MonsterInsights vs Independent Analytics (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Analytics Plugins top 10: MonsterInsights at #2 and Independent Analytics at #7. MonsterInsights leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
MonsterInsights
MonsterInsights – Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress (Website Stats Made Easy)
The best free Google Analytics plugin for WordPress. See how visitors find and use your website so you can grow your business with powerful analytics.
Independent Analytics
Independent Analytics – WordPress Analytics Plugin
A simple, yet powerful WordPress analytics plugin that gives you privacy-friendly stats to grow your website. A Google Analytics alternative.
Who leads on what
MonsterInsights leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track.
MonsterInsights ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #7 in Analytics Plugins.
MonsterInsights has more users: 2 million+ active installs against 100,000+.
Independent Analytics is rated higher: 4.8 out of 5 from 167 reviews, against 4.5 from 3,150 reviews.
MonsterInsights has more reviews behind its score: 3,150 against 167.
MonsterInsights was updated more recently, on September 3, 2026; Independent Analytics on August 20, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
MonsterInsights
Pick MonsterInsights if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, you want the score backed by more reviews or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Independent Analytics
Pick Independent Analytics if the review score matters most to you.
MonsterInsights vs Independent Analytics side by side
| MonsterInsights | Independent Analytics | |
|---|---|---|
| Analytics Plugins ranking | #2 | #7 |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Reviews | 3,150 | 167 |
| Active installs | 2 million+ | 100,000+ |
| Total downloads | 278,968,850 | 3,087,226 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Sep 3, 2026 | Aug 20, 2026 |
| First published | Sep 14, 2007 | May 31, 2022 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 7.2 | 8.0.30 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
MonsterInsights ratings
Independent Analytics ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither MonsterInsights nor Independent Analytics can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Analytics Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
MonsterInsights vs Independent Analytics: common questions
Is MonsterInsights better than Independent Analytics?
MonsterInsights leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. MonsterInsights ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #7 in Analytics Plugins.
Which has more users, MonsterInsights or Independent Analytics?
MonsterInsights ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #7 in Analytics Plugins.
Which is rated higher, MonsterInsights or Independent Analytics?
MonsterInsights has more users: 2 million+ active installs against 100,000+.
Are MonsterInsights and Independent Analytics free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. MonsterInsights may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Independent Analytics may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to MonsterInsights and Independent Analytics
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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ExactMetrics
300,000+ installs · 2.5 from 1,546 reviews
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Google Analytics for WooCommerce
100,000+ installs · 2.8 from 119 reviews
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Burst Statistics
200,000+ installs · 4.9 from 183 reviews
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GA Google Analytics
400,000+ installs · 4.9 from 158 reviews
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Koko Analytics
60,000+ installs · 5.0 from 242 reviews
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One email a week, built from the same daily snapshots these rankings come from: the plugins that climbed, what launched, and one ranking worth a look.