Want to set up Google Analytics for WordPress? While you can always just paste the tracking code into your site’s header, using a Google Analytics plugin can go a long way towards simplifying the process.
Plus, some of the plugins I’ll feature can even give you your very own Google Analytics dashboard in WordPress. That means all the goodness of Google Analytics data without needing to leave the friendly confines of your WordPress dashboard!
In this post, I’m going to dig into all of the best Google Analytics WordPress plugins. But, because there’s some variety in the types of plugins out there, you should expect three different types of plugins:
- Plugins that give you a full-scale Google Analytics dashboard inside your WordPress admin area.
- Lightweight plugins that simply help you add the Google Analytics tracking code to WordPress.
- Niche plugins that help you add Google Analytics Event Tracking.
Enough jabber – let’s dive in so you can start collecting data!
Summary: Best WordPress Google Analytics Plugins
I’ll dig into each analytics plugin in more detail below. But for now, here’s a quick summary of the 6 different plugins I’ll be comparing in this post:
| Analytify | Analytics Cat | MonsterInsights | Google Analytics WD | GADWP | WP Event Tracking | |
| Has free version? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Pro version starts at? | $39 | 100% free | $30 | $30 | 100% free | $49 |
| Adds tracking code? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| In-dashboard reports? | YES | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Exclude user roles? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Event tracking? | YES, limited | NO | YES, limited | YES, limited | YES, limited | YES, broad range |
| Visit | Analytify | Analytics Cat | MonsterInsights | Analytics WD | GADWP | WPFlow |
1. Analytify
Overview
Analytify is a neat plugin that comes in both a free and premium version. Not only does it help you add the Google Analytics tracking code to WordPress and give you an in-dashboard stats view, but you can also view stats for individual posts/pages right on each page. And you can even display stats on the front-end for certain user roles!
The Pro version adds WooCommerce and EDD support, real-time stats, and more.
Analytify Core Features
- View a Google Analytics dashboard inside WordPress
- Get stats on individual posts, pages, or custom post types
- Real-time statistics
- Integrations for WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads
- Separate breakdown for social media stats
- Show stats on the front-end with shortcodes
Analytify Pros
- Because it only uses 2 HTTP requests, Analytify won’t slow down your site
- You can see which pages and networks generate the most clicks thanks to the Google Analytics integration
- Simple backend interface makes it easy to configure your social share buttons
- Has a solid free version
Analytify Cons
- The detailed feature list is overkill if all you want to do is set up basic Google Analytics tracking
- You’ll need to pay for some of the coolest features (not a major con, but something to consider)
How Does It Work?
All you need to do is install the free plugin and then give it access to your Google Analytics data by connecting the Analytify App to your Google Analytics account. Once you authenticate your account, the configuration process is pretty simple.
Pricing
The core Analytify plugin is free and listed at WordPress.org. Analytify Pro costs $39 per year, and the WooCommerce, EDD, and Campaigns add-ons are also separate charges ranging from $19 to $49 per year.
2. Analytics Cat
Overview
Analytics Cat is a lightweight plugin that helps you add the Google Analytics tracking code to your WordPress site. You won’t get custom dashboards or anything – just a helpful plugin with a few other features that make it a better option than manually adding the Google Analytics tracking code.
Analytics Cat Core Features
- Add the Universal Google Analytics tracking code quickly and easily
- Exclude logged-in users from being tracked by the code to keep your data accurate
Analytics Cat Pros
- It’s super easy to use
- You can exclude your own traffic from Google Analytics reports so that you don’t muddy up your data
Analytics Cat Cons
There’s not any deeper functionality – if you want dashboards in your WordPress admin, you’ll need a different plugin
How Does It Work?
All you need to do is install the free plugin, paste in your Google Analytics ID, and choose which user roles to exclude from tracking. That’s literally all there is to it.
Pricing
Analytics Cat is 100% free and listed at WordPress.org.
3. Google Analytics by MonsterInsights
Overview
Formerly known as Google Analytics by Yoast, Syed Balkhi bought this plugin back in 2016 and rebranded it as Google Analytics by MonsterInsights. Now, it offers an array of functionality similar to Analytify. You can view dashboards inside your WordPress admin, track eCommerce activity with user friendly reports, and lots more.
The plugin comes in both a limited free version and more feature-rich Pro versions.
Google Analytics by MonsterInsights Core Features
- Add the Google Analytics tracking code
- View Google Analytics data inside your WordPress dashboard
- Set up outbound link tracking and other Events
- eCommerce specific tracking and reports
Google Analytics by MonsterInsights Pros
- Can view data inside your dashboard
- Supports tracking Google Analytics Events, which is helpful
- Lets you exclude certain user roles from being tracked
Google Analytics by MonsterInsights Cons
- You can’t see stats on individual pages or posts like with Analytify
- It’s expensive to get the best Pro features
How Does It Work?
Like Analytify, you’ll need to give Google Analytics by MonsterInsights access to your Google Analytics account in order to view stats inside your dashboard.
Pricing
There is a limited free version at WordPress.org. Most of the Pro features are locked behind the various Pro versions, which start at a reasonable $39 but top out at a hefty $199 depending on the features that you want.
4. Google Analytics WD
Overview
Google Analytics WD is a freemium Google Analytics plugin that helps you add the Google Analytics tracking code to WordPress and view detailed reports right inside your WordPress dashboard.
Google Analytics WD Core Features
- Adds the Google Analytics tracking code
- Lets you run a variety of reports from inside your WordPress dashboard
- Helps you set up goals and filters
- Offers eCommerce specific reports
- Supports enhanced link attribution and outbound link tracking
Google Analytics WD Pros
- You can run a wide range of reports without leaving your dashboard
- Email notification summaries – even in the free version
- Can set up custom dimensions in the Pro version
- Supports tracking outbound links
Google Analytics WD Cons
The reports are ugly. Not a huge deal…but other plugins have better design
How Does It Work?
Like the other in-dashboard plugins, you’ll need to authenticate Google Analytics WD with your Google Analytics account to give it access to tracking data. Then, you can configure the plugin like normal.
Pricing
Google Analytics WD has a solid free version at WordPress.org. After that, full-featured Pro plans start at just $30, which makes it fairly affordable compared to Analytify and MonsterInsights.
5. Google Analytics Dashboard for WP
Overview
Google Analytics Dashboard for WP, also known as GADWP, is a popular free option for, unsurprisingly, adding a Google Analytics dashboard to your WordPress site. It’s 100% free and well-supported.
Google Analytics Dashboard for WP Core Features
- View a variety of Google Analytics reports inside your WordPress dashboard
- Real-time stat tracking
- Adds the Google Analytics tracking code
- Exclude certain user roles from tracking
- Track Events
- Custom dimensions
Google Analytics Dashboard for WP Pros
- Tons of features for free
- Segmentation makes it easy to find the right report
- Custom dimensions and Event Tracking are nice to have
Google Analytics Dashboard for WP Cons
Tough to come up with! It might be overkill if you just want to add the basic Google Analytics tracking code and don’t care about in-dashboard reporting.
How Does It Work?
Like the others, you’ll need to authenticate it with your Google Analytics account before you can start viewing reports.
Pricing
It’s 100% free and listed at WordPress.org.
6. WP Google Analytics Events
Overview
While WP Google Analytics Events does help you add the Google Analytics tracking code to your WordPress site, it’s mostly concerned with helping you easily set up Google Analytics Event Tracking for a variety of actions.
WP Google Analytics Events Core Features
- Adds the Google Analytics tracking code
- Helps you add Google Analytics Event Tracking for a variety of actions like outbound link clicks, scroll depth, video players, and more
WP Google Analytics Events Pros
- Google Analytics Events add a ton of power to Google Analytics
- Very easy to use. You don’t need to touch any code to set up your various Events
WP Google Analytics Events Cons
You’ll probably need the Pro version for the most helpful functionality
How Does It Work?
You install the plugin and add your Google Analytics User ID. Then, you can set up Event Tracking for a variety of actions using a user friendly interface. No code required.
Pricing
There’s a limited free version listed at WordPress.org. After that, the Pro plans start at $49.
Wrapping Things Up
| Analytify | Analytics Cat | MonsterInsights | Google Analytics WD | GADWP | WP Event Tracking | |
| Has free version? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Pro version starts at? | $39 | 100% free | $30 | $30 | 100% free | $49 |
| Adds tracking code? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| In-dashboard reports? | YES | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Exclude user roles? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Event tracking? | YES, limited | NO | YES, limited | YES, limited | YES, limited | YES, broad range |
| Visit | Analytify | Analytics Cat | MonsterInsights | Analytics WD | GADWP | WPFlow |
And that concludes my look at the 6 best Google Analytics plugins for WordPress. If you just want a lightweight plugin to help you add the Google Analytics tracking code to WordPress, then Analytics Cat is your best option.
On the other hand, if you want to both add the tracking code and view your Google Analytics stats inside your WordPress dashboard, then you’ll want to pick between Analytify, Google Analytics by MonsterInsights, Google Analytics WD, or Google Analytics Dashboard for WP.
And finally, Google Analytics Event Tracking gives you a simple way to collect even more valuable data for your Google Analytics analysis.
How to add button like Go to wordpress analytics tab? Please help
MonsterInsights fulfills its goal of making analytics easy for beginners. It gives you the powerful insights of Google Analytics, without the overwhelm. It’s easily the best Google Analytics plugin for WordPress.