GoatCounter
Privacy-friendly, open-source web analytics without tracking personal data
Founded
2019
Starting Price
$0
Category
Web Analytics
Last updated March 8, 2026
About GoatCounter
GoatCounter is a lightweight, open-source web analytics platform that provides meaningful website statistics without tracking personal data or using cookies. It offers both a hosted service and self-hosted option, making it an ideal privacy-respecting alternative to Google Analytics for individuals and small businesses.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Truly privacy-friendly — no cookies, no personal data tracking, GDPR-compliant by default
- Extremely lightweight tracking script at just 2.3KB minimizes impact on page load speed
- Generous free tier for personal and non-commercial websites with no pageview limits
- Fully open-source with self-hosted option for complete data sovereignty
- Simple setup — single script tag with analytics appearing in seconds
Key Features
Privacy-First Analytics
Tracks page views, referrers, browsers, and locations without collecting personal data or using cookies
Lightweight Script
Tracking script is only 2.3KB (6.3KB uncompressed), significantly smaller than Google Analytics at 18KB
No-JavaScript Tracking
Supports image-based tracking pixel and backend middleware options for sites that don't use JavaScript
Campaign Tracking
Track referring sites, search terms, and UTM campaign parameters to understand traffic sources
Screen Size & Browser Stats
View visitor browser, OS, and screen resolution breakdowns without fingerprinting
Self-Hosted Option
Fully open-source codebase can be self-hosted for complete data ownership and no usage limits
Accessibility-First Design
High-priority accessibility features ensure the dashboard works well with screen readers and assistive technology
Pricing
Personal
$0
- Non-commercial use
- Unlimited pageviews
- All core analytics features
- Community support
Starter
$5/month
Best For
Privacy-Conscious Blogging
Track blog traffic and popular content without compromising reader privacy or requiring cookie consent banners
Small Business Website Analytics
Get essential traffic insights for business websites at minimal cost without complex setup or configuration
Open-Source Project Websites
Monitor documentation and project site usage with a tool that aligns with open-source values
GDPR-Compliant Tracking
Meet European privacy regulations by default without needing cookie consent pop-ups or complex compliance measures
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Featured In
#5
5 Best Privacy-First Analytics Alternatives to Google Analytics (2026)
Best free and minimal analytics — the lightest, cheapest, most privacy-respecting option for personal sites and open-source projects that just need honest traffic numbers without any overhead
#5
5 Google Analytics Alternatives That Don't Need a Cookie Consent Banner (2026)
Best for budget-conscious sites that need basic metrics — GoatCounter's free non-commercial tier and \u00245/month commercial pricing make it the most affordable way to replace GA with cookieless analytics.
