Marketing & Analytics · head to head
Google Optimize vs Optimizely
Google Optimize
Marketing & Analytics
A/B testing for Google Analytics
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Optimizely
Marketing & Analytics
Digital experience optimization
- From
- $10000/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Google Optimize has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023; Optimizely no pricing is published and no minimum is stated
- They diverge on capability: Google Optimize covers Google Analytics integration, Optimizely covers Multivariate testing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Optimize and Optimizely actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Optimize | Optimizely |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $10000/year |
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Mobile |
| Founded | 1998 | 2010 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Marketing & Analytics).
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
- Google Analytics integration
- Visual editor
- Real-time analytics
- Google Tag Manager
- Google's security
- 40+ languages language support
Only in Optimizely
- Multivariate testing
- Personalization
- Feature management
- Analytics
- Adobe Analytics
- SOC2
- ISO27001
- Mobile support
Both cover
- A/B testing
- Google Analytics
- 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 Optimizely
- Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Optimizely
- Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot Optimizely
Optimizely
- A/B testing and experimentation across web and product experiencesnot Google Optimize
- Feature flagging and personalisation for digital productsnot 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
Optimizely
- No pricing is published and no minimum is stated
- Every plan is individually packaged, so no two quotes are necessarily comparable
- Reaching a figure requires a demo or sales conversation
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Optimize
Free- FreeFree
- A/B testing
- Google Analytics integration
- Visual editor
Optimizely
$10000/year- Enterprise$undefined/year
- A/B testing
- Personalization
- Feature management
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Optimize if
- You need google analytics integration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want visual editor.
Choose Optimizely if
- You need multivariate testing.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want personalization.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Optimize or Optimizely better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Optimize starts at Free and Optimizely at $10000/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Optimize or Optimizely?
- Google Optimize has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Optimize and $10000/year for Optimizely.
- Does Google Optimize or Optimizely run on more platforms?
- Google Optimize runs on Web. Optimizely runs on Web, Mobile.
- Can I use Google Optimize for free?
- Yes. Google Optimize has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Optimizely starts at $10000/year.
- 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 Optimizely is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Optimize do that Optimizely cannot?
- Google Optimize covers Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics, Google Tag Manager. Optimizely covers Multivariate testing, Personalization, Feature management, Analytics. Both handle A/B testing, Google Analytics, Cloud deployment, Web support.