alternatives to google analytics
7 Alternatives to Google Analytics
Google Analytics is surely one of the best free web analytics out there, but just like other worldly things, it is not perfect. Check out the best free, paid, and open source alternatives to Google Analytics, to know if they match your requirements.
"If you torture the data long enough, it will confess."
Google Analytics is undoubtedly the most popular web analytics software used by millions of webmasters across the globe. It is not only easy to set up, but is also free to use. It is more than what small businesses and entry-level bloggers would require. But just like any other product, it misses out on a few things. And those few things force us to look for alternative to Google Analytics.
Despite being the most popular web analytics service, Google Analytics has some loose points that discourage webmasters from using it on websites of medium to large-scale businesses, and other fairly popular websites.
Limitations of Google Analytics
• Maximum number of allowed goals are 20.
• Upgrade to Google Analytics Premium is super expensive.
• Your website data is being shared with Google. Can you trust Google with your data?
• Not much flexibility for creating custom reports.
Alternatives to Google Analytics
If you too are facing the above mentioned limitations of Google Analytics, then you should take a look at some of the best free and paid alternatives to it.
1. Clicky
―Ronald Coase, Economist
Its interface requires some getting used to, but you will find it very useful and feature-rich once you get used to it. It is free for websites that receive up to 3,000 page-views a day. You have to opt for the paid model for anything more than that.
Main features:
• Uptime monitoring.
• Supports heat maps and split testing.
• Detailed report on each visitor.
• On-site analysis.
• Up-to-the-minute real-time reporting.
• Ranking data on positions in Google Search results.
• Analytic for videos and downloads.
• Outbound link tracking.
• Path analysis.
• Engagement reports, etc.
Check out Clicky
2. Piwik
Piwik is an open source software that needs to be installed on your server for tracking site data. This makes it not so easy-to-install, unless you go for the paid service of 'Piwik Cloud'. It is free to use, but installing it on a server can prove to be a daunting task for newbies. And, the server on which it is installed must never go offline, or you will not be able to track your website's data.
Main features:
• Plugins can be installed to add more features.
• Detailed visitor log.
• Optimized for e-commerce websites.
• Track file downloads, 404 pages, outbound links.
• Customizable dashboard.
• Exclude URL parameters, IP range, and particular IP addresses.
Check out Piwik
3. KISSmetrics
KISSMetrics claims that it is better than Google Analytics with their tagline: "Google Analytics tells you what's happening. KISSmetrics tells you who's doing it." It is a paid analytic service based on event tracking, and is particularly useful for optimizing conversions and boosting sales.
Main features:
• No restriction on the number of split tests performed.
• Unlimited reports.
• Data exporting & segmentation.
• Funnel tracking.
Check out KISSmetrics
4. Adobe Analytics
Adobe Analytics is an enterprise-class marketing and web analytics tool. It not only shows where and how the visitors are navigating to, but also helps determine the most profitable path.
Main features:
• Real-time performance reports.
• Shows actionable knowledge performance indicators.
• Displays the best performing ads, channels, and conversion paths.
• Social and mobile analytics.
• Predictive marketing.
• Gather and analyze complex data sheets.
Check out Adobe Analytics
5. GoSquared
This is a premium web analytics service with a beautiful design. It offers extensive real-time data, along with other daily growth parameters.
Main features:
• Tight social network integration.
• Real-time e-commerce analytics.
• Shows day-on-day growth.
• Daily reports.
• Measures visitor engagement.
Check out GoSquared
6. Woopra
Just like KISSmetrics, it also gets behind the scenes and shows what caused what, rather than showing only the results. It also lets you track users based on their behavior, by creating a profile for each one of them.
Main features (free and paid plans):
• Track visitors in real-time.
• Add and control what's viewable by team members.
• Custom tagging.
• Access customer profiles.
• Build funnel reports, triggers, sandbox accounts, etc.
Check out Woopra
7. Open Web Analytics
This is another free open source web analytics which needs to be installed on your server to track site data. This makes sure that you are in total control of your data. You are also free to use it across all your web properties.
Main features:
• Heat map.
• Track how visitors flow across the web pages.
• Track unlimited actions and assign them to groups.
• See the search terms referring traffic to your webpages.
• Track feed requests, subscriptions, etc.
Check out Open Web Analytics
As you can see, there are so many options available out there. You simply need to choose the service that suits your needs the best. Which one of these Google Analytics alternatives is your favorite one? Please share your experience in the comments section below.