Pirsch Alternative
Love Pirsch's German privacy focus and developer-friendly approach? OpenPanel adds product analytics capabilities - funnels, cohorts, retention, and user identification - plus free self-hosting without enterprise pricing.
- Open-source
- Privacy-first
- Free Self-Hosting
- Product Analytics
OpenPanel vs Pirsch: Which is right for you?
Both are privacy-focused analytics tools. Pirsch focuses on affordable web analytics with agency features. OpenPanel adds product analytics with user identification.
Choose OpenPanel if...
SaaS products needing user-level analytics and retention tracking
Teams wanting free self-hosting without Enterprise license fees
Startups needing a permanent free tier (10K events/month)
Choose Pirsch Analytics if...
Agencies managing many client websites with white-labeling needs
Developers preferring Go/backend server-side integration
European businesses prioritizing German-hosted data
Key differences at a glance
Here's how OpenPanel and Pirsch compare on key factors.
| Feature | OpenPanel | Pirsch Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Analytics Depth | Web + Product Analytics | Web Analytics + Basic Funnels |
| Free Self-Hosting | Free Docker deployment | Enterprise license required |
| Free Tier | 10,000 events/month free | 30-day trial only |
| User Identification | Yes - Track individual users | No - Anonymous fingerprinting only |
| Server-Side Integration | Yes - Multiple backends | Yes - Excellent Go/backend focus |
| Page Views & Visitors | ||
| Traffic Sources | Both track referrers and UTM parameters | |
| Geographic Data | ||
| Device & Browser | ||
| UTM Campaign Tracking | ||
| Real-Time Dashboard | ||
| Custom Event Tracking | Pirsch supports events with custom metadata | |
| Funnel Analysis | Pirsch funnels require Plus plan ($12/month) | |
| Retention Analysis | Pirsch's anonymous model doesn't support retention | |
| User Profiles | Pirsch doesn't track individual users | |
| Cohort Analysis | Pirsch provides aggregate data only | |
| Session Replay | Pirsch has session analysis (not full replay) | |
| A/B Testing | Pirsch A/B testing requires Plus plan | |
| Conversion Goals | Both support conversion tracking | |
| Email Reports | Both offer scheduled email reports | |
| Dashboard Sharing | Both support public and private sharing | |
| Google Analytics Import | Pirsch has a GA import tool | |
| URL Shortener | Pirsch has built-in URL shortener with tracking | |
| Cookie-Free by Default | Both are cookieless by default | |
| No Consent Banner Required | Both claim no consent needed for basic analytics | |
| GDPR Compliant | Pirsch is hosted in Germany with strict EU compliance | |
| Schrems II Compliant | Pirsch emphasizes Schrems II compliance | |
| Self-Hosting Option | Pirsch self-hosting requires Enterprise license | |
| Open Source Core | Both have open source cores (Pirsch MIT, OpenPanel open source) | |
| REST API | Pirsch has comprehensive RESTful API | |
| Google Search Console | Pirsch has GSC integration in dashboard | |
| WordPress Plugin | Both have WordPress plugins | |
| Server-Side SDKs | Pirsch: Go, Laravel. OpenPanel: Node, Python, PHP, Go, Rust |
Feature comparison
Both are developer-friendly with privacy focus, but different in depth and pricing.
Page Views & Visitors
Traffic Sources
Geographic Data
Device & Browser
UTM Campaign Tracking
Real-Time Dashboard
Custom Event Tracking
Funnel Analysis
Technical comparison
For developers evaluating analytics tools, here's the technical breakdown.
| Feature | OpenPanel | Pirsch Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| SDK Size | 2.3 KB (gzipped) | ~4 KB (about 30x smaller than GA) |
| Platforms |
|
|
| Open Source | Yes - MIT License | Partial - Core MIT, SaaS proprietaryPirsch core is open source under MIT license. SaaS features are proprietary. |
| Self Hosting | Docker (free single-container setup) | Enterprise license required (custom pricing) |
| Database | ClickHouse | ClickHouseBoth use ClickHouse for analytics queries |
| Data Retention | Unlimited (self-hosted), configurable (cloud) | Unlimited on all plans |
| Language | TypeScript/Node.js | Go (Golang) |
Pricing comparison
Pirsch offers affordable web analytics. OpenPanel adds a permanent free tier with all features.
OpenPanel
Event-based, transparent
Simple pricing with 10,000 free events per month.
All features included at every tier.
Self-host for free with unlimited events.
Pirsch Analytics
Pageview-based with 30-day trial
Standard: $6/month for 10K pageviews, 50 websites.
Plus: $12/month - unlimited websites, funnels, A/B testing.
Enterprise: Custom pricing for on-premise and SSO.
No free tier, just 30-day trial.
Migrating from Pirsch to OpenPanel
Both use lightweight scripts and similar event tracking, making migration straightforward.
Install OpenPanel SDK
Add the OpenPanel SDK to your application. Both use lightweight scripts and server-side options.
Map Events
Pirsch events with metadata translate directly to OpenPanel's op.track() calls.
Set Up User Identification (New)
Unlike Pirsch, OpenPanel can identify users. Add op.identify() calls to unlock retention, cohorts, and user profiles.
Configure Product Analytics (New)
Set up retention reports, cohorts, and user journey analysis. Pirsch has basic funnels but not these features.
Remove Pirsch Script
Once verified, remove the Pirsch tracking script. Both are cookie-free so no consent changes needed.
SDK Compatibility
Both use event-based tracking with simple APIs.
Historical Data Import
Most teams start fresh with OpenPanel and run both tools in parallel briefly.
Where OpenPanel is a better fit than Pirsch
Choose OpenPanel when you need user-level analytics, free self-hosting, or a permanent free tier.
SaaS Products Needing User Analytics
Pirsch shows aggregate website traffic and basic funnels. If you need to understand individual user journeys, retention, and behavior within your product, OpenPanel adds these capabilities while staying privacy-friendly.
Teams Who Want Free Self-Hosting
Pirsch requires an Enterprise license with custom pricing for on-premise deployment. OpenPanel provides free self-hosting in a single Docker container with no restrictions.
Startups Needing a Free Tier
Pirsch has no free option - just a 30-day trial before requiring a $6/month subscription. OpenPanel offers 10,000 free events monthly, perfect for early-stage products.
Mobile App Analytics
Pirsch is designed for websites with a backend focus. OpenPanel offers native iOS, Android, and React Native SDKs with full product analytics capabilities.
Teams Needing Cohort & Retention Analysis
Pirsch's anonymous fingerprinting model doesn't support retention or cohort analysis. If understanding user behavior over time matters, OpenPanel provides these capabilities.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about switching from Pirsch to OpenPanel.
Related resources
Explore more comparisons and guides to help you choose the right analytics tool
Other comparisons
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