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Software · head to head

Google Analytics vs Mixpanel

Google Analytics logo

Google Analytics

Software

Get to know your customers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mixpanel logo

Mixpanel

Software

Product analytics that helps you convert, engage, and retain more users

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires; Mixpanel pricing can scale significantly at high volumes with expensive per-user rates
  • They diverge on capability: Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Mixpanel covers Event analytics.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Analytics and Mixpanel differ
AttributeGoogle AnalyticsMixpanel
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile, APIs
Founded19982009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Google Analytics

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

Only in Mixpanel

  • Event analytics
  • User segmentation
  • Funnel analysis
  • Retention analysis
  • A/B testing
  • Predictive analytics
  • Custom dashboards
  • Real-time data

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • SOC2

What people use each for

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

Google Analytics

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

Mixpanel

  • User behavior analysisnot Google Analytics
  • Product optimizationnot Google Analytics
  • Conversion trackingnot Google Analytics
  • Retention improvementnot Google Analytics
  • Feature adoptionnot Google Analytics

Where each one falls short

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

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

Mixpanel

  • Pricing can scale significantly at high volumes with expensive per-user rates
  • Limited built-in data visualization options compared to some competitors
  • Requires implementation expertise to properly instrument event tracking

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Analytics

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics review.

Mixpanel

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Mixpanel review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Analytics if

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

Choose Mixpanel if

  • You need event analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, APIs.
  • You also want user segmentation.
Mixpanel review

Questions people ask

Is Google Analytics or Mixpanel better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Analytics starts at Free and Mixpanel at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Analytics or Mixpanel?
Google Analytics starts at Free and Mixpanel at Free.
Does Google Analytics or Mixpanel run on more platforms?
Google Analytics runs on Web. Mixpanel runs on Web, Mobile, APIs.
Can I use Google Analytics for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Analytics best used for?
Google Analytics is most often used for website and web application analytics, event tracking and user behaviour analysis, traffic source and conversion tracking. Of those, website and web application analytics and event tracking and user behaviour analysis are not what Mixpanel is typically brought in for.
What can Google Analytics do that Mixpanel cannot?
Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. Mixpanel covers Event analytics, User segmentation, Funnel analysis, Retention analysis. Both handle Salesforce, SOC2.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mixpanel: Is Mixpanel free?

Yes, Mixpanel offers a generous free plan with up to 20 million events per month, unlimited team members, core analytics reports, 10K session replays, and 12 months data retention. No credit card required.

Source
Mixpanel: How does Mixpanel pricing work?

Mixpanel pricing is based on Monthly Tracked Users (MTUs). The free tier includes core analytics. Growth tier starts at $20/month for up to 10,000 MTUs. Enterprise pricing is custom based on volume, retention, and contract terms.

Source
Mixpanel: What are Mixpanel's core analytics features?

Mixpanel provides Insights for user behavior analysis, Funnels for conversion tracking, Flows for user journey visualization, and Retention analysis. All available on the free tier.

Source
Mixpanel: Does Mixpanel track page views or events?

Mixpanel tracks user actions and events rather than page views, providing a more granular understanding of user behavior. It offers a simple SDK compatible with major platforms including mobile.

Source
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Related pages

More on Google Analytics

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