Fathom Analytics vs Plausible
Both are strong picks for analytics, but they make different trade-offs. Here is the honest breakdown for 2026.
| At a glance | Fathom Analytics | Plausible |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $14/mo | $9/mo |
| Free tier | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Privacy-friendly analytics | Privacy-friendly analytics |
| Platforms | Web, API | Web, API, Self-hosted |
| Launched | 2018 | 2019 |
Fathom Analytics
Analytics
Simple, privacy-focused analytics with EU isolation and uptime monitoring built in.
Strengths
- + 50 sites on the base plan suits portfolio owners
- + EU isolation handles data transfer compliance
- + Uptime monitoring included
Weaknesses
- − Closed source, no self-hosting
- − Slightly pricier entry than Plausible
Pick Fathom Analytics over Plausible if: you mainly need privacy-friendly analytics.
Plausible
Analytics
Privacy-first, cookieless web analytics in a single page. The GA4 escape hatch.
Strengths
- + No consent banner needed for analytics
- + Fast, tiny script that never slows pages
- + Open source with a self-host option
Weaknesses
- − No user-level or session drill-down
- − Limited attribution for paid marketing
Pick Plausible over Fathom Analytics if: you mainly need privacy-friendly analytics.
Bottom line
Pick Fathom if you run many small sites or want its compliance posture; pick Plausible for open source. Plausible is the analytics we recommend to content sites and indie products that mostly need honest traffic numbers. If budget is the deciding factor, start with whichever free tier or trial fits your workflow, then upgrade once you hit its limits.