Google Analytics 4 vs Mixpanel: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right analytics tool for your needs.

Too Close to Call

Both tools are closely matched with similar overall ratings

Quick Comparison

Aspect
G
Google Analytics 4
M
Mixpanel
Overall Rating
8/10
8/10
Starting Price
Free
$20/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
any
medium
Ease of Use
6/10
7/10
Features
9/10
9/10
Value for Money
10/10
7/10
Support
6/10
7/10

Overview

G

Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is Google's latest analytics platform with event-based tracking, cross-platform measurement, and machine learning insights. Free for most use cases.

M

Mixpanel

Mixpanel is a leading product analytics platform for tracking user behavior, funnels, and retention. Excellent for product teams wanting to understand user journeys.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Google Analytics 4
G

Google Analytics 4

Better Value
Pricing ModelFree
Starting PriceFree
Free Trial
Free Tier
M

Mixpanel

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$20/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

FeatureGoogle Analytics 4Mixpanel
Web Analytics
Product Analytics
Basic
Heatmaps
Session Recording
Funnel Analysis
Privacy Focused
Real Time
Ab Testing
Via Optimize
Data Retention
14 months free
Varies by plan
Custom Events

0

features unique to Google Analytics 4

0

features unique to Mixpanel

Pros & Cons

G

Google Analytics 4

Pros

  • Completely free for most users
  • Integrates with Google ecosystem
  • Cross-platform tracking
  • Machine learning insights
  • Industry standard

Cons

  • Steep learning curve (especially from UA)
  • Privacy concerns in EU
  • Interface can be confusing
  • Data sampling on free tier
M

Mixpanel

Pros

  • Powerful event tracking
  • Excellent funnel and retention analysis
  • User-level insights
  • Good free tier
  • Strong cohort analysis

Cons

  • Learning curve for full potential
  • Can get expensive at scale
  • Implementation requires planning
  • Not for simple web analytics

The Verdict: It's a Tie

Both Google Analytics 4 and Mixpanel are excellent analytics tools that deliver strong value. With nearly identical overall ratings, the choice between them comes down to your specific requirements rather than one being objectively better.

Google Analytics 4 shines in any website needing free analytics, while Mixpanel excels at saas product teams. Consider trying both with their free trials to see which fits your workflow better.

Our recommendation: We recommend Google Analytics 4 if you prioritize completely free for most users, and Mixpanel if powerful event tracking matter more to you.

Choose Google Analytics 4 if you...

  • • Need any website needing free analytics
  • • Need google ads advertisers
  • • Need cross-platform tracking needs

Choose Mixpanel if you...

  • • Need saas product teams
  • • Need mobile apps
  • • Need user behavior analysis

Ready to Get Started?

Try Google Analytics 4Try Mixpanel

Read our full reviews:

Google Analytics 4 Full ReviewMixpanel Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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Google Analytics 4 vs Mixpanel FAQ

Both Google Analytics 4 and Mixpanel are excellent choices with similar ratings. The better option depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
Yes, Google Analytics 4 is more affordable with plans starting at $0/month, compared to $20/month for the other.
Mixpanel scores higher in ease of use (7/10) compared to Google Analytics 4 (6/10).
Yes, migration between Google Analytics 4 and Mixpanel is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
Both tools can work for small teams. Google Analytics 4 is best for any teams while Mixpanel suits medium teams.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Google Analytics 4 offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Google Analytics 4 excels at: Any website needing free analytics, Google Ads advertisers. Mixpanel is better for: SaaS product teams, Mobile apps. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Mixpanel rates higher in customer support (7/10) compared to Google Analytics 4 (6/10).
Google Analytics 4 offers better value for money with a rating of 10/10 compared to Mixpanel's 7/10.
Consider switching if Mixpanel's strengths (SaaS product teams) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.