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Plausible Analytics vs Fathom Analytics

Self-host swap-in for Fathom Analytics. · Self-host Fathom Analytics · Plausible Analytics on os-alt

Plausible Analytics is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Fathom Analytics — license AGPL-3.0, 15min docker-compose (Elixir app + ClickHouse + Postgres) to stand up, and $10/mo vps; clickhouse is the heaviest piece, fine on a single 2gb instance for a few sites. Compare against Fathom Analytics's $15/mo for 100k pageviews; $44/mo for 400k; $80/mo for 1M below.

Plausible Analyticsopen-sourceFathom Analyticspaid SaaS
CategoryPrivacy-first web analyticsPrivacy-first web analytics
License / pricingAGPL-3.0$15/mo for 100k pageviews; $44/mo for 400k; $80/mo for 1M
Starting price$0 self-host$15/user/mo
GitHubplausible/analytics ★ 24.8k · last commit todayaliveclosed source
Setup time15min docker-compose (Elixir app + ClickHouse + Postgres)SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost$10/mo VPS; ClickHouse is the heaviest piece, fine on a single 2GB instance for a few sites.from $15/user/mo ($15/mo for 100k pageviews; $44/mo for 400k; $80/mo for 1M)

Switching from Fathom Analytics to Plausible Analytics

Use the official compose at github.com/plausible/community-edition. Replace the Fathom snippet with Plausible's `<script defer data-domain="yoursite.com" src="https://plausible.example.com/js/script.js">`. There's no first-party Fathom importer (Fathom doesn't expose historical pageview data via API) — accept the calendar reset and start clean. Goals and custom events port one-for-one with the same hash-based event API.

Good fit for
Teams that want the closest Fathom-shaped UX and dashboard without leaving open source.
Weak at
ClickHouse is overkill for tiny sites and adds to the ops surface vs SQLite-backed alternatives.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to Fathom Analytics

  • MIT10min docker-compose (Next.js + Postgres or MySQL)$5/mo VPS — Postgres-based, very light.
  • EUPL-1.25min single-binary$3/mo VPS — Go binary + SQLite, runs anywhere.

Plausible Analytics also replaces

In a terminal? npx os-alt fathom-analytics prints Fathom Analytics's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Plausible Analytics a free alternative to Fathom Analytics?

Yes — Plausible Analytics is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $10/mo VPS; ClickHouse is the heaviest piece, fine on a single 2GB instance for a few sites.. Fathom Analytics starts at $15/user/mo ($15/mo for 100k pageviews; $44/mo for 400k; $80/mo for 1M).

How long does Plausible Analytics take to set up vs Fathom Analytics?

Self-hosting Plausible Analytics: 15min docker-compose (Elixir app + ClickHouse + Postgres). Fathom Analytics is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Plausible Analytics good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Teams that want the closest Fathom-shaped UX and dashboard without leaving open source.. Weak at: ClickHouse is overkill for tiny sites and adds to the ops surface vs SQLite-backed alternatives..