If you’re building a fast, lightweight website, every byte counts. You compress your images. You lazy-load scripts. You obsess over performance scores. But then comes analytics — often a bulky, cookie-filled monster that slows your site down.
Luckily, there are performance-friendly analytics platforms designed to be fast, private, and cookie-free. Let’s check them out!
TL;DR
If you want analytics without the bloat and cookie warnings, you’re in luck. There are tools out there that offer cookieless tracking with minimal JavaScript payloads. They respect privacy and make your site lightning-fast. We’ll cover four of the best below — all perfect for performance-sensitive websites.
Why Go Cookieless and Minimal?
Most traditional analytics tools (we’re looking at you, Google Analytics) load big scripts and track users with cookies. That causes:
- Slower load times
- GDPR/CCPA compliance headaches
- Blocked scripts by ad blockers or browsers
Cookieless analytics are better. They:
- Skip invasive tracking
- Don’t require annoying consent banners
- Have tiny, performance-friendly script sizes
Let’s dive into the top contenders!
1. Plausible Analytics
This one’s the cool kid in privacy-first analytics. It’s open-source, lightweight, and super easy to use.
- JS Payload: Just 1 KB
- Cookies: None
- Privacy: GDPR, CCPA, PECR compliant
- Script Blocking: Rare — gets around ad blockers
- Hosting: Cloud-hosted or self-hosted
Plausible gives you clean, readable dashboards. You can see top pages, referrers, devices, and goals — all without overwhelming detail.
Bonus: It integrates easily with static sites like Jekyll, Hugo, and Next.js.
Why It’s Great
If you want just the right amount of data with near-zero setup and blazing speed, Plausible is a top pick.
2. Fathom Analytics
Fathom is like Plausible’s sleek sibling. Also privacy-first. Also fast. It’s made for businesses that prioritize clean data and legal peace of mind.
- JS Payload: Around 1.6 KB
- Cookies: Nope
- Privacy: 100% GDPR + CCPA + PECR compliant
- Bypasses Ad Blockers: Yes, using a custom domain
- Hosting: Fully managed (no self-hosting)
The Fathom dashboard is simple and clear. It shows exactly what you need: page views, referrers, goals, and unique visitors.
It even has email alerts and automated reports. So if traffic spikes, you’ll know immediately.
Why It’s Great
If you want straightforward numbers and no fluff, with excellent customer support, Fathom is for you.
3. Umami
Umami is open-source and self-hosted. Great for developers and tinkerers. It’s basically powerful analytics in your control without spying on users.
- JS Payload: About 2 KB
- Cookies: None
- Privacy: Fully compliant
- Self-hosted: Yes — full control over your data
- Script Blocking: Low profile, rarely blocked
You’ll need a server to run it (like Vercel, Netlify, or your own VPS). Once it’s live, the dashboard is sleek and real-time.
Track page views, sources, visitor locations, and custom events. Set up filters and time ranges with ease.
Why It’s Great
If you’re the type who likes owning your stack, Umami gives you data agility + performance + privacy. No compromises.
4. GoatCounter
Don’t let the quirky name fool you. GoatCounter is a serious tool — with a twist of charm. It’s free for non-commercial users and open-source.
- JS Payload: Less than 3 KB
- Cookies: Zero
- Privacy: GDPR-ready and script minimalist
- Hosting: Cloud-hosted or DIY self-hosted
- Fun Factor: High — the UI and messages are playful
GoatCounter shows basic stats: page visits, referrer links, and device types. Don’t expect fancy segmenting or dashboards — but that’s the point. It’s lightweight on purpose.
Why It’s Great
If you just want simple, fast, honest stats with a bit of humor, GoatCounter is a joy to use — especially on personal or small sites.
Comparison Table
| Tool | JS Size | Cookieless | Self-Hosting | Open Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plausible | 1 KB | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fathom | 1.6 KB | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Umami | 2 KB | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| GoatCounter | ~3 KB | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
How to Pick the Right One
Here are some quick scenarios to help guide your decision:
- Just me, blogging? Try GoatCounter — simple and fun.
- Startup, privacy focused? Go with Plausible or Fathom.
- Developer with a homelab? Umami is your go-to.
- Need business reports and alerts? Fathom shines here.
Final Thoughts
Web analytics don’t have to be heavy, creepy, or complex. The four tools above give you what you need without slowing your site down. And they respect your users’ privacy too.
If you’re trying to hit that 100 performance score, these cookieless, lean analytics platforms may be your secret weapon.
Stay fast. Stay respectful. And stay data-informed — the new way.
