AddonPulse vs. SimpleAnalytics
Compare the key features of AddonPulse and SimpleAnalytics.
Why choose AddonPulse over SimpleAnalytics?
 AddonPulse | SimpleAnalytics | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Focus | ||
| Dedicated Chrome Extension SDK | ||
| Cross-platform tracking (Web + Extension) | ||
| Manifest V3 compliant | ||
| Offline event queuing | ||
| Core Analytics Features | ||
| Simple dashboard | ||
| Real-time data | ||
| Source & UTM tracking | ||
| Custom events | With attributes | Basic |
| Conversion goals | ||
| Advanced Features | ||
| Cross-platform Funnels | ||
| User journeys (Sankey) | ||
| Unified User profiles | ||
| Sessions tracking | ||
| Real-time globe view | ||
| Privacy & Compliance | ||
| Extension Store privacy compliant | ||
| Cookie-free tracking | ||
| No personal data collection | ||
| Daily rotating salt option | ||
| Data stored in EU | ||
| Performance & Technical | ||
| Background script size | < 10KB | N/A (Web script) |
| Bot filtering | ||
| API access | ||
| Bypasses ad blockers | ||
| Pricing & Support | ||
| Free trial | 10,000 events | No (Paid only) |
| Entry price | $9/mo | €19/mo |
| Organization support | ||
Understanding the Key Differences
Privacy-First, But Built for Extensions
Simple Analytics and AddonPulse share the exact same core mission: provide privacy-friendly analytics without cookies or personal data collection. Both platforms are GDPR compliant by design, store data in the EU, and respect user privacy. The critical difference is the platform target. Simple Analytics is built exclusively for websites. If you try to run it inside a Chrome Extension, it breaks down. AddonPulse gives you the same clean, cookie-free web analytics, but pairs it with a powerful, Manifest V3-compliant SDK designed specifically for browser extensions.
The Offline Challenge
Browser extensions are not standard websites. Users frequently lose internet connection, and Chrome routinely puts background service workers to sleep to save memory. A standard web script like Simple Analytics will lose event data every time the network drops or a service worker suspends. AddonPulse's Extension SDK solves this with a robust, IndexedDB-powered offline queue. We securely cache your user events locally and automatically flush them to our servers the moment connectivity is restored.
See the Complete Cross-Platform Journey
Simple Analytics tells you what pages were visited on your landing page. But once a user clicks "Install Extension", they disappear from your radar. AddonPulse unifies this journey. By linking your marketing site to your extension usage, our cross-platform funnels and unified user profiles allow you to see exactly which marketing campaigns (UTMs) are driving long-term, active extension users. We don't just count web visits; we measure actual product adoption.
Extension Store Privacy Compliance
Chrome Web Store reviewers are incredibly strict about tracking. Standard web analytics scripts often send full URLs, pathnames, and excessive DOM data that can trigger privacy flags and get your extension rejected. AddonPulse's Extension SDK is built with this specifically in mind. It deliberately strips out sensitive data and pathnames, sending only the safe metrics you need. You stay compliant with Chrome's strict policies without sacrificing your analytics.
A Free trial That Supports Indie Devs
Simple Analytics is a premium product that requires a paid subscription from day one. We believe powerful analytics should be accessible to developers who are just starting out or testing a new side project. AddonPulse offers a generous 30 day free trial with 10,000 events per month and full data retention. You can track your MVP's growth, compare historical data, and build cross-platform funnels for free. When your extension takes off, our pricing is competitive, transparent, and built to scale with you.
Choose Power Without Sacrificing Simplicity
You shouldn't have to choose between a simple dashboard and the specialized tools you need to grow a software product. AddonPulse maintains the same clean, intuitive interface that makes Simple Analytics appealing, while adding the advanced features that extension developers actually need: custom event attributes, cross-platform funnels, and offline-ready SDKs. With our live demo, you can see the difference immediately, no implementation required.