GhostlyX vs Google Analytics
Google Analytics is free because your visitors' data is the product. GA4's event-based model is powerful but notoriously complex, and its reliance on cookies means most EU-based sites require a consent banner. Austrian and French data protection authorities have ruled GA4 usage non-compliant with GDPR when data is transferred to the US without adequate safeguards. GhostlyX is cookie-free by design, requires no consent banner, and keeps your data out of Google's hands entirely.
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At a glance
| Feature | GhostlyX | Google Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy & compliance | ||
| Cookie-free | ||
| GDPR compliant | ||
| No data sampling | ||
| Respects DNT header | ||
| Respects GPC header | ||
| Data sold or shared with third parties | ||
| Features | ||
| Real-time visitors | ||
| Uptime monitoring | ||
| Traffic spike alerts | ||
| Funnel analysis | ||
| Goal tracking | ||
| REST API | ||
| Scheduled email reports | ||
| CSV export | ||
| TV / big-screen mode | ||
| Session replay | ||
| Heatmaps | ||
| A/B testing | ||
| AI insights | ||
| Server-side tracking | ||
| Shareable dashboards | ||
| Global geo reporting | ||
| MCP server | ||
| Open-source | ||
| Pricing & ownership | ||
| Script size | Under 2 kB | ~45 kB |
| Starting price | Free plan available | Free (GA360 from $50,000/yr) |
| Owned by | Independent | Google LLC (Alphabet Inc., USA) |
| Data location | EU servers | Google servers (USA) |
Why teams switch to GhostlyX
GhostlyX advantages
- No cookies. No consent banner required.
- Data never reaches Google or any third party.
- Under 1.5 kB gzipped, roughly 30x smaller script.
- Simple, single-page dashboard. No training required.
- Fully GDPR, CCPA, and PECR compliant out of the box.
- No data sampling on any plan.
- Uptime monitoring included. GA4 has no equivalent.
- Built-in session replay and heatmaps.
- A/B testing with Bayesian statistics, no cookies required.
- AI-powered insights and analyst chat included.
- MCP server for AI agent integrations.
Google Analytics advantages
- Free forever for standard usage.
- Deep integration with Google Ads and Search Console.
- Largest ecosystem of third-party integrations.
- Predictive metrics and audience modelling powered by Google's ML.
- Google Tag Manager support is mature and widely documented.
Common questions
Yes. GhostlyX covers the core metrics most teams actually use: pageviews, unique visitors, referrers, top pages, UTM campaigns, and custom events, without any of the privacy downsides of GA4.
No. GhostlyX stores no cookies and collects no personal data, so you are not required to display a consent banner under GDPR or PECR. Many sites that switch to GhostlyX remove their banner entirely.
Historical data stays in your Google Analytics account. GhostlyX starts collecting from the moment you add the script. Most teams run both in parallel for 30 days before removing GA.
GhostlyX has a free plan you can start on straight away, with paid plans available when you need more. Unlike GA4, GhostlyX does not monetise your visitors' data, so the cost on paid tiers is honest and predictable.
Data protection authorities in Austria, France, Italy, Denmark, and Sweden have ruled that using GA4 with US-based data transfers violates GDPR. GhostlyX does not transfer any personal data to the US or to any third party.
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Switch from Google Analytics today
Add the GhostlyX script in 2 minutes. Free plan available, no credit card needed.