AppsFlyer alternative
Need to understand user behavior, not just ad attribution? OpenPanel provides product analytics—funnels, retention, cohorts, and user profiles—at a fraction of AppsFlyer's cost, without complex enterprise contracts.
- Product analytics
- Self-hostable
- Transparent pricing
- Open-source
OpenPanel vs AppsFlyer: Which is right for you?
These tools serve different primary purposes. AppsFlyer focuses on mobile attribution (which ad drove an install); OpenPanel focuses on product analytics (what users do in your app).
Choose OpenPanel if...
Product teams needing user behavior analytics and funnels
Startups seeking affordable analytics without enterprise pricing
Teams wanting self-hosted analytics for data ownership
Choose AppsFlyer if...
Mobile marketers needing install attribution
Teams requiring multi-touch attribution across ad networks
Apps needing deep linking and deferred deep linking
Key differences at a glance
Here's how OpenPanel and AppsFlyer compare on the factors that matter most.
| Feature | OpenPanel | AppsFlyer |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Product analytics | Mobile attribution |
| Pricing model | Simple event-based | Per-conversion + add-ons |
| Self-hosting | Yes, with Docker | No (cloud only) |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | No (proprietary) |
| Ad network integrations | Limited | 5,000+ partners |
| Event tracking | ||
| Funnels | AppsFlyer has attribution funnels, not product funnels | |
| Retention analysis | ||
| User profiles | ||
| Cohorts | AppsFlyer offers for LTV analysis | |
| User path analysis | ||
| Install attribution | AppsFlyer's core feature | |
| Multi-touch attribution | ||
| Deep linking | AppsFlyer OneLink | |
| SKAdNetwork support | ||
| Uninstall tracking | ||
| Fraud protection | AppsFlyer Protect360 | |
| A/B testing | ||
| Audience segmentation | AppsFlyer Audiences is premium add-on | |
| Cost aggregation | AppsFlyer Xpend | |
| Self-hosting | ||
| Open source | ||
| GDPR compliant | ||
| Data residency options | Via self-hosting | |
| REST API | ||
| Mobile SDKs | ||
| Ad network integrations | 5,000+ marketing partners | |
| Data export | AppsFlyer Data Locker is premium |
Feature comparison
OpenPanel and AppsFlyer serve different primary needs—product analytics vs mobile attribution.
Event tracking
Funnels
Retention analysis
User profiles
Cohorts
User path analysis
A/B testing
Audience segmentation
Technical comparison
For developers evaluating analytics tools, here's how the implementations compare.
| Feature | OpenPanel | AppsFlyer |
|---|---|---|
| SDK size (mobile) | ~2.3 KB for web | Lightweight (<1% app size)Both maintain small SDK footprints |
| Supported platforms |
|
|
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | No |
| Self-hosted deployment | Docker, simple setup | Not available |
| Database | ClickHouse + PostgreSQL | Proprietary |
Pricing comparison
OpenPanel offers simple event-based pricing. AppsFlyer uses per-conversion pricing with expensive add-ons.
OpenPanel
Event-based, transparent
Start at $2.50/month for 5,000 events.
Self-host for free with unlimited events.
All features included at every tier.
AppsFlyer
Per-conversion with add-ons
Zero plan: 12K lifetime conversions free.
Growth: $0.05-0.07/conversion.
Enterprise: ~$0.03/conversion.
Premium add-ons (fraud protection, data locker) cost extra.
Enterprise contracts typically $3,000-$100,000+ annually.
Migrating from AppsFlyer to OpenPanel
Consider whether you need attribution (AppsFlyer) or product analytics (OpenPanel). Many teams use both.
Assess your needs
Determine if you need mobile attribution (AppsFlyer's strength) or product analytics (OpenPanel's strength). Many teams use both tools.
Install OpenPanel SDK
Add the OpenPanel SDK alongside or instead of AppsFlyer. Available for iOS, Android, React Native, and web.
Map events
Translate your AppsFlyer in-app events to OpenPanel events. Both use similar event-tracking patterns.
Set up user identification
OpenPanel provides detailed user profiles and journey tracking. Add identify() calls to unlock retention and cohort analytics.
Configure product analytics
Set up funnels, retention charts, and dashboards in OpenPanel—features not available in AppsFlyer.
SDK Compatibility
Both use standard event tracking APIs. OpenPanel focuses on product analytics; AppsFlyer on attribution.
Historical Data Import
Attribution data from AppsFlyer typically doesn't need migration if using OpenPanel for product analytics.
Where OpenPanel is a better fit than AppsFlyer
OpenPanel excels when you need product analytics rather than mobile attribution.
Product teams needing behavior analytics
AppsFlyer tells you which ad brought a user. OpenPanel tells you what that user does in your product—funnels, feature usage, retention patterns.
Startups seeking affordable analytics
AppsFlyer's pricing can reach tens of thousands monthly. OpenPanel offers a generous free tier and simple pricing without expensive add-ons.
Teams wanting self-hosted analytics
AppsFlyer is cloud-only. OpenPanel can be self-hosted with Docker for complete data ownership and compliance requirements.
Web-first products
AppsFlyer is designed primarily for mobile attribution. OpenPanel works equally well for web, SaaS, and mobile apps.
Open source preference
If you value transparency and auditability, OpenPanel's open source codebase provides what AppsFlyer's proprietary system cannot.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about AppsFlyer and OpenPanel.
Related resources
Explore more comparisons and guides to help you choose the right analytics tool
Ready to make the switch?
Test OpenPanel free for 30 days, you'll not be charged anything unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
Start with OpenPanel