OpenWebAnalytics

Open Web Analytics is an open-source, self-hosted web app for tracking website and application visitors while ensuring the owner retains full control over the collected data. The software is deployed as a web server and utilizes a JavaScript tracking client that is embedded into web pages to capture user interactions.

Users can monitor traffic across an unlimited number of websites from a single installation of the OWA Server. The platform is designed for website administrators and developers who require a private analytics solution without relying on third-party cloud providers. It supports integration with WordPress via a dedicated plugin and offers a PHP SDK for those implementing tracking within other PHP-based applications.

Key features

• Tracking of visitors, pageviews, e-commerce transactions, and custom actions
• First party JavaScript tracker client
• Reporting dashboard and customizable reports
• Generation of heatmaps and Domstream session recordings
• Geolocation of visitors
• REST API for administration and data access
• Multi user reporting interface
• Extensible framework via custom modules

The system is built on a PHP framework and allows for the creation of custom modules to extend its core functionality. Data access and administration are handled through a REST API, which enables integration with other internal tools or the creation of automated reporting workflows. The reporting portal provides a centralized interface for viewing visitor behavior and site performance metrics, allowing administrators to view and customize reports to meet specific business needs.

By hosting the server on their own infrastructure, users avoid the data sharing policies associated with commercial alternatives. The software is licensed under the GNU GPL, version 2 or later, ensuring that the source code remains open for modification and audit. This architecture makes it suitable for organizations with strict data residency requirements or those who want to avoid the limitations of free tiers in proprietary software.

Open Web Analytics serves as a privacy-focused tool for those who prioritize data ownership and independence from commercial analytics providers.