Mixpanel vs Google Analytics
As digital marketers, we all know that analyzing data is a crucial aspect of understanding our users and improving user experience (UX). And when it comes to data analytics, two names always pop up: Mixpanel and Google Analytics. Both are great in what they do, but they differ in their approach to data and how they help improve UX.
The Basics
Google Analytics is a freemium web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. It provides you with real-time data, demographics, and behavior reports of users. On the other hand, Mixpanel is an advanced analytics platform that provides product analytics to businesses.
Data Collection
Both Mixpanel and Google Analytics use cookies to track user behavior. However, Mixpanel collects event-based data, while Google Analytics collects pageview-based data. This means that Mixpanel can track specific user actions such as button clicks or form submissions, which are essential for product analytics. In contrast, Google Analytics is best suited for tracking page views and e-commerce purchases.
Customization
One advantage of Mixpanel over Google Analytics is its ability to segment users based on their behavior. Mixpanel provides filters that let you segment your users based on their behavior, location, and device. This feature is useful for understanding how specific user groups are interacting with your product. Google Analytics also has a segmentation feature, but it's not as powerful as that of Mixpanel.
Pricing
Google Analytics is free to use, making it a popular choice for smaller businesses or websites. However, as your website grows, you might need to pay for additional features such as increased data thresholds, more views, or custom funnels. Mixpanel, on the other hand, is a premium product analytics platform that starts at $999 per year. This pricing is determined by the amount of data you collect.
The Verdict
Mixpanel and Google Analytics are both powerful tools that can help you improve UX on your website or product. Google Analytics is best suited for tracking website traffic and e-commerce sales, while Mixpanel is ideal for product analytics. Understanding what you want to track and why will help you choose the right analytics tool for your needs.