When I learned Gauges, my longtime favorite analytics plugin, was removed from the WordPress repository for violating guidelines, I needed to find another site analytics plugin.
Not only for my own site, but for my clients’ sites.
My goal for an analytics plugin:
- Lightweight, minimal impact on site performance
- Open-source
- Privacy-friendly, privacy-focused. No personal data collected, no tracking across devices or websites.
- Simple configuration settings
- Easy to understand dashboard
- Browser, operating system, and geographic info
- Updated frequently
- Good reviews from users
I turned away from Google Analytics in 2018; I wanted analytics that prioritized privacy.
And I didn’t need or use all the bells and whistles Google Analytics offered.
Which is why I initially turned to Koko Analytics for my site and eventually my client sites.
Koko Analytics
Created by Danny van Kooten, Koko Analytics is a free privacy-focused WordPress plugin with low overhead and quick installation.
After installation, an analytics widget displays on your dashboard displaying the last two weeks of analytics.
Koko Analytics fit my needs, displaying the top pages and referrers to my site with options to drill down or change time periods for more information.
I could change time periods and see real-time page views.
Except it didn’t include two features I loved in Gauges.
- Browsers/operating system
- Geographic information
As far as I know, those two features are not currently on the roadmap for Koko Analytics.
Which meant I kept looking for an analytics alternative with those features.
Plausible
When my friend Chris Wiegman mentioned Plausible (paid analytics solution) to me, I thought it was time to take another look.
I remember looking at Plausible in the past, but decided to go with a free plugin.
One of the features I like about Plausible: they have a free 30-day trial with no credit card needed. No dark pattern here.
I decided to give Plausible a whirl.
What I discovered was a lightweight, open-source tool, with a clean usable interface with multiple filters and options to set goal conversions.
Once I signed up for the free trial, it only took a couple minutes before I saw the analytics dashboard updated with data.
Along with the browser and geographic information I’ve been wanting in Koko Analytics.
A clean interface, real-time analytics. With options to view bounce rate and visit duration, Plausible has a lot to offer.
Plausible vs. Koko Analytics
Since my site is simultaneously running Plausible and Koko Analytics, I can compare the results of both.
This isn’t an in-depth review, rather initial findings from Plausible vs. my longer use of Koko Analytics on this site.
My findings:
- I like the design of the Plausible analytics interface more than Koko Analytics. Its clean interface and data is easy to view and understand.
- Plausible requires more work to configure and display their interface widget in the WordPress Dashboard. Koko Analytics dashboard widget is created automatically.
- Plausible and Koko Analytics report similar results of top pages and top referrers
- Plausible is reporting about 20% less visits/50% more pageviews than Koko Analytics. I’m not sure what’s causing that, but it’s been consistent. (See update in the Wrapping Up section)
- More people visit the site on desktop/laptop during the work week, almost 60%. But not on the weekend, when mobile visits rule (not surprised).
- Windows is the top operating system, representing almost 40%, followed by a tie between Android and iOS at just over 20%. Mac represents less than 15% of users while GNU/Linux represents 1%.
- Chrome is the top browser (57%) followed by Safari at 23%. Firefox lags further behind at 10% of users while Microsoft Edge is 5%.
- Top three countries for visits: United States of America (41%), Philippines (9%), and United Kingdom (7%)
The data about device, browser, operating system, and geographic locations are helpful insights for me.
Having data about operating systems and devices used to visit the site allows me to make sure the site displays correctly for those users.
Wrapping Up
Both Koko Analytics and Plausible are excellent site analytics options, providing numerous features and functionality, as well as helpful interfaces.
If you’re looking for a free alternative to Google Analytics, I recommend Koko Analytics. Given you don’t need/want information about browsers, operating systems, and geographic location.
For people looking for a paid solution with additional features, Plausible provides a more complete picture of your analytics with a clean interface.
For my finding about the difference in results between Plausible and Koko Analytics, I believe the issue is one is tracking total visits while the other is tracking unique visits. Same with pageviews. (My fault for not carefully reading the labels!)
I’ve contacted Plausible about it. Hoping they’ll confirm my hypothesis.
Are you using Plausible or Koko Analytics on your site? Share your experiences in the comments.
