Google Analytics Alternative: Matomo

Matomo is a free and open web analytics software that works similar to Google Analytics. This enables companies and website operators to analyze and understand the use of their websites . In contrast to Google Analytics, however, the data is stored on its own servers instead of being transmitted to an external provider such as Google. This allows the privacy of users to be better protected . Matomo also offers advanced features like the ability to create custom reports and integrate the data with other applications .

Matomo has several advantages compared to other web analysis tools such as Google Analytics:

Privacy:

Since the data is stored on our own servers, the privacy of the users can be better protected, since no data has to be transmitted to external providers.

Control over the data:

Being a self-hosted solution, users have full control over the collected data, can easily backup and export it.

Advanced features:

Matomo offers advanced features such as the ability to create custom reports and integrate the data with other applications.

Openness:

Matomo is an open source solution and can therefore be adapted and extended by anyone.

Cost efficiency:

Matomo is a free solution that only incurs the cost of your own servers or hosting costs.

Matomo also has some disadvantages compared to other web analytics tools like Google Analytics:

Self hosted:

Matomo has to be hosted on its own servers, which can be challenging for some users, especially if they don't have the necessary technical skills or resources.

Not that wide user base:

Matomo has a smaller user base than Google Analytics, which means there are fewer resources and community support.

Possibly higher costs:

Since Matomo needs to be self-hosted, server or hosting costs can be higher than other solutions, especially for large websites with heavy traffic.

Possibly less functionality:

While Matomo has many advanced features, it may not have as many features as other tools like Google Analytics, specifically in terms of data analysis and prediction.

No automatic updates:

Since Matomo is self-hosted, users have to manually update and ensure their version is always up-to-date.

Custom reports in Matomo are individual reports that users can create to analyze specific data or metrics . These reports allow users to view the data in a way that best suits their specific needs .

Custom reports in Matomo are very flexible and can be customized to the user's needs . For example, they can include metrics such as the number of visitors, time spent on the site, bounce rate, number of page views, and more. Users can also add specific dimensions such as the time spent on certain pages , where the traffic comes from, or the devices used .

Custom reports can also be viewed in various formats such as tables, line charts, bar charts, pie charts and many more. Users can also view the data in real-time or filter it for a specific time period .

An example of a custom report in Matomo could be a report that groups the number of visitors, time spent on the site, and bounce rate by device and browser type . This report could be displayed in a bar chart to visualize the data.

Whether Matomo is better than Google Analytics depends on a company's or website's specific needs and preferences . Matomo has some advantages like better privacy and the ability to store the data on its own servers, but it also has some disadvantages like the need to self-host the software and a smaller user base . For companies that value privacy and want to be in control of their data, Matomo can be an attractive option . Matomo can also be a good choice for companies that opt ​​for an open source solution . However, there are also companies that prefer Google Analytics as it has a broader user base and makes more features and resources available. Even for companies that don't want to deal with hosting the software themselves, Google Analytics is probably a better choice. Overall, Matomo can be a good alternative for companies that have certain privacy requirements and want to be in control of their data , but it also has some disadvantages compared to Google Analytics. It is important to carefully consider your needs and preferences before choosing a web analytics solution. Our team of technical and marketing experts can be contacted at any time for questions and help with the Matomo tool .