What's the most private way to track website analytics?

Plausible and Fathom are both built specifically to avoid cookies and personal data collection while still tracking core traffic metrics.

Is Microsoft Clarity really free?

Yes, Clarity offers heatmaps and session recordings with no traffic limits at no cost.

What's the difference between Google Analytics and PostHog?

Google Analytics is focused on marketing/traffic analytics; PostHog is a broader open-source product analytics suite that also includes session replay, feature flags, and experimentation.

Best of

Best Web Analytics Tools in 2026

Analytics tools split by what they measure: traffic and pageviews (Google Analytics, Plausible, Fathom), product usage and funnels (Mixpanel, PostHog), and behavioral insight like heatmaps and session recordings (Hotjar, Microsoft Clarity). Privacy-first options like Plausible and Fathom have grown as an alternative to Google Analytics's cookie-heavy default setup.

Tool

KlaviyoEcommerce email and SMS marketing with deep Shopify integration.

Tool

Google AnalyticsThe default web analytics: free, powerful, heavyweight.

Tool

PlausibleLightweight, privacy-first, open-source web analytics.

Tool

Fathom AnalyticsSimple, privacy-focused analytics without cookie banners.

Tool

PostHogOpen-source product analytics, session replay, flags, and A/B tests.

Tool

MixpanelEvent-based product analytics for funnels and retention.

Tool

HotjarHeatmaps and session recordings to see how users behave.

Tool

SemrushAll-in-one visibility suite spanning SEO, ads, and content.

Tool

Microsoft ClarityFree heatmaps and session recordings with no traffic limits.

Free

What you can do with these tools here

Timace is not only a directory. Every tool it tracks can be dropped into something you are building. A free account keeps what you make.

FAQ

What's the most private way to track website analytics?: Plausible and Fathom are both built specifically to avoid cookies and personal data collection while still tracking core traffic metrics.
Is Microsoft Clarity really free?: Yes, Clarity offers heatmaps and session recordings with no traffic limits at no cost.
What's the difference between Google Analytics and PostHog?: Google Analytics is focused on marketing/traffic analytics; PostHog is a broader open-source product analytics suite that also includes session replay, feature flags, and experimentation.

All analytics →More best-of lists →Replacing a tool? →

Best Web Analytics Tools in 2026

Tool

KlaviyoEcommerce email and SMS marketing with deep Shopify integration.

Tool

Google AnalyticsThe default web analytics: free, powerful, heavyweight.

Tool

PlausibleLightweight, privacy-first, open-source web analytics.

Tool

Fathom AnalyticsSimple, privacy-focused analytics without cookie banners.

Tool

PostHogOpen-source product analytics, session replay, flags, and A/B tests.

Tool

MixpanelEvent-based product analytics for funnels and retention.

Tool

HotjarHeatmaps and session recordings to see how users behave.

Tool

SemrushAll-in-one visibility suite spanning SEO, ads, and content.

Tool

Microsoft ClarityFree heatmaps and session recordings with no traffic limits.

Free

FAQ

What's the most private way to track website analytics?: Plausible and Fathom are both built specifically to avoid cookies and personal data collection while still tracking core traffic metrics.
Is Microsoft Clarity really free?: Yes, Clarity offers heatmaps and session recordings with no traffic limits at no cost.
What's the difference between Google Analytics and PostHog?: Google Analytics is focused on marketing/traffic analytics; PostHog is a broader open-source product analytics suite that also includes session replay, feature flags, and experimentation.