Matomo vs Plausible: Full-Featured vs Lightweight Analytics
Matomo vs Plausible: Full-Featured vs Lightweight Analytics
Matomo is the enterprise Google Analytics replacement — heatmaps, session recordings, A/B testing, e-commerce tracking, and 200+ features. Plausible is the minimalist — essential metrics in a 1KB script. Completely different philosophies.
Quick Verdict
Choose Matomo if you need Google Analytics-level depth (heatmaps, funnels, segments, e-commerce). Choose Plausible if you want simple, fast, privacy-first analytics without complexity.
The Comparison
| Feature | Matomo | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Feature depth | GA-level (200+ reports) | Essential metrics only |
| Script size | ~22 KB | < 1 KB |
| Performance impact | Moderate | Negligible |
| Cookie-free mode | Optional | Default |
| GDPR | Consent may be needed | No consent needed |
| Heatmaps | ✅ (plugin) | ❌ |
| Session recordings | ✅ (plugin) | ❌ |
| A/B testing | ✅ (plugin) | ❌ |
| E-commerce tracking | ✅ (detailed) | Revenue goals |
| Funnels | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom dimensions | ✅ | Custom properties |
| Segments | ✅ (complex) | Basic filters |
| Real-time | ✅ | ✅ |
| GA import | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tag manager | ✅ (built-in) | ❌ |
| API | ✅ (comprehensive) | ✅ |
| Stack | PHP, MySQL | Elixir, ClickHouse |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Self-hosted RAM | 2-4 GB | 1-2 GB |
| Stars | 20K+ | 21K+ |
When to Choose Matomo
- You need Google Analytics-level depth
- Heatmaps and session recordings are useful
- Detailed e-commerce analytics (products, categories, cart abandonment)
- Complex segmentation and custom reports
- A/B testing integration
- You're migrating from GA and want feature parity
When to Choose Plausible
- You want simple, actionable metrics
- Page speed matters (1KB vs 22KB script)
- No-consent GDPR compliance
- You don't need heatmaps/recordings
- Cleaner, faster dashboard
- Lower server requirements
The Bottom Line
Matomo replaces Google Analytics feature-for-feature. Plausible replaces the 20% of GA that 80% of people actually use. If you look at GA and use most of it, choose Matomo. If you look at GA and feel overwhelmed, choose Plausible.
Compare analytics tools on OSSAlt — feature depth, privacy compliance, and resource requirements side by side.