Plausible is privacy-friendly. We go one step further.
Plausible uses temporary hashed identifiers to recognize visitors. Simple Analytics avoids visitor identifiers entirely, so your analytics is easier to explain, audit, and approve.
No credit card required No tracking, ever
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At first glance, they look the same
Both tools give you a simple analytics dashboard. The difference is not what the dashboard looks like. It is how the data is collected underneath.
Both have simple dashboards
Page views, sources, top pages, devices, countries. The essentials on one screen.
Both are alternatives to Google Analytics
No ads business, no behavioral profiles fed back into a marketing graph. Just website analytics.
Both are privacy-friendly
Plausible is a strong privacy-friendly analytics tool. Simple Analytics takes a stricter approach by avoiding visitor identifiers entirely.
The difference is how users are tracked
Plausible identifies returning visitors via hashed IPs. Simple Analytics does not identify users at all.
Why teams choose Simple Analytics over Plausible
Same simple dashboard, stricter data model. No identifiers, no rolling windows, no grey areas.
No visitor identifiers
We do not identify returning visitors, even with hashed IPs or rolling windows.
No personal data collection
We avoid collecting IP addresses entirely, instead of collecting and transforming them.
Easier privacy reviews
Fewer grey areas when legal, clients, or procurement ask how analytics data is collected.
Raw data access
Use the dashboard for simple reporting, or export raw data when you need more flexibility.
Clearer privacy story
No cookies, no identifiers, no personal data. Easier to explain internally and externally.
Hashed identifiers vs no identifiers
Hashing can reduce privacy risk, but it still starts with identifying visitors. Simple Analytics avoids that step entirely.
Plausible
Tracks visitors with hashed identifiers
- Tracks visitors using hashed identifiers
- Stores user-related data for a limited time
- Identifies returning users
- Aggregated API access
No tracking, no personal data
- Does not track users
- Does not store personal data
- Does not identify individuals
- Aggregated dashboard plus raw data access
Side by side: Plausible vs Simple Analytics
Where the two tools differ. Tracking on one side, no tracking on the other.
| Plausible | Simple Analytics | |
|---|---|---|
| Recognizes returning visitorsPlausible identifies returning visitors via hashed IPs | ✓ | |
| Uses hashed identifiersHashed personal data is still personal data | ✓ | |
| Avoids collecting personal dataIncluding hashed or transformed data | ✓ | |
| Visitor identifiersPlausible: temporary hashed identifiers. Simple Analytics: none | Temporary hashed identifiers | None |
| Raw data accessBeyond aggregated dashboards | ✓ | |
| Cookie-free by default | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lightweight script | ✓ | ✓ |
| Event and goal tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ |
Comfortable with hashed identifiers and want open source? Plausible fits. Want zero tracking and zero personal data? Simple Analytics is the stricter choice.
Which privacy model fits your team?
Both tools are privacy-friendly. The difference is whether you are comfortable with temporary identifiers, or want to avoid visitor identification entirely.
Choose Simple Analytics
- You want analytics without visitor identifiers
- You want to avoid collecting personal data altogether
- You need a privacy model that is easy to explain to legal, clients, or procurement
- You want raw data access alongside a simple dashboard
- You want to avoid ambiguity around hashed IPs and pseudonymous identifiers
Choose Plausible
- You want an open-source analytics product
- You are comfortable with temporary hashed identifiers
- You want visitor/session metrics based on recognizing returning users
- You want to self-host your analytics
- You want a privacy-friendly tool and accept some pseudonymous tracking
Analytics without tracking
No tracking. No personal data. Full clarity.
Start for freeFree 14-day trial No credit card No tracking
Frequently asked questions
How is Simple Analytics different from Plausible?
Both tools offer simple, privacy-focused dashboards. The difference is data collection. Plausible hashes IP addresses to identify returning visitors during a rolling window. Simple Analytics doesn’t collect IPs at all and never identifies users.
Isn’t Plausible already privacy-friendly?
Plausible is more privacy-friendly than traditional analytics, but it still processes personal data in hashed form. Under GDPR, hashed personal data is still personal data. Simple Analytics avoids this category entirely.
What does ‘no tracking’ actually mean?
We don’t store IPs, we don’t hash them, we don’t generate visitor identifiers, and we don’t recognize returning visitors. Each pageview is independent. There is no rolling window during which your visitors are identifiable.
Why does the hashed IP window matter?
For most teams it’s a small detail. For regulated industries, public sector, healthcare, and any organization with strict privacy reviews, it’s the difference between ‘no personal data processing’ and ‘personal data processing with safeguards’.
Do I lose features by switching?
The core feature set is similar: pageviews, sources, top pages, devices, countries, events, and goals. You also get raw data access, which Plausible’s API limits to aggregated metrics.
Is Simple Analytics open source?
No. Simple Analytics is a hosted product, not open source. If self-hosting and source access are requirements, Plausible is a better fit.
Where is my data stored?
All data is processed and stored within the European Union, on European-owned infrastructure. We don’t use US cloud providers.
Can I import my Plausible data?
We don’t have a one-click Plausible import yet. You can export your historical data from Plausible and contact support to discuss bringing it into Simple Analytics.
How does the script size compare?
Both tools ship a lightweight script. The performance difference is minimal. The data model is where the two diverge.
Can I try it for free?
Yes. We offer a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, plus a free plan for small personal projects.