Head-to-head · October 2026
GA Google Analytics vs Simple Tag Manager
GA Google Analytics comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Simple Tag Manager.
GA Google Analytics
✨ Connects Google Analytics to WordPress ✨ Easily add Google Analytics 4 to your web pages
Simple Tag Manager
Simple Tag Manager is a simple plugin created in order to easily install Google Tag Manager and Google…
| Metric | GA Google Analytics | Simple Tag Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 400K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 39.9K | 162 |
| Download trend | -39.6% | +8.7% |
| Rating | 4.9/5 | — |
| Reviews | 158 | 0 |
| Health score | 89/100 | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 2 months ago | 9 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 4.8.0 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6.20+ | Any |
| First released | Nov 2012 | Nov 2016 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
GA Google AnalyticsSimple Tag Manager
Choose GA Google Analytics if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 400K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 158 reviews
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
Choose Simple Tag Manager if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 9 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.8 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: google
FAQ
GA Google Analytics vs Simple Tag Manager: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 19, 2026
Which is better, GA Google Analytics or Simple Tag Manager?
GA Google Analytics comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Simple Tag Manager. Choose GA Google Analytics if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Simple Tag Manager if you care most about download trend.
Is GA Google Analytics more popular than Simple Tag Manager?
GA Google Analytics is the more popular of the two with 400K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Simple Tag Manager.
Can I use GA Google Analytics and Simple Tag Manager together?
Both plugins cover google, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are GA Google Analytics and Simple Tag Manager free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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