PlainStats vs Matomo
Matomo is the most feature-complete privacy-focused analytics tool and the closest match to Google Analytics. PlainStats is far simpler and cookieless by default. This is an honest look, as of June 2026. Check Matomo's own pages for current pricing and features.
At a glance
| PlainStats | Matomo | |
|---|---|---|
| Cookieless, no consent banner | Yes, by default | Optional (a cookieless mode exists; cookies are used by default) |
| Open source | No | Yes (GPL) |
| Self-hostable | No | Yes |
| EU hosting | EU-built, EU-processed | EU Cloud, or self-host anywhere |
| Heatmaps & session recording | No | Yes (premium) |
| Funnels, goals, ecommerce | No | Yes |
| Real-time dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Setup & maintenance | Hosted, zero ops | Cloud (hosted) or self-host (you run it) |
| Entry pricing | Founding access (waitlist) | Cloud from about €29/mo; self-host free (your own server) |
| Best for | Simple, cookieless numbers | GA-level depth or full data ownership |
Matomo details as of June 2026 from matomo.org/pricing and matomo.org/gdpr-analytics. Prices and features change.
Where Matomo is stronger
- Depth. It is the closest open tool to full Google Analytics parity: funnels, goals, ecommerce, heatmaps, and session recording (premium).
- Self-hosting and data ownership. Run it on your own server, keep everything, with no per-pageview fee.
- Maturity and standing. Years in the market and a recognised, regulator-acknowledged privacy posture.
- Flexibility. Cloud or self-host, cookie or cookieless, configured to your needs.
Where PlainStats fits
Matomo can do a great deal, and with that comes more to configure and, if you self-host, to run and maintain. PlainStats goes the other way: cookieless by default with nothing to switch on, hosted with zero operations, and a dashboard you read in seconds. If you want simple, honest traffic numbers without managing a platform, that is the trade PlainStats makes.
- Cookieless and consent-banner-free with no configuration. See cookieless analytics.
- EU-built and EU-processed, GDPR-first. See GDPR-compliant analytics.
- Founding access for early members. Join the waitlist.
See it yourself
The live demo shows the real PlainStats dashboard with no signup. See also PlainStats vs Plausible and PlainStats vs Fathom.