google-search-console vs matomo
Google Search Console vs Matomo — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
These tools serve fundamentally different analytics needs. Google Search Console is Google's direct line to your search performance data — queries, clicks, impressions, and technical issues straight from the source. Matomo is a comprehensive web analytics platform that happens to include some SEO features, positioning itself as a privacy-focused Google Analytics alternative.
The core difference: Search Console shows you how Google sees your site, while Matomo shows you how users interact with it. Most SEO professionals use Search Console regardless of their main analytics tool, but the question is whether Matomo can replace Google Analytics in your stack while adding SEO value.
Feature Comparison
Google Search Console excels at search-specific data that no other tool can provide. You get exact query data (what people actually searched for), click-through rates by position, Core Web Vitals monitoring, and indexing status alerts. The Performance report shows which pages rank for which keywords with precision that third-party tools can only estimate. Technical SEO features include URL inspection, sitemap submission, and manual action notifications. Matomo offers traditional web analytics — page views, bounce rates, conversion tracking, and user behavior analysis — with some SEO reporting layered on top. Its SEO features include keyword ranking tracking, search engine referral data, and basic technical SEO insights. Where Matomo shines is data ownership and privacy compliance. Unlike Google Analytics, your data stays on your servers (self-hosted version) or Matomo's GDPR-compliant infrastructure (cloud version). You also get advanced features like heatmaps, session recordings, and A/B testing that Search Console lacks entirely. The integration story differs significantly. Search Console connects smoothly with Google Analytics, Google Ads, and other Google tools. Matomo integrates with popular CMS platforms and marketing tools, but requires more technical setup for advanced configurations.
Pricing Comparison
Both tools offer solid free tiers, but with different limitations. Google Search Console is completely free with no restrictions — Google wants you using it to improve your search presence. Matomo's free plan supports up to 50,000 monthly page views, which covers many small to medium websites. Matomo's paid plans start around €19/month for 50,000 page views, scaling up based on traffic volume. Enterprise features like custom reporting, white labeling, and advanced user permissions require higher-tier plans. The self-hosted version is free but requires server management and technical expertise. Google Search Console never charges, regardless of website size or traffic volume.
Best For
Google Search Console is essential for anyone serious about search visibility. If you need to understand how Google crawls and ranks your site, diagnose technical SEO issues, or track search performance with official Google data, Search Console is irreplaceable. It's particularly valuable for sites heavily dependent on organic search traffic. Matomo works best for organizations prioritizing data privacy and comprehensive user analytics. If you're in Europe dealing with GDPR compliance, handling sensitive data, or want complete control over your analytics infrastructure, Matomo delivers what Google Analytics cannot. It's also ideal for agencies managing multiple client sites who need white-labeled reporting.
The Verdict
These tools complement rather than compete with each other. Google Search Console is non-negotiable for SEO work — it's the only source for official Google search data. Matomo is a Google Analytics replacement that happens to include some SEO features. Most serious SEO operations use Search Console plus either Google Analytics or Matomo for comprehensive coverage. Choose Matomo over Google Analytics if data privacy and ownership matter more than Google's ecosystem integration.