4 Self-Hosted Web Analytics Tools You’ll Want to Try

You want to understand what’s happening on your website – without tracking your visitors like a data spy. You care about privacy, and you value having full control over data. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

In this post, we’ll introduce you to four inspiring, GDPR-compliant, self-hosted web analytics tools. Whether you're a developer, a website owner, or part of a digital team looking for Google Analytics alternatives, these tools put digital sovereignty back in your hands.

Why Go Self-Hosted?

Self-hosted analytics tools give you full data ownership and control. No external servers. No third-party tracking. That’s not only good for privacy — it’s great for compliance. Especially post-Schrems II, relying on U.S.-based analytics can be legally risky in the EU.

Plus, with self-hosting, you don’t have to rely on cookie banners that chase visitors away. Most of these tools are either cookie-free or allow tracking with user-friendly, GDPR-compliant integrations.

The Problem With Standard Analytics

Google Analytics still dominates, but it's increasingly problematic. Complex data privacy policies, third-party dependencies, and a poor reputation among users have made many site owners look for an alternative.

Imagine visiting a website, only to be greeted by a cookie banner asking for more data than your bank. No fun — for you or your visitors.

That’s where self-hosted web analytics come into play. Let's dive into four powerful options that give you modern insights with privacy-first design.

1. Matomo – The All-Rounder

Formerly known as Piwik, Matomo is the feature-rich Swiss Army knife of self-hosted analytics. It has pretty much everything Google Analytics offers and more: event tracking, goals, heatmaps, session recordings, even A/B testing.

It’s ideal for larger teams or projects where detailed insights are essential. The UI is vast but polished, and there's a plugin system for deep customization.

Fun Fact: Matomo is used by the United Nations and the European Commission — proof of its enterprise-grade credibility.

Hosting Requirements: PHP + MySQL/MariaDB

License: GPLv3

Cookie Usage: Optional, can work cookie-free with configuration

2. Plausible (Self-Hosted) – The Minimalist

Plausible is the darling of modern, ethical web analytics. Its dashboard is elegant and to the point — no fluff, just the metrics you need: pageviews, referrals, bounce rates, devices, and goal completions.

Designed to be lightweight and cookie-free, Plausible is perfect for marketers and developers who want fast insights without sacrificing speed or privacy.

Use Case: Small to medium websites, SaaS landing pages, privacy-central blogs.

Fun Fact: Plausible’s client-side script is under 1KB — that’s smaller than most logos.

Hosting Requirements: Node.js (via Docker recommended), PostgreSQL

License: AGPLv3

Cookie Usage: None

3. Umami – The Lightweight Champion

Umami is a sleek, open-source analytics tool with a focus on simplicity. No extra baggage — just pageviews, referral sources, devices, and events. It features a clean UI and delivers just enough data to make informed decisions quickly.

Umami is particularly attractive to developers, thanks to its modern tech stack and one-click deployment via Docker.

Use Case: Developers, startups, platforms where simplicity is a feature, not a limitation.

Fun Fact: Its name means “pleasant savory taste” in Japanese — and yes, it describes the UI too.

Hosting Requirements: Node.js + PostgreSQL (Dockerized)

License: MIT

Cookie Usage: None

4. Ackee – The Discreet One

Ackee is the perfect tool for devs who love control and don’t need page after page of dashboards. It collects anonymous usage data without cookies, making it perfect for small websites, portfolios, and indie apps.

The interface is simple, and Ackee gives you access to its data through a REST API, making it extensible and automatable.

Use Case: Developers running personal or client projects where GDPR-compliance and elegance matter.

Fun Fact: Despite being privacy-first, Ackee shows live users in real-time — anonymously, of course.

Hosting Requirements: Node.js + MongoDB

License: MIT

Cookie Usage: None

Choosing the Right Tool

There’s no one-size-fits-all in analytics. Your ideal solution depends on the features you need, your hosting environment, and how much you want to maintain.

• Matomo: Go here if you want it all — from session tracking to form analytics.
• Plausible: If you need quick, cookie-free insights, this is your friend.
• Umami: A clean choice for developers who like lightweight tools.
• Ackee: Minimal, anonymous, ideal for personal or small projects.

All of these tools are open source and can be hosted on your own server, a VPS, or even via managed container platforms like LAY7 cloud 😉

What Self-Hosting Means in Practice

Self-hosting isn’t zero-maintenance, but it’s often easier than expected — especially with Docker images and pre-built community guides.

• Updates: Most of these tools offer clear upgrade paths
• Security: Use HTTPS, strong passwords, and firewall/access control
• Backups: Always plan for database and config backups

Good news: many communities offer managed hosting options too, ideal for those who want privacy without sysadmin overhead.

Final Thoughts

With growing concerns about data privacy and regulatory compliance, moving away from Google Analytics isn’t just a good idea — it's a responsible choice. Self-hosted web analytics tools make it possible to respect your users while gaining the insights you need.

Start small. Pick one tool. Test it out. You may love the freedom so much, you’ll never look back.