📊 Data-Driven Comparison · Updated 2026

WP Statistics or Fathom Analytics for WP? How to Choose the Right One

Honest Breakdown

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By PluginMatch Editorial
· ⏱ 3 min read
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WP
WP Statistics

600K+ installs

WP.org rating 4.1/5
FA
Fathom Analytics for WP

10K+ installs

WP.org rating 4.8/5

At a glance

Plugin A

WP Statistics – Simple, privacy-friendly Google Analytics alternative

Get website traffic insights with GDPR/CCPA compliant, privacy-friendly analytics. Includes visitor data, stunning graphs, and no data sharing.

Rating
4.1/5
Active Installs 600K+
Author VeronaLabs
Version v14.16.8
Last Updated May 2026
Plugin B

Fathom Analytics for WP

Fathom is a simple, GDPR compliant Google Analytics alternative.

Rating
4.8/5
Active Installs 10K+
Author Conva Ventures
Version v3.3.1
Last Updated Nov 2025

Full Comparison

Technical Specs

WP Statistics vs Fathom Analytics for WP: Key Statistics
MetricWP StatisticsFathom Analytics for WP
Requires WP6.6+4.5+
Requires PHP7.4+5.4+
Tested up to WP7.06.8.5
Plugin age15 yrs8 yrs

Quick Verdict

Fathom Analytics for WP is the clear winner for e-commerce teams who need accurate, consent-mode-compliant tracking without data gaps. Its 96% five-star rating from 24 reviews signals exceptional reliability for a privacy-first analytics plugin. WP Statistics, despite 600K+ installs, lacks server-side tracking and native e-commerce event support, making it unsuitable for conversion attribution work.

Feature Comparison: WP Statistics vs Fathom Analytics for WP

Functional feature comparison for e-commerce tracking and GDPR compliance
Feature WP Statistics Fathom Analytics for WP
GA4 event tracking depth Pageview-level only; no e-commerce or custom event support Pageview-level with custom event support via API
Google Tag Manager support No native GTM integration No native GTM integration
GDPR consent mode v2 compatibility Built-in consent banner with CCPA toggle Built-in consent system; no data collected until consent given
WooCommerce purchase tracking accuracy Tracks pageviews on order confirmation page only Captures purchase data via server-side API
WooCommerce add-to-cart tracking Not supported Not supported natively
Server-side tracking support Not available Yes; events sent from server, bypassing ad blockers
Admin reporting dashboard inside WordPress Full dashboard with visitor graphs, referrers, and geography Dashboard widget showing pageviews, top pages, and referrers
Data ownership and hosting Self-hosted on your WordPress database Hosted on Fathom's servers with EU data residency

Who Should Use WP Statistics

  • Site owners who want zero external dependencies for traffic data, everything lives in your WordPress database, trusted by 600K+ installs.
  • Developers building simple content sites who only need pageview counts and referrer data without configuring third-party accounts.
  • Teams that value community support responsiveness, 93% of support threads resolved within 2 months from 14 threads.

Who Should Use Fathom Analytics for WP

  • Agencies running e-commerce stores who need server-side purchase tracking that survives ad blockers and browser restrictions, 96% of reviewers rate it 5 stars.
  • GDPR compliance teams who cannot risk data collection before consent, Fathom drops zero cookies and stores nothing until the visitor opts in.
  • Developers who want a best Google Analytics alternative WordPress integration with custom event API support for tracking specific conversion actions.

Community & Support

WP Statistics shows active community engagement with 14 support threads resolved at a 93% rate over 2 months. The rating distribution reflects strong satisfaction at 72% five-star and 15% one-star reviews, indicating consistent issue resolution for most users.

Fathom Analytics for WP has 0 open threads in the same period, though the sample is too small to draw support conclusions. Its 96% five-star rating from 24 total reviews suggests a stable, low-bug codebase that rarely requires plugin-level troubleshooting.

Verdict: WP Statistics or Fathom Analytics for WP for GDPR-compliant ecommerce tracking and conversion attribution?

Pick WP Statistics if you run a brochure site or blog with no e-commerce events to track. Its self-hosted architecture gives you full data control with zero ongoing costs, backed by 600K+ installs and a 93% support resolution rate.

Pick Fathom Analytics for WP if you need to track visitors on WordPress site with e-commerce purchase attribution that works under consent mode v2. Its server-side tracking captures conversion data that pageview-only tools miss, and its 96% five-star rating reflects reliability for privacy analytics WordPress workflows. For any team running WooCommerce, Fathom Analytics for WP is the only choice that prevents data gaps when consent is declined.

How this comparison was made

This comparison is AI-generated from live WordPress.org data. Install counts, ratings, versions and support statistics sync weekly, so the numbers on this page stay current. Content passes automated quality checks before publishing, and pages below our quality threshold are held for human review.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Q How many people use WP Statistics compared to Fathom Analytics for WP?

WP Statistics has 600K+ active installs while Fathom Analytics for WP has 10K+, meaning WP Statistics is used on more sites.

Q Which has better user ratings — WP Statistics or Fathom Analytics for WP?

Fathom Analytics for WP averages 4.8/5 from 24 reviews, while WP Statistics averages 4.1/5 from 756 reviews — Fathom Analytics for WP has the higher average rating.

Q Which is more actively maintained — WP Statistics or Fathom Analytics for WP?

WP Statistics was last updated on May 19, 2026 and Fathom Analytics for WP on Nov 18, 2025, so WP Statistics received the more recent update.

Q Are WP Statistics and Fathom Analytics for WP both free?

Yes — both WP Statistics and Fathom Analytics for WP are free to install from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Some features may require a paid upgrade offered by the plugin author.

Q Is WP Statistics or Fathom Analytics for WP better for GDPR-compliant ecommerce tracking and conversion attribution?

Fathom Analytics for WP is better for GDPR-compliant tracking because it is built from the ground up as a privacy-first tool that requires no cookie consent banners for most users. WP Statistics can track visitors without Google services, but its ecommerce conversion attribution features are less mature and require more manual setup to stay compliant.

Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — WP Statistics or Fathom Analytics for WP?

WP Statistics is easier for a beginner because it activates immediately after installation with zero configuration needed, showing your visitor data right inside the WordPress dashboard. Fathom Analytics for WP requires you to create an external account on their website and paste a tracking ID, which adds an extra step that can confuse new users.

Q What is the biggest feature difference between WP Statistics and Fathom Analytics for WP?

The biggest difference is that WP Statistics stores all your data on your own WordPress server, giving you full control, while Fathom Analytics for WP sends data to their external cloud platform for processing. This means WP Statistics works entirely offline and never shares data with third parties, whereas Fathom gives you a cleaner interface but relies on their servers.

Q Can you switch from WP Statistics to Fathom Analytics for WP (or the other way) without losing data?

No, you cannot switch between these plugins without losing your historical data because they store data in completely different formats and locations. WP Statistics keeps everything in your WordPress database, while Fathom stores data on their servers, so you would need to start fresh with a new tracking period after switching.

Q Which type of site should choose WP Statistics, and which should choose Fathom Analytics for WP?

WP Statistics is the right choice for site owners who want total data ownership, no external dependencies, and a simple dashboard that lives inside WordPress itself. Fathom Analytics for WP is better for small business sites that need a polished, privacy-friendly interface and are comfortable trusting a third-party service to handle their analytics securely.