Software · head to head
Google Optimize vs Countly
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023; Countly the private cloud plan starts at $175 a month and is described as usage based without stating the unit
- They diverge on capability: Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Countly covers Event tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Optimize and Countly actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Optimize | Countly |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web | Web, Mobile, Api |
| Founded | 1998 | 2012 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Optimize
- A/B testing
- Google Analytics integration
- Visual editor
- Real-time analytics
- Google Analytics
- Google Tag Manager
- Google's security
- 40+ languages language support
Only in Countly
- Event tracking
- Crash reporting
- Analytics dashboard
- User retention
- Open-source
- On-premise deployment
- Mobile support
- Api support
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Google Optimize
- A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot Countly
- Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Countly
- Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot Countly
Countly
- Product analytics for mobile and web applicationsnot Google Optimize
- Self hosting analytics where data cannot leave the organisationnot Google Optimize
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Google Optimize
- Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
- Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
- Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product
Countly
- The private cloud plan starts at $175 a month and is described as usage based without stating the unit
- No event cap, data point limit or user limit is published for either paid plan
- The self hosted Enterprise edition is custom priced and billed annually
- Adaptivity and intelligence features are separately priced add ons on the cheaper plan
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Optimize
Free- FreeFree
- A/B testing
- Google Analytics integration
- Visual editor
Countly
Free- Open SourceFree
- Open-source
- Self-hosted
- Full features
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Optimize if
- You need a/b testing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want google analytics integration.
Choose Countly if
- You need event tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
- You also want crash reporting.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Optimize or Countly better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Optimize starts at Free and Countly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Optimize or Countly?
- Google Optimize starts at Free and Countly at Free.
- Does Google Optimize or Countly run on more platforms?
- Google Optimize runs on Web. Countly runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
- Can I use Google Optimize for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Google Optimize best used for?
- Google Optimize is most often used for a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals, personalising page content for defined audience segments, redirect tests between alternative landing page urls. Of those, a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals and personalising page content for defined audience segments are not what Countly is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Optimize do that Countly cannot?
- Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics. Countly covers Event tracking, Crash reporting, Analytics dashboard, User retention. Both handle Cloud deployment, Web support.