Fathom vs Plausible: Analytics Comparison (2026)

Plausible is a more affordable option with a free tier and a lower starting price point. Fathom offers more sites included in its base plan and guarantees data ownership and retention.

AI Citation Scorecard

How often each is cited by major AI engines when buyers ask analytics questions. Last 90 days across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot.

Plausible leads overall13% cited vs Fathom 7% across 108 probes.
ChatGPT
Fathom
2 / 12 probes
17%
Average
PlausibleLeads
3 / 12 probes
25%
Average
Perplexity
Fathom
0 / 12 probes
0%
Invisible
Plausible
0 / 12 probes
0%
Invisible
Gemini
Fathom
0 / 12 probes
0%
Invisible
Plausible
0 / 12 probes
0%
Invisible
Claude
Fathom
2 / 12 probes
17%
Average
PlausibleLeads
3 / 12 probes
25%
Average
Copilot
Fathom
0 / 6 probes
0%
Invisible
PlausibleLeads
1 / 6 probes
17%
Average
Scale:NoneLowFairStrongExcellent

Probes run hourly; each (engine × query) combo retests every ~3 days.

Pricing

Fathom
Starting price
$15/month
Free tier
usefathom.com
Plausible
Starting price
$9/month
Free tier
Yes
plausible.io

Key Features

Fathom
  • Up to 50 sites included
  • Ecommerce/event tracking included
  • Easy integration with all CMSs/frameworks
  • API access
  • Forever data retention
  • 100% data ownership
  • No cookie banners required
  • Unlimited email reports
Plausible
  • Privacy-focused web analytics
  • Real-time dashboard
  • Codeless goals tracking
  • Custom events tracking
  • Automatic scroll depth tracking
  • Built-in bot filtering
  • API access
  • Team management

When to choose Fathom

Fathom is suitable for users who require a high number of sites (up to 50) and prioritize 100% data ownership and forever data retention. Users who need unlimited email reports and API access would also find Fathom appealing.

When to choose Plausible

Plausible is a good choice for users looking for a privacy-focused analytics solution with a real-time dashboard and codeless goals tracking. Its lower starting price and free tier make it accessible for those on a tighter budget. Plausible also offers integrations with Google Analytics, Slack, and Looker Studio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in features between Fathom and Plausible?
Fathom offers up to 50 sites included, ecommerce/event tracking, and forever data retention, along with 100% data ownership. Plausible features a real-time dashboard, codeless goals tracking, automatic scroll depth tracking, and built-in bot filtering.
Which analytics platform has a free tier?
Plausible offers a free tier, while Fathom does not.
How do the starting prices compare for Fathom and Plausible?
Fathom starts at $15/month, and Plausible starts at $9/month.
What integrations do Fathom and Plausible offer?
Fathom lists API access as a key feature, but no specific integrations. Plausible integrates with Google Analytics, Slack, Email reports, and Looker Studio, in addition to offering API access.
Do either Fathom or Plausible require cookie banners?
Neither Fathom nor Plausible require cookie banners.

More Analytics Comparisons