How PlainStats compares
PlainStats is a privacy-first, cookieless analytics product, built and processed in the EU. Here is a fair look at how it differs from classic, cookie-based analytics, with an honest note on where other tools, or the incumbent, may suit you better.
At a glance
| PlainStats | Classic analytics | |
|---|---|---|
| Cookieless, no consent banner | Yes | No |
| EU-built and EU-processed | Yes | Often US-based, US transfers common |
| Stores personal data | No, aggregate counts only | Typically yes, per-visitor |
| Needs a consent banner | No | Usually yes |
| Real-time dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Deep ad attribution and ecosystem integration | No | Yes |
| Weight on the page | One small async script | Heavier, plus a consent SDK |
Where other tools may fit better
PlainStats is new and pre-launch. It is not open-source, and it is not self-hostable. We will not pretend otherwise, so here is the honest picture.
- Some mature, open-source tools are fully self-hostable, with public, auditable code you can run on your own server.
- Other privacy-first analytics tools have years in market, large communities, and a deeper feature set than a brand-new product can offer.
- The classic, cookie-based incumbent is powerful, free at entry, and deeply integrated with a big-tech ad and marketing ecosystem. If you live in that ecosystem and need deep ad attribution, it is hard to beat.
Where PlainStats fits
If you want an EU-built product that is cookieless by default, with no consent banner and a calm dashboard you read in seconds, that is the lane PlainStats is built for. The goal is simple, honest traffic numbers, with personal data kept out of the picture by design.
- Cookieless by default, with no banner to switch on. See cookieless analytics.
- Aggregate-only data model, built around the rules. See GDPR-compliant analytics.
- Built and processed in the EU. See EU web analytics.
See it yourself
The live demo shows the real PlainStats dashboard with no signup. To get early access as it launches, join the waitlist.