Question 1

Is Google Analytics still the best free option?

Accepted Answer

Google Analytics 4 remains the most feature-rich free analytics tool, but its learning curve is steep and it raises privacy concerns for European audiences. Privacy-focused alternatives like Plausible and Fathom offer simpler, cookie-free tracking for $9-14/month — often worth it for the cleaner data and GDPR compliance without consent banners.

Question 2

What is the difference between web analytics and product analytics?

Accepted Answer

Web analytics (Google Analytics, Plausible) tracks page views, traffic sources, and conversion funnels on websites. Product analytics (Mixpanel, Amplitude) tracks specific user actions within applications — button clicks, feature usage, retention cohorts — giving deeper insight into how people use your product.

Question 3

How much data history do I need to retain?

Accepted Answer

Most businesses need 13-24 months of data to identify seasonal trends and year-over-year comparisons. Enterprise analytics platforms may retain data indefinitely, while some free tools limit history. If long-term analysis is important, verify retention policies before committing.

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