Amazon Mobile Analytics vs Google Analytics: What are the differences?

Amazon Mobile Analytics and Google Analytics are both powerful tools that provide insights into user behavior and help businesses make data-driven decisions. While they serve a similar purpose, there are several key differences between the two.

1. Data Collection Methods: Amazon Mobile Analytics tracks data from mobile apps, including events, user sessions, and custom metrics, by integrating the Amazon Mobile Analytics SDK into the app. On the other hand, Google Analytics primarily captures data from websites, using a tracking code placed on each page.

2. Data Storage: Amazon Mobile Analytics stores data in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud, ensuring scalability and reliability. In contrast, Google Analytics stores data on Google's servers.

3. Data Retention: Amazon Mobile Analytics retains data for 25 months, allowing businesses to analyze historical trends and patterns over an extended period. In comparison, Google Analytics offers varying data retention options based on the type of account, with the maximum being 14 months for free accounts.

4. Pricing Structure: Amazon Mobile Analytics offers a free tier that includes 100 million events per month, with additional charges for exceeding this limit. In contrast, Google Analytics offers a flexible pricing structure, with free and paid options depending on the level of functionality and support required.

5. Integration with Ecosystem: Amazon Mobile Analytics seamlessly integrates with other Amazon Web Services, such as AWS Lambda and Amazon S3, enabling businesses to combine and analyze data from different sources within the ecosystem. Google Analytics, on the other hand, offers integrations with various Google marketing and advertising tools, such as Google Ads and Google Marketing Platform.

6. Customization and Flexibility: Amazon Mobile Analytics provides limited customization options and is primarily designed for mobile apps. In contrast, Google Analytics offers more advanced customization features, including the ability to set up custom dimensions, metrics, and reports, making it suitable for both websites and mobile apps.

In summary, Amazon Mobile Analytics and Google Analytics differ in terms of data collection methods, storage, retention, pricing structure, integration with ecosystem, and customization options. These differences make them suitable for different use cases and business needs.