Google Analytics vs Heap

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Google Analytics

127.3K
49.4K
+ 1
5.1K
Heap

685
467
+ 1
126
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Google Analytics vs Heap: What are the differences?

Introduction

Google Analytics and Heap are both popular tools used for web analytics. While they share some similarities, there are several key differences between the two.

  1. Data Collection: Google Analytics collects data using a JavaScript tracking code snippet that needs to be placed on every page of a website. Heap, on the other hand, automatically captures all user interactions without any code implementation. This makes Heap easier to set up and less prone to human error.

  2. Event Tracking: Google Analytics focuses on pageviews and goals, while Heap captures every user event by default. With Heap, you can gain a more granular understanding of user behavior and track specific events such as clicks, form submissions, and custom events without having to set them up individually.

  3. Data Storage: Google Analytics stores data in their servers, allowing users to access it through their interface. Heap, on the other hand, stores all the raw data in its own database, giving users the ability to perform retroactive analysis and answer new questions as they arise.

  4. Data Accessibility: Google Analytics provides a pre-built interface with predefined reports and dashboards that are easy to use, making it suitable for non-technical users. In contrast, Heap offers a more customizable interface that allows users to build their own analysis and reports, making it suitable for more advanced users who require more flexibility.

  5. Data Analysis: Google Analytics offers features like funnels, segmentations, and attribution modeling, allowing users to perform more complex data analysis and gain insights into user behavior and conversion rates. Although Heap does offer similar analysis capabilities, it may require more customization and technical expertise to achieve the same level of depth.

  6. Pricing: Google Analytics offers a free version with limited features, as well as a paid version for enterprise users. Heap, on the other hand, operates on a subscription-based model with different pricing tiers based on the volume of data collected. The cost of Heap can vary depending on the size of the organization and the amount of data being analyzed.

In summary, Google Analytics and Heap differ in terms of data collection, event tracking, data storage, data accessibility, data analysis capabilities, and pricing. These differences make each tool suitable for different types of users and organizations based on their specific needs and requirements.

Decisions about Google Analytics and Heap
Dennis Paulus
Founder, Software Engineer & Product Manager at BlazingMedia · | 7 upvotes · 19.3K views

We have integrated Panelbear on our Website, rather than Google Analytics, because it is way more respecting of the User's Privacy. Whilst Google Analytics gives us in-depth information on virtually everything, we don't even need that much. Panelbear keeps it simple and in addition to that, displays the data well structured in a simple and intuitive dashboard

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Pros of Google Analytics
Pros of Heap
  • 1.5K
    Free
  • 927
    Easy setup
  • 891
    Data visualization
  • 698
    Real-time stats
  • 406
    Comprehensive feature set
  • 182
    Goals tracking
  • 155
    Powerful funnel conversion reporting
  • 139
    Customizable reports
  • 83
    Custom events try
  • 53
    Elastic api
  • 15
    Updated regulary
  • 8
    Interactive Documentation
  • 4
    Google play
  • 3
    Walkman music video playlist
  • 3
    Industry Standard
  • 3
    Advanced ecommerce
  • 2
    Irina
  • 2
    Easy to integrate
  • 2
    Financial Management Challenges -2015h
  • 2
    Medium / Channel data split
  • 2
    Lifesaver
  • 36
    Automatically capture every user action
  • 23
    No code required
  • 21
    Free Plan
  • 14
    Real-time insights
  • 11
    Track custom events
  • 10
    Define user segments
  • 7
    Define active users
  • 2
    Redshift integration
  • 2
    Fun to use

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Cons of Google Analytics
Cons of Heap
  • 11
    Confusing UX/UI
  • 8
    Super complex
  • 6
    Very hard to build out funnels
  • 4
    Poor web performance metrics
  • 3
    Very easy to confuse the user of the analytics
  • 2
    Time spent on page isn't accurate out of the box
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    What is Google Analytics?

    Google Analytics lets you measure your advertising ROI as well as track your Flash, video, and social networking sites and applications.

    What is Heap?

    Heap automatically captures every user action in your app and lets you measure it all. Clicks, taps, swipes, form submissions, page views, and more. Track events and segment users instantly. No pushing code. No waiting for data to trickle in.

    Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

    What companies use Google Analytics?
    What companies use Heap?
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    What tools integrate with Google Analytics?
    What tools integrate with Heap?

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    What are some alternatives to Google Analytics and Heap?
    Mixpanel
    Mixpanel helps companies build better products through data. With our powerful, self-serve product analytics solution, teams can easily analyze how and why people engage, convert, and retain to improve their user experience.
    Piwik
    Matomo (formerly Piwik) is a full-featured PHP MySQL software program that you download and install on your own webserver. At the end of the five-minute installation process, you will be given a JavaScript code.
    Google Tag Manager
    Tag Manager gives you the ability to add and update your own tags for conversion tracking, site analytics, remarketing, and more. There are nearly endless ways to track user behavior across your sites and apps, and the intuitive design lets you change tags whenever you want.
    Amplitude
    Amplitude provides scalable mobile analytics that helps companies leverage data to create explosive user growth. Anyone in the company can use Amplitude to pinpoint the most valuable behavioral patterns within hours.
    Segment
    Segment is a single hub for customer data. Collect your data in one place, then send it to more than 100 third-party tools, internal systems, or Amazon Redshift with the flip of a switch.
    See all alternatives