Self-Hosted Web Analytics

Why self-host?

Google Analytics is heavy, requires a cookie consent banner, and sends your visitors' data to Google. Self-hosted analytics like Plausible and Umami are lightweight, cookieless, GDPR-compliant by default, and you own the data — no third party sees it.

Step 1. Choose your tool

• •Plausible: clean modern UI, email reports, can self-host or use their cloud.
• •Umami: simpler, lighter, self-hosted only.
• •Both are cookieless and GDPR-compliant — no cookie banner required.

Step 2. Install Plausible via Docker Compose

Plausible needs three containers: itself, Postgres, and Clickhouse. Create a docker-compose.yml with all three services, set environment variables (BASE_URL, SECRET_KEY, database passwords), and run:

Access at http://server-ip:8000.

Step 3. Install Umami via Docker (simpler)

Umami just needs itself and Postgres. Run:

Then create the database and visit http://localhost:3000.

Step 4. Add the tracking script

Add one line of JavaScript to your website header.

For Plausible:

For Umami: add the script tag from your dashboard.

That's it — no cookie banner needed because no cookies are set.

Step 5. Configure goals and events

Track sign-ups, button clicks, form submissions, or custom events.

• •In Plausible: Settings → Goals.
• •In Umami: Settings → Events.
• •Both let you see conversion funnels.

Step 6. View your analytics

Your dashboard shows visitors, page views, sources, devices, countries, and bounce rate — all without cookies. No consent banner interrupting visitors.