Softwr

SaaS · head to head

Drift vs Google Analytics

Drift logo

Drift

SaaS

The Conversation Cloud

From
$2500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Analytics logo

Google Analytics

All industries

Get to know your customers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Analytics has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Drift product is being sunset by Salesloft with successor service (1mind) recommended; Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
  • They diverge on capability: Drift covers Live chat, Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Drift and Google Analytics actually diverge.

Attributes where Drift and Google Analytics differ
AttributeDriftGoogle Analytics
Starting price$2500/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
CategorySaaSAll industries
Founded20151998

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Drift

  • Live chat
  • AI chatbots
  • Meeting scheduling
  • Email sequences
  • Visitor intelligence
  • Conversation routing
  • Mobile app
  • Analytics dashboard

Only in Google Analytics

  • Real-time analytics
  • Audience insights
  • Acquisition tracking
  • Behavior flow
  • Conversion tracking
  • Custom reports
  • Mobile analytics
  • E-commerce tracking

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • SOC2

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Drift

  • Lead qualificationnot Google Analytics
  • Meeting bookingnot Google Analytics
  • Customer supportnot Google Analytics
  • Account-based marketingnot Google Analytics
  • Sales accelerationnot Google Analytics

Google Analytics

  • Website and web application analyticsnot Drift
  • Event tracking and user behaviour analysisnot Drift
  • Traffic source and conversion trackingnot Drift

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Drift

  • Product is being sunset by Salesloft with successor service (1mind) recommended
  • Mandatory bundling within Salesloft increases cost
  • No free tier available
  • Customer support and knowledge base have been deprioritized
  • Limited to enterprise B2B pipeline generation focus

Google Analytics

  • Data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
  • Large and XL properties capped at 2-month data retention only
  • Age, gender, and interest data always expire after 2 months regardless of retention settings
  • Free tier does not include GA360 advanced features

Pricing, plan by plan

Drift

$2500/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Drift review.

Google Analytics

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Drift if

  • You need live chat.
  • You also want ai chatbots.
Drift review

Choose Google Analytics if

  • You need real-time analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want audience insights.
Google Analytics review

Questions people ask

Is Drift or Google Analytics better?
Neither clearly leads. Drift starts at $2500/month and Google Analytics at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Drift or Google Analytics?
Google Analytics has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $2500/month for Drift and Free for Google Analytics.
Does Drift or Google Analytics run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Google Analytics for free?
Yes. Google Analytics has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Drift starts at $2500/month.
What is Drift best used for?
Drift is most often used for lead qualification, meeting booking, customer support, account-based marketing. Of those, lead qualification and meeting booking are not what Google Analytics is typically brought in for.
What can Drift do that Google Analytics cannot?
Drift covers Live chat, AI chatbots, Meeting scheduling, Email sequences. Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. Both handle Salesforce, SOC2.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Drift: What is the current status of Drift in 2026?

On March 6, 2026, Clari and Salesloft announced the gradual sunset of Drift's conversational marketing solution, with 1mind named as its exclusive AI successor. Drift remains available but its future is limited.

Source
Drift: How much does Drift cost?

Drift pricing starts around $2,500/month ($30,000/year) for Premium chat-only capabilities, with Enterprise plans exceeding $80,000/year. Drift is bundled within Salesloft and billed annually only.

Source
Drift: What features come with Drift Premium?

Premium plans include live chat widget, custom chatbot flows, meeting scheduling with calendar integration, basic playbooks, email sequences, and standard integrations.

Source
Drift: Does Drift offer a free plan?

No, Drift no longer publicly advertises a free plan as of 2026. All plans require annual billing through Salesloft.

Source
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Related pages

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