The strongest GA Google Analytics alternative for most sites is Site Kit by Google, which brings Analytics, Search Console, and PageSpeed data into one WordPress dashboard straight from Google. For richer ecommerce reports, MonsterInsights is the friendliest GA4 setup, while WP Statistics keeps everything private and self-hosted with no external tracking. We ranked these from our index of 55,000+ WordPress plugins.

Why people switch from GA Google Analytics

• GA Google Analytics only inserts the tracking code and shows no reports, so people wanting in-dashboard stats move to Site Kit by Google or MonsterInsights.
• Teams wanting ecommerce and event tracking without code move to MonsterInsights or ExactMetrics.
• Sites uneasy about sending data to Google move to privacy-first Burst Statistics or WP Statistics.
• People who want Search Console and speed data alongside analytics move to Site Kit by Google.

Site Kit by Google – Google stats in one place

Site Kit by Google is Google’s official plugin, connecting Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, and PageSpeed Insights and surfacing their key stats inside WordPress. Against GA Google Analytics, it adds real dashboards and search data instead of just placing a tag. What it does not do: its in-dashboard reports are fairly high level, so deep analysis still means opening the full GA4 interface.

Choose Site Kit by Google if you want Google’s own stats and Search Console in one dashboard.

MonsterInsights – Easiest GA4 with ecommerce

MonsterInsights, known as MonsterInsights and made by Awesome Motive, is the most polished way to set up GA4 with enhanced ecommerce, event, and scroll tracking through a friendly interface. Against GA Google Analytics, it turns raw analytics into readable reports and one-click tracking features. What it does not do: most of the useful add-ons, including ecommerce and forms tracking, require a paid plan.

Choose MonsterInsights if you want the easiest GA4 setup with ecommerce reports.

ExactMetrics – In-admin GA4 reports

ExactMetrics, now ExactMetrics, is a close cousin of MonsterInsights that also focuses on GA4 dashboards and event tracking inside WordPress. Against GA Google Analytics, it provides in-admin reports and simpler GA4 configuration. What it does not do: like MonsterInsights, its more advanced tracking sits behind premium tiers, and the free version is fairly basic.

Choose ExactMetrics if you want in-admin GA4 reports at a different price point.

Burst Statistics – Privacy-first simplicity

Burst Statistics, from the team behind Really Simple Security, is a privacy-friendly analytics plugin that stores data on your own server and often needs no cookie banner. Against GA Google Analytics, it keeps visitor data out of Google entirely while showing clean dashboards. What it does not do: it does not match GA4’s depth for ecommerce funnels and multi-channel attribution.

Choose Burst Statistics if you want simple, privacy-first analytics without Google.

WP Statistics – Self-hosted, owned data

WP Statistics is a long-established, fully self-hosted analytics plugin that records visits in your own database with no third-party services. Against GA Google Analytics, it gives you GDPR-friendly stats you control completely. What it does not do: storing all data locally can grow your database and add load on high-traffic sites, and some features are paid add-ons.

Choose WP Statistics if you want self-hosted analytics you fully own.

When to stay on GA Google Analytics

Stay on GA Google Analytics if you want the lightest possible way to add your Google Analytics tag and nothing more. It is tiny, reliable, and lets you insert GA4 or custom tracking code without dashboards you will not read. If you already analyse your data inside Google Analytics itself, a heavier reporting plugin only adds weight.

How we ranked these

Every plugin here is scored by the WPS Score, a single 0 to 10 rating built from 21 signals covering maintenance, support responsiveness, compatibility, performance, and ratings quality across our index of 55,000+ plugins. Rankings are derived from that data, not editorial preference, and no plugin author can pay to change a score. How the WPS Score works.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free alternative to GA Google Analytics?

Site Kit by Google is the best free alternative for most sites, since it connects Google Analytics and Search Console and shows their stats inside WordPress at no cost. If you prefer to avoid Google entirely, WP Statistics and Burst Statistics are free, privacy-focused options that keep data on your own server.

Which analytics plugin is most privacy-friendly?

WP Statistics and Burst Statistics are the most privacy-friendly because they store visitor data on your own server rather than sending it to Google. This makes GDPR compliance easier and often removes the need for a cookie consent banner, unlike GA Google Analytics, which relies on Google Analytics.

Does GA Google Analytics show stats in the dashboard?

No. GA Google Analytics only inserts the Google Analytics tracking code and does not display reports in WordPress. To see stats inside your dashboard, you would use Site Kit by Google, MonsterInsights, or ExactMetrics, all of which pull GA4 data into the admin area.

The verdict

The best all-round GA Google Analytics alternative is Site Kit by Google for combining Google’s own analytics and search data in one dashboard, with MonsterInsights winning on ecommerce reporting and WP Statistics on privacy. If you only need the tag placed and read your data in Google Analytics directly, staying on GA Google Analytics is entirely valid.