Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Simple Analytics · 📊 analytics
Simple Analytics vs GoatCounter
The spartan version: useful traffic numbers and very little else to argue about. Here is how GoatCounter ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Simple Analytics ($20/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
GoatCounter
$0.00/mo
Simple Analytics vs GoatCounter Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Simple Analytics (Paid) | GoatCounter (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $20 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $240 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $240) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,200 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,200) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $2,400 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $2,400) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 5.8k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Simple Analytics to GoatCounter
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It is much more spartan and lacks Simple Analytics' polished reports, automations and privacy-focused workflow conveniences.
How to deploy GoatCounter
Create a hosted account or run the single static binary or Docker image
What it takes to run
None for hosted use; self-hosting needs a reachable binary or container plus a public URL and TLS
Where your data lives
A self-hosted instance uses SQLite by default or PostgreSQL; the hosted service stores analytics on GoatCounter's infrastructure and supports JSON and CSV exports
Why fork GoatCounter instead of vibe-coding a Simple Analytics clone?
Pageview analytics, events, dashboards, and exports are very buildable; paid value is hosted privacy posture, reports, reliability, and support.
Simple Analytics vs GoatCounter FAQ
Is GoatCounter a good free alternative to Simple Analytics?+
Yes. GoatCounter is a verified open-source (FOSS) replacement for Simple Analytics. The spartan version: useful traffic numbers and very little else to argue about.
What is the catch when switching from Simple Analytics to GoatCounter?+
It is much more spartan and lacks Simple Analytics' polished reports, automations and privacy-focused workflow conveniences.
How much do you save switching from Simple Analytics to GoatCounter?+
Simple Analytics costs $20/mo ($240/yr) per seat, whereas GoatCounter is $0/mo. Switching saves $240/yr for a solo user, $1,200/yr for a 5-person team, and $2,400/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host GoatCounter instead of Simple Analytics?+
Install: Create a hosted account or run the single static binary or Docker image. Setup: None for hosted use; self-hosting needs a reachable binary or container plus a public URL and TLS
