12 Best Analytics Plugins for WordPress in 2025 (Free & Paid)


Best Analytics Plugins for WordPress

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Table of Contents

Nothing is more frustrating than installing an analytics plugin, only to realise it slows down your site, delivers inaccurate data, or drains your budget.

With hundreds of analytics tools out there, choosing the right one is overwhelming. Most are either ridiculously expensive, poorly built, or just not worth the hassle.

We’ve been there, tested countless options, and found what actually works. To save you the hassle, we’ve rounded up the Best Analytics Plugins for WordPress—free and paid options that actually work. Let’s dive in.

Quick Overview of Best Analytics Plugins for WordPress

PluginPriceBest For?Standout Feature
MonsterInsightsFree version available; premium plans start at $99.50/yearBusinesses, eCommerce, bloggersReal-time stats, eCommerce tracking, and custom reports
WP StatisticsFree; optional paid add-ons starting from $39/yearPrivacy-conscious usersLocal data storage and GDPR compliance
ExactMetricsFree version available; premium plans start at $99.50/yearAgencies, freelancers, and businessesPage-level insights and role-based access
Site Kit by GoogleFreeBeginners needing an official Google solutionDirect integration with Google Analytics, Search Console, and AdSense

What to Look For in a Google Analytics WordPress Plugin

Choosing the right WordPress analytics plugin is essential for understanding website traffic, tracking user behaviour, and optimising your site’s performance. A good plugin should be easy to set up, provide accurate insights, and fit the specific needs of your WordPress website. Some key factors to keep in mind:

1. Easy Setup & Integration

No one wants a complicated setup. A good Google Analytics plugin should connect to your Google Analytics account in just a few clicks and display insights directly in your WordPress dashboard, so you don’t have to switch between platforms. Look for a tool that requires minimal setup, avoiding manual tracking code insertion or complex configurations.

2. Comprehensive Reporting

The analytics plugin should provide detailed analytics on website visitors, page views, engagement, and traffic sources in an easy-to-read format. Some plugins even offer custom dashboards with visual reports, making it easier to track trends without digging through raw data.

3. Real-Time Tracking

For websites that rely on real-time stats, choose a WordPress analytics plugin that lets you monitor active visitors, live page views, and user interactions as they happen. This feature is particularly useful for eCommerce stores, news websites, and businesses that depend on quick decision-making.

4. GDPR & Privacy Compliance

With strict data privacy regulations like GDPR, protecting user privacy isn’t optional; it’s a necessity. To stay compliant, look for features like IP address anonymisation, user consent management, and data retention controls.

5. eCommerce Tracking

For those running a WooCommerce store, basic analytics won’t cut it. Google Analytics eCommerce tracking provides in-depth insights into sales, conversion rates, revenue trends, and even how far users get before abandoning their carts.

6. Free vs Paid Options

A free analytics tool is great for basic tracking, but advanced features like event tracking, outbound link tracking, and Google Tag Manager integration often require a premium version. Decide based on your needs and budget.

7. Ongoing Support & Updates

An analytics plugin isn’t something you install once and forget. WordPress updates, Google’s tracking changes, and evolving privacy laws mean you need a plugin that’s actively maintained. Pick a plugin with active support and regular updates to avoid disruptions.

How We Tested and Reviewed WordPress Analytics Plugin

To recommend the best WordPress analytics plugins, we rigorously tested each WordPress analytics plugin on real sites, assessing performance, ease of use, and data accuracy. Our hands-on approach ensured that only plugins providing genuine insights into website traffic and user behaviour made the list.

1. Hands-On Testing on Real WordPress Sites

We didn’t just read about these plugins, we installed them on live and test websites to experience their setup process, interface, and features firsthand. This allowed us to evaluate how easy they were to integrate and whether they delivered accurate website analytics as advertised.

2. Comparing Advertised Features vs. Actual Performance

Many plugins make bold claims, but we wanted to see if they lived up to expectations. We tested core functions like Google Analytics tracking, real-time stats, eCommerce tracking, and user behaviour analysis to verify accuracy and reliability.

3. Long-Term Usability & Plugin Stability

A good plugin isn’t just functional; it should also be consistently updated and work smoothly over time. We examined update frequency, developer responsiveness, and whether plugins remained compatible with the latest WordPress versions.

4. User Feedback & Popularity Check

Beyond our testing, we looked at thousands of real user reviews, plugin ratings, and active install counts to understand how these tools perform for a wider audience. We prioritised plugins that had strong community support and a track record of reliability.

5. Customer Support & Documentation Review

Analytics plugins can be complex, so we tested the quality of customer support through email, live chat, and forums. We also assessed the clarity of documentation because a well-supported plugin should be easy to troubleshoot when needed.

1. MonsterInsights

MonsterInsights Plugin

With over 3 million active installs, MonsterInsights is the most widely used Google Analytics plugin for WordPress. It removes the complexity of Google Analytics tracking, making it easy for anyone to access real-time stats, analyse user behaviour, and eCommerce performance, all from the WordPress dashboard.

Instead of navigating Google Analytics’ cluttered interface, MonsterInsights provides clear, actionable reports inside WordPress, helping to make informed decisions. It is also one of the best search engine optimisation plugins for SEO analysis.

Key Features

  • Seamless Google Analytics integration with a quick setup
  • Real-time stats dashboard for instant insights
  • Enhanced eCommerce tracking for WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads
  • Custom reports tailored for audience, content, and site performance
  • Page-level analytics to see which content performs best
  • Enhanced link, referral, and CTA tracking for deeper insights
  • Ad tracking and advanced eCommerce analytics for online stores
  • Universal tracking across devices for comprehensive data

Pros

  • Quick and easy setup without manual code edits
  • Beginner-friendly dashboard with actionable insights
  • Site Notes feature to track key changes and their impact
  • Comprehensive tracking for eCommerce, forms, user behaviour, and more
  • Built-in GDPR compliance tools for privacy-friendly analytics
  • Google Search Console integration for keyword and ranking data
  • Works with major plugins like WooCommerce, WPForms, and All-in-One SEO

Cons

  • The free version is limited to basic Google Analytics tracking

Pricing

Monster Insights has a free version, while premium plans start at $99.50 per year for a single-site license.

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2. Jetpack

Jetpack Plugin

Jetpack is more than just an analytics plugin; it’s a complete WordPress toolkit designed to track website traffic, improve performance, and enhance security. With Jetpack Stats, users get real-time insights into visitor trends, popular content, and engagement metrics right from the WordPress dashboard. In addition to analytics, Jetpack offers automated backups, brute force protection, and a built-in CDN, making it a great all-in-one solution for site management.

Key Features

  • Website analytics to track visitors, engagement, and traffic sources
  • Performance optimisation to improve page speed and loading times
  • WordPress website security like brute force attack protection and downtime monitoring
  • Automated backups and one-click restores for site protection
  • Integrated CDN to speed up images and static files

Pros

  • Optimised for WordPress blogs, with detailed content insights
  • Jetpack mobile app makes it easy to track stats from anywhere
  • Additional tools like Jetpack Boost for performance testing and Image Accelerator for optimised images

Cons

Analytics are simpler compared to more advanced tracking plugins.

Pricing

Jetpack offers a free version, while Jetpack Stats is available for $8.33 per month. The Complete bundle, which includes security, backups, and performance tools, costs $24.95 per month.

3. Analytify

Analytify Plugin

Analytify is one of the best Google Analytics plugins for WordPress. The built-in Google Analytics dashboard makes tracking website traffic, user behaviour, and eCommerce performance effortless. With a one-click authentication process, it connects your site to Google Analytics without requiring manual setup. Its clear, visual reports help track website traffic, social media referrals, and conversions, allowing WordPress users to monitor performance without leaving their site.

Features

  • One-click Google Analytics integration for easy setup
  • Real-time tracking for instant visitor insights
  • eCommerce tracking (WooCommerce & Easy Digital Downloads)
  • Social media traffic analysis for engagement tracking
  • Geographical data visualisation to track visitor locations
  • Automated email reports for agencies and businesses
  • Frontend tracking reports via shortcodes

Pros

  • User-friendly dashboard with clear, actionable insights
  • Tracks individual page performance for SEO and content optimisation
  • No coding required, with quick authentication for easy setup
  • Automated reporting for tracking campaign performance
  • Integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce and other plugins

Cons

Some advanced features, like event tracking and goal reporting, are only available in the premium version.

Pricing

Analytify offers a free version, while the premium version starts at $39, unlocking advanced analytics, real-time tracking, and eCommerce insights.

4. WP Statistics

WP Statistics analytics plugin

WP Statistics is a privacy-focused WordPress analytics plugin that gives you full control over your website data by storing everything locally, without relying on third-party services like Google Analytics. It is an excellent choice for site owners who prioritise data privacy and compliance with GDPR and other regulations.

Unlike cloud-based web analytics tools, WP Statistics ensures that all visitor information, page views, referral data, and traffic sources are processed and stored directly on your WordPress site.

Features

  • Comprehensive website analytics dashboard
  • Visitor tracking with IP geolocation
  • Detailed page views and visitor statistics
  • Referral tracking from search engines and social media
  • Customisable reporting and data export options

Pros

  • Powerful, free analytics plugin with strong privacy features
  • Regular email reports about your website statistics
  • Automatic daily data cleanup to keep your database optimised
  • Displays data in filterable charts and graphs
  • GDPR compliant, ensuring user privacy

Cons

The plugin stores all data on your WordPress site, which can burden your hosting resources. Even with the cleanup feature, it may not keep up with the growth of your website.

Pricing

WP Statistics is entirely free, but it offers premium extensions for additional features, such as the Data Plus add-on for $39 per year.

5. Matomo Analytics (formerly WP-Piwik)

Matomo Analytics

Matomo Analytics is another privacy-focused Google Analytics alternative, designed for full data ownership and GDPR compliance. It stores all analytics data locally on your WordPress site, ensuring complete control without third-party tracking. Its user-friendly interface provides detailed insights, making it easy to track visitor behaviour, marketing campaigns, and eCommerce performance without compromising user privacy.

Features

  • 100% data ownership with no third-party access
  • Real-time reports for instant visitor tracking
  • eCommerce tracking (WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, MemberPress)
  • Built-in campaign tracking for marketing analysis
  • Tag Manager for advanced tracking without coding
  • Detailed geolocation reports to track visitor origins
  • Heatmaps & session recordings (Premium feature)
  • SEO insights including keyword rankings (Premium feature)

Pros

  • Complete privacy control, with GDPR compliance and no data sampling
  • User-friendly dashboard with out-of-the-box analytics
  • Supports WordPress Multisite for tracking multiple sites
  • Import historical data from Google Analytics or WP Statistics
  • Flexible tracking options (exclude certain roles, visitors, and pages)

Cons

The free version lacks premium features like heatmaps, session recordings, and SEO tracking.

Pricing

Matomo offers a free WordPress plugin, with premium cloud hosting starting at $23 per month, which includes cloud storage, email support, and access to advanced WordPress analytics tools.

6. Clicky Analytics

Clicky Analytics

Clicky Analytics is a lightweight, privacy-focused analytics plugin that provides real-time visitor tracking without slowing down your WordPress site. It processes data on external servers, reducing strain on your WordPress site. The plugin provides a custom Google Analytics dashboard, allowing you to access detailed insights directly from your WordPress admin panel while maintaining GDPR compliance.

Features

  • Real-time visitor tracking with detailed session insights
  • Cookieless tracking for improved privacy compliance
  • Custom analytics dashboard within WordPress
  • Anonymise IP addresses and GDPR-friendly tracking options
  • Video tracking for YouTube and HTML5 players
  • Sortable reports for top pages, referrers, and search queries

Pros

  • Doesn’t slow down your website, as analytics data is stored externally
  • Cookieless tracking ensures privacy compliance
  • Easy-to-use dashboard with access to key site metrics
  • Supports multilingual sites with translation-ready files

Cons

Outdated interface compared to other analytics tools.

Pricing

Clicky Analytics offers a free version, with paid plans starting at $79.99 per year, unlocking advanced tracking features.

7. ExactMetrics (formerly GADWP)

ExactMetrics plugin

ExactMetrics is a popular and free analytics plugin for WordPress with more than 1 million active installs. It connects to Google Analytics using the latest Google Analytics tracking codes, making it easy to monitor website traffic, user behaviour, and SEO performance.

Like Google Analytics by MonsterInsights, it also offers Google SEO statistics reports on the Dashboard. The user can view the real-time data of organic traffic stats, bounce rate, keyword hit, page view, 404 errors analytics stats and much more. This is especially helpful if you are looking forward to building an affiliate website on WordPress.

Features

  • Easy Google Analytics integration with one-click setup
  • Real-time site stats for live visitor tracking
  • Page Insights to monitor post and page performance
  • eCommerce tracking for WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads
  • Affiliate and outbound link tracking for engagement analysis
  • User demographics and behaviour reports
  • Custom dashboards and automated email summaries
  • PDF export for easy report sharing

Pros

  • Comprehensive tracking tools beyond basic analytics
  • Page-level insights for content performance monitoring
  • Role-based access control for managing analytics visibility
  • Ideal for agencies and freelancers handling multiple sites
  • Automated reports keep you updated without manual logins

Cons

  • Limited third-party integrations compared to other plugins
  • Advanced tracking features require an upgrade

Pricing

Free version available with basic analytics. Premium plans start at $99.50 per year for one website and go up to $699.50 per year for 100 websites, unlocking advanced tracking and reporting features.

8. Heap

Heap analytics plugin

Heap is an advanced analytics platform that tracks every user interaction automatically, eliminating the need for manual event setup. With funnel analysis, segmentation, and predictive insights, it reveals where users drop off, what drives conversions, and how to optimise the user journey. Heap Illuminate takes this further by pinpointing key trends and hidden opportunities, making it easier to act on data without sifting through complex reports.

Features

  • Automatic event tracking—no manual setup required
  • Funnel analysis to track user behaviour and drop-off points
  • Heap Illuminate for automated insights into user actions
  • Historical data tracking without a predefined event setup
  • User segmentation for targeted analysis
  • Custom dashboards with interactive reports

Pros

  • Tracks every user interaction automatically, saving time
  • Funnel analysis helps pinpoint where users drop off
  • Provides context behind data, making insights actionable
  • No need to set up tracking codes manually

Cons

  • Premium plans can be expensive, making it less ideal for small businesses.

Pricing

Heap offers a free plan, while paid plans start at $375 per month, including unlimited users and 12 months of data history. A 14-day free trial is available.

9. Burst Statistics

Burst Statistics

Burst Statistics is a privacy-friendly analytics plugin designed for WordPress users who want full control over their data. It stores all analytics locally, ensuring GDPR compliance without relying on third-party tracking. Moreover, cookieless tracking respects user privacy by using contextual data or fingerprinting to count visitors. To keep your site running smoothly, Burst offers Turbo Mode, which prevents analytics from affecting website performance.

Features

  • Self-hosted analytics—keeps data on your server for privacy
  • Real-time visitor stats for instant insights
  • Cookieless tracking to comply with GDPR
  • Page views, sessions, and referrer tracking
  • Turbo mode to prevent slowdowns on high-traffic sites
  • Custom goal tracking for conversions
  • Email reporting with regular performance updates

Pros

  • Lightweight and privacy-friendly with local data storage
  • Cookieless tracking respects user privacy
  • Simple, modern interface for easy navigation
  • Turbo mode ensures optimal site performance

Cons

  • Limited features compared to more advanced analytics tools.

Pricing

Burst Statistics offers a free version with core analytics. The premium plan starts at $29 per website, adding goal-setting features and geolocation tracking.

10. Woopra

Woopra Analytics

Woopra is a customer journey analytics platform that helps businesses track user behaviour across websites, apps, emails, and support tools. With its WordPress plugin, site owners can easily enable tracking and access reports on visitor trends, returning users, and conversion touchpoints. The platform provides automation features, allowing businesses to trigger actions based on user engagement, making it a powerful tool for personalisation and customer retention.

Features

  • Customer journey tracking with real-time insights
  • Pre-built analytics reports for user retention, attributions, and trends
  • Customer profiles with detailed engagement history
  • AppConnect with 40+ integrations for CRM, email, chat, and support tools
  • Automation to trigger actions based on user behaviour

Pros

  • Easy WordPress integration with the free plugin
  • Comprehensive customer analytics beyond website tracking
  • Automated triggers for personalisation and engagement
  • Cross-platform tracking across multiple touchpoints

Cons

  • Custom event tracking for forms and purchases requires developer assistance.

Pricing

Woopra offers a free version with basic tracking. Paid plans start at $999 per month, supporting 5 million actions per month with 2-year data retention.

11. Fathom Analytics

Fathom Analytics

Fathom Analytics is one of the best Google Analytics alternatives, designed for simplicity and compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy laws. It offers real-time website insights without tracking personal data or using cookies, eliminating the need for cookie banners. The WordPress plugin makes setup effortless—no coding required—allowing site owners to monitor traffic, engagement, and conversions in a clean, user-friendly dashboard.

Features

  • Privacy-focused analytics with no cookies or tracking consent required
  • Simple one-click integration via the WordPress plugin
  • Real-time traffic reports with key website metrics
  • Unlimited data retention for long-term tracking
  • Custom email reports to stay updated on site performance
  • Public, private, and password-protected dashboards for team collaboration
  • Google Analytics data importer for easy migration

Pros

  • Complies with global privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA, PECR)
  • Lightweight script ensures fast loading speeds
  • No cookie banners needed, making compliance easier
  • User-friendly dashboard with only essential insights
  • Easy to integrate with WordPress, no coding required

Cons

  • Requires a paid subscription, as there’s no free tier for tracking
  • Fewer advanced analytics features compared to Google Analytics

Pricing

Fathom Analytics requires a paid subscription, starting at $14 per month for up to 100,000 page views. A free 30-day trial is available.

12. Site Kit by Google

Site Kit by Google

Site Kit is Google’s official WordPress plugin that seamlessly integrates Google Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, and PageSpeed Insights into your WordPress dashboard. It provides real-time website performance data, helping site owners track traffic, search rankings, and ad revenue without leaving WordPress. With a quick setup process and no coding required, Site Kit is an accessible analytics solution for beginners and small businesses.

Features

  • One-click integration with Google services
  • Real-time website traffic stats from Google Analytics
  • Search Console insights to track search engine rankings and impressions
  • AdSense revenue tracking for ad performance monitoring
  • PageSpeed Insights to analyse site performance
  • Tag Manager support for easy tag implementation
  • User role management to control analytics access

Pros

  • Completely free with no premium upgrades
  • Quick and easy setup, perfect for beginners
  • Official Google plugin, ensuring accurate and reliable data
  • All-in-one dashboard for multiple Google services

Cons

  • Basic reporting features compared to third-party analytics plugins
  • Limited customisation options for tracking and reporting

Pricing

Site Kit is completely free, offering full access to Google Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, and PageSpeed Insights without any premium upgrades.

Wrapping Up: What is the Best Analytics Plugin for WordPress?

After analysing the top Google Analytics plugins for WordPress, MonsterInsights comes out on top. It’s easy to install, GDPR-compliant and packed with powerful features that help you make informed decisions based on real data. With its user-friendly dashboard, you can track key metrics without leaving WordPress.

If you’re looking for a free option, Site Kit by Google is a good alternative. It integrates smoothly with Google Analytics, making it easy to access basic website stats without any cost. However, if you need advanced tracking features, you may want to explore premium solutions.

How Can WP Creative Your Business

Still unsure which analytics plugin is the right for your WordPress website? Let us handle it. With over a decade of experience in WordPress design, development, and SEO, we build fast, reliable, and search-friendly websites that deliver results. Whether you need a new site, a refresh, or better search rankings, we’re here to help.

We work with businesses across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and Perth, ensuring their websites are built to perform.

Get in touch today with Australia’s best WordPress agency today!

Best WordPress Analytics Plugins FAQs

Does WordPress have built-in analytics?

No, WordPress does not have built-in analytics, but you can use plugins like Site Kit by Google or MonsterInsights to track user behaviour and website traffic.

Which Google Analytics plugin for WordPress is the best?

MonsterInsights is the most widely used and feature-rich plugin, offering real-time tracking, eCommerce analytics, and seamless GA4 integration, all within the WordPress dashboard.

What is the best Google Analytics plugin for WooCommerce?

MonsterInsights and ExactMetrics are the top choices for WooCommerce. They provide detailed eCommerce tracking, conversion insights, and product performance reports to help optimise online sales.

How do I add an Analytics plugin to WordPress?

To add a google analytics plugin to WordPress, go to Plugins > Add New, search for your preferred plugin, click Install, then Activate it. Follow the setup instructions to connect it to your Google Analytics or preferred tracking service.

What is the Google Analytics plugin?

A Google Analytics plugin connects your WordPress site to Google Analytics, allowing you to monitor traffic, track user interactions, and analyse conversions without manual setup.

Is there a free Google Analytics plugin for WordPress?

Yes, Site Kit by Google, ExactMetrics (Lite), and MonsterInsights (Lite) offer free versions with essential tracking features like visitor stats, traffic sources, and basic reports.

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Updated on: 18 February 2025 |


Nirmal Gyanwali, Director of WP Creative

Nirmal Gyanwali

With over 16 years of experience in the web industry, Nirmal has built websites for a wide variety of businesses; from mom n’ pop shops to some of Australia’s leading brands. Nirmal brings his wealth of experience in managing teams to WP Creative along with his wife, Saba.