3 alternatives to Simple Analytics
Compare free and open-source solutions before building your own. Check each option’s license, setup, and limitations.
Privacy analytics without cookies, personal profiles or a monthly invoice.
LicenseMIT
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationCreate an Umami Cloud account or deploy the Node application with Docker Compose and PostgreSQL
DataA self-hosted deployment stores analytics and account data in PostgreSQL; Umami Cloud stores it in Umami's managed service
Limitations compared to Simple AnalyticsIt exposes more configuration and dashboard complexity while offering fewer of Simple Analytics' reporting conveniences.
SetupNone for hosted signup; self-hosting requires Docker or Node hosting and a PostgreSQL database
Facts verified 2026-08-10
A nearly identical promise, delivered from a Compose file you own.
LicenseAGPL-3.0+
PlatformsOn your server
InstallationDeploy the Community Edition with the official Docker Compose installer
DataAccount and configuration records live in PostgreSQL and analytics events live in ClickHouse on the user's server
Limitations compared to Simple AnalyticsThe core promise is similar, but the user operates the stack and Community Edition does not include every hosted-cloud extra.
SetupDocker Compose, roughly 2 GB of RAM, a domain with DNS and TLS, and backups for PostgreSQL and ClickHouse
Facts verified 2026-08-10
The spartan version: useful traffic numbers and very little else to argue about.
PlatformsOn your machine or in the cloud
InstallationCreate a hosted account or run the single static binary or Docker image
DataA self-hosted instance uses SQLite by default or PostgreSQL; the hosted service stores analytics on GoatCounter's infrastructure and supports JSON and CSV exports
Limitations compared to Simple AnalyticsIt is much more spartan and lacks Simple Analytics' polished reports, automations and privacy-focused workflow conveniences.
SetupNone for hosted use; self-hosting needs a reachable binary or container plus a public URL and TLS
Facts verified 2026-08-10
Updated 2026-08-10 · no paid listings
| Tool | License | Setup | Platforms | Stars | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umami | MIT | Docker on your server | web, self-hosted | 38,073 | 2026-08 |
| Plausible Community Edition | AGPL-3.0+ | Docker on your server | web, self-hosted | 28,377 | 2026-08 |
| GoatCounter | Open source | Docker on your server | web, self-hosted | 5,800 | 2026-08 |
They pay for low-maintenance analytics they can put in a privacy policy with confidence. If those points do not matter to you, the options above could save $200 per year.
Is there a free alternative to Simple Analytics?
Yes: Umami, Plausible Community Edition, GoatCounter. This page lists 3 free or open-source options. Check the limitations of each.
Should I build my own Simple Analytics?
Our verdict: Buildable. Pageview analytics, events, dashboards, and exports are very buildable; paid value is hosted privacy posture, reports, reliability, and support. The complete prompt is on the Simple Analytics page on Vibe Radar.
