GoatCounter
Lightweight open-source web analytics that doesn't track personal data.
Overview
GoatCounter is a Bergen, Norway-based European company building analytics, open source, and privacy software since 2019. As an EU-headquartered provider, GoatCounter operates under GDPR and is outside the reach of the US CLOUD Act, making it a privacy-friendly alternative to Google Analytics for European teams.
Why European teams pick GoatCounter
Teams in Europe pick GoatCounter when they want a analytics provider that bills in EUR, supports their local data-protection officer requirements, and keeps customer data under Norway law, operating since 2019. Compared with Google Analytics, GoatCounter avoids cross-border data transfers under Schrems II and the US CLOUD Act, which is often the deciding factor for European procurement and legal teams.
See more EU analytics tools or browse other startups from Norway.
About
GoatCounter is an open-source web analytics tool focused on simplicity and privacy, developed by a Dutch developer and self-hostable on any EU server. It requires no JavaScript, tracking cookies, or personal data — visitors are counted using a lightweight 1×1 pixel or a small script that never stores IP addresses. It is free for personal and non-commercial use, with a paid cloud plan hosted in the EU. GoatCounter is especially popular with developers and hobbyists who want honest traffic numbers without the compliance complexity of cookie-based analytics. The self-hosted version has no external dependencies and runs on a €5/month VPS.
Details
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- Bergen, Norway
Categories
Other EU startups like GoatCounter
- FormVaultNorway — GDPR-compliant form builder with end-to-end encryption (AES-256-GCM), EU data residency, and a submission dashboard. No cookie banners needed.
- PocketbaseBulgaria — Open-source backend in a single file — a European alternative to Firebase.
- NocoDBGermany — Open-source Airtable alternative that turns databases into smart spreadsheets.
- BaserowNetherlands — Open-source no-code database and Airtable alternative — built in the Netherlands.
- PortainerNew Zealand — Container management UI for Docker and Kubernetes — a New Zealand/European alternative to Rancher.
- NetdataGreece — Open-source real-time infrastructure monitoring — an alternative to Datadog.
Frequently asked questions
What is GoatCounter?
GoatCounter is an open-source web analytics tool focused on simplicity and privacy, developed by a Dutch developer and self-hostable on any EU server. It requires no JavaScript, tracking cookies, or personal data — visitors are counted using a lightweight 1×1 pixel or a small script that never stores IP addresses. It is free for personal and non-commercial use, with a paid cloud plan hosted in the EU. GoatCounter is especially popular with developers and hobbyists who want honest traffic numbers without the compliance complexity of cookie-based analytics. The self-hosted version has no external dependencies and runs on a €5/month VPS.
What does GoatCounter do?
GoatCounter is lightweight open-source web analytics that doesn't track personal data. It is listed under analytics, open source, and privacy on EU Alts because its core functionality serves teams looking for a European analytics tool with EU data residency, typically as a switch away from Google Analytics.
Is GoatCounter a good European analytics alternative?
GoatCounter is a fit for European businesses evaluating analytics options where data residency and GDPR alignment matter — typical buyers include EU-based SaaS teams, public-sector projects, regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal), and any organisation that needs to demonstrate that customer data does not leave the EU. It also overlaps with open source and privacy use cases.
Is GoatCounter GDPR compliant?
GoatCounter is headquartered in Bergen, Norway and falls under EU jurisdiction, so it processes user data under the GDPR by default. Customer data processing is supervised by Norway's data protection authority, the Datatilsynet (Norwegian DPA). Because the company is not US-incorporated, it is not subject to the US CLOUD Act — meaning US authorities cannot compel GoatCounter to disclose customer data the way they can with Google Analytics. For European buyers, that often simplifies DPIA paperwork and standard contractual clauses.
How do teams switch from Google Analytics to GoatCounter?
Most teams move to GoatCounter from Google Analytics because they want EU data residency without giving up the core analytics workflow. GoatCounter's Norway base means a single jurisdiction for both the company and (typically) its hosting infrastructure, so you can drop Schrems II transfer impact assessments for this part of your stack. Plan the migration in stages: export your data from the US incumbent, pilot GoatCounter with a small team, then move the rest once the integration coverage you need is confirmed.
Where is GoatCounter based?
GoatCounter is headquartered in Bergen, Norway. The company was founded in 2019. Its main website is https://www.goatcounter.com.