Countly vs Google Analytics
Considering a switch from Google Analytics to a European alternative? Countly offers full GDPR compliance and EU-only data hosting without the legal uncertainties that come with US-based services. Here's how they compare on features, pricing, and data protection.
Quick Overview
Countly
EU- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Google Analytics
USGoogle Analytics is a web analytics service that tracks and reports website traffic, providing detailed insights into user behavior, acquisition channels, and conversions.
The Case for Countly
- Countly stores all data exclusively in EU, under European jurisdiction. Unlike Google Analytics, which is subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, Countly cannot be compelled by foreign governments to hand over your data.
- Countly offers a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) that is fully aligned with GDPR Article 28. There is no legal ambiguity about data transfers or adequacy decisions — your data processor is European, and the law that governs it is European.
- As an open-source solution, Countly gives you full code transparency. You can verify that the software does what it claims, audit it for security vulnerabilities, and even self-host it for maximum control — something that is simply not possible with Google Analytics.
- You can try Countly for free before committing. This makes it easy to evaluate whether it meets your needs alongside — or as a replacement for — Google Analytics, without any financial risk.
Why Switch to Countly?
Concerns with Google Analytics
- Declared illegal in Austria, France, and Italy under GDPR
- Transfers personal data to the US without adequate safeguards
- IP addresses and user identifiers accessible to US authorities
- Cookie consent requirements often improperly implemented
Countly Compliance
GDPRISO 27001DPA
- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Data Centers
- EU
Get Started
Categories
Countly vs Google Analytics — FAQ
Is Google Analytics GDPR compliant?
Google Analytics may offer GDPR compliance features and EU data residency options, but as a US-headquartered company, it remains subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702. These laws can compel US companies to hand over data regardless of where it is stored. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework provides some safeguards, but its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield) were both invalidated by the European Court of Justice. Countly, as a European company, is not subject to these US laws at all.
How does Countly compare to Google Analytics in features?
Countly offers Product analytics, User segmentation, Push notifications, Crash analytics, and 5 more features. While Google Analytics's ecosystem may be larger due to its market position, Countly covers the core functionality that most teams need. The trade-off is typically between breadth of integrations (Google Analytics) and data sovereignty with regulatory certainty (Countly).
Can I migrate from Google Analytics to Countly?
Yes. Most European software providers, including Countly, offer migration tools or documentation to help you transition from US-based services. Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability — meaning Google Analytics must provide your data in a machine-readable format. The migration process varies in complexity depending on your data volume and integrations, but for most teams it can be completed within a few days to a few weeks.