# 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.