages update as traffic arrives.
Goals and custom events
Track conversions and interactions such as button clicks or form submissions.
Campaign reporting
UTM tags are broken out automatically to show which campaigns bring visitors.
API access
Pull stats into other tools or build custom reports over a documented API.
Strengths and trade-offs
What works well
- Script is tiny, so it barely affects page speed
- No cookies, which simplifies consent
- Simple dashboard that non-analysts can read
Where it falls short
- Deliberately fewer features than full analytics suites
- No user-level tracking by design
- Paid only, with no free tier
Who it is for
Site owners who want honest traffic numbers without a consent banner or a heavy script.
Our verdict
Refreshingly focused. If you need funnels, cohorts and user paths, it is intentionally not that tool.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Plausible need a cookie banner?
- No. Plausible runs without cookies and does not collect personal data, which is why many sites can use it without a consent prompt. You should still confirm this fits your own regulatory reading.
- Is Plausible a drop-in replacement for Google Analytics?
- No. It deliberately shows fewer reports with less configuration, and some GA features have no equivalent. Its pitch is simplicity, not parity.
- Who is Plausible best for?
- Site owners who want honest traffic numbers without a consent banner or a heavy script.
- What are the main drawbacks of Plausible?
- The trade-offs we noted: Deliberately fewer features than full analytics suites; No user-level tracking by design; Paid only, with no free tier.
What we checked
- Public APIOffers a documented API you can build against.Yes
- Mobile appHas a native app for iOS or Android, not just a mobile website.No
- Open source / self-hostableSource is open and the tool can be run on your own infrastructure.Yes
- SSO (SAML)Supports SAML single sign-on on at least one plan.No
“Not checked” means exactly that — we have not verified it, and we do not guess.
Evidence and freshness
Status: Source listed, figures not recordedReviewed: 2026-09-03
- Plausible — Vendor page (free, open source) ↗
Checked 2026-09-03 · Supports: the vendor's published pricing: the software is free and open source
Limit: Automated check: the vendor page states the software is open source and free to use. An editor has not read it line by line. Covers the open-source edition only; the same vendor may sell a paid cloud or enterprise tier.
Tools that do the same job as Plausible
Same job, different pricing. Verified starting price first.
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