GhostlyX vs PostHog
PostHog is a powerful open-source platform that bundles product analytics, session replay, feature flags, A/B testing, and surveys into one tool. It is well suited to engineering and product teams who want a single platform across the entire product development cycle. GhostlyX is purpose-built for web analytics: it is dramatically lighter (under 1.5 kB vs PostHog's roughly 70 kB script), cookie-free by default, includes built-in uptime monitoring, and requires no configuration to be GDPR-compliant.
At a glance
| Feature | GhostlyX | PostHog |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy & compliance | ||
| Cookie-free | ✓ | |
| GDPR compliant | ✓ | |
| No data sampling | ✓ | |
| Respects DNT header | ✓ | |
| Respects GPC header | ✓ | |
| Data sold or shared with third parties | ✓ | |
| Features | ||
| Real-time visitors | ✓ | |
| Uptime monitoring | ✓ | |
| Traffic spike alerts | ✓ | |
| Funnel analysis | ✓ | |
| Goal tracking | ✓ | |
| REST API | ✓ | |
| Scheduled email reports | ✓ | |
| CSV export | ✓ | |
| TV / big-screen mode | ✓ | |
| Open-source | ✓ | |
| Pricing & ownership | ||
| Script size | Under 2 kB | ~70 kB |
| Starting price | Free plan available | Free (1M events/mo) / usage-based after |
| Owned by | Independent | PostHog Inc. (USA) |
| Data location | EU servers | US or EU cloud (or self-hosted) |
Why teams switch to GhostlyX
GhostlyX advantages
- Cookie-free by default. PostHog sets cookies unless manually configured otherwise.
- Script under 1.5 kB, compared to PostHog's roughly 70 kB bundle.
- No consent banner required under GDPR or PECR.
- Built-in uptime monitoring. PostHog has no equivalent.
- Designed for web analytics clarity, not product analytics complexity.
- Traffic spike notifications and weekly email reports included.
PostHog advantages
- Open-source (MIT). Free to self-host with no pageview caps.
- Session replay and heatmaps built in.
- Feature flags and A/B testing included.
- Generous free cloud tier covering 1 million events per month.
- Surveys and in-app messaging available.
- EU cloud region available for data residency.
Common questions
Is PostHog a good alternative to GhostlyX for web analytics?
PostHog has a web analytics module, but it is primarily a product analytics platform. Its script is roughly 70 kB and it sets cookies by default. GhostlyX is purpose-built for web analytics, is under 1.5 kB, and is cookie-free with no configuration needed.
Is PostHog free?
PostHog offers a generous free tier covering 1 million events per month on its cloud product. Self-hosting PostHog is also free but requires infrastructure setup and ongoing maintenance.
Does PostHog require a cookie consent banner?
PostHog sets cookies by default, which means a GDPR consent banner is required in the EU and UK unless you specifically configure cookieless mode. GhostlyX is cookie-free by default and requires no consent banner.