Google Analytics is one of the most well known website analytics around, not to mention being one of the best. Although Google Analytics is a fantastic app to tackle your site’s analytics needs, there are actually several other options available that many would argue are better choices. We’ve pulled together eight of the best alternatives to Google Analytics and some information about each; price, plugins, mobile apps, real-time tracking and requirements.
Which analytics app do you use and why? Read on to see if there’s anything more fitting for your needs or if you have something you’d recommend.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics
Perhaps the most well known and most used, Google Analytics is king of the hill. It’s one of the most powerful analytics apps available and remains free, which makes it the most popular choice to date. There are plugins, tweaks and third-party apps for just about every platform available so integration should be a snap.
Among its greatness, it also has drawbacks and many argue quality flaws. Keep reading to see eight great alternatives for your analytics needs.
- Price: Free
- WordPress Plugin: Yes
- Mobile App: Third-party iPhone app (iTunes)
- Real-time data: No
- Requirements: None
- Developer: Google
Mint
Mint
Every time I’ve looked into analytics apps several people always tell me they much prefer Mint over Google Analytics. Mint is self-hosted, so you have more control in that respect, but also offers real-time tracking and is extensible. Mint’s interface is clean and easy to read and navigate, so it’s a breeze to use.
- Price: $30 per site
- WordPress Plugin: Yes
- Mobile App: Third-party iPhone app (iTunes)
- Real-time data: Yes
- Requirements: Self-Hosted (PHP, MySQL)
- Developer: Shaun Inman
Reinvigorate
Reinvigorate
Reinvigorate is one of my favorites and actually my personal analytics app of choice. The app offers real-time tracking, visitor “NameTags” (great for seeing who’s on your site), a desktop app and even heatmaps. The app design is fantastic and it’s a breeze to use; although it can be addicting watching your real-time data flow in.
- Price: $10 per month, 14-day free trial
- WordPress Plugin: Yes
- Mobile App: No
- Real-time data: Yes
- Requirements: None
- Developer: Sean McNamara
Clicky
Clicky
Clicky probably offers the most features of any app listed here, including real-time tracking, various plugins, mobile apps, website widgets and a whole lot more. Along with piles of great features, Clicky also offers more price plans than other apps to best fit your needs and your budget. Clicky’s interface design wasn’t too appealing for me, but it does a great job at accomplishing its goal.
chartbeat
chartbeat
Chartbeat, like several of the other apps here, also offers real-time tracking but features an interface that’s more enjoyable to look at than just a pile of numbers or the typical line graph. It’s a clean looking and easy to use app that will be much more appealing to the average user rather than hardcore analytics users.
- Price: $9.95 per month, 30-day free trial
- WordPress Plugin: Yes
- Mobile App: iPhone app (iTunes)
- Real-time data: Yes
- Requirements: None
- Developer: Chartbeat Inc.
Woopra
Woopra
Woopra takes a different approach to analytics and requires that you download a desktop client to handle your site’s incoming data. The app offers real-time tracking and a dark color scheme for its interface, making heavy use of icons and vibrant colors. With the features offered, Woopra is a great choice, especially since it’s free.
- Price: Free
- WordPress Plugin: Yes
- Mobile App: iPhone app (iTunes)
- Real-time data: Yes
- Requirements: Desktop compatible with desktop client
- Developer: iFusion Labs, LLC.
Piwik
Piwik
Piwik is an open source analytics app that you’ll have to host yourself but offers everything from real-time tracking to mobile apps for iPhone and Android and is even offered in over 30 languages. It’s directly intended to be an alternative to Google Analytics and does a pretty dang good job of it.
GoingUp
GoingUp!
GoingUp! takes a slightly different approach by pushing SEO tools along with the regular analytics app tools. The interface could use a some refinements but overall gets the job done. Among the piles of features the app sports, real-time tracking, heatmaps and mobile apps are nowhere to be seen. The app is free though so if you need easier to understand SEO tools, this might be worth checking out.
- Price: Free
- WordPress Plugin: Yes
- Mobile App: No
- Real-time data: No
- Requirements: None
- Developer: GoingUp!
KISSinsights
KISSmetrics
While KISSmetrics is an analytics app, it takes a very different approach by focusing on the people visiting your site rather than pageviews. KISSmetrics does a great job of helping you focus on your visitors, site conversions, where future development should be and more aspects that truly help your site and your visitors.
- Price: Free
- WordPress Plugin: Unknown
- Mobile App: No
- Real-time data: No
- Requirements: None
- Developer: KISSmetrics
What Do You Use?
Each of these apps are fantastic in their own way and make for pretty great alternatives to Google Analytics. Do you use or plan on trying out one of the apps listed here? Or maybe you use an app we haven’t listed that you think should’ve been?