What's the most private way to track website analytics?

Plausible and Fathom are both built specifically to avoid cookies and personal data collection while still tracking core traffic metrics.

Is Microsoft Clarity really free?

Yes, Clarity offers heatmaps and session recordings with no traffic limits at no cost.

What's the difference between Google Analytics and PostHog?

Google Analytics is focused on marketing/traffic analytics; PostHog is a broader open-source product analytics suite that also includes session replay, feature flags, and experimentation.

Best of

Best Web Analytics Tools in 2026

Analytics tools split by what they measure: traffic and pageviews (Google Analytics, Plausible, Fathom), product usage and funnels (Mixpanel, PostHog), and behavioral insight like heatmaps and session recordings (Hotjar, Microsoft Clarity). Privacy-first options like Plausible and Fathom have grown as an alternative to Google Analytics's cookie-heavy default setup.

KlaviyoEcommerce email and SMS marketing with deep Shopify integration.

Google AnalyticsThe default web analytics: free, powerful, heavyweight.

PlausibleLightweight, privacy-first, open-source web analytics.

Fathom AnalyticsSimple, privacy-focused analytics without cookie banners.

PostHogOpen-source product analytics, session replay, flags, and A/B tests.

MixpanelEvent-based product analytics for funnels and retention.

HotjarHeatmaps and session recordings to see how users behave.

SemrushAll-in-one visibility suite spanning SEO, ads, and content.

Microsoft ClarityFree heatmaps and session recordings with no traffic limits.free

FAQ

What's the most private way to track website analytics?: Plausible and Fathom are both built specifically to avoid cookies and personal data collection while still tracking core traffic metrics.
Is Microsoft Clarity really free?: Yes, Clarity offers heatmaps and session recordings with no traffic limits at no cost.
What's the difference between Google Analytics and PostHog?: Google Analytics is focused on marketing/traffic analytics; PostHog is a broader open-source product analytics suite that also includes session replay, feature flags, and experimentation.

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