The 10 Best GA4 Alternatives (+ Features and Pricing)

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is without doubt one of the hottest web site analytics instruments — but it surely actually isn’t the one choice. Use our roundup of GA4 options to search out extra user-friendly and privacy-focused analytics instruments.

When Google sundown Common Analytics in July 2023, you doubtless migrated to Google Analytics 4 routinely. But when your expertise is something like many different web site homeowners’, the swap hasn’t gone utterly easily.

From consumer expertise (UX) points to privateness considerations to reporting issues, GA4 has created challenges for some. Fortuitously, you may have loads of different choices to trace web site and cellular app analytics.

On this article, we’ll cowl 10 prime options to GA4 and why to strive them, together with HawkSEM Senior SEM Supervisor Cristin Barta‘s prime picks.

Prime 10 GA4 options

Whether or not it is advisable monitor web site site visitors, monitor app utilization, or perceive consumer conduct, listed here are the highest Google Analytics options to contemplate. We’ll examine each by analytics options, professionals, cons, and pricing.

1. Adobe Analytics

Adobe Analytics is an enterprise-level device that’s a part of the Adobe Expertise Cloud. It provides each cellular app and web site analytics, together with real-time insights.

Barta recommends this platform for its “superior customization, strong reporting, and plenty of integration choices.” Nevertheless, “it’s somewhat expensive,” she cautions.

Adobe Analytics’ options embrace:

• Web site and advertising analytics with a whole view of the client expertise
• Attribution options that reveal which channels and campaigns drive outcomes
• Predictive analytics that assist your staff determine alternatives and plan campaigns

Think about using Adobe Analytics if:

• You already use the Adobe Expertise Cloud ecosystem.
• You wish to combine Adobe’s Combine Modeler, Buyer Journey Analytics, and different instruments.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You want a free or extra reasonably priced choice.
• You don’t want intensive software program integrations.

Adobe Analytics pricing:

2. Clicky

Clicky is without doubt one of the easiest GA4 options and one of many best analytics instruments to put in. However don’t let its fundamental web site deceive you.

It’s a preferred selection for entrepreneurs and knowledge analysts due to its real-time insights and heatmaps. Clicky can be one of many extra privacy-friendly analytics instruments.

Clicky options embrace:

• Actual-time web site site visitors analytics
• Customer, web page view, and occasion logs
• Bot and referral spam detection
• Heatmaps with web page, customer, and phase evaluation

Think about using Clicky if:

• You wish to monitor the identical web site analytics GA4 provides however you need a greater UX.
• You’re involved about privateness and also you want an answer that doesn’t use cookies.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You desire a full-featured platform with A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (CRO) instruments.
• You want intensive integrations, as Clicky’s integration library is comparatively small.

Clicky pricing:

• A free plan is obtainable for as much as 3,000 every day web page views. {support plans begin at $9.99 per thirty days for as much as 30,000 every day web page views.

3. Fathom Analytics

One other easy GA4 different, Fathom Analytics is a privacy-first device that protects buyer knowledge and customer privateness. It’s recognized for being one of the crucial user-friendly choices, because of its intuitive dashboard.

Fathom Analytics can be one of many quickest analytics instruments to arrange. You’ll be able to set up its single line of code and begin accumulating knowledge on web page views and occasions in minutes.

Fathom Analytics options embrace:

• Actual-time analytics so you possibly can see the affect of campaigns within the second
• Bot, spam, and scraper blockers so you possibly can concentrate on human web site guests
• Privateness-first tech with an IP handle anonymizer

Think about using Fathom Analytics if:

• Buyer privateness is one among your major considerations, as Fathom Analytics collects no private knowledge.
• You need entry to your web site analytics knowledge endlessly (as an alternative of GA4’s 26-month time restrict).

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You want cellular app or product analytics.
• You desire a device that works with every thing, as Fathom Analytics’ native integrations are considerably restricted.

Fathom Analytics pricing:

• Begins at $15 per thirty days for as much as 100,000 knowledge factors

4. Heap

Heap is a digital insights platform that analyzes customer conduct, maps buyer journeys, and tracks occasions that matter to what you are promoting. It really works with each web site and cellular app analytics.

Nevertheless, Heap goes past merely tallying web page views and occasions. It additionally enriches analytics knowledge that will help you perceive how and why guests use your website or app — so you possibly can optimize their expertise.

Heap options embrace:

• Heatmaps and session recordings so you possibly can see how guests use your website or app
• Key efficiency indicator (KPI) charts so you possibly can measure the metrics that matter
• Funnels so you possibly can monitor whether or not customers comply with preset sequences
• Journeys so you possibly can monitor how customers transfer via your web site or app

Think about using Heap if:

• You’re searching for a completely featured analytics answer that integrates along with your advertising instruments.
• You want a platform with APIs so you possibly can gather extra in-depth knowledge.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You simply want a easy analytics answer that tracks web page views and occasions.
• You don’t want a customizable answer with dozens of integrations.

Heap pricing:

• A free plan is obtainable for as much as 10,000 month-to-month classes. Paid plan costs can be found upon request.

5. HubSpot Advertising and marketing Analytics

HubSpot Marketing Analytics does way more than monitor web site analytics. It additionally measures the affect of your advertising efforts so you realize precisely what’s working on your model.

This platform integrates with different HubSpot merchandise, together with gross sales and buyer relationship administration (CRM) instruments. Consequently, it may gasoline each advertising and lead-generation campaigns.

HubSpot Advertising and marketing Analytics options embrace:

• Web site efficiency and site visitors evaluation
• Buyer lifecycle monitoring and attribution fashions
• Advertising and marketing stories that element property, campaigns, and channels
• Customizable dashboards with the stories you want

Think about using HubSpot Advertising and marketing Analytics if:

• Your prime precedence is bettering advertising and gross sales initiatives.
• You already use the HubSpot ecosystem for advertising and gross sales and desire a device that’s straightforward to undertake.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You want a cellular app or product analytics device.
• It is advisable to onboard a big staff, as HubSpot can get costly as you scale.

HubSpot Advertising and marketing Analytics pricing:

• A free plan with fundamental options is obtainable. Paid plans begin at $20 per thirty days per seat.

6. Localytics

Localytics is a cellular advertising answer that tracks app and cellular analytics. It provides insights into buyer retention and income so ecommerce, journey, and different manufacturers can enhance loyalty and drive extra conversions.

It’s designed to disclose how clients use your app so you possibly can handle factors of friction. Since Localytics additionally measures app advertising campaigns, it may additionally assist enhance return on funding (ROI).

Localytics options embrace:

• App and cellular utilization stats to research key occasions
• Customized campaigns for particular buyer segments
• Marketing campaign reporting on conversions, income, and uninstalls

Think about using Localytics if:

• You want each standardized and customizable analytics stories.
• You want a strong device to trace cellular advertising and run personalised campaigns.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You’re primarily searching for a device with net analytics performance.
• You want a free plan to maintain prices down.

Localytics pricing:

7. Matomo

Matomo is an open-source analytics device and one of many easiest GA4 options. Nevertheless, this user-friendly device is simple to customise to satisfy your wants.

Barta recommends Matomo as a result of “it focuses on knowledge privateness and possession, offering complete analytics with out compromising consumer knowledge. This makes it appropriate for privacy-conscious companies.”

Matomo options embrace:

• Correct, real-time analytics (as an alternative of GA4’s knowledge sampling)
• Limitless knowledge evaluation and storage (as an alternative of GA4’s closing dates)
• Heatmaps and session recordings to point out you ways customers navigate your website
• Key phrase stories to enhance your SEO (search engine optimisation) efforts

Think about using Matomo if:

• You desire a self-hosted analytics device, as Matomo has an on-premise choice.
• You want a device with a variety of ecommerce, CRM, and content material administration system (CMS) integrations.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You desire a smooth device. “Matomo may be very simplistic, like a 10-year-old Google Analytics,” Barta shares.
• You want a free analytics device.

Matomo pricing:

• The cloud-hosted model begins at $26 per thirty days for as much as 50,000 web page views. The self-hosted model begins at $0 per thirty days however has annual charges for add-ons like funnels and consumer flows.

8. Piwik PRO

Piwik PRO is an online and app analytics device that places consumer privateness first. Its consent supervisor characteristic handles consumer permissions, and its a number of monitoring choices simplify compliance.

With Piwik PRO, you possibly can monitor net and app utilization, map buyer journeys, and monitor search engine optimisation outcomes. And with its customizable interface, you possibly can construct the perfect dashboard on your staff.

Piwik PRO options embrace:

• Buyer journey knowledge, together with conversion funnels and consumer flows
• Tag administration, together with personalised content material and pop-ups
• Consent administration, together with choices for assortment, amendments, and withdrawals

Think about using Piwik PRO if:

• You want a device with intensive knowledge visualization, knowledge storage, CMS, and A/B testing integrations.
• You desire a answer that makes use of full datasets somewhat than knowledge sampling.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• It is advisable to analyze a closely trafficked website or app on a small price range.
• You desire a easy net or app analytics answer with no bells and whistles.

Piwik PRO pricing:

• A free plan is obtainable for as much as 500,000 month-to-month actions. Enterprise plans begin at €10,995 per 12 months.

9. Believable

One other open-source device, Plausible is a light-weight choice for monitoring net analytics. It’s designed to trace net site visitors, conversions, campaigns, and income, in addition to customized occasions.

Believable is constructed and hosted within the EU. Consequently, it’s one of the crucial privacy-focused choices. It’s additionally compliant with all main privateness insurance policies.

Believable options embrace:

• Customized occasions and targets so you possibly can monitor the metrics your staff cares about
• Funnels so you possibly can monitor whether or not customers full sure collection of actions
• Filters and segmentation for deeper perception into customer conduct
• Integration with Google Search Console for simple search question evaluation

Think about using Believable if:

• You desire a easy, user-friendly analytics device.
• You want a light-weight choice that gained’t decelerate your web site.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You want a free choice, as all Believable plans are paid.
• You need native integrations past Google Search Console and fashionable CMS platforms.

Believable pricing:

• Begins at $9 per thirty days for as much as 10,000 web page views.

10. Easy Analytics

As its title suggests, Simple Analytics is without doubt one of the easiest net analytics instruments. Its user-friendly dashboard reveals key metrics like web page views, site visitors sources, consumer segments, and conversion occasions.

Easy Analytics additionally prioritizes privateness. It complies with all main privateness insurance policies, and it shops no private knowledge on web site guests.

Easy Analytics options embrace:

• Objective tracker and occasion explorer options that monitor occasions and conversion funnels
• AI chatbot that gives insights and solutions questions on your analytics
• Straightforward exports to Looker Studio and different enterprise intelligence instruments

Think about using Easy Analytics if:

• You want an analytics device based mostly and hosted within the EU for privateness or compliance causes.
• You favor automated, AI-powered insights over handbook report evaluation.

Select one other GA4 different if:

• You want an analytics device with strong integrations, as Easy Analytics’ are comparatively restricted.
• It is advisable to onboard a big staff, as Easy Analytics customary plans permit 5 customers solely.

Easy Analytics pricing:

• A free plan is obtainable for private websites. Paid plans begin at $10 per thirty days for as much as 10,000 web page views.

How does Google Analytics 4 examine to Common Analytics?

If you happen to have been accustomed to utilizing Common Analytics, you’ve most likely observed a number of variations in GA4. Most importantly, Common Analytics tracked consumer classes, whereas GA4 tracks web site or app occasions.

It’s true that GA4 retains a operating tally of web site guests and web page views. Nevertheless it’s engineered to trace web site and app actions like web page masses, hyperlink clicks, and purchases — together with customized occasions.

On the floor, these modifications are constructive. In any case, occasion monitoring makes the consumer journey simpler to map.

Nevertheless, GA4 has a number of downsides:

• Its consumer interface (UI) isn’t intuitive. As a substitute, it’s difficult to navigate, resulting in a poor UX and making a steep studying curve.
• Many customary Common Analytics stories aren’t out there in GA4, inflicting customers to spend time growing their very own.
• Getting most worth from GA4 requires integrating instruments like Looker Studio or BigQuery. But groups with restricted sources can’t all the time leverage these instruments.
• Web site homeowners involved with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) could run into privateness points when utilizing GA4.

When to contemplate an alternative choice to GA4

GA4 could meet some manufacturers’ web site and app analytics wants. However Barta explains that it is best to “contemplate options to GA4 if you happen to want a extra easy setup, detailed customized reporting, real-time knowledge entry, or if you happen to prioritize knowledge privateness and possession.”

In different phrases, select one of many analytics options above if you happen to:

• Can’t you possibly can’t discover the info your staff wants in GA4, which compromises your means to make data-driven selections.
• Want real-time analytics so you possibly can reliably see the affect of selling and promoting efforts within the second.
• Need customizable stories however you don’t have knowledge scientists out there to deal with knowledge assortment and exports in Looker Studio or BigQuery.
• Want a CCPA- or GDPR-compliant answer that doesn’t create consumer privateness points and that means that you can keep possession of your knowledge.

What to look at for when switching analytics instruments

Switching analytics platforms isn’t all the time a foolproof course of. As you contemplate your choices, maintain these points in thoughts so you possibly can keep away from main issues along with your web site or app knowledge.

Historic knowledge loss

If you happen to’ve been utilizing GA4 because it first rolled out, then the analytics suite already holds years’ price of your web site or app knowledge. Nevertheless, Barta explains, “Switching to a GA4 different may cause knowledge migration challenges, together with potential lack of historic knowledge.”

To keep away from dropping knowledge, affirm that any analytics device you contemplate permits historic knowledge imports. Be certain to test the price and any limits on imports so that you aren’t stunned while you begin the migration.

Larger prices

One of many largest perks of GA4 is the truth that it’s utterly free to make use of. Whereas some GA4 opponents have free plans, many are paid software-as-a-service (SaaS) options.

As Barta explains, switching to an alternate nearly all the time means greater prices. That is very true for web sites or apps that entice substantial site visitors. Earlier than switching, weigh the true value of the answer — together with the price of inaction.

Integration points

As a Google product, GA4 integrates seamlessly with the whole Google product suite. Consequently, it really works with Looker Studio, Google Search Console, Google Advertisements, Google Tag Manager, and plenty of different instruments.

If you happen to depend on these or different instruments to run your web site or app, be certain they combine with any GA4 different you select earlier than you make the swap.

Coaching wants

GA4 is understood for being one of many more difficult app and net analytics platforms to make use of. But any time you add new software program to your tech stack, you possibly can anticipate a studying curve.

Barta cautions, “Transferring platforms means further coaching.” Earlier than making the swap, evaluate the platform’s onboarding and coaching supplies so you are feeling assured you’ll get your staff in control shortly.

The takeaway

Adopting a brand new analytics platform may be daunting. However with the best instruments, you possibly can acquire new perception into the client journey, analyze marketing campaign outcomes, and handle your advertising extra successfully.

To reinforce your digital advertising technique, get in contact with our skilled staff. Contact HawkSEM for a free search engine advertising (SEM) session right this moment.