ZeroDeploy Analytics vs Netlify Analytics
Netlify Analytics is a paid per-site add-on. ZeroDeploy includes analytics on every site for free.
Last updated: February 20, 2026TL;DR
Netlify Analytics is a paid add-on charged per site. It's server-side (not blocked by ad blockers), but it doesn't support SPAs and the data can be imprecise. ZeroDeploy includes analytics on every site at no extra cost — with SPA support, UTM tracking, and more detailed metrics. If you're on Netlify and need basic traffic data, the add-on works. If analytics cost is a factor (especially with multiple sites), ZeroDeploy includes more for less.
Netlify Analytics takes a server-side approach: it counts requests at the server level, so no JavaScript is needed and nothing is blocked by ad blockers. That's a genuine advantage. But it comes with trade-offs: it's a paid add-on charged per site (costs add up fast with multiple sites), no SPA support (client-side route changes aren't tracked), and request-based counting can inflate numbers (bots, prefetch, crawlers all count as visits). ZeroDeploy analytics are included on every site at no extra cost. The script is first-party (~1KB), supports SPAs automatically, and uses a privacy-preserving session hash to distinguish real visitors from bots.
Feature comparison
How ZeroDeploy Analytics compares to Netlify Analytics.
| Feature | ZeroDeploy | Netlify Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 (included on every site) | Paid per-site add-on |
| Multi-site cost | $0 (all sites included) | Scales per site |
| SPA support | Auto (pushState/popstate) | No — page changes not tracked |
| Tracking method | First-party JavaScript (~1KB) | Server-side request counting |
| Bot filtering | JavaScript-only (bots can't execute) | Limited (server-side counts all requests) |
| UTM tracking | Source, medium, campaign | Not available |
| Session data | Bounce rate, pages/visit, duration | Pageviews and unique visitors only |
| CLI access | Full CLI + REST API | Dashboard only |
| Data accuracy | Real visitors (JS-based) | Can inflate (bots, prefetch counted) |
| Platform lock-in | ZeroDeploy hosting required | Netlify hosting required |
Pricing
Netlify Analytics is a paid add-on charged per site — costs scale with every site you add. ZeroDeploy includes analytics on every site at no extra charge. The free tier gets analytics, the Pro plan ($29/month for 10 sites) gets analytics. No per-site fee, no add-on. If you have multiple sites on Netlify, switching to ZeroDeploy saves significant money on analytics alone.
Annual savings
Switch to ZeroDeploy and save Significant (per-site add-on eliminated)/year on analytics — it's included with your hosting.
The verdict
Different tools for different needs.
Choose ZeroDeploy Analytics if...
- You want analytics on every site without per-site fees
- You need SPA support (React Router, Vue Router, etc.)
- You want UTM campaign tracking
- You want accurate visitor counts (not inflated by bots)
- You want CLI and API access to analytics data
Choose Netlify Analytics if...
- You're already on Netlify and the per-site add-on cost is acceptable
- You prefer server-side tracking (zero JavaScript)
- You don't need SPA route tracking
- You want to count all server requests including API calls
- You trust Netlify's infrastructure and ecosystem
What's included with ZeroDeploy
Analytics are just one part. Here's what else comes standard.
Built-in Forms
Add action="/_forms/contact" to any HTML form. No third-party service, no API keys. Works with React, Vue, and plain HTML.
Privacy Analytics
Cookieless, first-party analytics on every site. No setup required, no cookie banners, no extra bill. Included on every plan.
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Is ZeroDeploy a good Netlify Analytics alternative?
Yes. ZeroDeploy includes analytics on every site at no extra cost. Netlify charges per site for analytics. ZeroDeploy also adds SPA support, UTM tracking, and better bot filtering — features Netlify Analytics doesn't have.
Why does Netlify charge extra for analytics?
Netlify positions analytics as a premium add-on. The server-side approach avoids ad blockers but adds infrastructure costs. ZeroDeploy includes analytics on every plan because the lightweight first-party script approach is cost-effective to run at scale.
Does Netlify Analytics work with React and Vue SPAs?
Not fully. Netlify Analytics is server-side — it counts requests to the server. Client-side route changes in React Router or Vue Router don't generate new server requests, so those page views aren't tracked. ZeroDeploy analytics automatically detect pushState/popstate events for full SPA support.
Can I use ZeroDeploy analytics instead of Netlify Analytics?
Only if you move your hosting to ZeroDeploy. Analytics are part of the hosting platform, not a standalone product. If you migrate your static site to ZeroDeploy, analytics are automatically included on every deployment.
Other analytics comparisons
See how ZeroDeploy Analytics compares to other tools.
More comparisons
Privacy analytics included on every site
Free to start. No credit card. Deploy your first site and see analytics immediately — no setup, no third-party scripts, no extra cost.