Analytics tools comparison
The table below lists analytics tools supported by DreamApply and compares their use, hosting options, pricing, prerequisites and key pros and cons.
| Tool | Privacy Level & Core Value | Hosting Location | Pricing/ Prerequisites | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics (GA4), Google Tag Manager (GTM) | GDPR via Anonymization. Core Value: Complex and tailored analytics for professional use. | Global SaaS | Freemium ($0 tier) | Pros: Granular IDs, funnels. Cons: Complex, 48h delay in data display. |
| Matomo | High — full GDPR compliance, self-hosting option. Core value: Data sovereignty & privacy. | EU Cloud (Germany) or self-hosted anywhere | Free (self-hosted), requires own server for self-host, or paid (cloud). | Pros: Privacy-first, open-source, full data ownership, robust features, GDPR-compliant. Cons: More complex to configure than lightweight tools. |
| Fathom | High — no cookies, GDPR compliant. Core value: Simplicity & GDPR compliance. | US/EU (dual-region hosting) | Free (self-hosted), requires own server for self-host, or paid (cloud). | Pros: Simple, privacy-focused, no cookies, real-time metrics, GDPR-compliant. Cons: Limited advanced features, aggregate-only, not for detailed user-level tracking. |
| Plausible | High — open-source, GDPR, CCPA and PECR compliant, EU-hosted. Core value: Lightweight & privacy-first. | EU Cloud (Germany) or self-hosted | Free (self-hosted), requires own server for self-host, or paid (cloud). | Pros: Privacy-first, fast-loading, minimal interface, open-source, GDPR-compliant. Cons: Not designed for complex and advanced reporting, aggregate-only, not for detailed user-level tracking. |
| Simple Analytics | High — no personal data, GDPR compliant. Core value: API access, clean UI & privacy. | EU Cloud (Netherlands) | Paid (cloud); no self-hosting. | Pros: Privacy-first, minimalist dashboard, strong API access, easy for marketing teams, GDPR-compliant. Cons: Limited features, aggregate-only, not for detailed user-level tracking. |