OpenWebAnalytics is a free and open-source web analytics framework that site owners install on their own PHP and MySQL servers to track visitors while keeping every collected event under their own control. The GPL-licensed server ships with a first-party JavaScript tracker, ecommerce and goal measurement, heatmaps, and session recordings at no license cost.[1][2][3]
Quick verdict
OpenWebAnalytics suits WordPress publishers and small teams with a LAMP host who want owned analytics data most. Its server records visitors, pageviews, ecommerce transactions, and configurable actions on infrastructure the operator controls, with heatmaps and Domstream session recordings included free. The constraint is operational: there is no hosted edition, so installation, updates, and scaling on PHP 8.2 and MySQL 5.7 or newer fall on the operator. Teams wanting owned data with a testing suite and vendor support should choose Matomo; teams wanting near-zero-maintenance stats should choose Plausible.[1][2][3]
Key features
Unlimited-site tracking Unlimited-site tracking: one OWA server instance tracks an unlimited number of websites, so a publisher with a portfolio of domains runs a single installation.[1]
First-party JavaScript tracker First-party JavaScript tracker: the tracking client is served and controlled by the operator, with configurable cookie lifetimes including session-only mode for consent-sensitive deployments.[1]
Ecommerce and goal measurement Ecommerce and goal measurement: transactions, configurable actions, goals, and conversion tracking connect campaigns to completed purchases and sign-ups.[1]
Heatmaps included free Heatmaps included free: click and attention maps show how pages are used without a paid add-on, unlike suites that gate them behind premium tiers.[1]
Domstream session recordings Domstream session recordings: session replays reconstruct individual visits for usability diagnosis, part of the free core.[1]
Visitor geolocation Visitor geolocation: location reporting enriches visitor profiles from operator-owned data rather than a third-party enrichment feed.[1]
WordPress and PHP integration WordPress and PHP integration: a dedicated WordPress plugin adds tracking to WordPress sites, and a PHP SDK instruments any PHP application directly.[1][2]
REST API and multi-user reporting REST API and multi-user reporting: programmatic administration and data access plus a multi-user dashboard with customizable reports and an extensible module framework.[1]
Who will love it
WordPress publishers WordPress publishers: the integration plugin adds tracking without touching theme code, and the data stays on the publisher's own server rather than feeding an ad stack.[1][2]
Small LAMP teams Small LAMP teams: shops already running PHP 8.2 and MySQL 5.7 or newer add analytics to existing infrastructure at zero license cost with Apache or nginx.[1][2]
Privacy-driven owners Privacy-driven owners: first-party tracking, operator-held data, and adjustable cookie lifetimes fit sites that minimize third-party exposure for regulatory or principled reasons.[1][2]
Who should avoid it
Teams without server operations Teams without server operations: there is no hosted edition, so anyone unable to run updates, backups, and cron maintenance on a PHP/MySQL host should pick a managed product.[1][2]
Enterprises needing support contracts Enterprises needing support contracts: community support through GitHub issues and the wiki is the documented channel; no SLA, SSO documentation, or vendor support plan is evidenced.[1]
Seekers of a minimal stats page Seekers of a minimal stats page: operators who want a sub-kilobyte script and a single dashboard will find OWA's full server suite heavier than a lightweight alternative such as Plausible.[1][2]
Alternatives and compatibility
Google Analytics replaced Google Analytics replaced: OWA is documented as an open-source alternative to commercial tools such as Google Analytics for teams moving measurement onto owned infrastructure.[1][2]
Matomo as fuller suite Matomo as fuller suite: the closest self-hosted GPL comparator, with a larger optimisation toolkit and vendor support for teams that outgrow community-supported OWA.[1][2]
Plausible as lighter option Plausible as lighter option: the minimal self-hostable comparator for teams that prefer near-zero-maintenance stats over OWA's full server suite.[1][2]
Questions worth asking
What is the best OpenWebAnalytics alternative for non-technical users?
Google Analytics itself, the incumbent in this catalogue relationship, is the safer pick for non-technical users because it is free, hosted, and has the largest tutorial ecosystem. The tradeoff is what OWA adopters leave behind: third-party data collection and ad-stack dependence in exchange for running their own server.[1][2]
Is OpenWebAnalytics really no-code?
How much does OpenWebAnalytics cost per month?
Can you self-host OpenWebAnalytics?
Yes, self-hosting is the only distribution model. OWA installs from a tarball or GitHub checkout onto the operator's own server running PHP 8.2 or newer, MySQL 5.7 or a compatible engine, and Apache 2.x or nginx, with cron-driven maintenance. Expect to operate updates, backups, and scaling yourself.[1][2]
Sources and editorial review
Source research. Reviewed on October 12, 2026. Written by Sanjib Sah. AI assisted; reviewed by a human editor.
We have not run or tested this product.
- OpenWebAnalytics discovery lead (legacy directory)
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Discovery lead: legacy directory listing used for identity cross-check (stars, version, license, repo, sponsor link).
- Open Web Analytics homepage (official)
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Official homepage: free and open-source positioning, operator control of instrumentation and analysis, GitHub download, demo.
- About OWA (official)
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Official about page: GPLv2 license, Javascript and PHP APIs, WordPress support, GitHub wiki docs.
- Download OWA (official)
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Official download page: tarball or GitHub checkout for own server; no hosted edition offered.
- Open-Web-Analytics GitHub organization
official · Observed October 12, 2026
GitHub organization: official repository of the open-source Google Analytics alternative.
- OWA repository README (official)
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Repository README: feature list (visitors, pageviews, ecommerce, unlimited sites, first-party tracker, dashboard, heatmaps, Domstream, geolocation, REST API, multi-user, modules), WordPress plugin, PHP SDK, cookie options.
- OWA Technical Requirements wiki (official)
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Technical Requirements wiki: PHP 8.2+, MySQL 5.7+/compatible, Apache 2.x, cron maintenance.
- Google Analytics homepage (official)
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Official homepage of the proprietary incumbent (also an existing catalogue record); relationship evidence only.
- Catalogue record matomo
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Existing catalogue record matomo (published project); closest self-hosted comparator, relationship evidence only.
- Catalogue record plausible
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Existing catalogue record plausible (published project); lightweight comparator, relationship evidence only.