Freedom251 › Web analytics tools
W3Perl

What W3Perl is
W3Perl is free, open-source logfile analytics software for examining web and other server logs. It handles WWW, FTP, mail, Squid, CUPS, SSH, DHCP, and additional logfile types. When direct logfile access is unavailable, a JavaScript tag can create files for analysis. W3Perl generates HTML, email, and PDF reports covering daily through yearly periods. Reports can show sessions and follow an individual user’s page path. A CGI-enabled web administration interface manages configuration files and runs statistics remotely. Optional modules add IP geolocation, email reporting, PDF export, city statistics, and SPIP database access. Remote logs can be fetched with rsync, SFTP, or wget. Processing needs no database or account, and HTML output also works without a database. Perl is required; some capabilities need CGI, Ajax, or plug-ins. Downloads are listed for Unix/Linux, Windows, and Mac OS. The maker describes W3Perl as memory hungry, with highest precision potentially requiring RAM roughly equal to the logfile size. Stable version 3.20 is dated June 30, 2015.
Who it suits
W3Perl suits administrators who need self-hosted analysis of multiple server-log types and report formats. It is useful when database-free processing or remote logfile retrieval matters.
What it does well
- Free software under the GNU General Public License
- Supports many web and server log types
- HTML, email, and PDF reporting
- No database or account required
- Remote logs via rsync, SFTP, or wget
What to know first
- Perl is required
- Some features need CGI, Ajax, or plug-ins
- Highest precision can require substantial RAM
- Listed stable release dates from 2015
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free software under GNU General Public License | Free |
As w3perl.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
W3Perl provides broad, database-free logfile reporting with optional administration and enrichment modules. Its Perl dependencies and high memory demand at maximum precision should shape deployment plans.
Facts from W3Perl's own pages
- Administration
- A CGI-enabled web administration interface can manage configuration files and run statistics remotely. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Data storage
- W3Perl does not require a database or account to process statistics, and its HTML output needs no database. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · w3perl.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Optional modules support IP geolocation, email reports, PDF export, city statistics and SPIP database access. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Log sources
- It supports WWW, FTP, mail, Squid, CUPS, SSH, DHCP and other logs. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- W3Perl is an open source logfile analytics tool that analyzes web and other server logs. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The download page lists stable version 3.20 dated June 30, 2015. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Remote logs
- Remote logfiles can be retrieved using rsync, SFTP or wget. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Reports
- It produces HTML reports, email reports and PDF reports, with daily through yearly summaries. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- Perl is required; some features also require CGI, Ajax or optional plug-ins. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Resource limits
- The maker describes W3Perl as memory hungry and says highest precision can require RAM roughly the size of the logfile. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to a bug report form for bugs or installation problems and a forum for help and suggestions. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The maker lists Unix/Linux, Windows and Mac OS, with Linux, Windows and Mac downloads. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Tagging
- When logfile access is unavailable, a JavaScript tag can create logfiles for analysis. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Visitor analysis
- Reports can show sessions and follow an individual user's page path. · w3perl.com, 5 Oct 2026
Where W3Perl stands on Freedom251
- Web analytics tools#43 of 142