Google Analytics vs. StatCounter

May 25, 2008 No Comments

I’ve been a user of StatCounter for quite a while, but I’m testing out Google Analytics on a couple of sites to compare numbers, features, etc. since a lot of people like GA and it is free where I am paying for StatCounter.

I noticed that on one of my site’s pageviews are about the same, but uniques are much less. And then, on the other, pageviews are less and uniques are much less. Not sure how to explain this. Either StatCounter is inflating it or Google Analytics is missing some. Both JavaScripts are on the same pages.

I also have my unique setting on StatCounter set to 24 hours, meaning you can only count as a unique once in a 24 hour span. So, kinda weird. Not sure which numbers to trust. I’m thinking some of the pageviews could potentially be a sort of cache issue, maybe? (Don’t know if that makes sense). But, the uniques, I can’t figure.

Besides that, though:

GA Pros: Much, much nicer interface and stats organization. Free.
SC Pros: Good customer service. Live tracking.

So, I’m thinking about it…

Patrick O'Keefe

Managing online communities since 2000, I publish a collective of websites known as the iFroggy Network. I wrote the book Managing Online Forums and, as a public speaker, have presented for organizations like CNN, institutions like Australian National University and conferences like SXSW. More about me.

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