Freedom251 › Web And Mobile Analytics Software
GoatCounter
by GoatCounter
What GoatCounter is
GoatCounter is an open-source web analytics platform available as a free, donation-supported hosted service or software you run on your own server. It records events through JavaScript, a JavaScript-free tracking pixel, backend middleware, or imported server logfiles. Reports include browser, location, screen size, referring sites, and campaign statistics. GoatCounter says it does not use unique identifiers, and its privacy policy says it stores no IP addresses, full User-Agent headers, or tracker IDs, while tracking data is not kept in cookies or local storage. The interface is designed for assistive technologies such as screen readers. Users can export data, including through CSV API endpoints, and the JSON API can manage sites and users, export information, and support custom dashboards. The documented API limit is 4 requests per second. Data is stored on Hetzner servers in Finland and Germany. The hosted plan is free for reasonable public usage, while self-hosting has no listed price.
Who it suits
It suits site owners seeking privacy-respecting statistics through a hosted service or self-managed installation. Developers can use its API, exports, integrations, and multiple tracking methods.
What it does well
- Hosted service free for reasonable usage
- Open-source self-hosting option
- No unique user identifiers
- Multiple tracking methods
- CSV and JSON API access
What to know first
- Not intended for every analytics use case
- Tracking pixel omits referrers and screen size
- API rate limit is 4 requests per second
- Backups may retain deleted data up to 30 days
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hosted service | Free for reasonable public usage · Donation-supported hosted service | On request |
| GoatCounter.com hosted service | Free for reasonable public usage; donations accepted via GitHub Sponsors. · Personal websites and small-to-medium businesses are fine · millions of pageviews/day are not | Free |
| Self-hosted | The open-source app can be self-hosted; no price is stated on the page. · Self-hosting is available for any purpose | Free |
As goatcounter.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
GoatCounter focuses on straightforward, privacy-respecting web statistics with hosted and self-hosted routes. Its stated tracking limits and modest scope should be considered by teams seeking broader analytics coverage.
Facts from GoatCounter's own pages
- Accessibility
- The interface is designed to work with assistive technology such as screen readers. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Analytics
- It reports browser, location, screen size, referring sites, and campaign statistics. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- API
- The JSON API can manage sites and users, export data, and support custom dashboards; its documented rate limit is 4 requests per second. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- API access
- Yes · goatcounter.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Data deletion
- Deleting an account permanently deletes its data, though some data may remain in backups for up to 30 days. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Data handling
- The privacy policy says GoatCounter does not store IP addresses, full User-Agent headers, or tracker IDs, and does not store tracking data in browser cookies or local storage. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Data location
- The privacy policy says data is stored on Hetzner Online GmbH servers in Finland and Germany, and the service is operated by Martin Tournoij in Ireland. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Event tracking
- Yes · goatcounter.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Exports
- Users can export all data, and the API documentation includes CSV export endpoints. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · goatcounter.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Ireland · goatcounter.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation lists integrations for Gatsby, Publii, Schlix, WordPress, and Write.as. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- The maker describes GoatCounter as a middle ground for useful, privacy-respecting statistics and says it is not intended to cover every analytics use case. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Notable tracking limit
- The tracking pixel cannot record referrers or screen size and may increase bot requests. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- It does not track users with unique identifiers and the maker says it does not need a GDPR notice. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- GoatCounter is an open-source web analytics platform offered as a free donation-supported hosted service or a self-hosted app. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is available by email at [email protected] or through public GitHub issues. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Tracking options
- Sites can use a JavaScript script, a JavaScript-free tracking pixel, backend middleware, or imported server logfiles. · goatcounter.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where GoatCounter stands on Freedom251
- Web And Mobile Analytics Software#7 of 28
- Web analytics tools#39 of 142