Google Analytics alternative
OpenPanel is an open-source, privacy-first alternative to Google Analytics. Get both web analytics and product analytics in one tool, without cookies, consent banners, or sending your data to Google.
- Open-source
- Cookie-free
- EU-only hosting
- Self-hostable
OpenPanel vs Google Analytics: Which is right for you?
Both platforms help you understand website traffic and user behavior. The key differences are privacy approach, data ownership, and simplicity vs ecosystem integration.
Choose OpenPanel if...
Privacy-conscious teams who want analytics without cookies or consent banners
Businesses that need EU-only data storage for GDPR compliance
Developers who want to self-host and own their data completely
Choose Google Analytics if...
Teams heavily invested in the Google Ads ecosystem
Organizations needing advanced attribution modeling for marketing
Large enterprises with dedicated analytics teams and complex reporting needs
Key differences at a glance
Here's how OpenPanel and Google Analytics compare on the factors that matter most.
| Feature | OpenPanel | Google Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $2.50/month (or free self-hosted) | Free (360 starts at $50k/year) |
| Cookies required | No (cookie-free by default) | Yes (first-party cookies) |
| Consent banner needed | Yes (for GDPR/ePrivacy) | |
| Data location | EU-only (or your own servers) | US (Google servers) |
| Open source | Yes (AGPL-3.0) | |
| Page views & visitors | ||
| Traffic sources | ||
| Geographic data | ||
| Device & browser stats | ||
| UTM tracking | ||
| Real-time dashboard | ||
| Custom event tracking | ||
| Funnels | GA4 funnels available via Explorations | |
| Retention analysis | ||
| User profiles | GA4 uses User Properties | |
| Cohorts | ||
| Revenue tracking | ||
| A/B testing | Google Optimize was shut down in 2023 | |
| Custom dashboards | GA4 uses Explorations for custom reports | |
| AI insights | GA4 has machine learning predictions | |
| Attribution modeling | GA4 has data-driven attribution | |
| Enhanced autocapture | GA4 auto-tracks scrolls, clicks, downloads | |
| Notifications/Alerts | OpenPanel supports webhooks, Slack, Discord | |
| Cookie-free tracking | GA4 requires first-party cookies | |
| No consent banner needed | GA4 requires consent under GDPR/ePrivacy | |
| EU data residency | GA4 processes data on US servers | |
| IP anonymization | GA4 does this by default | |
| Self-hosting option | ||
| DPA available | on request | |
| REST API | ||
| Data export | GA4 360 needed for full BigQuery export | |
| Google Ads integration | Native GA4 integration | |
| Google Search Console | Native GA4 integration |
Feature comparison
OpenPanel combines web analytics with product analytics. Google Analytics focuses on marketing and traffic analysis with deep Google integration.
Page views & visitors
Traffic sources
Geographic data
Device & browser stats
UTM tracking
Real-time dashboard
Custom event tracking
Funnels
Technical comparison
For developers evaluating analytics tools, here's how the SDKs and technical implementations compare.
| Feature | OpenPanel | Google Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| SDK size (JS) | ~2.3 KB gzipped | ~30+ KB gzippedOpenPanel's SDK is significantly lighter for better page performance |
| Supported platforms |
|
|
| Open source | Yes (AGPL-3.0) | No |
| Self-hosted deployment | Docker, simple setup script | Not available |
| Database | ClickHouse + PostgreSQL | Proprietary Google infrastructureOpenPanel gives you direct SQL access to your data |
| Data retention | Unlimited (self-hosted) or plan-based | 2-14 months (free), up to 50 months (360)GA4 has strict retention limits on the free tier |
Pricing comparison
Google Analytics is free for most users, but comes with privacy tradeoffs and data limits. OpenPanel offers more control.
OpenPanel
Event-based, transparent
Simple pricing starting at $2.50/month for 5,000 events. 100,000 events costs $20/month.
Self-host for free with unlimited events.
No limits on users, dashboards, or data retention.
Google Analytics
Freemium with enterprise tier
GA4 is free with limits: data sampling at high volumes, 14-month max data retention, limited explorations.
GA4 360 (enterprise) starts at $50,000/year for higher limits and support.
Migrating from Google Analytics to OpenPanel
Switching from Google Analytics to OpenPanel is straightforward. You can run both in parallel during transition.
Install the OpenPanel script
Add the lightweight OpenPanel script to your website. It's a single line of code, similar to the GA4 gtag but much smaller.
Set up event tracking
Map your GA4 custom events to OpenPanel. The track() API is similar and most events translate directly.
Configure dashboards
Set up your reports and dashboards in OpenPanel. The interface is simpler than GA4's Explorations.
Run in parallel
Keep both tools running for a week or two to compare data and ensure everything is tracking correctly.
Remove Google Analytics
Once verified, remove the GA4 script. You can also remove your cookie consent banner if it was only needed for analytics.
SDK Compatibility
OpenPanel uses a simple track() API. GA4 events like gtag('event', 'purchase', {...}) translate to op.track('purchase', {...}).
Historical Data Import
Google Analytics does not provide easy data export. Historical data stays in GA4. Start fresh with OpenPanel for cleaner, privacy-compliant data.
Where OpenPanel is a better fit than Google Analytics
OpenPanel shines for teams that prioritize privacy, simplicity, and data ownership over the Google ecosystem.
GDPR-compliant websites
No cookies, no consent banners, EU-only data storage. Meet privacy regulations without compromising on analytics.
Marketing without Google
If you don't rely on Google Ads, you don't need Google Analytics. Get cleaner, faster analytics without sending data to Google.
Self-hosted requirements
Deploy OpenPanel on your own infrastructure for complete data ownership. Perfect for regulated industries or security-conscious teams.
Web + product analytics combined
Get Plausible-style web analytics and product analytics (funnels, retention, cohorts) in one tool instead of multiple subscriptions.
Faster websites
OpenPanel's 2.3 KB SDK vs GA4's 30+ KB means better Core Web Vitals, faster page loads, and improved SEO.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about switching from Google Analytics to OpenPanel.
Related resources
Explore more comparisons and guides to help you choose the right analytics tool
Other comparisons
Ready to make the switch?
Test OpenPanel free for 30 days, you'll not be charged anything unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
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