Privacy and control, without running it yourself
Self-hosted open-source analytics keeps data entirely on your own servers, the code can be audited, and the software is free. In exchange you own the servers, database, upgrades and backups, and scaling once traffic grows. PathClue keeps the same privacy defaults and runs it for you; when a private deployment really is required, the Enterprise plan can run in your environment.
- Both cookieless
- Managed, nothing to maintain
- Private deployment on Enterprise
Choose PathClue if you want
- A managed service — no servers, upgrades or backups to run
- Apps, mini programs and users across devices
- Session replay and heatmaps
- Attribution, ad click IDs and conversion sharing
- AI assistant, monitors and alerts
Choose self-hosted open-source analytics if you need
- Free open-source software, with people to deploy and run it
- Full control of the database, including writing SQL directly
- Data that must never leave your own data centre, with no budget for a private deployment
PathClue and self-hosted open-source analytics
What teams ask most when choosing. The right-hand column describes what this type of tool usually does.
| Feature | PathClue | Self-hosted open-source analytics |
|---|---|---|
| No analytics cookies | Yes | Most support it |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Nothing to operate yourself | Yes | No |
| Bots and crawlers in their own report | Yes | Usually basic filtering |
| Funnels, retention and paths | Yes | Depends on the product |
| Session replay and heatmaps | Yes | Usually absent or a plugin |
| Apps and mini programs | Yes | Usually limited |
| Identity across devices | Yes | Depends on the product |
| Monitors and alerts | Yes | Usually build your own |
The right-hand column describes common practice for this type of tool; individual products differ, so check their own sites. Reviewed October 2026.
What this type of tool rarely gives you
Nothing to deploy
No servers, database, upgrades or scaling to look after — and if you ever need it, Enterprise can run in your environment.
- Managed service
- A free plan that lasts
- Private deployment on Enterprise
See the session itself
Every funnel step has replays and heatmaps behind it, without installing another tool.
- Session replay
- Heatmaps
- Rage clicks flagged
Ask, then act
Ask in plain words, see which part of a number changed, and get notified when something looks wrong.
- AI assistant and MCP
- Change attribution
- Monitors and alerts
- Weekly reports to email or team chat
Sign-ups fell 31% from Thursday. Almost all of the drop is mobile visitors from Meta Ads landing on the new /pricing page, where the form loads 2.8 s slower.
Switching from self-hosted analytics
Run both first, and retire your own servers once you trust the numbers.
- 1
Add the PathClue snippet
Leave your current script in place — both can run on the page together.
- 2
Rebuild goals and funnels
Only the ones you actually use, or install an industry template.
- 3
Compare for two to four weeks
PathClue usually shows fewer visitors, because bots are counted separately.
- 4
Switch over
Remove the old code once the team is comfortable.
Common questions
Anything else — open the chat in the corner and ask.