Matomo vs Plausible: Which Is Better in 2026?

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

Our Pick: Plausible (by a slight margin)

Plausible edges out with a slightly higher rating (8 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
M
Matomo
P
Plausible(Winner)
Overall Rating
7.5/10
8/10
Starting Price
$19/mo
$9/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
medium
solo
Ease of Use
6/10
10/10
Features
8/10
6/10
Value for Money
8/10
8/10
Support
7/10
8/10

Overview

M

Matomo

Matomo (formerly Piwik) is an open-source analytics platform that can be self-hosted. Full Google Analytics replacement with complete data ownership.

P

Plausible

Plausible is a lightweight, open-source analytics tool that's GDPR compliant without cookies. Perfect for privacy-conscious site owners wanting simple metrics.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Plausible
M

Matomo

Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$19/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
P

Plausible

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$9/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Matomo
FeatureMatomoPlausible
Web Analytics
Product Analytics
Limited
Heatmaps
Session Recording
Funnel Analysis
Basic
Privacy Focused
Real Time
Ab Testing
Data Retention
Unlimited (self-host)
Unlimited
Custom Events

3

features unique to Matomo

0

features unique to Plausible

Pros & Cons

M

Matomo

Pros

  • 100% data ownership
  • GDPR compliant
  • Similar to Google Analytics
  • Free self-hosted option
  • No data sampling

Cons

  • Self-hosting requires technical skills
  • Interface feels dated
  • Cloud version gets expensive
  • Steeper learning curve
P

Plausible

Pros

  • No cookies, GDPR compliant
  • Incredibly lightweight (<1KB)
  • Simple, clean dashboard
  • Open source option
  • Easy to understand

Cons

  • Limited advanced features
  • No user-level tracking
  • No heatmaps or recordings
  • Paid only (no free tier)

The Verdict: Plausible Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but Plausible edges out Matomo with a slightly higher overall rating of 8/10 versus 7.5/10. Both are solid choices, but Plausible offers a marginally better overall package.

Plausible's advantages include No cookies, GDPR compliant and Incredibly lightweight (<1KB), though Matomo counters with 100% data ownership and GDPR compliant.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to Plausible, but don't count out Matomo if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose Matomo if you...

  • • Need organizations needing data ownership
  • • Need government and healthcare
  • • Need privacy-conscious enterprises

Choose Plausible if you...

  • • Need privacy-conscious site owners
  • • Need simple website analytics
  • • Need eu-based businesses

Ready to Get Started?

Try MatomoTry Plausible

Read our full reviews:

Matomo Full ReviewPlausible 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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Matomo vs Plausible FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Plausible has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, Plausible is more affordable with plans starting at $9/month, compared to $19/month for the other.
Plausible scores higher in ease of use (10/10) compared to Matomo (6/10).
Yes, migration between Matomo and Plausible 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. Matomo is best for medium teams while Plausible suits solo teams.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Matomo offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Matomo excels at: Organizations needing data ownership, Government and healthcare. Plausible is better for: Privacy-conscious site owners, Simple website analytics. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Plausible rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to Matomo (7/10).
Both tools offer similar value for money, each rated 8/10.
Consider switching if Plausible's strengths (Privacy-conscious site owners) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.